By Seriki Adinoyi in Jos
Plateau state Deputy Governor, Professor Sonny Tyoden has said that the state government would not abandon its promise to create more chiefdoms, districts and villages for the people of the state, noting that Governor Simon Lalong was a man of his words who will not say one thing and do another.
Tyoden gave the reassurance yesterday during the celebration of the Golden Jubilee reign of the Village Head of Ruff, in Mangu Local Government Area of the state, Da Ishaku Vwat Dachom.
The deputy Governor, who was the Special Guest of Honour at the occasion, described Lalong as “a man of his words that will do as he’s promised the citizens of Plateau.â€
He said, “We have not abandoned the project of chiefdoms, districts and village creation, we are working on it and very soon we shall prove our critics wrong. It’s just a matter of time; when that time comes am sure the people of Ruff will celebrate the elevation of this village to a district.â€.
Also speaking, the state Director of National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mr. Bulus Dabit recalled the history of the evolution of the “Mishkaham Ruff’’ (the Village Head), which he said began in 1904 . Dabit, an indigene of Ruff, described the paramount ruler as a man of peace and progress, who successfully managed his community and family over the past 50 years.
He stated that the people of Ruff would continue to support the All Progressive Congress (APC) ruling government “more so that our paramount ruler is so loyal to constituted authorities.’’
The first son of the celebrant, Mr. Joshua Dachom, who is a Programme Officer with NOA on the Plateau, said that those of them who were biological children regard the occasion as a rare privilege for coming from his family because the man taught them peace, unity and love who had trained them to acquire various fields of endeavour. “Most of us are trained lawyers, social scientists, engineers, politicians and craftmen.â€
He added, “His love for his three wives demonstrates the unity of purpose in the family. His passion for community development and education is potently manifested in the many structures of built primary schools, primary healthcare clinics, community secondary schools, churches and roads.
“Unfortunately, his 50 years of reign as a monarch and village head of Ruff has not benefited him from government largesse in the form of allowances and salaries because his name is not on the payroll of local government in the state. However, that deprivation does not deter him from promoting peace in his community. My call on government is that they should include his name in the government payroll and create the village as a district.â€
The National President of Mwaghavul Development Association (MDA) and host of the event, Mr. Joshua Mape described the Mishkaham’s long reign as divine, likening it to his unflagging interest in his community coupled with his unflinching support from members of his community who see development strides in him.
Other dignitaries who graced the ceremony included Honourable Solomon Bulus Maren representing Mangu/Bokkos Federal Constituency at the National Assembly, Chief Musa Pwul who chaired the occasion, Hon. James Emmanuel Dakas, member representing Mangu South in the state House of Assembly, and the district heads of Kombun, Panyam, and Pushit.
