Simon Bako Lalong is currently the Governor of Plateau State, he was born on May 5,
1963. A native of Ajikamai in Shendam Local Government Area of Plateau
State. He obtained his First School Leaving Certificate at R.C.M. Primary School Shendam in 1977, and his O’ Level Certificate from G.S.S Shendam in 1982, and A’ Level at S.P.S Keffi in 1986.
He studied Law at Abu Zaria and graduated with a Bachelor of Law
degree in 1990. He went to the Lagos branch of the Nigerian Law School and had
his one year compulsory studies and was called to bar in 1991. He went further to obtain his Masters Degree in Law(LLM) at the
University of Jos in 1986.
Simon Bako Lalong started his professional career in 1992 with T- Obot & Co. Legal Practitioners, Jos. He also worked with Victor Fomwul & Co. Jos, as
a Managing Partner.
He later established his own chambers and was the Principal
Partner of Simon B. Lalong & Co. Legal Practitioners.
In 1999, he contested for Shendam constituency in the Plateau state House of Assembly, which he won with a landslide victory
under the platform of the PDP (a party he took part in its formation in Shendam
L.G.A.). He was subsequently made the Speaker of the State House of Assembly in
October 2000.
As
a Speaker, Simon Bako Lalong’s rare leadership qualities earned him the record
of the longest serving Speaker in the history of Plateau state legislature
(2000 – 2006 i.e seven years of unbroken quality leadership).
Also,
while serving as a Speaker, his leadership qualities endeared him to all his
fellow Speakers across the 36 states in Nigeria who elected him twice as;
Chairman, Nigerian Conference of Speakers (i.e. forum of all the 36 Speakers of
the federation) from 2001- 2002. He was the National Chairman, forum of All
former Speakers of Nigeria and also Chairman of former State Legislators,
Plateau State Chapter.
Simon
Bako Lalong’s outstanding qualities also made him to win the 1999 and 2003
elections into the State House of Assembly representing Shendam Constituency.
As
a Member and a Speaker who has served longer than those before and after him
(at least as at date), he is proud to be associated with the following landmark
enactments leading to: the Establishment of Plateau State University (now
Solomon Lar University) Bokkos, Establishment of College of Agriculture
Garkawa, Establishment of College of Arts, Science and Remedial Studies, Kurgwi,
Creation of additional/new chiefdoms and districts, Creation of additional
State Wards, Private Bill on establishment of structures in Local Govt.
Councils.
Simon
Bako Lalong contested for the Governorship in Plateau state in the April 2015
elections under the Platform of the All Progressive Congress(APC) and won.
