SOLOMON DALUNG: FINALLY A GLIMMER OF HOPE TO PLATEAU STATE.

Solomon Dalung, aka Igbarman Otarok need no introduction in Nigeria and even beyond. Probably the youngest member of Northern Elders Forum (NEF) an umbrella body of respected Northern elders, Dalung typifies what virtues like courage, honesty and patriotism could make out of a simple man. He stand alone among his peers as the one with the cleanest hands and already dining with kings.

It's not for nothing that Barr. Solomon Dalung earned his people's celebrated title of 'Igbarman Otarok' meaning the 'thunder of Tarok nation. From a very early stage of his life, when most people his age should be struggling with adolescence related tendencies and youthful exuberance, Dalung was already identified as an elder and a potential leader through his exceptional organizational skills, unquestionable integrity, unbiased honesty, rare humility and unmatched selflessness.

His first public outing as politician was when he served as Chairman, Langtang South Local Government in 2007 where he is still being referred to as "the man who brought colored roofing sheets", due to his massive successful transformation agenda that, by the way still remain a record to beat in Langtang South LG proved him as the 'people's servant' his character suggest. Perhaps, this might explain the enormous confidence his colleagues had in him by first appointing him as the Plateau State Deputy Chairman and later Chairman of the Association of Local Government Chairmen of Nigeria (ALGON).

All this may say little about the impeccability of the 'Igbarman Otarok'. The best testimony to his quality as a potential leader came from no less a person than late Chief Solomon Lar (CON), the indisputable lion of the Plateau. Chief Lar, a Northern light by all standard was quick to identify the burning fire of service to humanity raging in Dalung hence, brought him closer - probably to horn and develop his skills. It was this belief in Dalung's potentials that led to his appointment as Personal Assistant to late Chief Lar when the later was appointed Adviser Emeritus to President Olusegun Obasanjo. By God grace, today Dalung is a national figure with a voice reaching all the four corners of Nigeria.

Anybody who had the opportunity of a close encounter with Barr. Dalung will attest to his nationalistic instincts, patriotic disposition and humility. A call to his humble home, that in no way suggests the trappings of fame and power as Dalung controls will convince even his staunchest enemies about his simplicity and immunity to the allure of modern life. The endless chain of visitors to his home leaving with smiles on their faces is a very rich and touching story for another day.

It is not accidental that he is a household name in Nigeria. From the poor traumatized water vendors whom he eats with from the same bowl to the mightiest of highly placed inaccessible government appointees whom he dines with on prestigious tables, Dalung is a celebrity in a class of his own. He is a bridge between the voice and the voiceless.

His membership and leading role in "Muryar Talaka" - loosely translated "Voice For The Voiceless" - says a lot about his passionate concern for the downtrodden. Perhaps, it's this close affinity and feeling of comradeship in protecting the weak that explains a personal early morning call to the Barrister by Gen. Muhammadu Buhari to encourage and wish him well on his birthday. Yes, Dalung is that important in the circle of warriors to the weak.

As if to prove Barr. Dalung's global prominence and worthiness, in 2012 he was nominated alongside prominent world leaders to contest a prestigious Radio France International (RFI) "Man of the Year Award" together with Barrack Obama, President of USA, Francole Hollande, President of France, steliff Johnson, President of Liberia, late Attah Mills of Ghana, Abdullah Wade, former President of Senegal, Bill Gates, Aliko Dangote, Mo Ibrahim, Fashola, Lagos State Governor, Sule Lamido of Jigawa State, Rochas Okorocha of
Imo State amongst others.

After three months of electronic voting, by emails, facebook and text mesages, Dalung emerged winner beating all contenders with overwhelming margin. On 3rd October 2013, Dalung was coronated at an elaborate ceremony where he was presented with a gold plated award in Lagos. Dalung is the first person to be honored with such an international award from Radio France International.

The constant referral to Dalung's views on contemporary issues by majority international media outlets like VOA/BBC/RFI and majority local print and electronic media is further attestation to his quality of character and the huge public confidence he enjoys. With the power of his character, he makes and destroy kings. His seal of approval convinces more than carefully scripted albeit, deceptive jingles and beautiful billboards. He's simply an authority in matters of honor.

Deficits in various stages of governance must have informed Barr. Dalung's decision to vie for the office of Plateau State Governor. It is an "enough is enough" decision necessitated by the continuously declining affairs of the state. It was a laudable and courageous decision and, of course a shift from the usual nonchalant attitude to governance by the elite class.

This is a new vista opened by the indefatigable Dalung aimed at reawakening public consciousness and awareness to its corporate responsibility of ensuring quality leadership. This is a project with potentials to break the barrier of leadership selection between 'haves and haves not', between the old destructive and the new constructive order. With decent people like Barr. Solomon Dalung offering themselves for this onerous task, it's easy to assume Nigeria is well on its way to recovery.

By no means should this reformatory opportunity offered by Dalung be allowed to die in infancy. The people of Plateau state should nurse this pregnancy to maturity through safe delivery. It is the answer to the inexplicable transmogrification of a once "Home of Peace" into a land of blood and tears; a state once an envy of its peers but turned into a human abattoir through sheer carelessness and selfish agendas.

Dalung's gubernatorial ambition is the first genuine step to a process of total reconciliation, recovery and healing among the more than 40 ethnic nationalities of the beautiful Plateau. This is the time for people to support the idea that hold the keys that could open their doors and unleashed a transformational all inclusive regime that will return Plateau to its lost glory. This is an idea that knows no boundaries. It's an idea which time is ripe.