Governor Jonah Jang of Plateau State has announced the passing on of Solomon Lar, first civilian governor of old Plateau State.

Lar died in an American hospital early Wednesday after a protracted illness at age 90.

Jang described the late politician as not only an illustrious son of Plateau and Nigeria but the African continent for his immense contribution during the colonial days as well as his role during the military regime as well as helping midwife the political party that ushered in democratic rule in 1999.

The Northern States Governors’ Forum also mourned the death of the late elder statesman, describing his death as a devastating loss to the citizens of the state and the country in a statement signed by Danladi Ndayebo, spokesman to the forum’s chairman, Babangida Aliyu, governor of Niger State.

It described Lar as a nationalist who lived a purposeful life, which was dedicated to the cause of national unity and the welfare of the citizenry and called on the Plateau government to immortalise him so as to serve as an inspiration to the younger generation of Nigerians.

Also, former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, in a statement issued by his spokesman, Garba Shehu, described the death of Lar as “the loss of one of the country’s greatest statesmen”.

“He was a leader Nigeria needed at each time of crisis,” he said, adding that his demise would be most felt at this time when there was growing disagreement among the country’s political elite.

Lar was a legal practitioner, member of the country’s first national legislature, state governor, the first national chairman of the PDP and an elder statesman.