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DE RUEHUJA #0215/01 0350803
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 040803Z FEB 08
FM AMEMBASSY ABUJA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 1985
INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE
RUEHOS/AMCONSUL LAGOS 8661
RHEBAAA/DEPT OF ENERGY WASHDC
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHINGTON DC
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC
RUEKDIA/DIA WASHDC
RHMFISS/HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE
RUFOADA/JAC MOLESWORTH RAF MOLESWORTH UK

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ABUJA 000215 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR AF/W, INR/AA 
ENERGY FOR CAROLYN GAY 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV ECON EAID NI
SUBJECT: NIGERIA: AMBASSADOR'S MEETING WITH PLATEAU 
GOVERNOR JANG 
 
 
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SUMMARY 
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¶1. (U) Summary:  In a January 25 meeting with the Ambassador, 
the Governor of Plateau State, Jonah David Jang (People's 
Democratic Party - PDP), and Deputy Governor, Pauline K. 
Tallen (PDP) presented a copy of their 10-Point Agenda and 
emphasized peace and stability, education, health, and 
tourism as the priorities of the administration.  Jang 
praised the fairness of the 2007 election in his state, but 
expressed concern about the federal government's neglect of 
development and economic issues outside of the Federal 
Capital Territory (FCT).  He also worried about the situation 
in the Delta and Nigeria's image abroad.  Jang requested 
patience and assistance in key areas from the USG as Plateau 
State and Nigeria work towards democracy and noted that the 
area's ethnic tensions of 2007 seems to have passed.  Jang 
also shared his plans to travel to the United States for the 
National Prayer Breakfast in Washington and the World 
Agriculture Expo in California in February, but expressed 
concerns about possible negative treatment by U.S. 
Immigration because of Nigeria's image.  End Summary. 
 
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JANG'S PRIORITIES 
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¶2. (U) Governor Jang began the meeting by addressing the 
issues he faces as Governor, such as religious and cultural 
instability within the state, a collapsed educational system, 
and lack of health care.  Jang presented to the Ambassador a 
copy of the 10-Point Agenda he created for his administration 
in October 2007, emphasizing peace and stability as the 
priorities.  Plagued by religious and cultural violence over 
the years, Jang stated that peace has been restored and the 
many tribes residing in Plateau are beginning to reintegrate. 
 Jang said that Plateau State held the most free and fair 
elections in the country in April 2007 and promised that the 
upcoming Local Government Election would follow suit. 
Ambassador said she had noted in her confirmation hearings 
that despite the disappointing election overall, Plateau was 
acknowledged for conducting a reasonable process during the 
chaos. 
 
¶3. (U) Jang listed the other priorities for his 
administration as education, health, and tourism.  Jang said 
that the state's educational system collapsed under the past 
administration and he and his Deputy Governor, who also acts 
as the Commissioner of Education, are implementing plans to 
rehabilitate the system.  Jang requested USG assistance in 
building capacity in these key areas.  Ambassador highlighted 
what the USG was doing in the region already on these issues, 
especially in the area of HIV/AIDS. 
 
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JANG'S CONCERNS 
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¶4. (U) Jang said he was disappointed by the federal 
government's neglect of the states, noting that development 
needs to occur throughout the country, not just in the 
Federal Capital Territory (FCT).  Jang said that the economy 
in Plateau State has steadily declined over the years and 
that a majority of the residents live in poverty.  Jang added 
that he is determined to change the lives of the people 
living in rural areas of Plateau State, noting that 70 
percent of the residents are farmers.  Providing a little 
background on the state, the governor explained that there 
was a time when tin mined in Plateau helped sustain the 
country and Jang wants to begin to utilize the natural 
resources of the state again and ensure that the mistakes of 
the previous administration are not repeated. 
 
¶5. (U) Jang also mentioned his concern about the situation in 
the Delta.  He highlighted that a master plan for the Delta 
is needed to rebuild the region, similar to the one developed 
when the GON built Abuja from scratch; starting with schools 
and opportunities for employment. 
 
¶6. (U) According to Jang, Nigeria's image has been damaged 
due to the level of corruption perpetrated by previous 
governors, many of whom are now being investigated by the 
EFCC.  Jang said that when he attended the Governor's Forum 
 
ABUJA 00000215  002 OF 002 
 
 
in Abuja recently, all the current governors decided to 
change Nigeria's image within the country and abroad by 
following President Yar'Adua's lead on rule of law and 
transparency.  Jang asked that he and his fellow new 
governors be given a chance to prove themselves before being 
judged.  Jang also requested the international community, 
especially the U.S., be patient and assist GON when possible 
so they can "get it right." 
 
¶7. (U) Ambassador thanked the governor for receiving her and 
her delegation and noted the agreement on the challenges 
regarding Nigerian development and corruption issues.  She 
underscored USG goals for Nigeria and highlighted the USG 
work in the Jos area on PEPFAR and the University supported 
American Corner.  She said she would pass back to Washington 
the dates of the governor's travel for the Prayer Breakfast 
and encourage the due courtesies.  Ambassador concluded her 
remarks by encouraging Jang and his Deputy Governor (the only 
female deputy governor in the north) to continue their good 
work on building bridges between the ethnic groups in their 
region and their support for improved education and health 
care. 
 
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JANG'S TRAVEL 
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¶8. (U) On February 1, Governor Jang will lead a delegation 
from Plateau State to attend the National Prayer Breakfast on 
February 7 in Washington DC.  On Saturday, February 9, Jang's 
delegation will travel from Washington to Los Angeles, 
California for the World Agriculture Expo before returning to 
Nigeria on February 15.  (Note: Jang expressed concern over 
the possibility of he and his delegation being treated poorly 
by security and customs officials upon arrival at Dulles 
airport in the U.S.  Ambassador promised to forward Jang's 
delegation and travel information to the appropriate 
officials to ensure a proper protocol is observed. End Note.) 
 
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JANG'S BIOGRAPHIC INFO AND POLITICAL HISTORY 
-------------------------------------------- 
¶9. (U) Biographical Note: Prior to being elected to office in 
May 2007, David Jonah Jang ran for Governor of Plateau State 
in both the 1999 and 2003 elections.  In 1999, Jang contested 
in the People's Democratic Party (PDP) gubernatorial primary, 
but was not selected as the party's candidate.  In 2003, when 
it became clear to Jang that the PDP would once again back 
then incumbent Governor Joshua Dariye for re-election, Jang 
decided to contest on the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) 
platform.  Although observers believe Jang may have been more 
popular, incumbent Governor Dariye (PDP) was again declared 
the winner.  Before the 2007 election, the PDP wooed Jang 
back to the party since Dariye was disgraced and already 
reached his two term limit.  In April 2007, Jang contested 
and was awarded the governorship of Plateau State on the PDP 
platform.  Prior to 1999, Jang also served as military 
governor of Benue State and Gongola State (now Adamawa 
State.)  Born in 1944 in the Jos South Local Government Area 
of Plateau State, Jang holds a Bachelor's Degree in Divinity 
from the Theological College of Northern Nigeria.  Jang also 
received further training as a member of the Nigerian Air 
Force both in Nigeria and abroad, including time at Randolph 
Air Force base in the U.S.  After retiring in 1990 with the 
rank of Air Commodore, Jang began his career in politics. 
End Biographical Note. 
SANDERS