NORTHERN GOVERNORS FELICITATE WITH PRESIDENT BUHARI AT 79

The Northern Governors Forum has felicitated with President Muhammadu Buhari on his 79th birthday.
Chairman of the Forum and Governor of Plateau State, Simon Bako Lalong in a statement described the President as a man of integrity and leader with patriotic zeal to develop the nation and secure the future for the younger generation.

Lalong said the President has in the last six years confronted very many challenging situations that sought to threaten the unity and peace of the country such as insecurity, poverty, corruption, poor infrastructure among others, with high successes.

He said the President has remained a father to all by embracing all parts of the nation and ensuring that projects are distributed to all zones irrespective of political and other considerations, a situation which speaks volumes of his penchant for justice and fairness.

Lalong said the Northern Governors Forum has enjoyed the support of Mr. President in dealing with challenges such as insecurity, poverty, illiteracy and disease which are being substantially contained due to the synergy between the States and the Federal Government.

While wishing the President many more years of good health and wisdom, the Northern Governors urged him to remain steadfast and committed to giving his best in the service of the nation especially at this time when the Government is working hard to deal with several challenges.

Dr. Makut Simon Macham
Director of Press & Public Affairs to the Governor of Plateau State & Chairman, Northern Governors Forum.
17th December 2021

GOVERNOR LALONG INSTALLS RA’AN JAHR; JOINS WOMEN AFFAIRS MINISTER TO COMMISSION EROSION CONTROL PROJECT

Plateau State Governor Simon Bako Lalong has urged all communities and Chiefdoms in the State to always adopt dialogue, negotiations and reconciliation in handling all Chieftancy matters in order to consolidate on the peace and security of the State.

Governor Lalong said this in Dengi during the coronation of His Royal Highness, Alh. Mahmud Maikano, the Ra’an Jahr, a Second class traditional ruler of the Jahr Chiefdom in Kanam Local Government Council.

Lalong said the traditional institution is very important to the peace and development of the State and should therefore set the example for peaceful coexistence through dialogue in resolving all disputes involving kingship.

He said “as I have always emphasized, the Traditional Institution is vital to the survival of our cultural heritage as it forms the bedrock of our coexistence. As a people who share common and unique identity, the continuous maintenance of the norms, traditions and culture of the Chiefdom must be safe-guarded in the greater interest of the people. You are aware that my administration since coming on board has paid greater attention on reviving the traditional institutions so that it can contribute meaningfully in the development of the State particularly at the grassroots level. This we believe will engender social cohesion and promote peaceful coexistence among our people”

Lalong said that Government expects all communities to embrace dialogue as a means of resolving any differences relating to Chieftancy maters within their communities in order to foster unity and development.

“Let me therefore use this opportunity to again remind those Chiefdoms who have not been able to resolve their differences to elect new traditional rulers, that they are denying their people many windows of opportunities. While Government has no intention of imposing any traditional ruler on the people, it is worthy to mention that the Government is disappointed that the efforts to fill the few vacant stools in the State are being frustrated due to lingering litigations among the Royal Class. Nevertheless, we will continue to do our best to ensure that where vacant stools exist, necessary steps are taken to resolve the issues” he said.

He admonished the Royal father to be proactive and carry his people along irrespective of creed, religion, economic, political or any other affiliation and also avoid tendencies that will make him become selfish or sectional in his judgments.

Chairman of the Jahr Development Association  Chief Amos Gizo said the Chiefdom is happy with the installation of the Royal Father who is the symbol of unity and brotherliness of the various communities in the Chiefdom.

He said the installation of the Royal father by Governor Simon Bako Lalong marks another phase of the emancipation of the people since the days of Chief Solomon Lar. This he said the people highly appropriate and will reciprocate by ensuring they maintain peace and support Government activities at all times.

Chairman of Kanam Local Government Alh. Dayyabu Garga said the coronation is another testimony to the fulfilment of the promise by Governor Lalong to give the traditional Institution its rightful place in governance.

