The Christian political leaders under the platform of All Progressive Congress (APC) within the nineteen (19) Northern States
met in Abuja on the 11th of July 2022 to deliberate on the issue of the party’s Muslim-Muslim ticket and its implications to the Nigeria nation.
As the meeting noted with concern the resignation of some high profile Christians from the APC across the States of the Federation, as a consequence with more to follow unless concerted efforts are made to redeem our party from hate mongers and those who seek to exploit religion to
perpetuate their self-interests as opposed to national interest.
After extensive deliberations, the meeting came to the following conclusions:
That as Christians within the APC, we cannot in all fairness to our consciences and faith go to our various constituencies to campaign for a Muslim – Muslim ticket.
That Nigeria is a multi-religious and a constitutional democracy and NOT a theocracy with religion as a major national fault line which cannot be whimsically manipulated without dire political consequences on our peaceful co-existence as a people.
That the current Nigerian environment and political atmosphere of the nation is
different from what occurred in 1993 and therefore a Muslim – Muslim ticket is
unacceptable. It doesn’t take the smart to know that the Abiola/Kingibe victory in 1993 turned out to be a pyrrhic victory as there was never a President Abiola nor Vice President Kingibe. Is that what we want a repeat of in 2023?
The selection of a Muslim running mate is a display of crass insensitivity to the complexity of modern Nigeria and the entire Church.
The communique jointly signed by Prof. Dorcan Sheni, Dr.Ishaya Bauka and Prof. Saidu Ibrahim respectively further read ,is also a betrayal of the advocates of unity and peaceful co-existence with our Muslim brothers including notable Imams who had forewarned the party and the candidate from traveling that treacherous route and that the APC has always come under the suspicion of the Church as pursuing an islamization agenda. Hence the various labels of the APC as: Islamic Movement, Islamic brotherhood, janjaweed party, Boko Haram party etc, etc. Now with all the positions in the hands of our Muslim brothers, it would take ingenious mendacity to prove otherwise.
That if the APC said a Muslim – Muslim ticket would be injurious to the health of our nation in 2015, has that situation therefore radically changed to make Muslim – Muslim ticket good for the health of our nation in 2023, if we may ask?
That the rejection of a Muslim – Muslim ticket by Christians would undermine the electoral fortunes of the APC and its candidates across all States and constituencies where Christians enjoy numerical advantage. By so doing APC has recklessly thrown its Christian candidates under the bus across the nation.
That considering the fact that PMB, the chairman or the party, deputy Chairman North, President of Senate
the Speaker and deputy Speaker, and now both the presidential candidate and his running mate etc are all Muslims and assuming that such lopsidedness does not violate S.14 (3) ot the Constitution, if this was to be reversed so that all these were Christians, Can any contentrous Muslim in Nigena attempt to sell such patently unjust and unfair arrangements to the Muslim Ummanh in Nigeria?
The APC party constitution preamble states “will guarantee equal opportunity for all mutual and peaceful co-existence respect and understanding, eliminating all forms of discrimination and social Injustice among Nigerians. The Muslim-Muslim ticket appears to have violated this provision.
That Mr. President being also the Leader of APC is urged to intervene in this matter in order to ensure justice, equity and fair play in the interest of the peace and and stability of this great nation and save our party from disintegration. we believe that
PMB who fought to keep Nigeria one, will not allow Fanatics on both sides to wreak havoc on what remains of the tapestry that binds us as a people. We can avoid the dire political consequences of the contraption called “same faith ticket.
We are disheartened that someone who wants to be a leader for all sections of the country is resorting to religious exclusively as a tool for winning an election. This will certainly result in a massive revolt against the party. Leadership is all about
inclusiveness, justice and equity.
CONCLUSION
At this moment of National peril, we believe that what should be paramount in Nigeria is unity. For without unity we cannot build any political party or candidate that elevates the greed of a few people above the need of generality of the people has no business running the affairs of Ngeria.
Plateau State Governor Simon Bako Lalong has expressed delight over the candidacy of Ibrahim James Pam who has been shortlisted for the post of the Registrar, International Criminal Court, Hague-Netherlands.
Governor lalong happiness is contained in a press statement dated 12th July,2022, signed by the Governor’s Director of Press and Public Affairs Makut Macham and made available to this medium in Jos, plateau state capital.
Governor Lalong while congratulating Ibrahim James Pam for being the only Nigerian shortlisted among the twelve candidates for the position, expressed optimism that he will be successful in the selection process going by the experience and knowledge he brings along.
Lalong said Pam who has worked for over two decades in the area of International Criminal Justice, investigations and prosecution of the Rome Statutes crimes, internal oversight, administrative and criminal investigations, fraud risk management and fraud prevention among others, will bring enormious value to the office when appointed.
Ibrahim Pam worked previously worked meritoriously with the International Criminal Court in the Hague; the African Development Bank; and is currently an Executive Director with the Green Climate Fund in South Korea.
Governor Lalong while assuring him of the support and prayers of the people and Government of Plateau State said his candidacy is not only a thing of pride for Plateau State and Nigeria, but of the entire African continent.
He wishes him well and urges him to continue to demonstrate the true Plateau spirit of resilience, honesty, diligence and excellence.
The recent selection of the former Bornu State Governor Kashim Shettima as the presidential running mate to Asiwaju Tinubu under the platform of All Progressive Congress (APC) presidential candidate for 2023 General Election has continue to generate reactions from Nigerians.
The move which the Archbishop of Sokoto Diocese Reverend Father Mathew Kukah described as team selection which is done by anybody depending what they think will give them fair chance.
According to the Reverend Father,”this is what you call team selection and everybody will choose depending on what they think will give them a fair chance. So people will take responsibility for the choices they have made,for me, its not something to lose sleep over”.
“If people feel unhappy with the kind of choices that have been made, that is why we are democrats, you can’t force it. We outsiders cannot force a choice of any candidate.
“It is now left for you to look at the choices that have been made,and there is no guarantee that all Christians will vote for Christians and all Muslims will vote for Muslims.”
Christians Association of Nigeria(CAN) Kaduna State Chapter has decried the Muslim/Muslim ticket of All Progressive Congress (APC) presidential aspiration of the party.
The body raised the alarm in a press statement signed by chairman of the body Rev.john Joesph Hayab in Kaduna and made available to the press.
He said,to remove bias in government against any specific tribe, at least in form, the Nigerian Federal Character Framework was authoritatively captured in Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution with this description: “…the government of the Federation or any of its agencies and the conduct of its affairs shall be carried out in such a manner as to reflect the federal character of Nigeria and the need to promote national unity and also to command national loyalty, thereby ensuring that there shall be no predominance of persons from a few states or from a few ethnic or other sectional groups in that government or in any of its agencies.” This statement is to ensure the principle that all public service institutions fairly reflect the linguistic, religious, ethnic, and geographic diversity of the country. the government of the Federation or any of its agencies and the conduct of its affairs shall be carried out in such a manner as to reflect the federal character of Nigeria and the need to promote national unity and also to command national loyalty, thereby ensuring that there shall be no predominance of persons from a few states or from a few ethnic or other sectional groups in that government or in any of its agencies. Today there are a lot of concerns from Nigerians over a particular party’s consideration of a Muslim-Muslim ticket, last week we stated our position in clear terms to establish that the ill decision of a particular political party is not for us a thing of concern, where we clearly illustrated, that when I wish to eat rice and beans and a particular restaurant choses to cook only white rice that has not given me any reason to worry because simply what I will need to do is to move to the other restaurants that have prepared what I desire to eat. However, just to state the obvious on the matter at hand, though the electorates have no reason to raise eyebrows over wrong decision by any political party. But that we have no reason to be worried about it does not also suggest that such a decision is not condemnable. The implication of such a decision is that such a candidate has no respect for the unity, peace and progress of Nigeria, it also suggests that the candidate is just a candidate that priorities selfishness, greed and personal unhealthy interest over the good of the nation. The Federal character principle that we talked of above was the product of Gen Yakubu Gowon Administration when after the Civil War it was believed that a particular group occupied major ministries in the nation. But clearly we all know, many have just course to argue that leadership in Nigeria in the most recent past is with high ethnic nepotism, well one can rightly say this is another phase of it in religious shade.
It is sad that the constitution clearly states that “ The Federal Republic of Nigeria shall not be governed, nor shall any persons or group of persons take control of the Government of Nigeria or any part thereof, except in accordance with the provisions of this Constitution ” . Federal Republic of Nigeria shall be a State based on the princ And that “ The iples of democracy and social justice ” , with the very divisive challenges of poor security, hunger, a dying economy to mention but these. At a time when Nigeria needs a unifying and productive leader, a consider a one sided, divisive good candidate cannot selection of a running mate despite all genuine agitations against such. This shows that should theses persons be elected the y that this candidate s will not be listening leaders, it shows are insensitive to the concerns of the people and does not care heat ing the system for selfish gains as they appear disinterested in the unity of the country but their selfish ambition. The refusal to listen to wise counsel on this is a confirmation of the anxiety of the people. Well as earlier stated, this is not a proble m to us as an association serving as the voice of the church. We have performed our role as the voice of the church in the political and social arena, that is our simple role as far as this and the 2023 elections is concern. But every candidate know that he is just one option among others in the should 18 approved political parties for the over 84,004,084 of Nigerian voters in the 176,846 polling units to choose from. As leaders we will want every political party to know that we will educate, sen sitize, and mobilize our ever faithful followers to vote against anything that we judge as a danger against the unity, peace, progress and development of Nigeria. We will reiterate that the political party has her right of will to make decisions that she j udge best for her, but they should know to option to the electorate among many other options. o that their decisions only end as an Thankfully 2023 is never going to be business as usual. Thank you for listening.
The Executive Chairman of Jos North Local Government Shehu Bala Usman has called for prayers, patience, forgiveness, tolerance, unity and peaceful co-existence among different religion adherents in the country.
The Chairman who stated this in a congratulatory message dated 9th July,2022 signed by the Media Aid Philip Eplong and available to journalists in Jos ,the state capital.
