A major tragedy struck the tobacco control
community this Sunday July 8th, 2012 with the killing of Senator Daylop
Dantong, the Chair of the Senate Committee of Health. Senator Dantong it was
learnt was killed during the burial of people killed during the July 7th, 2012
violence in Jos.
I have worked with Senator Dangtong for over eight
years since his days as a member of the House of Representative.
He was Deputy to Senator Iyabo and was a key
champion of the National Tobacco Control Bill which was was later passed by the
Sixth National Assembly.
With the endless wait for Presidential assent of
the National Tobacco Control Bill, Senator Dantong had initiated consultation
with ERA/FoEN about how to fast track the re-passage of the Bill.
I always recall how Senator Dantong held my hands
after the Public Hearing battle, saying “this was a good battle, Bode keep
fighting., keep fighting.”
During our last meeting (attended by Zanelle)
Senator Dantong spoke with me about the spate of insecurity in his home state
and how prominent citizens can no longer visit.
I believe his last visit must have been to
sympatise with the families of those killed during the violence and to again
seek solution to crisis on the Plateau.
On friday, two of our staff. Seun Akioye and Philip
Jakpor were at the national assembly to attend a meeting initiated by him to
discuss the re-passage of the bill. Though he was not at the meeting because he
had to rush home for this funeral, he spoke with them on phone again pledging
his commitment to the bill. As a matter of fact, we just sent a letter to his
office to request a meeting with the team coming to discuss the bill next week.
Senator Dantong has been our strong pillar and one
of the few we could count on.
Senator Gyang Dalyop Dantong was born March 2,
1957. He attended the University of Jos where he bagged the MBBS degree to become
a medical practitioner and also got the MPH from the University of Ghana,
Legon.
Prior to his foray into politics, he was the
Medical Director, Vom Christian Hospital. The late Senator Dantong was elected
member, House of Representatives in the 5th Assembly (2003-2007). He was
elected into the Senate in 2007 to represent Plateau North Senatorial District
during the 6th Assembly (2007-2011). He was returned to the Senate in 2011.
Senator Dantong was made the Chairman, Senate
Committee on Health.
He was also a member of the Senate
Committees on Aviation and Solid Minerals as well as the newly created
Committee on Millennium Development Goals, MDGs.
Late Senator Dantong was calm and
easy going, just as he was so passionate about how to improve the health
situation in Nigeria.