The Long Gamai Miskoom Martin Shaldas and the Emir of Kanam Alh Mohammadu Muazu Mohamamdu described the installation of the Ra’an Jahr as another moment of joy for the Plateau State Council of Traditional Rulers and the people as he is fulfilling his vow to ensure that people are emancipated and given a sense of belonging.

Earlier, the Governor had joined the Minister of Women Affairs Dame Pauline Tallen for the commissioning and handing over of Gishare Talbushi flood erosion control project in Dengi with a 75 metre bridge linking many communities within the Local Government as well as Bauchi State.

The Governor praised President Muhammadu Buhari for approving the project through the Ecological Fund Office and ensuring that funds were provided for its completion.

Dr. Makut Simon Macham
Director of Press & Public Affairs to the Governor of Plateau State.
16th December 2021.

PLATEAU STATE WINS OPEN GOVERNMENT PARTNERSHIP (OGP) GLOBAL AWARD FOR TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY

Plateau State has won the Open Government Partnership Award for Increasing Transparency and Accountability in Extractives at the 2021 OGP Local Innovation Awards held on 14th December 2021 in Seoul, South Korea and broadcast worldwide on social media platforms.

To emerge victorious, Plateau State participated in the competitive process which generated 60 applications in the Local Innovation Awards category where over 11,000 members of the OGP community voted across the world.

It came first in the Africa and Middle East Region followed by Nandi-Kenya in second place, and Tangier-Morocco in the third place.

Announcing the Awards, the OGP recognized the efforts of the Plateau State Government in entrenching transparency and accountability in governance through various initiatives that support prudent resource management, involment of the citizens, blocking leakages and building institutions that enhance and deepen transparency in governance.

The Award is also in recognition of the level of stakeholder engagement in budgeting, adherence to laid down procedures in government expenditure, and deployment of structures such as the Efficiency Unit, Bureau for Public Procurement, Project Monitoring and Result Delivery Unit among others adopted by the Lalong administration in managing the resources of the State.

Governor Simon Lalong while reacting to the Award said he was excited to receive the news which attests to the efforts of his Rescue Administration to give value to the people through prudent management of resources, accountability and transparency.

He said “I am happy that our efforts in redefining governance in Plateau State are receiving local and global attention. Last year, we were adjudged to be the second least corrupt state in Nigeria by the National Bureau for Statistics which made it very easy for us to be accepted into the OGP.

Shortly after joining the OGP, we have been assessed and awarded with the recognition for transparency and accountability. This is a great morale booster which will spur us to do more as we continue to give value to our people and deliver the dividends of democracy”.

He commended the OGP State Focal office and the entire bureaucracy of the State for playing their roles in ensuring that transparency and accountability is implemented and recognized at home and abroad leading to the Award.

Dr. Makut Simon Macham
Director of Press & Public Affairs to the Governor of Plateau State
15th December 2021.

By Prince Sekat, Jos

Youths in Lamingo are protesting what they termed the exclusion of the indigenous community from employment in Jos University Teaching Hospital, JUTH.

The natives say they want to be employed because the land on which the Hospital is built is their ancestral heritage.

However, police operatives disbanded the gathering, assuring the youths that the matter will be looked into.

They said a suitable solution to their demand will be discussed and related to their leaders.

The Deputy Commissioner Administration of Police, Plateau State Command, Faleye Olaleye has urged the management of JUTH to ensure that residents of Afok Lamingo are carried in its activities.

The statement was made during a dialogue meeting called by the DCP between the management of JUTH and the youth of its host community after a protest broke out this morning.

According to Faleye, getting the host community involved will create a good working relationship and a peaceful working environment between the host community and JUTH.

The youth Leader Peter Aziz, said that the protest was their last resort after months of contacting JUTH management to perform its community social responsibility after freely giving up their ancestral land for medical purposes.

However, the CMD of JUTH when contacted declined to make comments about the incident.

Senator Istifanus Gyang representing Plateau North in the National Assembly, who was elected into office in 2019 as a first-time lawmaker on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, has declared that there is no vacancy in the position come 2023.

He made the declaration in Jos on Monday while speaking at an empowerment programme that he organised for 360 youths drawn from his constituency.

