Mr. Alfred Dapal has registered his sincere condolences over the death of distinguished Sen. Ignatius Datong Longjan who died in the early hours of today due to ill health. In a statement made available to journalists, Mr. Dapal said Sen. Longjan’s death was a tragedy and a loss not only to Plateau South but the entire country because he worked hard as a former deputy Governor of Plateau State and Senator to promote peace, unity and development throughout the country. Mr. Dapal further extols the virtues of Sen. Longjan and said his goodwill, humility and loyalty to the people he served will remain visible in the chronicles of history. He calls on the family and people of Southern Senatorial Zone to take heart and be comforted in the Lord, noting that his legacies can not be lost to time but will live on.
The All Progressives Congress is deeply saddened by the death of our Party’s federal lawmaker representing Plateau South Senatorial District, Senator Ignatius Longjan.
Senator Longjan who died on Sunday evening was the Vice Chairman, Senate Committee on Culture and Tourism and a former Deputy Governor of Plateau State.
The late Senator was a grassroots politician and progressive federal lawmaker who advocated for a smooth working relationship between the executive and legislature as a way of ensuring good governance and proper initiation and implementation of policies that impact positively on the people.
He was a loyal party man who championed party supremacy over personal interest in all party matters and decisions, as displayed in the emergence of the leadership of the current 9th National Assembly.
We extend our condolences to Senator Longjan’s immediate family, constituents, the National Assembly, the government and entire people of Plateau State. May the Almighty God grant all comfort during this time of grief and may the soul of Senator Longjan rest in peace.
SIGNED: *Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu* National Publicity Secretary All Progressives Congress (APC)
Plateau State Governor Simon Bako Lalong on Monday 10th February 2020, visited the residence of late Senator Ignatius Longjan in Gwarimpa Abuja to condole with the family of the loss of the deceased. Lalong said the Plateau State is in a sober mood as the late Senator left a huge vacuum that will be difficult to fill. The Governor Lalong later recieved all members of the National Assembly from Plateau State at the Governors lodge Abuja led by the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Alhaji Idris Maje. He told the members that the death of their colleague should not deter them from pursuing the interests of Plateau State at the National Assembly.
*HON. KOMSOL ALPHONSUS MOURNS SENATOR IGNATIUS LONGJAN*
10th January, 2020.
*A HERO GOES HOME*
The member, Federal House of Representative, representing Mikang, Shendam and Qua’anpan Federal Constituency, Hon. Komsol Alphonsus Longgap extend his Condolences to Nigeria, Plateau State, Plateau Southern Senatorial Zone and Qua’anpan Local Government over the demise of Senator Ignatius Lonjan, who until now, the senator representing Plateau Southern Senatorial Zone. The records of Amb. Ignatius Longjan as one time Career Ambassador, Chief of Staff and Deputy Governor to Sen. Jonah David Jang, the former Governor of Plateau are highly refined in thoughts and feelings, the exemplified tireless service to the ideals of patriotism and selfless service to the cause of humanity and posterity, the multi-facete and heroic acts of Longjan is brilliantly recognized in all honesty. He was known with kindness, heartfelt generosity, humility, loyalty and nobleness. The name of Senator Ignatius Longjan is widely known. Our people will never forget his enormous contributions to Nigeria and Plateau State.
The blessed memory of Ignatius Longjan will stay forever in our hearts. Hon. Komsol equally pray that Senator Ignatius Longjan finds eternal rest and wish his family the strength to bear this huge lost.
*CONDOLENCES MESSAGE FROM SOUTHERN PLATEAU YOUTH CONGRESS (S-PYCO) TO LONGJANG’S FAMILY, QUA’AN-PAN LGA, PLATEAU SOUTH AND PLATEAU.* 10/02/2020
It’s with deep shocked that we received and confirmed the unpleasant news of the death and home calling of our Distinguished Senator, His Excellency, Amb. Ignatius Datong Longjang who until his demise was a one time Career Ambassador, Chief of Staff, “Loyal Deputy Governor” under Sen. Jonah David Jang led government, a one time governorship aspirant and currently the serving Senator representing the good people of Southern Plateau in the National Assembly.
