ECHOS FROM LANGTANG SOUTH: CITATION OF IGBARMAN OTAROK

Barrister Solomon Selcap Dalung is a Law Lecturer in the Department of International Law and Jurisprudence, University of Jos, Nigeria. He was the Chairman, Langtang South Local Government Area of Plateau State.

'Igbarman Otarok' meaning 'the thunder of Tarok land' a chieftaincy title that is people driven, nurtured by the people for the people and generally celebrated by the people to make the fire brand Human Rights Activist a house hold name.

As Chairman Barrister Dalung paid his dues well, having brought accelerated development with shortest time to make the difference, apart from sending smiles to the faces of the the long denied and highly depressed people of the Local Government Area who are faced with acute water shortage, natural disasters and lack of social amenities.Lecturer, Human Rights Activist and Patriot, Barrister Selcap Solomon Dalung was born on the 26th September 1964 at Sabon gida town in Langtang South Local Government Area of Plateau State. The child who  grew up to outstanding, an impeccable Nigerian, a Patriot, a dogged Freedom Fighter, Human Rights Activists and a Scholar was named Selcap Solomon. 

Barrister Selcap Solomon started receiving his early training under his parents who were well- cultured and strict disciplinarians to give him a future and hope.He was thought to appreciate the dignity of man and the necessity of human interaction as enshrined in the culture and traditions of Tarok people. He however, started receiving formal education at Local Education Authority Primary School Sabon gida in 1971, where he completed in 1977. He proceed to the famous Government College Keffi from 1977 to 1980, where he had to abandoned his secondary education due to poverty. Dissatisfied by his low level of education, he enrolled for Extra Murals School in Lafia from 1989 to 1990, where as Biblical Moses, he displayed exceptional qualities by clearing the General Certificate of Education, Ordinary Level to lay the solid foundation for the liberation of his people in particular qand humanity in general.

Having identified the potentials of dynamic leadership in him to serve as voice of the voiceless, Selcap Solomon Dalung in 1991 gained admission to study law in the University of Jos and graduated in 1999. In the spirit of not how-late one one started but how well he ended, Barrister Dalung swiftly re enrolled at the University of Jos for his Masters in Law from 2005 to 2008, after his successfully graduated from the Nigeria Law School Bwari- Abuja between 1999 and 2000.
Virtue does not clamour to be acknowledged, it is ther for all to see. This aphorism summarizes the life of one of the most visionary leaders, the indomidable and out spoken lawyer, lecturer, and human rights activist, the anti-corruption crusader.

A golden fish has no hiding place. This saying depicts the life of Barrister Solomon Selcap Dalung, who at every stage, had to curve a niche for himself as he had one lesdership role or the other to place, such includes:
Financial Secretary, Caretaker Committee, Law Student's Society Faculty of Law, University of Jos from 1992 to1993, Welfare Secretary, Student's Union Government (SUG) University of Jos from 1994 to 1995, and Secretary General Plateau Youth Forum (PYF) from 1996 to 1997, Secretary General, Pateau State Youth Council (PYC) from 1998 to 1999, Founding Preident, Plateau Law Student's Association (PLALAWSA) from 1999 to 2001, National President, Jwakbar Community Development Association (JWACOMDA) from 2003 to 2006.
Due to dinct of hard work, patrotism, selfless service and a burning passion to set free the oppressed, the eloquent lawyer became Chairman, Plateau Peace Movement for the Sustenance of Democracy from 2004 to 2007.
Honourable Barrister Solomon Dalung has attended many leadership training progammes which include, "Youth Conference on Nigeria in the twenty first Century" by Yakubu Gowon Centre at National Women Development Centre, Abuja from 13th to 17th September 1994, "Human Rights Training in Nigeria" organised by Constutional Rights Projects at Gateway Hotel Otta, Ogun State fro 30th August to 3rd September 1996, "Transparency and Good Governance" oeganised by Centre for Constitutionalism and Demilitarization, held at Dayspring Hotel, Wuse Abuja from 25th to 30th July 2004 amongst others to sharpen his horizon as a tested advocated, Comrade, human rights advocate, and anti-corruption crusader.

The Igbarman's Public service experience include, Prison Officer, Nigeria Prisons Service from 1980 to 1999, Personal Assistance to Adviser Emeritus to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Chief (Dr) Solomon Daushep Lar, CON, 2000 to 2003, Leagal Officer II, Legal Department, Prisons Headquaters Abuja, 2003 to 2004 and Lecturer, Faculty of Law, Department of International Law and Juruspridence, University of Jos, Nigeria, 2004 till date.
Solomon Selcap Dalung's immmense contributions as student activist, a comrade, a youth activist, a freedom fighter, and a human rights defender did not go unnoticed as such selfless service earned him numerous honours such as the "Comrade of the Year" Award 2005 by National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), for his contribution to education in Nigeria, "Advocate per Excellent" Award 2005 by National Science Student's Association, University of Jos for his immense conributions to the defence  of the rights of the massses, the "Danmasani NAPSS" a title conferred on him by the National Association of Plateau State Students in 2006, "Icon of Justice" Award 2006 by National Association of Plateau State Students, University of Jos Chapter for been an epitome of justice, equity and fairness. "Peace Award" 2007 by International Centre for Reconciliation Nigeria in recognition of his contributions to the success of the Centre's 2007 Football for Peace Tournament in Plateau State, Nigeria, "Doyen of Democracy" Merit Award 2008 by Gbak Community Development Association (GCDA) for his immense contributions to development and sustenance of democracy, "Advocate of Peace and National Unity" Prestigious Award 2010 by Nigerian Society of International Law, Ahmadu Bello University Zaria in recognition of his contributions to National Peace and Unity, "True Nationalist" Award 2012 by Zamfara Indigenious Progressive Association on the occassion of the 4th Zamfara Merit Gold Award.
This rear gem of our generation is a member of member of many proffessional bodies, which include:
i. Member, Nigeria Bar Association (NBA)
ii. Member, Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU)
iii. Member, National Association of Law Teachers (NALT).

A highly resourceful personally, Barrister Dalung is upwardly mobile lecturer, an activist of unequal yoke, a legal practioner, whose versality is a great asset to tarok nation in particular Plateau State and the nation in general. According to him "what is worth doing is worth doing well and no task should be accomplished halfway" the principles he demonstrated as Chairman, Lnagtang South Local Government Council.

Honourable Barrister Dalung has curved a niche for himself when it comes to tradition and cultural promotion. He is well known for his irrevocable condemnation of the use of borrowed traditional titles in tarok land. a strong advocate of giving the equivalent of such titles in tarok language as depicted in his mode of dressing.

Produced by Pius Nden Dalen of  Information Unit, Jos North Local Government Council, Plateau State.