The empowerment programme for the youths came less than one week after the senator organised a similar programme for 600 widows and awarded scholarships for 500 students across the 73 wards of his constituency.

Addressing the latest beneficiaries of his empowerment project on Monday, Senator Gyang noted that the four-year mandate given to him by his constituency to represent them at the National Assembly was yielding the desired results.

He added that anyone that would work against his return bid to the red chamber in 2023 would not succeed.

The senator said, “I want to thank Plateau North for entrusting this mandate in my hands. This mandate is for the empowerment and uplift of my people and by the Grace of God, this mandate will transcend to the 10th Assembly. Anyone that dares the ever-winning mandate will go down for it.”

In an interview with newsmen, Senator Gyang lamented the poverty index in the country saying, “The situation has to change and it has to change by the impact of not just the government but also the corporate bodies, private sector and in our capacity as representatives of the people. That is why we are doing what we are doing to enable our people to make some investments that will bring a positive turnaround in their living conditions.

GOVERNOR LALONG CONDEMNS WASE ATTACKS; LAUDS SECURITY FORCES FOR MAKING ARRESTS

Governor Simon Bako Lalong of Plateau State has commended security forces for their swift response following the attack on Pinau village which left some persons dead and others injured.

The Governor commended the forces for immediately going after the attackers and combing their hideouts, leading to the arrest of some suspects.

The Governor while urging them to carry out a thorough investigation to unravel those behind the attacks and the motives, warned that the Plateau State Government will not allow criminal elements to hibernate in any part of the State with a view to terrorizing innocent citizens.

Lalong also commiserated with victims of the attack and further directed the State Emergency Management Agency as well as the Local Government authorities to visit the area and provide assistance to survivors and families of those killed.

Meanwhile the Governor has advised the citizens of Plateau State to be vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the security agencies especially during the yuletide season to ensure that there is no breach of peace.

He assured that the Government is working with security agencies to ensure adequate deployment of personnel and robust response to any eventuality.

Dr. Makut Simon Macham
Director of Press & Public Affairs to the Governor of Plateau State.
14th December 2021.

PLATEAU GOVERNOR SWEARS IN ACTING CHIEF JUDGE, NEW COMMISSIONERS & PLASIEC MEMBERS

Plateau State Governor Simon Bako Lalong has warned political office holders against using their positions for politicking rather than delivering services to the people.

The Governor gave the warning while swearing in the Acting Chief Judge of Plateau State, Three new Commissioners as well as Chairman and Members of the Plateau State Independent Electoral Commission (PLASIEC) at the new Government House Rayfield Jos.

He said “Although you have been appointed to different offices saddled with a wide range of duties, your responsibilities will ultimately have a meeting point as they will lead to a more stable, prosperous and democratic society. Therefore, the different oaths you have taken should give you the impetus to serve the people of Plateau State and Nigeria at large with sincerity, diligence and determination”.

The Governor told the Acting Chief Judge Justice Peter Mann that he was coming on board at a time when there was greater need for the dispensation of justice in the State and the nation at large in order to sustain the rule of law. Social order he said is under serious threat by the actions of some groups and individuals who do not want to submit to law and order, but prefer to create anarchy and perpetrate violence against innocent citizens.

He asked him to give leadership and direction to the judicial arm of Government to enable it discharge its constitutional mandate without fear or favour, affection or ill-will.

For the three new Commissioners appointed to fill the vacuum created by the resignation of three Commissioners who contested and won Chairmanship seats of their respective Local Government Councils, the Governor urged them to see their appointments as a platform for service to the people and a chance to contribute to the success of the Rescue Administration and the APC.

He said they are coming on stream at a time when the life of this administration is gradually coming to an end which means that they should hit the ground running to ensure that the assignment they are taking on is implemented with speed, accuracy and accountability.

He said “While you quickly get acquainted with the vision of the Rescue Administration, you must refrain from abusing your offices and also shun any act of corruption, favouratism and nepotism. The civil service is not a religious organization, political party or ethnic entity. You must be professional and fair to all according to the laws of the land and the oath of office you have just taken.”

