The Plateau State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has congratulated Governor Simon Lalong on the conferment of the Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) honour on him by President Muhammadu Buhari.
A statement on behalf of the party by the State Publicity Secretary, Sylvanus Namang noted that the party is not surprised over the recognition and appreciation accorded to Governor Lalong by the Federal Government.
He noted that considering Governor Lalong’s political trajectory and service to the country, the national honour bestowed on him is timely.
Namang stated that the governor, having risen from a private legal practitioner, state legislator, the longest serving Speaker of the Plateau State House of Assembly, a two-term governor and currently Chairman of the Northern Governors’ Forum and now the Director-General of the APC Presidential Campaign Council, are no mean achievements and service to the country which deserve recognition by all.
He stated that the APC is elated and proud of Governor Lalong over the honour and recognition by the Federal Government.
Namang also congratulated the 10 other recipients of various national awards from the Federal Government who are indigenous to Plateau State.
They include the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Ahmed Idris Wase, who was also awarded CON, Justice Monica Bolna’an Dongban Mensem, Chief Judge of the Federal Court of Appeal, Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic, CFR, Da Jacob Gyang Buba, Gbong Gwom Jos, CFR.
Others are Professor Sabestian Seddi Maimako, former Vice Chancellor, University of Jos and Director General of the APC Gubernatorial Campaign Council Plateau State, Officer of the Order of the Niger, OON, Prof. Mary Lar, a foremost educationist and wife of the former Governor of Plateau State, Chief Solomon Daushep Lar, OON, Ambassador James Dimka, a veteran journalist and former Ambassador to Liberia, OON, and Prof. Doknan Decent Danjuma Sheni, former Vice-Chancellor, Plateau State University, OON.
Also benefitting from the National Award are Mallam Yakubu Ibn Muhammad, Director-General of NTA, who, though from Taraba State, was born and brought up in Jos, OON and Jummai Kizito Gukas from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, bagged the Federal Republic Medal 1.
He described all the recipients of the awards as true ambassadors of Plateau State.
He commended President Muhammadu Buhari and the Federal Government for bestowing the honours on the recipients.