In this post, Platinumtimes.ng archives the family history, education and career of Simon Lalong.
Simon Bako Lalong is the former governor of Plateau State.
He is a Nigerian lawyer and politician.
He currently serves as the Minister of Labour and Employment, Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Personal Profile
Full Name: Simon Bako Lalong CON
Born: 5th May, 1963
Spouse: Regina Lalong
Place of birth: Ajikamai, Shendam Local Government Area, Plateau State, Nigeria.
Political party: All Progressives Congress
Education: Ahmadu Bello University,Zaria, GSS, Shendam.
Qualifications: Masters Degree in Law(LLM), Bachelor of Law(LLB)
Occupation: Politician, Lawyer
Religion: Christianity
Biography
Born on May 5th, 1963 in Ajikamai, Plateau State, Nigeria.
Simon Bako Lalong had his early education at the Roman Catholic Mission School (RCM) Primary School Shendam and had his First School Leaving Certificate in 1977 and proceeded to Government Secondary School Shendam where he obtained his Senior School Certificate 1982.
He further enrolled in the School of Preliminary Studies Keffi and graduated with a distinction in 1986.
He gained admission into the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria and had a degree in Law in 1990. He attended the Nigerian Law School in Lagos, where he was also called to the Bar in 1991. He later obtained a master’s degree in Law from the University of Jos, in 1996.
Family
Lalong is a Christian and is married to Mrs Regina Lalong and the union is blessed with three children.
Career
Following his graduation from Law School, he worked with the prestigious T- Obot & Co. Legal Practitioners,Jos in 1992. He also Worked with Victor Fomwul & Co. Jos from 1997-1999 as a Managing Partner, before establishing his Firm, Simon B. Lalong & Co. Legal Practitioners.
He served in different positions which included Assistant Secretary, Nigeria Bar Association, Plateau State Chapter from 1992 to 1994 and the National President of Goemai Youth Movement that same period.
Political career
In 1998, he joined politics under the platform of the People’s Democratic party ( PDP) and successfully contested to represent Shendam Constituency and entered the Plateau State House of Assembly.
In October 2000, he became the speaker of the assembly until 2006, and this made him to be recorded as the longest serving speaker of the House in the history of Plateau State.
During that period he was two times (2001–2002) elected as the Chairman of the Conference of Speakers of the 36 states of Nigeria.
In the year 2015, he contested in the gubernatorial elections of Plateau State under the platform of the All Progressive Congress (APC) and won. He was sworn in as the new governor of Plateau State on May 29, 2015.
In March 2019, he was re-elected as governor of Plateau State having polled 595,582 votes against his rival, General Jeremiah Husseini of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), who polled 546,813 votes, he was sworn in on the 29th of May,2019.
In the 2023 general elections, Lalong contested for the seat of the senate to represent Plateau South senatorial zone in the National Assembly but lost the election to Napoleon Bali who won under the platform of the People’s Democratic Party.
Awards and honors
In October 2022, a Nigerian national honour of Commander Of The Order Of The Niger (CON) was conferred on him by President Muhammadu Buhari.
On 2nd August,Lalong was nominated to serve as a Minister of the Federation by president Bola Ahmed Tinubu.