He also warned those with political ambitions to refrain from using their positions for politics rather than work.

” Let me warn you against abandoning your responsibilities for politics especially now that the journey towards 2023 is drawing closer. While it is your right to engage in political activities, you should beware that the office of the Commissioner is for service, not glamour. By accepting to serve in the cabinet, you have inadvertently agreed to focus on delivering service to the people rather than using the time for politicking. However, if any of you feel he has urgency for politicking and fulfilling an ambition, you should kindly excuse us so that you do not constitute a distraction to the Governance process. We are at a critical time when we need to complete on-going projects and implement some others that will be our parting gifts to the people” he said.

For the Chairman and Members of the Plateau State Independent Electoral Commission, the Governor said their re-appointment into office is a testimony to their credible performance during your first tenure.

He said “Already, we have seen the result of your proactive and deliberate steps to carry along all political parties, civil society, the media, electorate, and politicians towards making sure that elections are conducted in an atmosphere of peace and tranquility. The last Local Government elections conducted in September attests to the efforts you deployed to ensure that citizens exercise their franchise without rancour and bitterness”.

He advised them to always resist the pressure from political parties, candidates and their supporters or any other interest group to obstruct or manipulate you to do their bidding.

In his response on behalf of the appointees, Acting Chief Judge of Plateau State Hon. Justice Peter Mann said they will do their best to serve the State and Nigeria with all diligence, honesty and sincerity to add value to good governance in the State.

Full list of the appointmentees sworn in:

1. Hon. Justice David Gwong Mann –  Acting Chief Judge, Plateau State
2. Hon. Brain Bindim Dadi – Comm. Housing
3. Hon. Dan Philip Hirkop – Comm. Higher Education
4. Hon. Idris Gambo – Comm. Physical Planning & Urban Development
5. Mr. Febian Ari Ntung- Chairman, PLASIEC
6. Mr. Lamindi Tagonze Kaiwani – Member PLASIEC
7. Hon. Joshua Pefun Ndom – Member PLASIEC
8. Comrade Patrick Mamgin – Member PLASIEC
9. Haj. Hafsat Hassan Amin – Member PLASIEC
10. Adala Peter DanBenji – Member PLASIEC
11. Hon. James Dashan – Member PLASIEC

Dr. Makut Simon Macham
Director of Press & Public Affairs to the Governor of Plateau State.
13th December 2021.

GOVERNOR LALONG SADDANED BY DEATH OF SOUN OF OGBOMOSOLAND

Plateau State Governor Simon Bako Lalong has commiserated with the family of His Royal Highness, Oba Oladunni Oyewumi, Ajagungbade III, CFR, the Soun of Ogbomosoland, on the passage of the royal father.

Governor Lalong in a condolence message described the loss of the First Class traditional ruler as a great loss to the Government and people of Oyo State and Ogbomosoland because of his leadership that brought peace, prosperity, reconciliation and tolerance to the people during his 48 years on the throne of his ancestors.

Lalong said the demise of the revered traditional ruler is also huge loss to Plateau State as the late Kabiyesi spent his formative years in Jos where he founded many businesses as well as built strong relationships which he continued to maintain after being called upon to ascend the throne of his fore fathers.

He said during his tenure as former Chancellor of the Plateau State University Bokkos, the late Soun of Ogbomosho inspired the Institution to grow and become one of the leading State Universities in Nigeria with rapid expansion of infrastructure, research and student experience.

While urging the family, Oyo State as well his subjects to be consoled by his good works, Governor Lalong called on them to keep alive his legacies of humility, wisdom and generosity as well as embracing people from different backgrounds and showing love at all times.

Dr. Makut Simon Macham
Director of Press and Public Affairs to the Governor of Plateau State.
12th December 2021.

GOVERNOR LALONG TO SWEAR IN ACTING CHIEF JUDGE, COMMISSIONERS AND PLASIEC MEMBERS.

Plateau State Governor Simon Bako Lalong will perform the swearing in of the Acting Chief Judge of Plateau State; Three new Commissioners; and Chairman/Members of PLASIEC.

