By Taye Obateru

ON a day when adulation and accolades were the order of the day, one man stood out at the inauguration of Governor Jonah Jang of Plateau State last Sunday to tell him what some called “home truths” that many  might have found difficult to tell.

The Bishop of the Jos Anglican Diocese, the Rt. Rev. Benjamin Kwashi who gave the day’s charge on the occasion was the bold one. Rather than play to the gallery and praise Jang to high heavens as some would do, he gave him three pieces of advice which he believed, would help him leave a Godly legacy at the end of the tenure.

Amidst cheers from many present, Kwashi who based his sermon on the story on loving one’s neighbor in Luke 10 said executing policies that would touch the people and appointing the right people who are compassionate, competent and willing to actualize the governor’s vision for the state would serve him well. In all, he asked the governor to do three things.

According to the cleric, “Get God-fearing advisers. The mistake politicians have made over time is that they think political juggernauts are the only people who can advise correctly; it’s not true. Look for Godly advisers; some of them are in communities far away unknown.

They are simple people but they are opinion leaders in their own communities, if you do so, you will always see the need of the poor, the need of the widows, the need of the orphans and you will meet their needs.”

Secondly, he advised Governor Jang to do a review of the list he might have drawn up for appointments to ensure that only those who had the capacity to deliver get appointed. “Get people who are willing to work; get people who are dedicated and compassionate. People who will see the suffering of the people – the teacher, the nurses and the rest – and would say, ‘baba (Jang) you must give us money to solve their problems’. There are too many thieves now in the garment of born again Christian. Get honest people who are executors, finishers and not mere starters. People who when they start the building of a primary school, they will ensure that it is completed. Not people who will start it and say the next government will finish it. If these kind of people are in your list, change them because they are useless to you”, he said.

Bishop Kwashi then went to the third issue of proper communication of information to the governed blaming bad communication from government officials for worsening the crisis in the state. According to him, “From your SSG down the line, get people who know how to talk. A lot of the crisis in Jos is as a result of people who don’t know how to talk.

They are in government, but they talk carelessly. They don’t know how to pacify and they leave us, the Church, the hard labour of explaining the useless end of their talk! So get good communicators who understand your mind because, Jonah Jang, you are the chief visioner, don’t shy away from it; you are the one to whom God has revealed the vision on the issue of Plateau State but you must get good communicators who will interprete and communicate it correctly”.

Upon delivering the unusual message, the bishop rather than return to his seat took his exit from the stadium while the other activities continued. Not a few of those who urged him on with shouts of ‘yes’, ‘correct’ or with clapping as he delivered the sermon commended his forthrightness at an occasion some others would have chosen to  play the “good priest”.

Another significant observation at the event was the way the better halves of Governor Jang and his deputy, Mr. Ignatius Longjan accompanied them to the stadium and stood by them as they took their oaths.  Longjan who took his oath first had his wife beside him watching as he recited the oath and signed the necessary documents and it was the same when it was Jang’s turn. An eyewitness jokingly called it a case of “we are in this together”.

It was also significant to see the likes of former Deputy Senate President, Alhaji Ibrahim Mantu, former Governor, Ambassador Fidelis Tapgun and erstwhile Sports Minister who flew the ANPP banner in the governorship election gracing the occasion. The three were prominent members of the group known as “PDP Two” who fought the governor for the control of the state executive of the PDP after they complained about the his style. Some observers viewed their attending as positive for the state even as others expressed reservations about the failure of Jang’s former deputy, Dame Pauline Tallen who contested against him in the election on the platform of the Labour Party, to attend.

Speaking to Vanguard on why they attended, Tapgun said it was not unusual since they were stakeholders in the state saying it would be wrong to describe them as political enemies of the governor. He was optimistic that Jang would succeed if he reflects on the past and make amends where necessary.

On his part, Mantu urged the governor to deepen the peace being enjoyed in the state now adding “that is why some of us are here because restoring peace to Plateau is the duty of all.” Sango who said they were in attendance “to support Plateau” advised the governor to in the same manner he has extended invitation for the inauguration to all, to run an all-inclusive government.

Security was another drama as entering the Rwang Pam Stadium venue of the inauguration was a Herculean task even for duly accredited people like journalists. Except for the dignitaries, most other people had to park their vehicles far away and trekked because the road leading to the stadium and the adjoining streets were cordoned off by stern-looking security-men.

People entering the venue were thoroughly frisked with women carrying bags having the worst of the period as they were disallowed from going in. Those bent on going in had to drop their bags outside while others chose to remain outside as they were not prepared to part with them. Many others were barred from entry despite being dressed in the uniform specifically made for the occasion on the excuse that the stadium was already overcrowded. At a point, the gates were locked with padlocks making it impossible for those who wanted to exit to do so. A concerned onlooker wondered what would happen if there was an emergency that required people rushing out of the venue.

Despite these, many remained undaunted as they went into groups celebrating, singing and dancing along the streets around the stadium while the event lasted. One of the groups rented a generating set and music blared from big loudspeakers to which people danced wildly amidst jubilations.

Business-minded people also capitalized on the occasion to make extra income as they displayed and sold drinks, snacks and other items around the stadium. Overall, many agreed that it was a celebration of democracy, a fitting way to end the electioneering journey which many had feared might be marred by violence in the state but which was substantially peaceful.