SOLOMON LAR THE EMANCIPATOR -ARC HART BANKAT

S. D. Lar. Chief Dr. (Barr.) Solomon Daushep Lar, (CON). "The Emancipator" (1933-2013) I choose to shine the light today on Baba Lar. (as he was popularly called). The First Executive Governor of Plateau State (Nassarawa inclusive), 1979-1983 (4 years only). A man from a humble beginning, born in Langtang. Attended public schools and became a Teacher. Later forged ahead to obtain a Law degree at ABU Zaria and was called to Bar in 1971 after a short stint in politics where he started off as a councillor in January 1957 serving under the native authority and was subsequently elected into the Federal House of Representatives in Dec.,1959. And re-elected during the 1964 elections. He was appointed a Parliamentary Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Establishments and was in office until the 1966 coup that ousted the Civilian administration and at that point, he pocketed his political relevance to gain admission into ABU Zaria to study law. Fast forward to 1978, he co-founded the Nigerian People's Party (NPP) and was nominated the Party's Presidential aspirant but later won the Governorship of Plateau State in 1979. His second term, after winning, was truncated by the Military coup of Dec. 31, 1983 and years later, he became the founding father of the PDP and first Chairman of the Party and later, Chairman of the Board of trustees and Adviser Emeritus to President Obasanjo alongside being a Minister of Police Affairs (1993-95) In his maiden speech before the State House of Assembly members on October 1, 1979, he made a resounding commitment to deliver on all campaign promises (which he did) and part of his statement engraved in history was.. "Our love for this great land will be measured, not by the quality of our promise but by the quality of our sacrifice... Every pain we bear in building is the pleasure that our children will benefit from a better society". SOME OF HIS NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS INCLUDE... COMMERCE/INDUSTRY 1. The execution of the JOS Main Market (initiated by the JD Gomwalk administration) - the largest market in West-Africa. 2. The establishment of BARC farm (equipped with harvest machines in types, large area of farm land, poultry farm, fish farm, piggery, ranches and many economic trees. The countries top supplier of chicken, eggs, fish, beef etc) employing a humongous number of people erstwhile jobless. 3. The establishment of the Quix Company Ltd. At Zarazon, producers of the Quix soft drink and the Plateau Bottling Company Ltd. In Barkin ladi, producing the Britvic soft drink. 4. He established the Garri Processing Factory in Lafia LGA through the Plateau Investment Company. INFORMATION. 1. He established the Plateau Television (PTV), later merged with Radio Plateau to become the PRTVc, as the BPTV was taken over by the Federal Government in 1977 to become the NTA. (largest TV network in Africa). 2. He introduced, for the benefit of the Hausa readers, through JD Gomwalk's Nigerian Standard Newspaper, "Yanchin dan Adam" which published it's report in the Hausa language. AGRICULTURE 1. He established the Bokkos Farm in Bokkos LGA. 2. He established the mechanical workshop at Kassa, with the sole responsibility of maintaining and servicing the 800 tractors he procured to assist in mechanized farming. 3. He revived the Lafia Agricultural Devt. Project and the twin Plateau State Agricultural Devt. Project, with the aim of getting qualified agric. extension agents spread across all communities to train and update farmers on trending issues and its applications. 4. He established the Kuru Livestock project (Kuru feed mill) to provide livestock feeds. EDUCATION. 1. He established 117 new secondary schools, 3 new Teachers Training Colleges. 2. He established the College of Education Gindiri and School of Health Technology, Zawan. 3. He built and equipped the State Library in Jos and built also, Divisional Libraries with books and facilities in Pankshin, Langtang, Shendam, Keffi, Lafia and Akwanga. 4. He established the Teacher's Service Commission to look into the welfare of his erstwhile colleagues. 