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From Jude Dangwam, Jos
Former Plateau State Governor and retired Air Commodore Jonah David Jang has warned that Nigeria’s current economic reforms, risk deepening national despair unless they are matched with immediate relief for ordinary citizens, including a significant upward review of the national minimum wage.
In an exclusive interview with Daily Sun, marking Nigeria’s 66th Independence Anniversary, the elder statesman, who served as military governor of Benue and Gongola States in the 1980s and later as civilian governor of Plateau State from 2007 to 2015, described the hardship across households and markets as tangible and insisted that policy must be tempered with empathy.
Jang, a retired Air Commodore who enlisted in the Nigerian Air Force in 1965 and rose through the ranks before retiring in 1990, also called for a decisive shift to advanced technology and intelligence driven operations in the fight against insecurity. He said modern tools would protect officers on the frontline, reduce casualties and hasten victory against insurgency, banditry and criminality. The former senator for Plateau North, who recently marked his 80th birthday and launched his autobiography From Airman to Politics, used the occasion to urge national unity and resist every attempt to divide the country along ethnic, religious or political lines.
Nigeria is now 66 years old. How can you describe the journey so far, Your Excellency?
First of all, as Nigeria marks its 66th Independence Anniversary, I want to extend my warm felicitations to every Nigerian across the length and breadth of our nation, and particularly to the good, resilient and brave people of Plateau State. Yes, sixty six years in the life of a nation is a significant journey, one that is certainly defined by shared triumphs, trials and an enduring quest for unity and progress. Today, as I reflect on where we have come from and where we stand, I do so with a heart that feels both the deep burden of our current realities and an unshakable faith in our collective future. There is no two ways about it that our country is navigating one of its most challenging economic periods in modern history. Across households, marketplaces and communities, the rising costs of living and everyday hardship is felt acutely. The despair in the land is tangible, and as leaders who have walked this path with the people, we cannot afford to look away or sugarcoat the struggle.
You sound like there is no hope, Your Excellency?
No, even in the midst of this despair, I see hope. Our history as a people has shown time and again that our strength lies not in the absence of adversity, but in our ability to endure, overcome and emerge stronger together. The very fact that we remain one united nation after 66 years, despite the storms that have threatened our foundations, is a profound testament to our togetherness.
Are you okay with the policies of the present administration?
I want to acknowledge the reform initiatives set in motion by the Federal Government led by His Excellency the President, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. You know, structural economic reforms are rarely painless; they often demand immediate sacrifices for long term stability and history has taught us this, the world over. It is my firm belief that, if sustained with sincerity and precision, these reforms will yield positive results in due course.
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However, policy must always be tempered with empathy, something I am convinced the president has demonstrated the willingness to do in the course of his term in office. I urge the Federal Government once again to continue to intensify efforts toward ameliorating the immediate plight of ordinary citizens.
Relief measures must be direct, impactful and swift. In particular, there is a compelling need to review and increase the national minimum wage to reflect realistic living conditions. Upwardly reviewing compensation is not merely an economic policy; it is a moral imperative that will significantly cushion the hardship felt by millions of hardworking Nigerian families.
As a former military Governor and a civilian Governor, what is your take on the security of Nigeria? If you are not satisfied then what is the way forward?
On the security front, I acknowledge the visible efforts and sacrifices of our armed forces and security agencies who continue to fight courageously to restore peace across our communities.
The government’s commitment to winning the war against insurgency, banditry and general criminality is commendable. I recently had audience with Mr President and suggested some ways I think the government can strengthen the fight against insurgency.
My hope is that he will have the political courage to do the needful. However, the dynamics of modern security challenges require us to evolve constantly. I continue to advocate for a significantly increased deployment of advanced technology, intelligence driven operations and surveillance tools in this fight.
Leveraging modern technology will protect our officers on the frontline, minimise casualties and accelerate the decisive victory our citizens desperately crave. The work of nation building cannot be left to the government alone. In times like these, our greatest weapon against challenges is our unity.
We must resist every attempt to divide us along ethnic, religious or political and other lines. Let us actively work to bind the wounds of division wherever they exist, replacing distrust with dialogue and animosity with solidarity. Let us continue to pray fervently for Nigeria and for all those in positions of leadership, that God may grant them the wisdom, courage and compassion needed to guide our ship of state into calmer and more prosperous waters.
So, I want to say happy 66th Independence Anniversary to us all. God bless Plateau State, and God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