As young people in the zone, we will not forget so easily his examplary lifestyle, humility and loyalty which earned him the popular slogan “the loyal Deputy.” Though we will missed the above qualities, we take solace and give God all the glory considering the tremendous impact and legacies he has left that is worthy of emulation not only in the zone, state but Nigeria as a whole.
To us, this is a moment of reflection on the lifestyle of the elder-stateman, his leadership qualities when compared with the contemporary governance at every level and ramifications of life. Again, to us even as we mourn, this is a celebration of life well spent on Earth considering the frequent and increasing demise of young people who are supposed to bury the older ones as it’s in years past living us with nightmares as to how the future may be.
As his family, local government, zone, state and Nigerians prepare his burial rite and rituals, we pray that God will received his gentle soul and comfort us all. Rest well and good night Raregem!
CONDOLENCE MASSAGE FROM AIDES TO THE DEPUTY SPEAKER HOUSE OF REPS(Home Front)
10/2/2020
We wish to sympathize with the family,southern zone,National Assembly, the good people and government of Plateau State over the loss of His Excellency,Sen Ignatius Datong Longjan, the Senator representing Plateau South at the National Assembly which occurred today at an Abuja Turkish Hospital
Sen longjan was a friend of Wase and a humble gentleman of high repute, who served Plateau State meritoriously as a Deputy Governor and meticulously as a Senator of the federal Republic of Nigeria.
His death came to us at a time his services and elderly advice is most needed
In this time of grief, we join our leader the Deputy Speaker House of Representatives,Rt Hon Ahmed Idris Maje in prayers to the immediate family, friends, relatives, well-wishers,Southern Zone,National Assembly, the Governor And Government of Plateau State over this sad and painful loss.
May the soul of the departed rest in perfect peace.
Kindly accept our heartfelt condolence.
Abubakar Muhammad Badu Dan Malikin Wase
For and on behalf of Wase Equity Project (Home front)
The passage of the Senator representing Plateau South, Senator Ignatius Datong Longjan had been described as a colossal loss to the Nigerian people and democracy, even as he is described as a dogged fighter for the people’s cause. Senator Hezekiah Dimka, who represents Plateau Central, while paying tribute to his compatriot is saddened that the loss of the onetime deputy governor of the state is coming at a critical time of the nation in dire need of dispassionate leaders for the course of the people.
He said for the short period of representing Plateau in the National Assembly, and the other services he had rendered in the chancellery of our diplomatic missions as well as that of the deputy governor of the state, a man well-disposed to the people is lost.
While praying for the repose of his soul, Senator Dimka asked God Almighty to reward his good deeds as well as comfort the family, associates, friends, Plateau and the Senate. Senator Longjan is reported to have died at the Nizzamiye Turkish Hospital, Abuja after a protracted illness.
SENATOR HEZEKIAH A. DIMKA _Plateau Central Zone Chairman, Senate Committee of Drugs and Narcotics_
TRIBUTE: FOUR THINGS FOR WHICH I’ll NEVER FORGET THE LATE SENATOR LONGJAN
First, was in 1994. Armed with a 1992 Bsc (Hons) in International Relations from OAU IFE and fresh from the NYSC in Calabar where I served in the Press Unit of the Government House (1992/1993) I stormed Lagos and arrived in Baba Longjan’s office, the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Marina, Lagos Island. I told him I wanted him to help me secure my dream job in the Nigerian Foreign Service.
Baba had just returned from posting by the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Belgium. He gladly received my CV and academic credentials and perused them. He lamented, saying: “Nigeria! A young man like you with your kind and class of degree should be employed here without a day’s delay because we need you here but…”
Pronto! Baba drove me in his old Jeep straight to the Federal Secretariat where he obtained for me a form for employment in the Foreign Service via the Federal Civil Service Commission. He literally filled the form for me. (I remember meeting my friend and roommate in CSJ Vom, Pharmacist Albert Alkali, who happened to be in Ikoyi on same mission. ) Baba took me to his house in Ikoyi where I spent the night and ate a five course meal washed down with choice wines. We discussed deep into the night like mates. He thereafter did everything possible to secure the job but that wasn’t to be because the then Head of State, General Abacha placed an embargo on FG employment throughout his tenure! I had to inadvertently switch to professional journalism to survive and later became a Publisher.