The event will take place on Monday 13th December 2021 at the New Government, House Little Rayfield Jos by 10am.

All invited guests should note that Covid-19 protocols will be observed please.

Dr. Makut Simon Macham
Director of Press and Public Affairs to the Governor of Plateau State.
12th December 2021.

MONUMENT OF DECEPTION AND HERESY (Shabul Mazadu)
Henrik Clarke said, “To control a people you must first control what they think about themselves and how they regard their history and culture.”
It is so sad that the former Governor of Plateau State, Dr. Jonah David Jang, who understands perfectly well the twisted perception and psyche of the average Plateau man towards religion, is bent on clapping them in fetters and shackles of religiosity and keeping them permanently in its dungeon. He knows that freeing their mentality from such slavery will amount to losing a very good number of followers particularly his kinsmen.
Having discovered the treasure of gaining political momentum from his mother as allegedly said who advised him to enroll in theological school to gain popularity to become governor, did so, and it worked for him.
His enrolment in the Theological College of Northern Nigeria, TCNN, gave him the greatest advantage of winning the 2007 gubernatorial elections as so many evangelists, pastors, bishops, reverends and others rallied round him mobilizing their adherents and telling them that the deliverer, a God fearing man has come to rescue. In fact a cross section of preachers tagged him NehEzra project. That is, the man that came in the spirit of Nehemiah and Ezra to liberate Plateau.
Having enjoyed this religious support ride for eight years, he resorted in cajoling Plateau into believing that he has not only graduated from theological school and being a pastor, but he was a prophet. Hence, he talked to God and will consult him on whom to succeed him in 2015.
He told Plateau State that he is embarking on prayers for God to reveal to him his successor. And after the prayers, he said God revealed Senator Gyang Nyam Shom Pwajok, may his soul rest in peace, as his successor but it did not come to pass, showing that God did not talk to him. Moses said, “When a prophet speaketh in the name of the LORD, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the LORD has not spoken, but the prophet had spoken it presumptuously: thou shalt not be afraid of him.” Deuteronomy 18: 22
It is no secret that Jang’s political party, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has been painted as a Christian party with the full interest of Plateau at heart.
To consolidate this belief, and with 2023 fast approaching, Jang completed the 5,000 seater capacity of a religious alter he started and tagged, “Ten Commandments Monument,” at Doi in Jos South.
Now, so many Christians particularly of the PDP extraction celebrated and rendered applauds to Jang saying the man with the interest of Plateau at heart and a lover of Jesus Christ. Now, Jesus Christ has taken over Plateau and many such comments, but one instruction they failed to observe was 1 John 4:1 which says, “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try every spirit whether they are of God.”
Every Christian must judge whether the Ten Commandment Monument tallies with God’s word and depicts Christianity or not.
There is nothing wrong in building a place of worship for God so long as the motive is godly, and the funds used for the construction are clean and with no heresy or idolatry attached to it.
First, let’s see the connection between the ten commandments and Christianity.
The ten commandments are not symbol of Christianity. Jesus Christ said, “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one for another,”John 13: 35.
Love is the symbol of Christianity, and not crucifix or cross, or the ten commandments. Christianity came from Christ, meaning Christ-like. And He, that is Christ, the author of our faith said, only by love shall the world know that we are his disciples.
Someone would argue that there is love in the ten commandments, yes, there is, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and your neighbour as yourself.” However, the love that Christ is saying, is the one born of the righteousness of God which is by fsith and not the law, because the ten commandments were given that sin would multiply in the world, and make people to see their short comings and resort to saving grace through faith. Apostle Paul said, “Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound…” Romans 5:20.
The Ten Commandments are not of faith, but the person who did them, lived by them. That is, under the law, whoever broke the commandment died, except the atonement under the law was made for him. The Scripture says, “He that despised Moses’ law died without mercy under two or three witnesses” Hebrews 10:28. No man is justified by the works of the Ten Commandments, Apostle Paul said, “But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith. And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them.” Galatians 3:11 – 12
