‘Reward for Plateau’s progress’: Lalong hails Mutfwang’s Silverbird Governor of the Year honour

The senator representing Plateau South, Simon Lalong, has described the emergence of Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang as Silverbird Governor of the Year 2025 as a well-earned recognition of visible progress across the state.

Speaking at the Silverbird Group Man of the Year Award ceremony held in Lagos over the weekend, Lalong said the honour reflects the strides made under Mutfwang’s administration in restoring peace and repositioning Plateau State for growth.

Mutfwang was named Governor of the Year 2025 following what organisers described as bold initiatives deploying technology to combat insecurity, driving inclusive development, and creating a more enabling environment for investors.

Lalong, a former governor of Plateau State, said the award was not merely ceremonial but a validation of deliberate governance choices that are changing long-standing narratives about the state.

“This award to Governor Mutfwang is well -deserved and it reflects the positive realities that we are seeing across our state,” Lalong stated.

The former governor assured Mutfwang of sustained bipartisan support, stressing that governance should transcend political rivalry.

While receiving the award from veteran journalist and former Ogun State Governor Olusegun Osoba, Governor Mutfwang dedicated the honour to the people of Plateau State.

He thanked his predecessor, Lalong, and other political leaders present at the event for demonstrating what he described as a “new spirit of unity and love” on Plateau State.

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The governor acknowledged that although Plateau State has, for decades, made headlines for unfortunate reasons, adding that the narrative is changing.

Mutfwang said beyond the River Niger, Plateau State is fast emerging as the next destination for investors, owing to deliberate policies that have created an enabling environment for peace, productivity, progress, and shared prosperity.

Mutfwang emphasised that lasting peace can only be achieved when leaders rise above divisions and provide purposeful direction.

He said: “The only way we can secure enduring peace is when leaders take responsibility and provide the necessary leadership for the people to follow.

“Yesterday, we may have been political rivals; today, we stand together in the interest of peace and development. That is the new Nigeria we seek to build, beginning with the solid foundation we are laying on the Plateau.”

He commended the Silverbird Group for recognising the state’s progress, pledging continued partnership in advancing peacebuilding and media-driven development initiatives.

The Star