5. He upgraded the College of Technology, Barkin Ladi into a full-fledged Polytechnic, offering OND/HND courses. HEALTH CARE 1. He completed the expansions of existing Govt Hospitals and built new Cottage Hospitals in Akwanga, Kwalla, Wase, Mangu, Doma, Pan (Qua'an-Pan), Uke, Dyerok, Obi, Binchi, Toto and Dengi. 2. He built 50 Health Clinics and 5 Primary Health Care Centers across the State. 3. He introduced the paid Maternity leave for nursing mothers. WATER SUPPLY 1. he completed the Shen dam (now Yakubu Gowon Dam) which currently, is responsible for 83% of the total water supply to Jos. 2. He built semi-urban and new earth dams in Bokkos, Lafia, Keffi, Doma, Langtang, Pankshin, Shendam, Nassarawa, Gindiri, Barkin Ladi, Obi, Yelwa, Dengi, Nassarawa -Eggon, Keana, Toto, Uke, Riyom, Bassa, Jing, Federe, Kwalla and Wase. JUSTICE/JUDICIARY 1. He established the Plateau State Customary Court of Appeal (The first of its kind in the whole country) 2. He built 10 Magistrate Courts, 4 new High Courts and 80 area courts across the State. RELIGIOUS UPLIFTMENT 1. He established the Plateau State Christian and Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Boards, sponsoring pilgrims to Mecca and Jerusalem since then. POLITICAL ADMINISTRATIVE DEVT. 1. Baba Lar created 11 LGAs to curb marginalization which was abolished by the Buhari Military Administration but with a twist of fate, were still later restored under new names. (Bokkos, Pan, Riyom, Jing, Federe, Keana, Akun, Doma, Uke, Toto, and Obi.) 2. He increased the number of Districts, Chiefdoms, and upgraded existing stools in the then Plateau State. 10 New First Class Stools. (Ngolong Ngas, Ponzhi Taroh, Emirs of Kanam and Wase, Long Goemai, Aren Eggon, Emirs of Lafia, Keffi and Nassarawa and the Andoma of Doma) TOURISM DEVELOPMENT 1. He built the Mado Tourist Village in T/Wada and Pandam Game Reserve (Lake resort) in Qua'an-Pan. 2. He commenced the construction of the uncompleted Five-Star Hotel in Lamingo. ECONOMY 1. He established the Lion Bank Plc. In 1981(now merged with the Diamond Bank) 2. He established the Savanna Insurance Company all in a bid to curb unemployment and provide economic services to the State. ROAD NETWORK. His Administration built and rehabilitated over 750km road networks some of which are the Amper-Dengi-Bashar road, Toto-Umaisha road and commencement of the Dokan-Tofa-Kwande-Shimankar road before their eviction from the "Big Brother House" by Yours Truly, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari. Now... let's take a moment to breathe and think! This enormous projects were 95% started and completed by the Lar administration of only Four Years (1979-1983). These widespread projects are still tangible and visible but mostly in a state of camatose or abandonment, if you like. Done with limited resources with a threat of National Economic Recession. This man, against all odds, without visible personal gains, without a skyscraper in the US or treasures in the UK, stood firm to realise everything earlier mentioned in only four years. I wonder what our leaders of today can boast of, if only, they can do 10% of what Baba did within the shortest time possible and I can only imagine what exactly he could have done if only he had a chance to run a second term in office. Meanwhile, he governed the then Plateau State with the present day Nassarawa State. All listed projects are still available to verify for the curious minds. Not to even mention that he got into office at age 44. (Yes! Forty Four!) "May God continue to bless the labour of our heroes past" With such a template, who can dare challenge and improve on such great measures? And I am not even tempted to release the achievements of his predecessor "The Legendary JD Gomwalk"... As I don't think space will be sufficient to supply the works of that Maestro!!! Here we are today, in the shadows of history, unable to fetch from experience and better the lots of common men and women, the Young and old, the literate and unfortunate! ....Blazing in sirens and protected with Armed guards. Watching our kins and kindred slain and our communities ravaged with violence. What are we doing to bless the memories of our Ancestors? (Lar and Gomwalk inclusive) My business here is done! Catch you next time. Arc. Bankat, FCT. Jos. 5. 3. 18