By 
By Munatare Munashak.
“We are moving slowly into an Era where Big Data is the starting point, not the End.” – Pearl Zhu
Whatever has a beginning has an end, sorrow may last for a night but joy comes in the morning; the world is a stage where every actor makes an entry, performs and make an exit at a certain point in time.
Just like yesterday, on May 29th, 2015 the Rescue Administration of Barrister Simon Bako Lalong started amidst the euphoria of a Plateau Project, and on May 29th, 2023 the Rescue Administration will bid farewell to the people of Plateau State– The End of an Era.
RELATED: PICTDA: Lalong’s vision to foster Plateau on youth, technology and politics
I am writing this epistle with my full chest as one who had the privilege to serve under the rescue administration twice as Special Assistant on ICT.
It will be recalled that no such portfolio exist until the coming of Lalong who brought life to Information Communication Technology with the revitalisation of the Plateau Information Communication Technology Development Agency (PICTDA) manned by a season youthful technocrat (David Daser).
We brought like minds, mostly youths supporting the APC Rescue Administration and organised ourselves into an umbrella body (THE APC YOUTH ONLINE FORUM) that projected the workings and achievements of the Lalong Administration on the New Media, the positive impact of patriotic service rendered snowballed into what the Lalong Administration christened as SA on ICT, today, that platform has given many Plateau youths a sense of belonging to learn the ropes of Governance.
Yes, we were trolled and given names like (Data boys, Lalong Boys, e-rats, stomach infrastructure, sellouts etc.) by our peers in the opposition in the guise of ‘ADAWA’.
Like every leader in position, you will be judged by your works and antecedents after leaving office by your family, community, Cabals, supporters and most importantly the opposition.
Every leader must carry the cross of crucifixion, betrayal, the gift and the curse.
It will go down in history that Lalong is the most abused, insulted and trolled leader in our democratic expedition as a state.
Lalong albatross can be tied to his passion for peace ,when in his wisdom he appointed Hausa/Fulani as commissioner for a balance, but it turned out to be one of the many reasons why the locals will be at loggerheads with his regime while it lasted, then the incessant killings and annihilation of the Plateau People that led to many innocent lives lost and the incapacity of the State Government to stem the circle and orgy of violence by marauders, most times the State Government cry out that orders on security come from Abuja, worse still is the inability of Lalong to make it to the scene of the attacks almost immediately, these are some of the many sins the Plateau people are counting against Governor Simon Bako Lalong.
It is one of such incidences in Bokkos that led to this writer resigning his appointment in protest and in solidarity of standing with my people who have been victims of the ethnic cleansing one too many.
The opposition has used the issue of religion, ethnicity and tribalism to further polarise the state at the last elections that has further cracked the peace building efforts initiated by Lalong with the creation of the Peace Building Agency which has made tremendous efforts since its creation.
Thousands of youths have benefited from the PLASMIDA schemes, Healthcare delivery has targeted the grassroots with PLASCHEMA which are government agencies under Lalong that thrived and gave the youths a sense of involvement in making mark on governance.
Lalong is a gentleman to the core who allowed his good sides overshadow his imprint and authority as a leader.
Lalong will be remembered by both well-wishers and detractors as a Gentleman Governor that stood for peace, worked for peace and sought forgiveness amongst the Plateau people as a panacea for economic development – he created the Forgiveness Day.
Indeed, Lalong is bidding farewell to Plateau at a time that Plateau People need to forgive themselves, especially how the state was polarised along ethnic and religious divides in the 2023 Governorship elections.(the incoming Government has the task of Uniting ,Securing and making Plateau Prosperous)
Lalong is leaving with a scorecard of ‘Alert Governor,’ faithful in payment of salaries, legacy projects commissioned, roads and more importantly the British America bridge project that he initiated and completed amongst other projects.
In his words as a man that has done his best and has left the rest to God and posterity, Lalong worked within the limits of the resources available to him knowing fully well that Government is a continuum.
“I am delighted that many of the projects initiated by my administration and those uncompleted by the previous administration have been completed and Delivered to the Plateau People” – {Governor Simon Bako Lalong (2015-2023)
I will want to appreciate Governor Simon Bako Lalong for giving me an opportunity to serve his Government as a son of nobody, and I want to wish him well in his future endeavours as his love for peace and tolerance has endeared him into the Hearts of Kings, leaders and followers.
Indeed Nigeria needs more of Lalong.
“We stand at the end of the Age of Reason. A new era of the magical explanation of the world is rising” – Adolf Hitler.
I am BIG DATA BOY – A proud LALONG BOY turned TECH-BOY.
NB:
Over to the new set of aspiring Data Boys a.k.a E-dogs on your inductment to barking online.
Munatare Munashak reporting from Rwang-Pam Stadium Farmhouse.
Munatare Munashak was Special Assistant on ICT to the Governor of Plateau State