The chairman urged the Muslim faithful to continue to imbibe the spirit of love, peace, and kindness so as to engender peaceful co-existence among citizens in the locality.
Usman said Eid-El- kabir present an opportunity to the Muslim Ummah to reflect on the faith, with which Ibrahim willingly agreed to sacrifice his son and was set to let go of his prized asset in obedience to the command of Allah.
The Chairman who conveyed his his Eid-El-Kabir Message on behalf of his Deputy, Leader and members of the legislative and Executive arms appealed to all adherents to Share with the less privilege and to exhibit the spirit of togetherness in line with the sustain teaching of the prophet.
He used the opportunity to expressed the determination of his administration to sustain harmonious working relationship with the legislative arm noting that together they will provide the much needed dividends of democracy to the citizenry in the people.
The chairman wish all the Muslims ummah in Jos North and beyond a happy Eid-El-Kabir celebration.
Plateau State Governor and Chairman Northern Governors Forum Simon Bako Lalong has felicitated with the Muslim Ummah as they join their counterparts worldwide to celebrate Eid-El-Kabir.
Governor Lalong felicitation message to the Muslims Ummah is contained in a press statement dated 8th July,2022, signed by the Director of Press and Public Affairs to the Governor Makut Macham and made available to the media in Jos , plateau state capital.
Governor Lalong in a Sallah message congratulated the Muslim Ummah for commemorating another significant event in the Muslim calendar which brings to fore the message of sacrifice, love, tolerance and unity as preached by the Holy Prophet (PBH).
The Governor urged Muslims to celebrate this significant spiritual event by reflecting on the issues that Nigeria has been confronted with such as insecurity, intolerance, religious bigotry, ethnic bias and poverty among others that can only be tackled when there is unity, collaboration and sacrifice among all Nigerians.
He said the matters that are weighing down national progress are such that Nigerians must look beyond parochial and selfish interests to enable people from all strata of society get equal opportunities contribute to solutions irrespective of their backgrounds.
While expressing optimism that Nigeria will surely overcome its challenges, Lalong challenged all stakeholders to work hard in building values and ethos that promote national agenda, equity, justice, fairness and respect for diversity particularly now that political activities are in top gear.
He also called on the Muslim Ummah to continue to pray for Plateau State and Nigeria and support the government as it works hard to fulfil its electoral mandate to the people.
Lalong also urged those in the holy land to pray and offer supplications to God for divine intervention in the affairs of the nation.
The Human Capital Providers Association of Nigeria, HuCaPAN, has greeted its members and Muslim Ummah across the globe on the occasion of the Eid-El-Kabir celebration.
The Association urged them to live by the message of the occasion which is to at all times submit to the will of the Almighty Allah.
In a statement issued by the President of the Association, Dr. Femi Ogunlowo in Lagos, on Friday, and made available to newsmen, he said that the Eid-El-Kabir celebration “reminds us of Allah’s unfailing love and sacrifice”.
“We felicitate our members and Muslim faithful on this year’s celebration of Eid-El-Kabir. It has pleased the Almighty Allah to protect us to witness the occasion despite the challenges confronting us as a people. We thank Allah for this rare privilege”.
Ogunlowo urged Muslims to use the occasion to seek the face of Allah for the nation and the industry stressing that the industry can only thrive if the nation succeeds.
“I urge Muslim faithful to use this occasion to pray for our nation and our industry.
“The economy is in dire strait amid deteriorating security. Our industry is not immune from the effect of these challenges. Therefore, as we plan strategically, we must also pray for a better nation.
“I implore you to remember the poor and the needy in your neighborhood. Let us extend the generosity of Allah over our lives to them. The season is a period of reflection and giving. Let us not fail in fulfilling this injunction.” He said.
Ogunlowo implored members to be security conscious during the celebration saying that enemies of the state usually take advantage of the vulnerability of the season to strike. He prayed that “Almighty Allah shall accept our supplications and sacrifices.”
The Human Capital Providers Association of Nigeria (HuCaPAN) is the umbrella organization of registered/licensed recruiters in Nigeria, also referred to as Private Employment Agencies (PEAs).
The aims of the Association, among others, are to develop and promote International Labour Organization (ILO) Standards and ethical practices in the recruitment, deployment, and management of outsourced personnel in Nigeria.
The allegations following indiscriminate vandalization and illegal auctioning of Government estate in Pankshin Local Government Area of Plateau State by the Ministry of Land, survey and town planning is currently raising dust in the local government.
As the occupants of the Estate has raised the alarm that the Christian Pilgrimage Board Chairman ,Rev.Father George Gorap in connivance with some staff of the ministry of lands survey and town planning without due process connived to be selling government quarters at Pankshin to their families and cronies who claimed to have purchased the said housing estate .
The staff and the said buyers are alleged to be conniving with the state Head of Services (HoS)in harassing and intimiding the occupants who are active state civil servants to vacate the buildings .
It was also gathered from impecable source that some of the standing building with people occupying them are been forced to vacate the premises claiming they have bought the house’s for business .
According to the occupants ,the former Head of service ,Azi Izam adviced those who had earlier laid claim to ownership of the government quarters to steer clear saying government has not authorized the sales of the said properties.
It was further gathered that Rev. Fr George Gorap has employed the services of paid hoodlums to actualise his mischievous dream of acquiring the quarters and converting them for his business.
The residents of the estate who spoke bitterly to this medium on condition of anonymity ,said unless urgent step is taken to address the encroachment and illegal acquiring of land and properties belonging to government in the state .
They raised congent issues bordering on land racketeers of Government estate in the state by the government appointees of Governor Bako Lalong government to auction properties of the state .
Investigation by this medium revealed that Rev.Fr George Gorap is presently working in connection with the appropriate authority in the corridor of power to ensure those houses are sold to them and their cohorts, agents and those in government .
They further lamented that despite their constant complaint to safeguard the estate, proved abortive, as the governor’s appointees who claimed untouchable are bent on acquiring the houses at all cost .
As these group of government appointees has constituted themselves into properties agents syndicate against the interest of the state and government .
Garba Pwul Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) has frowned at the Continued holding of the former Governor of plateau state and senator of the federal republic of Nigeria by who God’s know as unconstitutional and disrespect to presidential pardon .
As Garuba Pwul said the Continued holding him amount to gross violation of his fundamental right to freedom more so that the pronouncement of pardon is coming from the highest authority of the country , president Mohammadu Buhari.
A Senior Advocate of Nigeria and 2023 gubernatorial aspirant in Plateau State, Garba Pwul, has faulted senator Joshua Dariye’s continued incarceration, as he states that his release from prison shouldn’t have delayed for more than 24 hours after a pardon was pronounced by the President.
Barrister Pwul said the President being the highest constitutional authority in the country, no other interest or authority can surpass a presidential order, especially one such as this pardon that is backed by a resolution of the National Council of State.
Pwul was speaking to in an exclusive interview with correspondence of “TheWill” Newspaper in Jos .
He said, “once a presidential pardon is pronounced, it takes immediate effect. There is no higher authority than the president, who will approve or disapprove.
Having received a presidential pardon with the approval of the Council of State, the matter is completely conclusive. Dariye is supposed to see the light of day within twenty four hours. Nobody can sit on top of that amnesty.
“if in spite of the amnesty, Dariye is still being held, then there is more to it than meets the eye. As far as I’m concerned, the amnesty is completely conclusive. It is no longer a matter of procedure. After that day, the next day Dariye should have left the prison.
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“My advice is that his lawyer should take the necessary steps to give life to the amnesty that has been granted. Some people believe for political reasons, somebody is sitting on the pronouncement. But nobody has the right to thwart the decision or directive of the President”, Pwul stated.
He also noted that, “if there is anything wrong, somebody somewhere is being disobedient, or somebody somewhere is sabotaging. And this is something his lawyer should unravel. It is part of his duty. So, I’m saying, not only to his lawyer, but to the entire country and the Presidency in particular, it is improper that the President will make a pronouncement or decision, backed by the National Council of State, and nothing is being done, and nobody is asking a questions.”
He described Dariye’s continued detention after the pronouncement as “contempt and disrespect”, and Dariye’s counsel should be able to trace and hold somebody responsible for this delay, including approaching the court for redress and remedies over false imprisonment.
Garba Pwul Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) has frowned at the Continued holding of the former Governor of plateau state and senator of the federal republic of Nigeria by who God’s know as unconstitutional and disrespect to presidential pardon .
As Garuba Pwul said the Continued holding him amount to gross violation of his fundamental right to freedom more so that the pronouncement of pardon is coming from the highest authority of the country , president Mohammadu Buhari.
A Senior Advocate of Nigeria and 2023 gubernatorial aspirant in Plateau State, Garba Pwul, has faulted senator Joshua Dariye’s continued incarceration, as he states that his release from prison shouldn’t have delayed for more than 24 hours after a pardon was pronounced by the President.
Barrister Pwul said the President being the highest constitutional authority in the country, no other interest or authority can surpass a presidential order, especially one such as this pardon that is backed by a resolution of the National Council of State.
Pwul was speaking to in an exclusive interview with correspondence of “TheWill” Newspaper in Jos .
He said, “once a presidential pardon is pronounced, it takes immediate effect. There is no higher authority than the president, who will approve or disapprove.
Having received a presidential pardon with the approval of the Council of State, the matter is completely conclusive. Dariye is supposed to see the light of day within twenty four hours. Nobody can sit on top of that amnesty.
“if in spite of the amnesty, Dariye is still being held, then there is more to it than meets the eye. As far as I’m concerned, the amnesty is completely conclusive. It is no longer a matter of procedure. After that day, the next day Dariye should have left the prison.
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“My advice is that his lawyer should take the necessary steps to give life to the amnesty that has been granted. Some people believe for political reasons, somebody is sitting on the pronouncement. But nobody has the right to thwart the decision or directive of the President”, Pwul stated.
