A TRIBUTE TO SENATOR DANGTONG

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LATE SENATOR GYANG DANGTONG

The violence, which has swelled across the country, bringing hopelessness and devastation to many has once again struck. This time it extended its prowling hands to fish out Senator Gyang Dangtong.

I condole with the family and the good people of Plateau State. But I am more sorry for our dear country where it seems now that we allowed death to steal our good men so cheaply, so routinely. Senator Dangtong was a good man. Senator Gyang Dangtong was a quintessential Senator, a man worthy of his representation- he stood by his people through celebrations and mourning. He went with them where they went; he died with them where they died. He dedicated his life to his people and gave them more than he could ever give.

Like Mrs. Eleanor Roosevelt said at the funeral of her husband, I say this to all of us. Senator Dangtong “did his job to the end as he would want us to do our job”, for there is no higher honour. Senator Dangtong, has today died albeit in a grave and unacceptable way. Yet he died in a position unique insofar as the history of democratic representation is concerned. He symbolized in his death an unflinching and abiding faith to the service of his people. He regarded his constituents as his masters for whom he owed a service of total solidarity. He celebrated life with them and tested death with them. "Surely this bond of common faith, this bond of common goal, can begin to teach us something. Surely, we can learn, at least, to look at those around us as fellow Nigerians who deserve to live in dignity. And surely we can begin to work a little harder to bind up the wounds among us and to become in our own hearts brothers and statesmen once again.

Distinguished Senator Dangtong, even in the face of the obvious insecurity pervading the state was resolved without any visible sign of anxiety or fear of those who thirst for innocent souls and who have made an oath to expel peace and introduce the reign of darkness in our country remained single-minded in standing by his people. Senator, until his death continued to pursue and promote peace as the only way out of the circle of violence seeking to subsume Plateau State. In his recent interview with The Gaurdian Newspapers he continued to harp on the need to find lasting peace in the Plateau.

Written By Senator Abubakar Bukola Saraki 18th July 2012


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