One cannot complete the developmental stride in Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State without mentioning the great works of an illustrious son of the land who is popularly known with the title ‘Jarumin Bokkos’, Professor Danladi Slim Matawal.
Prof. D.S. Matawal who happened to be the immediate past Director General/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Building and Road Research Institute (NBRRI) is a man of great integrity and with a huge sense of human and capital developmental initiatives for his people.
25th of October, 2019 was a remarkable day for the people of Bokkos Local Government Area when Prof. D. S. Matawal engineered the gathering of notable personalities to Bokkos for the commissioning and laying of foundation of some laudable projects for his people which were constructed with NBRRI technologies and supervised by NBRRI staff. Some of the projects are, laying of foundation for the construction of a block of six flats residential building for the Nigerian Police Force in Bokkos, foundation laying of the construction of a police post in Bot-Bokkos, commissioning of a block of two classrooms each in the primary schools in Bokkos town and Bot-Bokkos respectively.
Delivering the welcome address, the Acting Director General/CEO of NBRRI, Prof. Samson Duna explained that the gathering is not just a celebration but a continuation of the selfless service rendered to the good people of Bokkos and Plateau State in general by an illustrious son of this great land, Engr. Prof Danladi Slim Matawal, the Jarumin Bokkos. He went further to state that if we want to mention names of notable personalities that have in one way or the other brought development to Bokkos, Prof. Matawal is at the very top of the list. He is indeed a house hold name for such a great works. Outlining the good works done by Prof. Matawal, the Acting DG/CEO stated that Prof. Matawal has aided employment of Bokkos youths, the construction of Pozzolana plant, two skills centres, access roads and school projects in the area.
The Acting DG/CEO stressed further to say that the commissioning of these blocks of classrooms and a police post has great significance to the nation. What our great nation needs today is perfect education and security. It is worth noting that these are the forces that can drive our economy to its greater height.
A perfect education can only be achieved with the aid of a befitting and conducive structure; while maximum security can be attained when the security agents have befitting shelter to lay their heads. These have been created today by a great son of the soil, Prof. Danladi Matawal.
On a final note, the Acting DG/CEO called on the good people of Bokkos, the Nigerian Police and all concerned Nigerians to see these projects as their personal properties and thereby maintain them with utmost care.
He then concluded with a note of thanks to the good people of Bokkos and especially Prof. Matawal for making the name of NBRRI a household name in the land and the State.
The Plateau State Commissioner of Police who was ably represented by A. S Tafida, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Operations appreciated the hand of fellowship rendered to the force by these kind gestures. He promised to work within his capacity to make the State crime free.
Other notable personalities who graced the occasion are; Mr. Ishak Yunusa (Ass. Commissioner of Police, Operations), Mr. Thomas Shehu (D.P.O Bokkos), Mr. Haggai Mikes (Secretary Bokkos LGA), Mr. Mapis Angwen (Supervising Councilor on Education, Bokkos LGA), Prof Yohanna Izam (VC, Plateau State University, Bokkos).