He also noted that, “if there is anything wrong, somebody somewhere is being disobedient, or somebody somewhere is sabotaging. And this is something his lawyer should unravel. It is part of his duty. So, I’m saying, not only to his lawyer, but to the entire country and the Presidency in particular, it is improper that the President will make a pronouncement or decision, backed by the National Council of State, and nothing is being done, and nobody is asking a questions.”
He described Dariye’s continued detention after the pronouncement as “contempt and disrespect”, and Dariye’s counsel should be able to trace and hold somebody responsible for this delay, including approaching the court for redress and remedies over false imprisonment.
Garba Pwul Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) has frowned at the Continued holding of the former Governor of plateau state and senator of the federal republic of Nigeria by who God’s know as unconstitutional and disrespect to presidential pardon .
As Garuba Pwul said the Continued holding him amount to gross violation of his fundamental right to freedom more so that the pronouncement of pardon is coming from the highest authority of the country , president Mohammadu Buhari.
A Senior Advocate of Nigeria and 2023 gubernatorial aspirant in Plateau State, Garba Pwul, has faulted senator Joshua Dariye’s continued incarceration, as he states that his release from prison shouldn’t have delayed for more than 24 hours after a pardon was pronounced by the President.
Barrister Pwul said the President being the highest constitutional authority in the country, no other interest or authority can surpass a presidential order, especially one such as this pardon that is backed by a resolution of the National Council of State.
Pwul was speaking to in an exclusive interview with correspondence of “TheWill” Newspaper in Jos .
He said, “once a presidential pardon is pronounced, it takes immediate effect. There is no higher authority than the president, who will approve or disapprove.
Having received a presidential pardon with the approval of the Council of State, the matter is completely conclusive. Dariye is supposed to see the light of day within twenty four hours. Nobody can sit on top of that amnesty.
“if in spite of the amnesty, Dariye is still being held, then there is more to it than meets the eye. As far as I’m concerned, the amnesty is completely conclusive. It is no longer a matter of procedure. After that day, the next day Dariye should have left the prison.
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“My advice is that his lawyer should take the necessary steps to give life to the amnesty that has been granted. Some people believe for political reasons, somebody is sitting on the pronouncement. But nobody has the right to thwart the decision or directive of the President”, Pwul stated.
He also noted that, “if there is anything wrong, somebody somewhere is being disobedient, or somebody somewhere is sabotaging. And this is something his lawyer should unravel. It is part of his duty. So, I’m saying, not only to his lawyer, but to the entire country and the Presidency in particular, it is improper that the President will make a pronouncement or decision, backed by the National Council of State, and nothing is being done, and nobody is asking a questions.”
He described Dariye’s continued detention after the pronouncement as “contempt and disrespect”, and Dariye’s counsel should be able to trace and hold somebody responsible for this delay, including approaching the court for redress and remedies over false imprisonment.
The Governors under the auspices of Northern Governors Forum has met with the Minister of Agriculture Dr. Mohammed Mahmood Abubakar over the National Livestock Transformation Programme and the State Level Project Socialisation on Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project (L-PRES), in the region.
The meeting held at the Transcorp Hilton Abuja was chaired by Simon Bako Lalong, Chairman of the Forum and Governor of Plateau State. It was attended by Governors of Kwara, Niger, Kebbi, Kaduna and Deputy Governors of Benue, Kogi, Bauchi and Nasarawa States.
In an interview with journalists after the meeting held behind closed doors, Governor Simon Lalong said the engagement was necessitated by the concern of the Northern Governors over the implementation of the programmes which have direct bearing on the lives of the people.
He further said the Governors are worried over the slow pace of the implementation of the National Livestock Transformation Programme which was conceived to tackle the challenges confronting herdsmen and farmers.
He said because agriculture is the main stay of the North, the Forum welcomes the introduction of the new outfit Livestock, Productivity and Resilience Project (L-PRES) which it believes compliments the NLTP and will yield a positive result.
Lalong explained that the meeting was fruitful as the Governors got assurances from the Minister of Agriculture that the Federal Government will continue implementing all programmes in partnership with the States for the benefit of the people.
On security for farmers, he explained that the implementation of the programmes would also help in addressing the security challenges which farmers were experiencing in their farming activities.
He said “We are not sleeping the issue of insecurity as it has been a matter of concern where in some places farming activities have been interrupted. We are working with other stakeholders especially the security agencies to see how to help farmers. This is the time that farmers would need a lot of our support and assurance to produce food for the nation”.
The chairman also explained that the meeting discussed the revamping of the textile industry through the Northern Nigerian Development Company as a way of addressing unemployment and crime.
Governor’s under the auspices of Northern Governor’s Forum has expressed shock and sadness over the sudden demise of Secretary General of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) Dr. Mohammed Sanusi Barkindo.
The governors expressed the shock in a press statement dated 6th July,
2022, signed by the Director of Press Public Affairs to governor lalong Makut Macham .
The Chairman of the Forum and Governor of Plateau State Simon Bako Lalong in a statement said the Forum received with shock the death of the OPEC Secretary General who was on official duties in Nigeria when his death occurred.
Lalong said the death of Dr. Barkindo is a great loss to his immediate family, Nigeria and the international community because of his contributions to the energy sector and development of oil and gas in Nigeria and throughout the world.
He said Dr. Barkindo was a technocrat who distinguished himself in the field of oil and gas having put in many years in the industry and rising to head the NNPC where he led many reforms and initiatives to transform the industry.
Governor Lalong said Dr. Barkindo gave a good account of himself when he was elected Secretary General of OPEC as he led the Organisation through some of the most challenging periods in global energy crisis and the COVID-19 Pandemic by ensuring recovery and stability.
Lalong said the Northern Governors Forum is proud of his achievements and support towards the passage of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), and exploration of oil and gas prospects across various parts of the country including the Northern Region.
While commiserating with the family and people of Adamawa State, Lalong prayed God to grant his soul eternal rest and comfort the family.
The much awaiting running mate to governorship candidate under the platform of All Progressive Congress (APC) ahead 2023 General Elections in plateau state has been unveiled today 6th July,2022 to the admiration of the party faithful, stakeholders, and general publi
The events which was held at the APC, Secretariat ,Kaluwa House along Bukuru Road in Jos south LG ,saw the selection of the serving commissioner of Work in the state and the son of the former deputy governor under Governor Joshua Dariye’s administration Pam Bot Mang .
The events which witnessed the mammoth crowd who thronged to take glimpse of the ‘Newly’ selected running mate Pam Botmang to the governship candidate on the platform of APC, Dr, Nentawe Yilwatda.
In his remark,the governship candidate of the party, Nentawe Yilwatda said there are some characteristics which he and the critical Party stakeholders who participated actively in the selection of the running mate, must prosessed which are acceptability, vibrancy, energetic and above all compactable which is synonymous to loyalty.
Nentawe appealed to citizens to support the Emerges of Pam Bot Mang because the political table in the state is wide to accommodate everybody in the party,and appealed to the people to joined hand with Generation Next for the party to win the governship seat and other positions in the state 20203.
In his acceptance speech,the 48 years old running mate to Nentawe ,Pam Bot Mang promised to give his unalloyed support to the governor in waiting to ensure victory is achieve come 2023 General Elections.
He called on the citizens of the state to support the selection of Pam Bot Mang and come out emass to vote for the party overwhelmingly in the 2023 General Elections .
Ahead 2023 General Elections,the Executive Chairman of Jos North Local Government Council, Shehu Bala Usman has promised all candidates seeking various elective positions under the platform of the All Progressive Congress(APC) of his determination to lead the party to Victory in next years General Election.
The Chairman gave the assurance when he received APC Northern zone Senatorial District flag bearer, Ambassador Chris Giwa who was in the Council’s Secretariat on a thanked You visit after clinching the party’s ticket at just concluded party primaries.
Represented by the Council’s Secretary, Pastor Samuel Gyang Chollom, the Chairman commended Ambassador Chris Giwa for his philanthropist gesture,
especially in providing to the needy and other vulnerable members of the society and assured him of the support of the good people of Jos North Local Government Area in the Senatorial election.
Ambassador Giwa informed the Chairman, Party faithful and Adhoc Delegates who participated in the last primary election that he was in Jos North Local Government to appreciate them for entrusting in him the party’s ticket though he was not the best among others.
He explained further that God only chose him to carry the party flag as Senatorial flag bearer and assured the party of his resolve to lead them to Victory in the forthcoming General Election.
Chairman of the All Progressive Congress in Jos North Local Government, Alhaji Sani Gangare who had earlier welcomed Chris Giwa to Jos North noted that he is the best choice for the people of the Northern zone Senatorial District following his anticedence as a philanthropist and a kindhearted human being who have impacted positively on humanity.
All the Party Faithful and adhoc delegates who spoke, pledged to work hard and lead the APC to Victory in the forthcoming General Election.
The All Progressives Congress, APC Gubernatorial Candidate in Plateau State, Dr Nentawe Yilwatda Goshwe will be unveiling his Running Mate tomorrow Wednesday, 6th July, 2022.
The APC governorship candidate selection of his running mate is contained in a press statement dated 5th July,2022, signed by the party’s Publicity Secretary sylvanus Namang and made available to this medium in Jos , plateau state capital.
The statement said that the unveiling of the party’s deputy governor position will take place of theNew6th July,202 at the APC Kalwa House Secretariat, Yakubu Gowon Way, Jos by 3:00 P:M in Jos ,the plateau state.
These pres statement serve as an invitation to the lawyer, the bar and the general public.
A Plateau State High Court sitting Jos, plateau division has sentenced 40 years Old man,Graduate of University of Jos ,of the Faculty of Management ,Accounting Department Mr Badung David Dele has been convicted by Justice Christy L.Dabup of High Court No,2 and sentenced to death by hanging for strangulating his former lover ,Miss Nanchin Zacharias of Angwan Nasarawa Gwom of Jos North Local Government Area of the state on February 15th 2016 .
Mr Badung Dele who was found guilty of committing crime of culpable homicide murder punishable under section 221 of the Northern Nigeria 1963 applicable to Plateau state .
