Governor Jonah Jang who made the disclosure at the General Aviation Terminal of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, while receiving the large contingent of both government officials and families members who accompanied the corpse from the U.S. also declared a three-day mourning period in the state in honour of Lar.
Additionally, Jang declared 13th of March every year as public holiday in the state in a mark of honour to the late politician who is regarded at founding father of the state.
He said: “We have all gathered today to receive Baba back home because of what he means to Plateau State and Nasarawa states, which he governed when the two states were one. That is why Nasarawa State is participating in this burial fully, Bauchi state is also participating in this burial fully.
“We have decided in Plateau state to honour Baba in a special way and for this reason, I am renaming the Plateau state University ”Solomon Daushep Lar University.”
Federal Capital Territory Minister, Senator Bala Mohammed, who represented President Goodluck Jonathan at the occasion described the late Lar as “a statesman and a legendary, who came and conquered, who brought peace to bear in the life of so many Nigerians.”
”It is indeed a coincidence that we are receiving here a great man in the federal capital territory Abuja when another great African, President Nelson Mandela died.”
According to Mohammed, “It is not a usual coincidence because they have fought gallantly, they have brought emancipation but peacefully without violence. They brought reconciliation to the table.”
“Today, we are witnessing a South Africa that is free of rancor and division. Today we are celebrating a great man, who was the first Chairman of our party, which has grown from strength to strength.”
The Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) Alhaji Bamangar Tukur, who was at the occasion also described Lar as an icon of Nigeria who would be missed by all.
