Governor Jonah Jang of Plateau State

By Seriki Adinoyi

Governor Jonah Jang of Plateau State has appealed to teachers of public primary schools in the state to call off their six-month-old strike in the interest of the future of pupils in the schools.

Jang said the strike which had kept the pupils at home could ruin their future.

Jang made the appeal, at the weekend, at the conferment of a traditional title of Jarumi (Koghorong) Mwaghavul on the immediate past Vice-Chancellor of the University of Jos, Professor Sonni Tyoden, in Mangu.

The governor, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Professor Shedrack Best, urged the teachers to reopen the schools to allow the pupils return to learning, adding that most people in higher places today were products of public schools.

“Let us save the grass from suffering by suspending this strike so that our pupils can get education,” he said.

The governor viewed the honour done the former vice-chancellor, whom he described as a forward looking academic, as a well-deserved one, adding that Tyoden achieved so much for the state during his tenure as VC.
Jang further described Tyoden as a silent achiever, who helped to develop values for which the government and people of state are proud of.

Several other speakers, including Senator Solomon Ewuga, Speaker of the Plateau State House of Assembly, Mr. John Clark, and former Minister of Works, Dr. Hassan Lawan, extolled the rare virtues of Tyoden, who they said still reserves more to offer in service for the nation.

Tyoden, who was grateful for the honour, could not hide his excitement.

He said it was good to see his people identify with his achievements.