In a suit , The State vs Badung David Dele was a murder case of section 221 of penal code ,which the defendant earlier pleaded guilty to the offense committed .
He was arrested by the Nasarawa Gwom Divisional Police Headquarters the matter was transferred to CID headquarters and confessed committing the crime using yellow towel to strangulated his girlfriend to death.
The presiding Judge,Justice Christy Dabup in her judgement said the court relied on three issues to determined the veracity of the offense committed by eyewitness account evidence ,confessional statement and circumstantial evidence of the witnesses .
The judge declared that the defendant was arraigned and he proved guilty on the 21st March,2021 with exhibits attached which he testified through personal hand writing which shows that he committed the crime.
However ,in the course of the proceedings ,One Nanshep Paul Pw1 ,Nanman Zacharias Pw2 ,Inspector Jethro Ishaku Pw3 ,Chief Suprindent .Simeo Obinna Pw4 ,the ICO ,Fumi Amos, the landlady to the deceased Pw5,all testified before the honourable court their witness accounts on how the whole incident happen .
In their separate confessions revealed that one Samson, the new boy friend of the deceased was threatened by Mr Badung David Dele ,and the Late Nanchin Zacharias whom he warned her to stay clear of any relationship with Samson .
According to PW2 ,said on 15th February,2016 behind primary School cholyap they saw him (David Dele ) who entered into the apartment of the deceased and came out at about 9am ,and came back again and left the apartment with polyethylene leather bag in his hand .
They suspected his movement and alerted the neighbours after entering her apartment and found her lifeless body and immediately rushed her to BMC Hospital and later she was transferred to Evangelical Winning All Hospital (Jankwano) were the Doctor confirmed her death .
On the 17th February,2016 according to the statements of Pw4 , Elisha Samuel a mechanics and close friend of the family further revealed that Nanchin Zacharias rejected the Valentine Day gift of Dele which further aggrievated the anger of the defendant for refusing to accept his proposal after dating her for five years and has spend a lot of money on her.
However ,during his cross examination ,the accused person attest that his statements were not taken under duress ,Badung David Dele earlier denied saying that on the 15th February,2016 when police were in search of him he was with one Abubakar Kamara a close friend.
The judgment read that section 135 of 1999 constitution amended, shows that the prosecution counsel has discharge prove of confession ,eyewitness and circumstantial evidence that the accused person committed the murder .
Plateau State University Branch of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) has kicked against the injustice and discrimination by the University’s Management on payment of arrears of earned allowances of its members.
The Union accused the Management and the Governing Council of paying sister’s union eight years of its arrears with one year left while their staff were paid four years and leaving them with a burden of seven years unpaid arrears.
SSANU in a communique issued on Tuesday in Jos at the end of its emergency EXCO meeting signed by the Chairman, Timnan Rimdap and Secretary, Fom Dakwak begged Governor Simon Lalong to released N323 million to address the discrimination.
Its lamented that the University also refused to mainstream the hazard allowance into its members’ monthly salaries at the agreed rate of N30,000 despite the released of funds for the same purpose since February, 2021.
“SSANU strongly condemns the fact that though its strike action has entered the 7th month, neither Management nor Governing Council has taken any serious step to address the issues in dispute.
“SSANU strongly condemns the fact that funds recently released to the University by Government for the payment of arrears of earned allowances was used in settling the arrears owed only members of the sister union in question, leaving our members unpaid.
” This development has created a situation where the sister union has been paid eight (8) years of its arrears leaving a balance of one (1) year while our members, who work in the same University, have only been paid four (4) years leaving a balance of seven (7) years.
“SSANU notes with disappointment that this naked show of discrimination which is unprecedented in the history of tertiary education on the Plateau, represents a wide departure from the principles of good management of human resources and good leadership, for which Professor Izam is an advocate.”
The Union expressed disappointment over the attitude of the Governing Council of the Institution who sit comfortably and watch the University management discrimination among its staff.
“SSANU wishes to state that the discrimination meted out to its members has generated high tension in the system and the union should not be held responsible should the current situation degenerate into further crisis.
“SSANU calls on the Governor of Plateau State, Rt. Hon. Barr. Simon Bako Lalong to call the Management and Governing Council of PLASU to order, in order to bring an end to the discriminatory treatment meted out to its members.
“SSANU calls on the Governor Lalong administration to release the sum of N323 million to address the discriminatory payment of arrears of earned allowances done to its members.
“It also calls on the Governor to direct the Management and Governing Council of the University to mainstream hazard allowance into our member’s monthly salaries at the agreed rate of N30,000, for which the union agitated and obtained cash backing from Government since February 2021.”
Plateau youths under the auspices of APC Progressive Minds for Dan Manjang (PMDM) has adopted the State Commissioner of Information and Communication, Hon. Dan Manjang as the running mate to Plateau APC Gubernatorial candidate, Dr. Nentawe Yilwatda.
Founder of the group, Pamela Ibrahim Takka who addressed a press conference on Monday at the APC State Secretariat Jos, described Manjang as an embodiment of humility and thorough bread politician who will add political value to the APC ticket in the state.
Takka who was flanked by hundreds of youths across the 17 Local Government Areas said the Information Commissioner is competent enough and has the political followership, particularly in Plateau North to give the APC the winning margin it deserves.
“We hold the firm conviction that the choice of Hon. Daniel Manjang as the deputy gubernatorial candidate of the APC in Plateau state comes with its attendant benefits as it would give the APC a balanced ticket that would eventually guarantee electoral success at the polls come 2023.
“It remains a statement that since the election of Dr. Nentawe Yilwatda as the gubernatorial candidate of our great party APC, there has been lots of disingenuous push towards filling the deputy governor’s slot of the party.
“It has also been muted in some quarters, the idea of a COOCIN-COCIN ticket for the party in the general elections, is a move the APC PMDM Youth and Support Groups finds welcoming and not against in the overall interest of Plateau state. Our primary concern is for Plateau to succeed beyond any platform or association.”
The group said they have put into consideration several factors and cons to a conclusion that Dan Manjang is the most suitable running mate for the APC Governorship candidate.
“As concerned stakeholders in Plateau state, APC and Northern Plateau, we have considered several issues at stake and conclude that the most suitable deputy gubernatorial candidate for the APC should be a servant of notable pedigree that has the capacity to unite the various ethnic and religious compositions in Plateau North in particular and in the state at large.
“It is our considered opinion that such a candidate is needed to cause a balance to the APC gubernatorial ticket because its gubernatorial candidate, Dr. Nentawe Yilwatda Goshwe, is from the Plateau Central zone. The rational thing to do is to nominate a candidate from the Plateau North as the deputy gubernatorial candidate of the APC.
“Consequently, and in line with the prevailing circumstances, the APC PMDM Youth and Support Groups wishes to inform the general public of the endorsement of Hon. Daniel Manjang as the deputy gubernatorial candidate of the APC.
“Our position is hinged on the fact that Hon. Daniel Manjang is a bridge-builder and a unifying figure, as evident in his numerous contributions in Plateau state even as a serving commissioner for information.
“Hon. Dan Manjang with wealth of experience and an intimidating credential that speaks volume of commitment towards Plateau’s sustainable growth and development. This much has been evident in the numerous offices he has held over the years.”
Also speaking, Hon Ezekiel Daniel Dalyop, who hails from Riyom Local Government Area testify that Dan Manjang is solidly on ground in Riyom and in the Northern zone and has the political competence to dislodge the PDP.
He said since the PDP have picked their running mate from Riyom, it is logical for the APC to consider the information commissioner for the job to enable it win support of the Northern zone.
Mohammad Abdulkadir, Special Assistant to Governor Simon Lalong on ICT said the information Commissioner is most suitable and qualified personality in the Northern zone whose the cap fits.
The Governorship candidate of the All progressive Congress (APC)in plateau state Dr Nentawe Yilwatda said the clamour that he has not appointed his running mate since after his emergence as the party Governorship flag bearer, is uncalled for as he is taking his time to consult with the party state and critical stakeholders to actualize the selection of his running mate.
As the selection of running mate is not something to rush, to avoid making mistakes ,but to succeed in selecting someone that would be acceptable to the citizens of Plateau when finally selected.
The Governorship candidate of the All progressive Congress (APC) in 2023 General Election Dr Nentawe Yilwatda, state this Monday 4th July, 2022 when he paid courtesy call to Nigeria Union of journalists at the council’s Secretariat in Jos , plateau state.
Dr.Nentawe said he is taking his time by consulting with the party stakeholders, Royal fathers and critical stakeholders of the party so that at the end we come up with acceptable running mate that will generally be accepted by plateau people.
And added that he is still within the time frame given by the electoral umpire INEC for every political parties to present the name of their running mate in line with the electoral law till the ending of August,2022,as there is no call for alarm ,and promised to select running mate that will be likable and acceptable by all when eventually selected.
The former residence INEC, Commissioner in Benue state promised to fight security to a stand still which has bring the state economic to it lowest ebbs.
He decried the gross lack of man power , unfamiliar plateau terrain to the security agencies personnels, lack of funds to purchase modern garget and other factors facilitating against the fight of insecurity in the state.
Under my watch as the Governor of plateau state, I will ensure that l Introduced trust fund that will involve state, local and financial institutions operating in the state with adequately education and understanding to contribute towards the venture for the fight against insecurity.
And promised to empower the already existing non- conventional securities outfits currently operating in the state, like the state owned security out fits, Operation rainbow and the vigilantes group currently operating in various parts of the state with the view to fight head on the insecurity bedeviling us as state.
This Dr Nentawe said is very imperative because no state can progress economically ,and in other sphere of development under the atmosphere of insecurity.
In addition our government is going to deploy the use of modern technology in fighting these menace of insecurity as it’s currently invoked in other parts of advanced world like the use of drone and trackers to check mate the activities of kidnappers ,arm bandit and other criminals operating in the state.
My government will build economic hubs in the state and cashed on the competitive advantage of the numerous unique crops abound in the state that are rear to find in any part of other state in particular,and other world as a whole.
