Ugar Ukandi Odey, Jos
Governor Lalong Friday tactically avoided meeting with former President Goodluck Jonathan and former Governor Jonah Jang at an inter-faith religious occasion where the governor was billed to function as chief host.
After hosting the Business Community in Plateau to a late night dinner Thursday, Gov Lalong whose presence at the dedication of the Ten Commandments Altar was earlier confirmed suddenly flew out of the State early in the morning Friday via a chartered flight from the Yakubu Gowon Airport, Heipang, near Jos.
Although some of the Governor’s protocol detail were present at the dedication event, the State commissioner for agriculture eventually represented Lalong at the event which many have criticized him for avoiding and taking politics too far.
Former President Goodluck Jonathan was in Jos as Chairman of the occasion as former Governor Jang, founder/President, Yeshua Kingdom Foundation International, dedicated a worship and prayer house christened The ten Commandments Altar.
The event which brought together some of the former Presidents ministers and aides such as former finance Minister, Nenadi Sambo and her water Resources counterpart, Serah Ochekpe, was also a big rallying point for the PDP family in Plateau, including aspirants to various offices in 2023.
Speaking at the occasion, a humble Goodluck Jonathan extended greetings to Governor Lalong through his commissioner, and commended Jang for conceiving and executing the monumental prayer project which, according to him, is the “greatest achievement of Jang which will remain indelible in the memories of people even after Jang eventually dies as all mortals will”.
By putting up the prayer and worship house, Jonathan said Jang has been able erect national destination for Christian religious activities and crusades, pointing out that the 5,800-seat which has potential for expansion is a complete concept that can attract religious events from all parts of the world.
Giving the spiritual background of the project, President of the Yeshua Kingdom Foundation International, Jonah Jang, said “what we are doing here is quite symbolic because the Bible is replete with instances where altars were built”, saying the significance of what is happening here today is divine because we have seen in several Bible passages that each time there was an encounter with the Lord an altar was built as a memorial of God’s visitation”.
Beside the Ten Commandment structure is a constructed water pool which has been christened the Pool of Bethsaida where, according to the founder, baptisms can be carried out.
The occasion was attended by thousands of Christians including leaders of denominations and the Gbong Gwom Jos, Jacob Gyang Buba.