We must understand as Christians that the Ten Commandments came before Christ was manifested in the flesh, and if there was perfection in them, there wouldn’t have been the need for him to have come.
There was no where in the Scripture that the Ten Commandments have ever been a symbol of worshipping the true God in the three dispensations of the world. Death reigned from Adam to Moses, the law reigned from Moses to Christ, and Grace reigns from Christ till now, Romans 5:14.
Starting from Abraham down to the dispensation of the Ten Commandments called the law, which also incorporated statutes and judgments, the symbol of identifying with Yahweh, Jehovah, I am that I am, the Almighty God, was the circumcision of the foreskin of man eight days after birth. God told Abraham as recorded in Genesis 17:7 – 14,
7 “And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee.
8 And I will give unto thee, and to thy seed after thee, the land wherein thou art a stranger, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession; and I will be their God.
9 And God said unto Abraham, Thou shalt keep my covenant therefore, thou, and thy seed after thee in their generations.
10 This is my covenant, which ye shall keep, between me and you and thy seed after thee; Every man child among you shall be circumcised.
11 And ye shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin; and it shall be a token of the covenant betwixt me and you.
12 And he that is eight days old shall be circumcised among you, every man child in your generations, he that is born in the house, or bought with money of any stranger, which is not of thy seed.
13 He that is born in thy house, and he that is bought with thy money, must needs be circumcised: and my covenant shall be in your flesh for an everlasting covenant.
14 And the uncircumcised man child whose flesh of his foreskin is not circumcised, that soul shall be cut off from his people; he hath broken my covenant.”
Under grace, Christ said, “By this shall all men know that you are my disciples if ye have love one for another.” Under death and the law, the symbol of God’s faith was circumcision. God made the covenant with Abraham, because Abraham believed him, and was counted as righteousness for him. Genesis 15:5 – 6, states, “5 And he (God) brought him (Abraham) forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be.
6 And he believed in the Lord; and he counted it to him for righteousness.”
Apostle Paul said in Romans 4:3, “For what saith the Scripture? Abraham believed God, and was counted unto him for righteousness.”
He also said in Galatians 3:6, “Even as Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him for righteousness.”
God never imputed righteousness to anyone simply because they observed theTen Commandments.
The Ten Commandments are good, but must be observed under faith. The faith in Christ.
You see, if the engraving of the Ten Commandments as Monuments is to serve as a reminder to believers, it contradicts the Scripture because we are in the dispensation of the fulfilment of God’s promise of writing his laws on the table of our hearts. The Scripture says, “For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people:
“And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest.
“For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.” Hebrews 8:10 – 12
Moreso we are commanded to ensure that we meditate on God’s word day and night. If we do, we don’t need any monument to remind us.
If the Ten Commandments Monument is to preach to those of different faith, it’s faulty too; because we preach faith in God first then his commandments. Hebrews 11: 6 states, “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”
The Ten Commandments are a schoolmaster to bring us to grace, but those that seek to be justify by it, have fallen from grace Galatians 5:4.
Finally, we cannot love one another and our neighbours or let our light so shine as Christ said, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven,” Matthew 5:16 without God’s Spirit living in us. Christ said, “But ye shall receive power after the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and ye shall be my witnesses…’ Acts 1:8. Without the Holy Spirit we cannot love because it is a fruit of the Spirit that is God. God is love, and if he lives in you, you will love.
Receiving of the Holy Spirit is by faith in Christ and not observation of the Ten Commandments Galatians 3:2. The Spirit gives life while the commandments that is letter, kills.2 Corinthians 3:4-6.
We must be honest on the Plateau, if we had laid emphasis on things of the spirit more than edifices, monuments and money, Plateau would have been the best state in Nigeria and we will not be in disarray like this. 2 Chronicles 7:14 God said, “If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray, and turn away from their iniquities, I will hear from heaven and I will heal their land.” Have we humbled ourselves, pray and turn away from our sins?
Dragging Christianity into politics, is taking the name of the Lord in vain. And God said he will not spare anyone that takes his name in vain. Exodus 20:7. This is a major problem to our crises in the state.
We must maintain separation of politics and religion.