He however stressed that all these will not be possible without the cooperation of the citizens of the state, appealed to the people of plateau state that under his watch as the Chief Executive Governor,his administration will need unwavering loyalty of the people for the government to achieve it’s set goes.
APC and PDP are in some hot water right now as the Obidient movement is spreading all over Nigeria.
Peter Obi is acquiring fame as a great number of Nigerian young people are supporting him.
The Labour party presidential candidate has come to the spotlight of numerous Nigeria who preferred him to be the next Nigeria president. As per report there are individuals who volunteers to campaign for him as the party is accused of not financially equipped for winning the election.
This time the movement has lunch TV station to advance Obi Presidential campaign.
The TV station is called Obidient TV.
It is getting perfectly fascinating.
A few Good meaning Nigerians, Media tycoons from North, South West, South-South and South-East have launched Obidient TV. It will broadcast far reaching through Free on Air Channels. In Igbo, Hausa, Fulani, Yoruba and numerous other Nigerian dialects.
This isn’t costing PETER OBI Shi Shi. This is from Obidient Volunteers.
The Road to 2023 campaign organisation suffered setback as one of it initiator and coordinator plateau state chapter Ado Ali Katyen resigned his position as coordinator of the plateau state chapter.
In his resignation letter dated 3rd July,2022, personally signed by the coordinator Ado Ali Katyen and made available to this medium via online reads:
I wish to to formally announce my resignation as the state coordinator Road to 2023, plateau state chapter.
My decision to resign is informed by the need to focus on my studies and attend to my personal engagements .
I wish to thank all our members for their overwhelming support .I wish to particularly thank the secretary General and the initiator of the group ,hon sule Agun ,for his vision and foresight in bringing us together to advance the cause of democracy and deepen our synergy towards having a leadership that is committed to good Governance and the pursuit of our collective survival .
The experience will remain indelible in my memory . As much as I would have love to remain at the helm of affairs to enable us galvanize our people towards the attainment of this lofty ideals, the exigencies of the moment have suggested otherwise .
However, I will continue to lend my support from the sidelines .
Once more, thank you all for your brotherly support and the wonderful experience shared .
Contrary to the rumour making the around that the chairman of Jos North LG Shehu Bala Usman have been impeached,the legislative arm of the council has debunked the rumour.
According to write up made available to this medium by the council legislative arm dated 2nd July,2022 reads “this is to inform you that,Hon. Amb. SHEHU Bala Usman the council chairman of Jos north LGEA was not impeached.”
It has come to our notice that, some councillors who are members of the legislative Arm of Jos North LGC are threatening the council chairman to always cut our salary and pay their honorariums or be impeached and they are also threatening the work of some of our members.
We wish to State it categorically clear that, any move by the Legislative Arm or Councillors of Jos North LGC to sabotage effort of the Council Chairman in paying arrears of our salary and youth empowerment because of their personal interest will be rejected and serious protest shall be organized to defend the interest of civil servants and any body who have interest of the people at heart like the Council Chairman.
*Therefore, our members are being mobilized to be on alert for a serious protest against Councillors or Some members of the Legislative Arm of Jos north* who are threatening Hon Shehu Bala Usman for their selfish interest to the extent they want our salaries not to be paid and youth empowered to be disengaged.
Consequently, members should disregard the rumour of impeachment and continue to pray for the Council Chairman to succeed as leadership comes from God only.
Labour Party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, is in his elements again.
He is back into the mood that make many of his followers worship him as he shreds Nigeria’s economy and leadership.
Giving a biting analysis on the state of the nation on Monday, Obi carpeted the economy as an unproductive one and the leadership of the country as lazy and parasitic – one that is always sharing and not producing.
Besides, he said workers spent 100 per cent of their earnings on food:
“This is a country of 200 million people sitting on 923,000 square kilometers of land. They cannot feed themselves, they cannot export anything. Total Nigeria’s export including oil is under two billion dollars for 200 million population.”
Obi said this when he met with the leaderships of the Migerian Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress, who pledged to support his candidature.
Obi said his visit to the leadership of the two labour centres was not to campaign but for a courtesy call to honour the Organised Labour on whose party and interest he was seeking Nigerians votes in the 2023 general elections.
“My commitment is to move Nigeria from consumption to production and you can not talk about production without labour.
“Labour is the engine of production, capital and machine can do anything but labour is what makes it work.
”Because labour is the greatest contributor to production, it has to be properly remunerated.
“I do not need to tell you how bad things are in this country today. if you are on wages, today Nigerians spend 100 per cent of their wages on just feeding.
”So many don’t even know where their next meal will come from. They pay to train their children only for them to finish school and stay at home without work,” he said.
Obi said that these were issues that needed to be discussed.
“Nobody can be president without sitting down with labour organisations to decide the future of Nigeria.”
He said that Nigerians would no longer have a situation where the leaders would be here and workers would be there.
“They must sit on the same table and talk.”
According to him, that is the beginning of the solution, that is what is happening all over the world.
“Nigeria is not a producing country. The collective effect of what we are suffering today is bad leadership.
“We have a leadership that concentrates on sharing. So you have to move from sharing formula to production formula.
“This is a country of 200 million people sitting on 923,000 square kilometers of land. They cannot feed themselves, they cannot export anything. Total Nigeria’s export including oil is under two billion dollars for 200 million population.
”A similar country, not a first world country, one with the same tragectory with Nigeria in the year 2000, Vetnam, sitting on 331,000 square kilometers of land, a third of Nigeria’s land space and 100 million population, with half of Nigeria’s population, their total earnings last year was 312 billion dollars,” he said.
Obi however noted that more than half of the country’s youths of productive age were unemployed, adding “this is what the Labour Party is seeking to sit down to discuss for the future of our country.”
He said that borrowing was not the problem of the country as other countries were also borrowing to support their economic development drive.
“If you borrow for consumption, you are in problem but if you borrow for production, you will progress.”
Governor Simon Bako Lalong of Plateau State has felicitated with the Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Plateau State, Hon. Sylvanus Namang on the occasion of his 64th birthday.
The governor felicitation message dated 30th June,2022 is contained in a press statement issued, signed by the Governor’s Director of Press and Public Affairs Makut Macham and made available to this medium.
Governor Lalong described Namang as a thorough-bred media professional who distinguished himself in journalism and dedicated many years serving the society through his gift of writing and public communication.
He said Namang who rose through the ranks to become the Editor and General Manager/ Chief Executive Officer of the Plateau Publishing Company, publishers of The Nigeria Standard, one of Nigeria’s foremost newspapers, groomed many journalists and mentored them to become professionals in their own right.
Lalong said Namang further deployed his skills in media management upon joining the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria as Zonal Director North Central before his retirement from public service in 2018.
He further said the media veteran has not stopped giving his best since joining politics particularly upon his election as the State Publicity Secretary of the ruling All Progressives Congress in Plateau State where he has continued to provide timely and professional information to the party faithful and entire citizens.
While wishing him many more years of God’s blessings, good health and divine protection, Lalong prayed that God will grant him more strength to continue to serve the nation.
The Executive Chairman of Jos North Local Government Council , Shehu Bala Usman has condemned in strong terms his purported impeachment in the Social media, describing it as the handiwork of his detractors who are bent on destabilizing his administration and plunged the area in a needless crisis.
A statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Philip Eplong, the chairman described the purported impeachment as an exercise in futility that will not stand the test of time since there is no any record of Legislative sitting
The Chairman noted to impeached a sitting Chief Executive, proper and constitutional channels; such as the collection of the two third majority of signatures of members to a petition; presentation of the petition to the chairman; the setting of seven Man committee shall be constituted to hear the alleged offences, if any and the presentation of the Committee’s report for deliberation; must be followed.
The statement said all these procedures were not followed and described the alleged impeachment as a social media exercise and an abuse of the Legislative integrity, adding that what is reported is unconstitutional, null and void.
The Chairman disclosed that since assumption of office in October last year he has been carrying all along, including the Legislative Council and he is at a lost as to where the said impeachment is coming.
He added that from all intents and purposes, the said exercise is aimed at rubbishing his modest achievements since assumption of office.
The Jos North Council Boss wondered why the Legislative Council will attempt to impeach him without giving him any notice or the opportunity of fair hearing through service and defence of allegations against him, if any, as enshrined in the constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria.
Shehu Bala Usman therefore used the medium to appeal to the security agencies to apprehend those behind the infamous move as their action has the capacity to cause the breach of the hard-earned peace currently being enjoyed in the state.
He urged his supporters to remain calm and be law abiding, noting that efforts are on to unravel the identify of these agents of destabilization who, he said, are out to achieve their selfish interests.
The Chairman called on the people of the locality to go about their legitimate businesses as authorities of the council are on top of the situation.
The Executive Chairman of Jos North Local Government Council, Shehu Bala Usman has condemned the attack on the Legislative Council by some hoodlums at the Council’s secretariat in Jos.
The chairman wondered why hoodlums will attack the councilors who are performing their legitimate duties and disassociated the Executive arm of the council of any complicity in the umpass.
The Chairman condenmination and disassociating the Executive from the umpass, is contained in a press statement dated 30th June,2022, signed by the special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the chairman Philip Eplong and made available to this medium.
Usman explained that since assumption of office, neither him nor any member of the executive arm has ever interfered with Legislative functions and as a democrat who believes in the separation of powers and the rule of law, he is not contemplating doing so.
While condemning in strong terms the barbaric act, the Chairman appealed to security agencies to immediately wade into the matter and apprehend the perpetrators of the dastardly acts to serve as deterrent to others.
He also charged the security agencies to embark on thorough investigation to unravel the sponsors of the dastardly act stressing that his administration will not fold its arm and watch unscrupulous persons breach the relative peace being enjoyed in the area.
The statement called on residents to remain calm as the Local Government is on top of the situation and anyone found wanting will face the full wrath of the law.
Christians/ Muslims community in Jos North Local Government Area has condenmed in strong term the vote of no confidence on the Chairman of Jos North Local government Hon Shehu Bala.
