What Type of a Leader is Jang at 70? 15 Mar 2014 By James Mannok “For some of us, one of our legs is in the grave and the other is outside. It is only the one outside that will step in to meet the one in the grave, then the box is closed”. This is one reality of life which Governor Jonah Jang of Plateau State, popularly called “Baba Jang”, easily acknowledges. As forthright as it comes, this statement provides an insight into the mind of one man who understands the vanity that life is, and its temporal nature. It is the sum of his beliefs which also find expression in the immortal question: what do we bequeath to today’s generation and indeed future generations? Could this be the motivation and driving force behind Governor Jang whose physical frame disguises the giant strides recorded in his public life? From the old Benue to the old Gongola State and to present day Plateau State, he has distinguished himself as a performer. In Benue State, some have called him the architect of modern Benue State and in the defunct Gongola, he was named a “Construction Wizard”. In Plateau State today, he is not only redefining the socio-political and infrastructural landscape, but also giving meaning to governance. Little wonder, he had a landslide victory during his second term bid, one of the most decisive political victories in a most keenly contested election. Yes, that’s Jonah David Jang, well acknowledged and well celebrated at the polls. But this story does not end there. For a man who was a Military Governor at about the age of forty, retiring as a one-star General in the Nigerian Airforce, a born-again Christian and an ordained minister of God, you might still ask, “what other legacy is he bequeathing when that ‘second leg meets the other’?” For a man that Providence would again make a civilian Governor at the age of about sixty-three, having been one in his military days, it just might have signaled the arrival of the “old brigade” for Plateau State! Shocker: in his cabinet, close to 80% were under the age of fifty years at the outset. He would say with a sense of fulfillment: “my government is for the youth; we must mentor and teach them to take over from us”. When, at a time he was under pressure to sack his cabinet, he remarked, “when we keep sacking, when will the young ones learn. We need to give them a chance to make mistakes and be corrected”. Governor Jang believes that one of the greatest challenges facing the nation is lack of mentoring and preparing leaders for the future. One recalls a day three of us were with him in the office, and he asked rhetorically, “do you gentlemen know you are the ones that should be running the government while I ought to be the captain? You are to bring inputs and convince me”. We all left Baba’s office taken aback, but humbled by his belief in the limitless capabilities of the youth. Today, he has taken this mentoring to another level. A monthly leadership mentoring session is held at the Government House Chapel for all top government officials in all the arms of the government. It usually reaches its climax when after the speaker, Baba steps onto the pulpit. As he speaks about his vision for Plateau, he scolds, encourages and weeps, often times set apart by a heavy-laden voice yearning for a Plateau of the Promised Land. He speaks from the heart and you feel him and his passion for the state. For Governor Jonah David Jang, you cannot divorce your spiritual life from governance. He had actually sent that message clearly at the beginning of the administration when he handed over the state to God in prayer led by Pastor Ayo Oritseajafor, who is today the National President, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN). Seeing Baba on his knees at the Rwang Pam Township Stadium that fateful day in tears, and calling onto God, was not only touching, emotive and emotional, but exemplary. He has virtually remained on his knees for Plateau State along with many believers. He will tell you, prayer and fasting remain my key of inspiration in governance. How else, he would asked, would he have endured the trying days of the state during the crisis? This strength of character has manifested in Baba’s principled, bold, and blunt life which has made some perceive him as “stubborn” or “difficult”. A man not given to grandstanding, he is not afraid to say it as it is no matter who you are or whose ox is gored. Baba would often say “once I pray and have a conviction, I stand by it”. Governor Jang has on so many occasions been vindicated and emerges the winner in these situations that might have initially looked unsurpassable. He would say, “a leader must take a decision and be responsible for it”. I recall an encounter in the early days of the administration when we were under attack by our critics for being slow and seemingly non functional. I said “Sir, we need to do something to ward off our critics”. He smiled and tapped me on the shoulder, and said “young man, you want people to say we are working? Don’t worry”. Years later, today, he has demonstrated a systematic approach to governance by being strategic in conceptualization, articulation, and execution of projects. When it was time to silence the critics, Baba gave out to contractors cheques of close to five billion naira at a go. And, immediately, caterpillars and graders were on the loose throughout Plateau State! Then the question on the lips of the critics became: where did he get the money? That was to be the first sign of a prudent manager of resources which has run through his close to seven years of administration. A man not keen about titles or awards, Governor Jang was the first Governor to drop “His Excellency” from his compliments and even “Executive” as official salutation. In humility, he accepts there is nothing “excellent” about him nor is there anything “executive” about it. To him, only the Almighty God is excellent. According to him, he is on a mission to serve not to be exalted. He remains very reluctant to receive awards; hence, he would not imagine paying for such! In his words, why should one pay for an award? His traditional titles from the Tor Tiv, Gbong Gwom and the Attah of Igala were all conferred on him after leaving office. His legacies in the States spoke for him. Among the few awards he has agreed to are on Honorary Doctorate from the University of Jos and Jos ECWA Theological Seminary. Governor Jang who is a Paul Harris Fellow of the Rotary Club sees humanity as his primary constituency from which he draws the inspiration to serve. Though his critics have accused him of “not reaching out” by using government resources for “goodwill”, the Priest in Baba Jang will not allow him make noise about any philanthropic gesture because, according to him, it is service to God. He keeps his promises to assist. From widows, orphans, the sick, to the mission fields, Baba Jang has poured enormous milk of kindness on humanity. He may not believe in sharing public resources; but he steps in on what one may consider “functional reaching out” which is on a need and urgency basis. Simply put, he is a silent philanthropist with a distinct and unique style. His respect for womanhood is unparalleled. This saw him pick the first female Deputy Governor North of the Niger; and till date he has given women great opportunities to contribute to governance. The gentleman in Governor Jang would make him stand up to greet women, sometimes even those younger than him. At a certain function, when he noticed some women were standing without seat, he paused and challenged the men as to whether it was right for men to be seated while women stood without a seat? At every opportunity, he would encourage men to not only love their wives, but their families. A true apostle of the family bond and exemplar of family life practitioner. As a strong family man, Governor Jang takes every issue that borders on his family with all the seriousness that is required. He makes time for them, shares their individual and collective concerns. As a Governor, he still makes time for family prayers. No doubt he is close to his family including that of his siblings and the extended ones. This soldier-turned politician is indeed an epitome of God’s grace. From the humble background of a son of a forest guard, raised by a mother who was widowed for over 50 years before she died, Baba Jang rose to preside over what are today five states: Benue, Kogi, Taraba, Adamawa and Plateau States, and taking the oath of office four times as governor. One of few Nigerians so privileged! At 70 years, which equals the biblical three scores and a decade, we celebrate a man of many parts: soldier, clergy, politician, philanthropist, responsible family man, principled and courageous administrator, a change agent, inspirator and motivator per excellence.
Posted on: Wed, 26 Mar 2014 16:05:27 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015