HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JONAH JANG

Seriki Adinoyi pays tribute to Jang, statesman and ‘Father of Modern Plateau,’ at 80

Of all the statesmen I have interacted with, Senator Jonah David Jang stands out. He’s one of Plateau’s finest and most celebrated men ever; one that has earned the confidence and following of his people.

Though homebred from Kuru Boys school, which by all standards, stands tall as a leading centre of learning and incubation of knowledge on the Plateau, Jang later enrolled with the Nigeria Defence Academy (NDA), a citadel of military training that has built great minds in Nigeria and beyond.

He had become a notable public figure back in 1980s when Nigeria’s military President, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida appointed him military Governor of the old Benue State, and later, old Gongola State where he made indelible prints with outstanding performance.

Having literally conquered the world out there, Jang returned to his own Plateau where as a Governor for eight years, he has not left anyone in doubt that he is indeed an elder statesman with an uncommon love for the state.

By this, I do not just refer to his eminence as a former Senator and governor that took advantage of every opportunity he had to impact on humanity. I speak of the person of Jang himself, his essential person that truly set him apart and on the path of greatness that he has walked on this long 80 years.

I had made a promise to myself when he turned 70, to always write to commemorate his birthday. This would have been a difficult task, but it has been easy by his many good sides that would always present a new page for me on every birthday.

The last I wrote was on the rare inspiration that berthed the “Ten Commandment” monument on the Plateau, a reminiscence of the Wailing Wall in old city of Jerusalem where men take their burdens to God. What in the world could have brought such an idea to his mind to provide a place of refuge for his people where souls that are weary could find a rest in God? The ‘Ten Commandment’ provides the serenity of God’s presence.

One can only imagine that this same man is a politician and was also a soldier. He is tough, yet considerate and humane. He is balanced, modest, intelligent and unostentatiously secure, and also very careful to discern the mix multitude that crowds around him, especially in politics.

He does not struggle with these attributes, he possesses them; a dogged attitude to stand with his people at all times and in all circumstances. It can only be the grace of God that can make a complexity of attributes such that Jang has, all resolving into a strikingly simple consistency as found in him. He is definitely a rare breed amongst men.

To a very good extent, looking back one would say that at 80, Jang has every reason to be thankful to God’s graciousness in enabling him fulfill his dreams; as not everyone that dreams have them fulfilled like the celebrant.

He has become unarguably the father of Plateau politics. A tiger, they say, does not have to proclaim his tigritude; it is simply there for everyone to see.

 Respect for a leader naturally emanates from what the people see as his felt contributions to their general well-being. This kind of respect can never be exacted. This is because the human mind has the capacity to discern between truth and deceit.

Others who seek to be true leaders and statesmen may wish to borrow a leaf from Jang.

A writer rightly observed that Jang has survived this long because he possesses this uncanny knack for rallying his people to victory. He rebounds when all appears to be lost; when his opponents least expect. He has a very deep understanding of the internal dynamics of Plateau politics. 

His approach to people is receptive, friendly. He always understands the situation in which he finds himself. He is just, not in the sense of being “fair,” but in standing in fitting relationship to each of his own experiences. He instinctively avoids all intemperance; he tries never to go “overboard.”

There is mystery in Jang, but no ambiguity. He says what he feels and means. He would make a great diplomat; indeed, he is one, not because he ever prevaricates, but because he tells the truth – nothing more or less. He is not given to overstatement of any kind.

This was particularly evident during the Jos crisis, when he had to do everything to calm frayed nerves, especially of his people that had been provoked beyond measure. He needed to reassure them that he was with them, yet without asking them to take up arms against the obvious enemies. And knowing that he has their back, the Plateau man has never stopped to believe in him.

He remains the father of a modern Plateau. Little wonder why the entire Plateau has relentlessly condemned the needless tenacious hold by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) a case that the court has diligently and painstakingly prosecuted and exonerated him. The voice of man they say is the voice of God.

Jang possesses a great sense of humour and loves to be with little children. But the truth is he is prepared for everything. His wisdom consists of having learned how to make himself ready for all contingencies.

In Jang, we meet a total man, yet, not infallible. He has proudly joined the league of the octogenarians.

 Adinoyi writes from Jos