The two religious body described the call for the vote of no confidence the chairman,antidemocratic which is the handiwork of some respirate group of persons that want to truncate the rapid human and infrastructure development going on in Jos North local government under the able leadership of Hon.Bala Usman.
This group under the auspices of Jos North progressive youth(JNPY) on 28th of June, 2022 who are faceless claimed that they passed a vote of no confidence on the present Chairman of Jos North LGA, Hon shehu Bala has no evidence to show that some “disruptive elements” are recruiting ethnic groups and politicians with the motive of convening conferences where a vote of no confidence will be passed would be slam on the Hon Bala Shehu Usman ,whose performance is a true reflection of peace in Jos North LGA.
Spokesman of the group ,Hon Yohanna Davou Pam said the purpose of the move was to further throw the state into another turmoil.
in a statement titled ‘ Jos North Local Government Chairman: Incompetences and Maladministration.”
Pam gives further insights into the recent claim by the group who are being sponsored by some desperate politicians ,that some people were planning to undermine the council Chairman and his political contributions to the restoration of peace in Jos North LGA which hitherto a flash point for crises in Plateau state .
He ,however, explained further that Hon .Bala Usman Shehu is working hard towards keeping the state together, even if some unruly feathers would be ruffled in the process to create acronym .
He claimed that some disgruntled religious and past political leaders are behind the plans orchestrate their selfish political ambition at the detriment of the cooperate existence of oneness .
The statement read, “The alerted sinister moves by misguided elements to wreak havoc in the forthcoming general elections and corporate existence of the state will not be achieve “.
Yohanna. Davou says ,we don’t insult, incite people at home, or bring religious to be popular in politics but we advice citizens against fanatic and greedy ,self-centered politicians.
We saw that this moved was ,”Championed by some disgruntled religious and political leaders, the intention is to eventually throw the state into another round of crisis, which would compel a forceful and undemocratic change of leadership.
“The evidence shows that these disruptive elements are now recruiting the leadership of some ethnic groups and politicians round the council , with the intention of convening some sort of conference, where a vote of no confidence would be passed on the Chairman Hon Bala Shehu , thus throwing the land into further turmoil.
“The caterwauling, in recent times, by these elements, is to prepare the grounds adequately for their ignoble intentions, which are designed to cause further grief for the council.
“The agent of provocateurs hope to achieve through artifice and sleight of hands, what they failed to do through the ballot box in the council elections.
“Nigerians have opted for democratic rule, and the only acceptable way to change a democratically elected council chairman is through elections, which hold at prescribed times in the country. Any other way is patently illegal and even treasonable,Of course, such would attract the necessary consequences.
“These discredited individuals and groups are also in synergy with external forces to cause maximum damage in their own council .
But the Local Government Chairman is , already vested with mandate and authority by Nigerians till the end of his tenure which is pledged to keep the council together, even if some unruly feathers would be ruffled in the process.”
Meanwhile ,the Chairman of Jos North LG condemned the confusion that disrupted during the legislative arm of the council during the sitting held this evening .
He said as true democrat ,I have nothing in connection with the members and he still remain the Chairman of Jos North LGA .
The Chairman stressed that those who perpetuated the heinous crime by attacking the legislative arm are on their own
A Plateau State High Court sitting in Jos Division on Thursday 30th June,2022 has sentenced three accused persons to death by hanging or lethal injection for culpable homicide which is punishable with death .
Justice Arum Ashom of High Court No 3 ,sentenced Mr Terry Kefas the 1st accused ,Samson James ,and Patrick Nyam for stabbing one Joseph Gonsum to death on the 25th December, 2015 on ground of two count charge .
The count 1 read ,that you Terry Kefas ,Samson James ,Emmanuel Ujah now deceased and Patrick Nyam on the, or about the 25th day of December ,25th at Gada Biu in Jos North Local Government Area ,within the Plateau judicial division agreed amongst yourselves to do an illegal act to wit :culpable homicide punishable with death an act which was done pursuant to your agreement and you thereby committed an offence punishable under section of the penal code ,cap 89 laws of Northern Nigeria ,1963 .
Count 11 ,that you Terry Kefas ,Samson James Emmanuel Ujah now deceased and Patrick Nyam ,on or about the 25th day of December ,2015 at Gada Biu commit culpable homicide punishable with death in that you caused the death of one Joseph Gonsum ,now deceased by stabbing him with a knife on his stomach with the knowledge that death would be the probable consequence of your act and you thereby committed an offence punishable under section 221 of the penal code ,cap 89 laws of Northern Nigeria ,1963.
Speaking shortly after the sentenced ,the prosecution counsel ,Assistant Director citizens Right and Law Reform , Barr. John Ishaku Mantu said this is justice to the society ,this was the case the state is prosecuting since 2015 .
We have done our best as prosecution counsel ,we give in our very best to see that the matter was prosecuted .We appreciate the court seeing reasons with our witnesses that we presented .
However, at the end this matter was decided in favour of the state wherein those stand trial now convict are sentence to death .
According to him,” this is a matter that has four (4) defendants which one past away in the cause of this trial and today we appreciate God for the judgment is a justice to the society .
Mantu disclosed that it is a matter that they killed an innocent person on the 25th day of December, 2015.
Adding ,the law is right on the case of culpable homicide once there is conviction, it is death sentence .
He emphasized that as the prosecution we called about five witnesses whom they all testified on their behalf and the case has been lingering for the past six years and you know that they say justice rushed is justice crashed .
This situation ,6 years is fair to decide such matter because this is a matter that is capital in nature .
The prosecution counsel explained further that the delay sometimes come from the defence counsel themselves because once they see evidence presented by the prosecution they sometimes brought in some technicalities to delay the matter .
He further stated that the issue of covid-19 is also there ,the issue of JUSUN strike ,we have almost three strikes affected in the course of this trial .
Mantu preempt that for the defence counsel to put request for the judgment ,well definitely we expected an appeal in this matter the way their counsel was talking in court ,he demanded the copies of the judgment which the court promised to make available .
“We know and we expecting an appeal from them by the grace of God ,we are competent to prosecute them at the appeal court.
Whatever way the judgment goes in the appeal court ,they may decide to go to supreme court whichever way , they’re still on the death row pending the reversal of the decision “,Mantu says .
The Defence counsel ,Barr.David Adudu said the suit is between the state and three others defendants .
In the cause of the conviction ,the judge found the defendants guilty of their offences which they were prosecuted for the crime and in view of this the judge sentence them based on the law .
He added that as the defence counsel ,we are not satisfied with the judgment just delivered by Honourable justice Arum Ashom, so we have to start the process of appealing the judgment by commencing the transmission of the appeal process immediately .
Crisis loom in Wadata Kasuwa Community of Plateau State as some staff of the ministry of Justice has conspired with the Garkuwa of Mavo who are currently trying to convert the ancenst
Exposed as at least no fewer than 20 families in Wadata Kasuwa are battling with a staff of Ministry of Justice ,Plateau State who conspired with Garkuwa Mavo to desperately convert their FADAMA site to family and cooperate membership .
The Ponzhi Wadata Kasuwa ,HRH ,Domnan Vonjen has been in the hospital undergoing treatment which the Barr.Joel Takven group want to claim the ancestral farmland of the community.
According to him ,with my poor conditions of health I appeal to the concerned traditional institution to intervene because the said Land was the only ourt inheritance .
He said ,” I have reported the encroachment of this farmland by one Barr. Joel Takven of the Ministry of Justice ,Plateau State , his family and Garkuwan Mavo but when drastic measure was taken by Ponzhi Lot Nden they refused to honour his invitation .
Vonjen reiterated that i learned he brought staff of Ministry for Land and Survey to conduct survey and put beacon without my knowledge and that very day there was heavy downpour with the land owners ran back home and he took advantage to commenced landscape and demarcation of the land ” .
The Tarok community of Kadarko District of Wase Local Government Area ( LGA) raised alarm that Barr Joel takven employ the service of the ministry for Land &Survey to carry out the demarcation of the FADAMA which is located in Wadata Kasuwa when the traditional land owners vehemently stood again them .
The following families include ,Galadima Miri ,Ubandoma Miri ,Latim Miri ,Boyi Vonjen ,Domnan Vonjen ,Nanbol Vonjen ,Audu Vonjen ,Ayuba Ngas ,Iya Wadata ,Baba Zambam ,Amos Danbana ,Sallah Funturu ,Mai-Riga Sani ,Marafa Ndam ,Mai-Angwan Deshi ,Gaisuwa Deshi the complainants who alleged involvement of Barr. Joel Takven that illegally brought his family and friends from Langtang south LGA to commenced farming and demarcation of land.
He however stressed that the following persons are laying claim that they are the original owners ,Bulus Dindam Rinkat Chiroma Arewa ,Dipko Maikano ,Lohkur Commander ,Nansoh Pyal (Maiangwan ),Awal Kurnap Takven ,Nanfa Mallam ,Sunday Ramchak ,Napshat Soho Nanyak follow come ,those that constituted themselves into a new settlement with Nansoh Miri as the head of FADAMA Cinciya under Kadarko district .
Vonjen further that one Barr. Joel Takven recruited his younger brothers ,Yohanna Takven ,Kurnap Takven Nancwat Takven by bringing staff of land survey ministry to start producing land documents for them as original owners to displaced them who are the land owners .
Spokesman of the land owners ,Nanmwa Vonjen told journalists that the said land belongs to their ancestral fathers but just this year Takven family take over the land and started cultivating for their personal use.
He said they complaint to Ponzhi Lot Nden who is custodian of Tarok land in Kadarko district of Wase LGA and he invited them and the matter was settled amicably but the Takven family invaded the land trying put beacon .
Its was also gathered that they destroy crops for this farming season when all the land owners were absence during the invasion their traditional farmland ,he alleged .
According to him ,the Ponzhi Kadarko ,HRH,Lot Nden caution them to stay clear of the disputed farmland because it doesn’t belong them .
However ,he disclosed that the matter was reported to Wase Divisional police Headquarters to intervene on the matter but the DPO refused that the land dispute is strictly meet for traditional institution to address it ,he explains .