Second, was in 2007, when Baba became the Chief of Staff to former Governor Jonah Jang. I approached him one day to seek his intervention in a court case which I won with my company, Periscope International. The debt amounted to millions of Naira but the defendant Local Government in the state had refused to pay despite the court order. Pronto he summoned the council chairman and directed him to go and pay, which was promptly complied with!
Third, was in 2008, when the Plateau State PDP was to conduct its state congresses. Baba summoned me to his office and told me point blank that he wanted me to vie for the position of State Publicity Secretary of the party. His words: “Look, Mark, you’re a young man with a lot of potentials, you’re very talented, well educated and exposed. I want to bring people like you into politics to take over because I’ll retire from politics at the end of the Jang Administration…” I nodded in affirmation and I could see his relief from his countenance. However, my body language of not being predisposed to partisan politics, coupled with a quantum of intrigues, blackmails and outright lies and falsehood against me following the bitter local government chairmanship election in which his “candidate” lost in the primary, made Baba to later settle for somebody else for the position of Publicity Secretary.
Fourth, was when the issue of appointing Secretaries to Local Governments in the state came up in 2009. Again, Baba stood firm behind me like the Rock of Ages. The then former Chairman of our local government, Theophilus Shan, had to call me to his office one day and asked me: “What is between you and Baba Longjan that he is putting so much pressure on me to appoint you as Secretary to the Local Government?” I told him Baba only had soft spot for me, that’s all, and we laughed if off. The rest is history, as the council chairman later defied him, picked somebody else and only compensated me with an apology and a few million Naira contracts!
And so, when Governor Simon Lalong appointed me as his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Baba was highly elated and expressed his feelings to me when I went to his house to pay him a courtesy visit after my assumption of office. Baba then admonished me to “stay put in politics and avoid playing your disappearance acts whenever you’re most needed.” ADIEU BABA!😭😭
The Grand Patron, Patrons, National Executive Council, Central Working Committee, Board of Trustees, Advisory Council and the entire members of Pan Youth Association has received this morning, with great shock, news of the demise of our father, elder, leader and distinguished Senator His Excellency Ignatius Datong Longjan.
The family has confirmed that Senator Longjan died after a protracted illness.
We sincerely commiserate with his wife, children, the Senate, Plateau State, Plateau South Senatorial District, Qua’an-Pan LGA and Pan Nation on this irreplaceable lost.
We pray that God Almighty will forgive his shortcomings and grant eternal peaceful repose to his soul.
May God grant us the fortitude to bear this great loss, Amen.
Signed: Nathaniel Godwin Doeko’os KSM, FCIPMA National President, Pan Youths Association. 10/2/2020
BABA LONGJAN: AN EPITOM OF POLITICAL PARTICIPATION FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES.
We Mourn!!! The Disability Community in Plateau State Mourn the demise of one of our greatest Pillar. You and BABA Bukar Bello spearheaded the recognition of Persons with Disabilities as a Wing in PDP the first in Nigeria since 2006. You encouraged and integrated Persons with Disabilities in the PDP campaign train same year. In 2007 you facilitated the recognition and appointment of Persons with Disability into the Govt. While serving as Chief of Staff, you ensured the approval by the then Governor for appointment of Persons with Disabilities as Special Advisers in the 17 LGCs in 2008 which you ensured it’s sustainability. As Deputy Gov, you did more and as PDP Governorship aspirant, you invited and fully recognised the disability Community into your campaign team. You have stood for Disability Inclusion and political Participation making us stronger till date. We shall continue to uphold your legacy, Fatherly support and shall remember you always as the bedrock of our growth. May your soul rest in peace. Good night Baba LONGJAN.
MiddleBelt Reporters 