Alive even in death: Tribute to a peerless statesman

Along with his love for humanity, his peaceful nature defined his entire existence.
Chief Solomon Lar was born in Pongaa, Langtang, Plateau State in April 1933. Having earned his Higher Elementary Certificate, he started to teach at the Senior Primary School level and had also planned to become a clergyman but fate as we know, always has its own design.
The young Solomon Lar soon found himself far removed from his plans to mount the pulpit as he was elected as a councillor to the Langtang Natives Authority in January 1959.  On December 12, 1959, he continued on his clearly defined path and was elected to the Federal Parliament on the platform of United Middle Belt Congress (UMBC). In 1964, he was re-elected and held the post until the Major Kaduna Nzeougwu led coup of January 15, 1966, (the very first of its kind in the country). The ever dynamic Solomon Lar had also served as Parliamentary Secretary to Prime Minister Abubakar Tafawa Balewa as well as Junior Minister in the Federal Ministry of Establishments.
Following the collapse of the 1st Republic and the subsequent incursion into Nigerian Politics by the Military, Solomon Lar earned a Bachelor of Laws Degree in 1970 and was subsequently called to the bar in 1971. He established a private legal practice, and was co-founder and first National Secretary of the Nigerian Legal Aid Association.
By 1972, Chief Solomon Lar had successfully established a career outside politics. That same year, he joined the Board of Amalgamated Tin Mines of Nigeria and subsequently became Chairman of the Board of Directors of African Continental Bank (ACB). He also became a Member of the prestigious Council of Legal Education.
When during the regime of General Murtala Mohammed, a panel was set up to increase the number of Nigerian states, Chief Solomon Lar  was one of the eminent Nigerians entrusted with the task as he served as Vice-Chairman of the panel, chaired by Justice Ayo Irikefe. The panel eventually recommended the increase in number of Nigerian states from 12 to 19. He also served as a member of several boards during this period.
Following the flag-off of the 2nd Republic, Chief Solomon Lar started out early from the blocks as a co-founder of the Nigerian People’s Party and ultimately won the governorship election in Plateau State as its first Executive Governor in 1979.
Chief Solomon Lar’s tenure as Governor of Plateau State was characterised by the high number of building projects that were undertaken in the state during that period. His administration built hospitals, educational institutions and roads while ensuring rural electrification and regular water supply. It was also during this time that nursing mothers in the State Civil Service were granted maternity leave.
By the end of 1983 however, the Military were back in Nigerian politics and Chief Solomon Lar soon found himself facing a military tribunal. Even though he was not found guilty of embezzlement, he was still among the many politicians sentenced to 88 years imprisonment by the regime of General Muhammadu Buhari. Following the overthrow of General Buhari’s military government by General Ibrahim Babangida, Chief Solomon Lar was released from prison. In 1992, General Ibrahim Babangida kick-started the 3rd Republic and the effervescent Chief Solomon Lar joined the Social Democratic Party (SDP). Following the stagnation of the Transitional Programme in 1993, he was appointed appointed Minister of Police Affairs by General Sani Abacha, who had taken over from the Interim National Government (ING), led by Chief Ernest Shonekan.
He however resigned from that government and set about restoring democracy in Nigeria. This dream was achieved on May 29, 1999 when as founding Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, he witnessed the transition from Military rule to Civilian rule. By now, he had assumed that highly respected role of elder statesman, a role he played aptly till his death on October 9, 2013 in the United States of America, following a protracted illness.
Chief Solomon Lar was the epitome of dignity and compassion, effectively balancing all the interests (religious and ethnic) in what is widely regarded as Africa’s melting pot. Having shown exemplary stewardship as well as peerless administrative skills, Chief Solomon Lar’s ability to unite all and sundry, regardless of tribe, tongue and religion, towers above his other considerable traits. The Octogenarian was well known for his white handkerchief, which he would wave at people during functions, aptly epitomizing his calling as a man of peace.
We would do well to emulate this great man who bestrode the Nigerian landscape like the huge colossus and juggernaut. We are indeed very lucky to have had his invaluable leadership for several decades.
As we pay tribute to this pacesetter, there is a question tugging at the sleeves of my heart. The question is this: Who will wave the white handkerchief in this great man’s absence?
Chief Gadzama, Honorary Bencher, is Member of Lincoln’s Inn and Sardauna of Uba