Vonjen called on the appropriate authority to act fast to ensure that safety of lives and properties of innocent citizens is not affected by the action taken by someone who is support to mediator in conflict of land grabbers .
The former General Officer Commanding 81 Division Nigerian Army and former Commander Special Task Force Jos, Major General Olayinka Oshinowo retired said, he holds the Nigerian Army in high esteem.
He made this known today 28th June 2022 during a Valedictory Buffet and Regimental Dinner Night organised to honour year 2022 retired officers and discharged soldiers of 3 Division area of responsibility.
General Oshinowo who was the Special Guest of Honour at a Valedictory Buffet for retired soldiers congradulated the retirees for a successful disengagement and urged then to be diligent in the management of their resources.
Oshinowo further said, it is heart warming to successfully retire from an organisation that requires a lot of commitment, dedication and sacrifice, revealing that many officers and soldiers have paid the price with their dear lives .
He reminded the retirees that proper management of their resources is key to successful life style after retirement.
Also speaking at the Regimental Dinner Night organised to honour retired officers, the Special Guest of Honour, Major General Hassan Umaru charged the officers to continue to be good ambassadors of the Nigeria Army ,as he reminded the retirees of their loyalty, dedication and commitment to one Nigeria even as retired personnel.
General Hassan who was the former commander Special Task Force Jos and General officer commanding 3 Division also commended the Chief of Army Staff Lieutenant General Faruk Yahaya for honouring retired officers and reviving regimentation in the Nigerian Army.
Delivering the goodwill message of the Chief of Army Staff, the General Officer Commanding 3 Division, Nigeria Army and Commander Operation SAFE HAVEN, Major General Ibrahim Ali said, the Nigerian Army is committed to re-engaging the gallant retired officers and soldiers contain the current security challenges.
The Army Boss reiterated his commitment to the welfare of both serving and retired personnel of the Nigerian Army. He said, the welfare facilities in the barracks and cantonment across the country are always open to retired personnel.
Genral Yahaya further urged the retirees to continue to fulfil their obligation towards defending the territorial integrity of Nigeria even as retired personnel,and charged them to shun all forms of misconduct and actions capable of bringing the army into disrepute.
In their separate votes of thanks on behalf of the retired officers and discharged soldiers, Colonel Abubakar Mohammed retired and Army Warrant Officer Adamu Danapu retired, applauded the Chief of Army Staff, for the strategic initiative of honouring retired personnel ,vowed to contribute their best to peace and security of the country.
High point of the event was presentation of special gifts from the Chief of Army Staff to the retirees to appreciate their meritorious service to the nation.
Divisional police officer in Jingere, Bassa local government area of Plateau State, SP Alobo Ebere John has been awarded a peace Ambassador for ensuring peace in the area by the Northern peace foundation a non-governmental organisation (NGO) for restoring peace and normalcy in the area.
The Award which was presented to Sp Alobo John who is the DPO at the division police station including Jingere was in recognition of his immense contribution to the humanity ,educational development youth, humanity and nation-building.
AbdulMalik Adamu who lead some members of the foundation from the north central presented the certificate said the recipient was recognized among several personalities who Distinguished themselves in their own place of work.
He said the foundation is determine in ensuring good and responsible leadership among Nigerians, saying that they will continue “to encourage hard work , diligence ,sincerity and patriotism among Nigerians”
According to him, the foundation which is sir Ahmadu Bello sardauna memorial has been following the achievement recorded by the recipient who has restored appreciable peace in the area of his command as a divisional police officer.
He said the disposition of the DPO in ensuring fairness among all the various ethnic groups in the area has help in ensuring confidence in the area.
Speaking shortly after receiving the award , the divisional police officer Mr Alobo Ebere John dedicated the award to the inspector General of police in the country as well as the commissioner of police in plateau state whom he said deemed it fit to post him to the area
Some of the stakeholders in the area who attended the ceremony Expressed appreciation with the awards given to whom they described as a patriotic Nigerians who has no regard two religious belief in his affairs.
Alhaji Halidu Dahiru Abdullahi Jingere Town , Mallam Yusuf Ayuba and Mamma Shehu all said in a different remarks that the DPO deserved the recognition because of his campaign for peace in the area.
They said the people of jingere town are appreciative of the role being played by the division police in the area particularly in arresting criminals and arm robbers who has been terrorizing the area.
High court sitting in Jos the plateau state capital has adjourned matter between the federal republic of Nigeria, and barrister Gideon Ngwan to the 24th Oct, 2022 for mention.
The case which involved Gideon Ngwen a practicing lawyer in Jos, plateau State capital, was transferred from Justice Christy Dabup to Justice S. P Gang for contination of hearing on the basis of cheating, fraud and breach of trust.
The matter which is fixed for today 29th June, 2022 for mention, have a set back due to the absent of the the prosecuting counsel that communicated to the defense counsel and the court Clark that he will not make to the court for very cogent reason and understanding was reached between the Counsels and court Clark.
The defendant counsel however remaind the court that the case is reassigned form Justice Christy Dabup court where the accused person was granted bail, my Lord since then he had been diligent in attending the court whenever the case come up.
Justice S.P Gang however adjourned the matter to 24th June, 2022 for mention.
It would be recalled that the accused, barrister Gideon Ngwen , a practicing lawyer in the city of Jos, is being prosecute by the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) for alleged defrauding his clients all casual staff of state owned TV and Radio station(PRTV) who where sacked by Governor Jonah Jang administration.
The sacked workers not fewer than One Hundred (100) in number headed for court to interpret the law surrounding their unannounced sacked when most of them have spend significant of years with the corporation,and demanded for compensation.
On assumption of office in 2015,governor Bako lalong opted for out of court settlement while a huge amount of money was said to have paid to the earlier disengaged staff through their counsel barrister Gideon Ngwen.
The barrister instead of disbursing the money to the affected staff, he allegedly converted it to his personal use.
All efforts to prevail on the accused to release the funds to his clients proved abortive , which informed petitioning him to EFCC.
However, the accused is also being investigated by the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) plateau State chapter , body responsible for regulations of lawyers and law practice.
The mandate of the body is to unravel the level of Involvement of the accused lawyer, the findings of the investigation is yet to be made public after many years the case had been pending in court.
Shitn’aan Ari and Leatitia Kabasele has been adviced to worked together as couples and build a formidable matrimonial home .
As the couples where Admonished to shunned gossiping , rumour mongering and avoid inviting third party into their matrimonial misunderstanding.
This admonished was made by the Archbishop of Jos ,Reverend Father Ishaya Audu who doubled as the officiating priest at the wedding of the holy matrimony between Shitn’aan Ari and Leatitia Kabasele held on 25th June, 2022,at the St-Monica Catholic Church Renta Jos, Plateau State.
Archbishop Audu said one of the common disease that is destroying marriage these days are rumour mongering popularly referred to in the local palace as “hear say”,lack of trust between couples and allowing outsider into your marriage live.
The Archbishop stressed ,if the above is not cure in marriage,is capable of destroying ones cherished Holy Matrimony, charged the couples to be wary of those matrimonial disease and find quick remedy to it before they recked your marriage.
He Admonished the couples to allow their marriage to be build on solid Rock of Jesus Christ that can’t sink nor crumbled no matter the troublent wind of life.
The Archbishop specifically Admonished the groom to allow the beauty which attracted him to marry the bride be substained forever till death do the two of them part in accordance to the sacred oath marriage they took in the present of the congregation and God these day.
He remaineded them to remember that whatever they have from today onwards,are jointly owned , because from now on they are one and the same ,any attempt to separate what God have joined together by any person, is sin in the sight of God.
The chairman of the occasion and the former Governor of Ebonyi State Sam Egwu, adviced the couples to allow their Union to be rooted on the foundation of God Almighty.
He charged the couples to emulate the marriage life of their parents Mr and Mrs Joe Ari ,who despite all odds stayed together believing in the miracle of God that eventually worked in the life of Ari’s .
On his advice, the Deputy speaker in the House of Representatives ,Rt.Hon. Ahmed Idris Maje Wase reiterated the need for the couples to hold firm to God and build their marriage on the solid foundation of God.
That he said will sustained the marriage that can’t be distracted by man.
Other dignitaries that graced the occasion include, governor Bako lalong, Secretary to the state government Danladi Atu, Speaker Plateau State House of Assembly, deputy governor of Nasarawa , commissioners and Captains of industries.
A group under the auspices of Atiku100%, Plateau State Chapter has unveiled it electioneering campaign support urging Nigerian to vote for a credibly candidate of the People Democratic Party ,PDP ,in the forthcoming general elections .
The State Coordinator ,Hon Emmanuel Macham and secretary ,Iliya Dang in a state briefing on Tuesday 28th 2022 in Jos ,unveiled the campaign team supporters urgued them to swing into action across the country.
Atiku 100% support group said as the the name implied,the support group in the state give its unalloyed support for the candidature of Atiku Abubakar and his running mate Governor Ifeanyi Okowa.
He explained further that their meeting mark the beginning of unveiling the movement known as Atiku100% group which has swing into action across Nigeria .
According to him,”this group is formed by respected Nigerians of like minds from different part of the country who came together in Abuja deliberate and inform H.E Alh Atiku Abubakar of the groups intention to galvanized support for his presidential ambition for PDP in 2023 General elections”.
We are here to have a brief press interaction aim at introducing this group to the Plateau people .
However ,our state Secretariat is undergoing minor refurbishement and will soon be put to use in Plateau State and Commission by our National LEADERSHIP.
We have set up structures across the 17LGAs of Plateau State and have inform the National leadership of NWC of our intension to garner 2millon votes.
The group is in high spirit willing to deliver and we urge all Stakeholders,party faithfuls,party structure,youths as well as women groups for synergy in working hard to bring in a people oriented Government in Nigeria.
Nigeria is in critical situation requiring focus and stable Leadership to enable us come out strong and stronger.
