Loyalty Should Come Naturally - Tyoden

The Deputy governor of Plateau State, Professor Soni Gwanle Tyoden on Friday January 7th, charged those who feel too big to be loyal to their bosses, to take their exit.

Tyoden made this known in his office at the Old Government House Rayfield, while receiving his sterling award of loyalty per excellence from the Independent Publishers Association. (IPA)

The deputy governor

said;

"When I got a letter informing me about this award, I wondered whether it was anything out of the ordinary to reward loyalty. Because for me loyalty is something that should come naturally. You're working with somebody, you accepted him as your leader. You must have shared some visions, some ideas about how to run the government. So to that extend, loyalty should come naturally. I saw my role as a Deputy Governor, serving my boss as what should be expected. I'm surprised that people outside were observing and have reached their own conclusions about the fact that there's a seamless working relationship between me and the governor. Indeed, we've enjoyed very close working relationship. It is not as if we've been covering up any disagreement within us. But the fact and the reality is that, we have operated closely with absolute confidence in each other. It is not that we don’t have differences, of course differences would be there because even at home, one with his wife, there are differences. But the ability to handle this differences amicably, I think that's what makes the difference. 

As you said in your presentation, there are instances where loyalty has been betrayed in the past even in this state, which shows that for one to be loyal, is shouldn't be taken for granted. You know it's a deliberate process, it's a disposition. So, I want to thank you very much for this award and I want to hope that this should also encourage other people in government or even outside government, you know if you reached a stage where you feel you cannot go with your principal, of course you should take your exit. You can't stay in the same boat and have a different perspective on issues. So I want to thank you very much for deeming it fit to give me this award and like I said I hope, others watching will emulate what we've done and follow suit. At least, we've had peace within the government for the last 7 years. I want to also use the opportunity to thank my boss for being with me. Of course, I'm human and there would be lapses here and there, but he has also been loyal to the extent that he tolerated whatever lapses are there. I think is something that should be appreciated". He added.

Delivering his speech during the award presentation on the deputy governor, the chairman of Independent Publishers Association IPA, Shabul Mazadu said: 

"The Independent Publishers Association, IPA, is here today with great pleasure to honour our amiable Deputy Governor, his Excellency, Professor Sonni Gwanle Tyoden, with a sterling award of Loyalty Per Excellence to the Governor and Government of Plateau State. 

It is a fact that since the inception of the Fourth Republic, Plateau State has never witnessed a smooth working relationship between the Governor and his Deputy as in the case of the current Rescue Administration led by the indefatigable Rt. Hon. Simon Lalong. 

There are no reports anywhere with proves that the Governor grumbles against his Deputy nor the Deputy against his principal since their assumption of office on May 29, 2015. 

This made the current administration a trailblazer of excellent working relationship between the Governor and his Deputy. 

We commend His Excellency, Professor Sonni Gwanle Tyoden, who by age is 12 years older than his principal, a Professor and a former Vice Chancellor of the prestigious University of Jos, and yet has shown a remarkable sterling quality of absolute loyalty to the Governor and Government of Plateau State, and by extension the entire state. 

Loyalty as Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe said in his speech on 1st October, 1960, is the most precious tribute a patriot can pay to his native land. 

Therefore, suffice me to say that Professor Sonni Gwanle Tyoden, has paid the most precious tribute a patriotic citizen of Plateau can pay to his state. 

We will appreciate Tyoden's loyalty more if we look back to previous administrations where there was confusion and uneasy calm in the palace of power where the deputies had a repugnant working relationship with their principals and have plunged Plateau in a state of delima". 

"Permit me to recall the situation where a deputy governor connived with intra party opponents of their administration to unseat his principal through an illegal process to assume his position, likewise a situation where a governor had two deputies within the span of eight years due to uncordial working relationship.

In the same vein we have seen the consequences of disloyalty as in the case of a renegade party chairman who saw himself superior to the Governor and Government of Plateau State that all must bow to his whims and caprices or the state suffers, likewise an erstwhile Speaker of the House of Assembly who triggered confusion, setback and distraction to the smooth running of governance on the Plateau.

 IPA appreciates the loyalty exercised by Tyoden which has projected him as a great patriot who delights in the smooth running of governance, peace, progress and prosperity of Plateau State.

His loyalty has to a large extent contributed immensely to the success of the Rescue Administration as it enabled the governor's mind to be at peace and focused on his set goals, and in addressing other pressing issues. 

At this juncture, IPA praises the Rescue Administration for exhibiting a cordial relationship between the number One and number Two citizens of the state, which serves as an illumination to success and an example to future leaders whose aim is to succeed. 

Finally, IPA is saying a big thank you to the Deputy Governor, for being a shinning example to this and future generations on loyalty". He concluded.