The Time is Now for Alh Atiku Abubakar/Ifeanyi Okowa to deliver Nigeria from our present predicament,economic hardship, serious security challenges among several others.
To enhanced the welfare of troops,and their Operational effectiveness,the Commander Operation Safe Haven (OPSH)who doubled as the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 3 Division Nigerian Army (NA), Major General Ibrahim Ali has inaugurated landmark projects in the Headquarters Operation SAFE HAVEN .
As General Ali said is the responsibility of the command to see that the welfare of the troops are well and adequately taken care of ,to achieve maximum performance from them.
The commander of Operations Save Haven(OPSH Major General Ibrahim Ali stated this during the commissioning of the remodelled office of the Regimental Sergent Major, newly built 2 blocks of troops accommodation including the newly constructed borehole among others.
During the Commissioning ceremony, the Officer Commanding Defence Company OPSH, Captain Musa Aruwan said the projects would provide a conducive working environment for troops to carry out their responsibility effectively.
Captain Aruwan stressed that the troops would forever remain grateful to the commander for giving them befitting accommodation and provision of potable water.
In his remarks, the Commander Operation SAFE HAVEN, Major General Ibrahim Ali charged Commanders at all levels to take the welfare needs of their troops very seriously adding that improved welfare leads to effective result.
General Ali also noted that it is a command responsibility to improve the standard of living of troops making huge sacrifice and dedicated to the service of their fatherland.
The commander further added that the projects would boost the morale of troops and strengthen their commitment to the fight against insecurity in the joint operation area.
Appreciating the commander on behalf of the troops, the Regimental Sergeant Major (RSM) OPSH, Master Warrant Officer (MWO) Azi Yusuf lauded the giant stride of the commander and his resolve to continually improve the welfare of troops.
Highlight of the event was the cutting of tape to commission the remodelled office of the Regimental Sergent Major, newly built 2 blocks of troops accommodation as well as the newly constructed borehole among others.
Governor Lalong has given reasons why he declared 27th & 28th , Tuesday and Wednesday June,2022 work free days for any eligible citizens of plateau State to go to their respective abode to register for Permanent Voters Card(PVC),.
As Governor challenged them to cashed on the two work free days declared by the state government to ensured they make do with the government good gesture and go and register .
Governor Lalong who was speaking at monthly prayer and fasting held at the Government House Chapel Rayfield Jos said partipating in the democratic process is not just a civil responsibility but a spiritual one because God has given people the power to elect their leaders through choices in the ballot box.
He said it is not good for people to sit back and complain on the social media and elsewhere about bad governance but yet fail to take part in the process that brings in new leadership that will change the situation.
He said “Beyond prayers and fasting, we should also participate and do our part in ensuring that the right people are elected. Part of this is the performance of our civic duties of voting.
That is why I approved work free days on Monday 27th and Tuesday 28th June to enable eligible citizens who have not yet obtained their Permanent Voters Card to do so. I charge all civil servants to take advantage of this opportunity to ensure that they register so as to be able to choose their leaders during the elections. Failure to participate automatically means that you will live with the choices of others whether it is good or bad. We have been assured that our votes will count because of the reforms in the electoral process particularly the new Electoral Act”.
He also used the opportunity to call on political actors and their supporters to go about campaigning and seeking electoral support in a civilized manner and according to the laws of the land. He urged them to shun toxic campaigns that promote fake news, hatred, division, intolerance and incitement.
According to him, the determination of all politicians should be to strengthen the peace of the State built over the years and ensure that whoever emerges victorious works for the general good of the society. Politics he said should never be seen as a do-or-die affair because at the end of the day, Plateau people are brothers and sisters and share the same heritage.
He said the prayer and fasting which is a very important spiritual exercise has been sustained over the years and continues to be of tremendous benefit for the well-being of Plateau State and Nigeria.
Deputy Chaplain of the Government House Chapel Rev. Dewan speaking on the role of the Holy spirit in the life of the believer said whenever the children of God gather to fast and pray, the opportunity to depend on God is evident and the need for total submission to his will and dependence on his guidance through the holy spirit.
He charged the people to always depend on no matter all the circumstances as even though things do not always go as anticipated, they should never be discouraged to think that God does not hear or care.
He emphasised that fasting and prayer exercise such should always deepen the faith of Christians on God’s ability to make all things work together for good in their favour tike the Bible states in Romans 8:28, “All things work together for good to them that love God and are called according to his purpose”.
Prayers were offered for the peace and security of Plateau State and Nigeria and the need for a successful elections.
Radio , Television ,Theatre and Arts Workers Union Of Nigeria(RATTAWU) has made strong appeal to Governor Bako Lalong of plateau to look into the issue of training and promotion of it’s members who are in the work force of plateau state government .
As he called on governor Lalong to also see to the promotion of it’s members who have been stagnant in the same grade level for more than Five years without promotion.
The appeal was made by the National President of RATTAWU , Comrade Kabir Garba Tsanni in his speech during the plateau State Chapter of the Union Triennial State Delegates Conference held at Fox Hotel on 21st June 2022, in Jos plateau state.
The National President represented by the union Vice President North Central Zone, Comrade Mohammad Kabala said the world have gone digital with clear departure from analogy, so the need to train, and retraining the personnels of the union to enable them be abreast with the 21st century of technological advancement which will make them relevant in their various places of work.
He decried the stagnant of it members who had been in the same grade level for more than six to seven years without promotion,and appealed to the government to do the needful for maximum productivity.
The National President of the body, charged the union to to demostrate what they preach behind the camera by ensuring they conduct free,fair , credible and rancor free election which will usher in new Excos of the union.
He further said this is imperative particularly now the nation general election is around the corner ,the union needs to use the Triennial State Delegates Conference Election to send strong message to politians by conducting free,fair and credible election.
The chairman of the occasion ,who is the Executive chairman of Kanam local government in the state ,Alhaji Dayyabu Yusuf Garga commended the union for its relentless stances as the watch Dog of the society,and its contributions to the substance of the country’s democracy.
Dayyabu Garga reiterated the need for the union to conduct credible and rancor free Election, which he stressed will send positive message to politians the need for transparent and rancor free Election in the forthcoming general election.
However, Emmanuel Dolnaan the immediate past chairman of RATTAWU, plateau state chapter was returned as the chairman of the union for the second time.
Comrade Dolnaan is a staff of Nigeria Television Authority (NTA) Jos center.
In his acceptance speech,he promised to build on his past achievements , and thank his supporters for believing in him by returning him as the chairman of the union for the second time.
He promised not to let them down, called on the members of the union to cooperate and work with the newly elected Excos to move the union to a higher hight.
His words: “Now Nigeria is being ranked as 9th worst country for Christians to live in. We are number nine and Iran is number eight, everywhere I go, people keep asking me what is happening to Christians and Muslims in Nigeria. Toxic politics has now poisoned our religion.
“Though I am not a Vetinarian, but I was told that when a dog is barking, you walk towards it because if you turn back, it would attack. My point is that we Christians must walk towards the barking dog”. He lamented the high rate of insecurity in the country, and urged the government to rise up to the occasion.
“As I speak, for past three weeks my priest, a young man and a sister, are still in captivity even though the Nigerian state wishes to pretend that we are not negotiating with the kidnappers but as I am talking we are negotiating with the kidnappers because I don’t know how else to get back my priest.
“It is a very painful experience, my own blood relations have been kidnapped, I lost a Priest last year to kidnappers, I have lost a Seminarian to kidnappers and somehow we like to pretend we have a government, of course we have the apparatus of government, we have the scaffolding, but this scaffolding is important because people are able see access and appropriate resources of state.
“As to what the state needs to do, they are still far away from that reality. It is a very painful and sad reality that as at the last conversation with the kidnappers we have negotiated up to N20 million which I do not have.
“And the kidnappers think this is chicken fee. And I am supposed to pay money to people who are murderers, who would murder anybody; I am supposed to pay money to people who are buying aeroplane and killing people as you hear about Southern Kaduna last week. I was supposed to pay money to people who are prepared to destroy our country and there seems to be no sign to end this madness,” he said.
Comrade Kabiru Hassan Nasiru is currently on the wanted list of Nigerian police, plateau state command for alledge allegation of defrauding his victim one Mr.Tuesday the sum of Two Million Seven Hundred and Ten Thousand Naira by false pretences, cheating and criminal intimidation.
According to a petition written by Mr. Tuesday to the plateau state police command ,Bukuru Division in Jos south local government he Tuesday who is the complaint narrated how kabiru promised to sell a residential building to him , which make him paid to him part of the agreed amount after written agreement supervised by his lawyer.
Mr. Tuesday John Omubelle, who residents of Bukuru, Jos South LGA, narrated further that sometime in October 12th October 2022, to be precise, he approached Comrade Kabiru Hassan Nasiru’s who claimed to be House agent, approached Mr. Tuesday that he has house for sale.
Mr.Tuesday said he picked interest for the house where they negotiated on the price after inspection of the facility.
Mr. Tuesday further narrated to the police that he believed Comrade Kabiru Hassan, and make payment of the sum of Two Million Five Hundred Thousand Naira Only, which he acknowledge and issued me receipt of the said amount through a bank payment of Comrade Kabiru account.
Comrade Kabiru Hassan deceived me further (Mr. Tuesday John) to pay additional (N210,000,00) Two hundred and ten thousand naira only as legal and agency fees.
He lamented that since then Kabiru had been behaving funny towards the complaint,Mr. Tuesday John and went further to start intimidating him that he can’t do absolutely nothing to him that he knows all the top security agents in Nigeria that he cannot be arrested.
Comrade Kabiru confidently told me Mr. Tuesday John, that he should go to hell that he can never give him the house and the money he paid for the house that there is no house for him he should go to anywhere he like for all he cares.
Since 2020, which is over two years now, no house and no money but Mr. Tuesday, is constantly receiving messages of intimidation,threat from Kabiru, while he still collecting the rentage of the said property for the period which he claim to have sold the house to Mr. Tuesday.
The helpless Mr Tuesday said the accuse has stop picking his calls, non returned his text messages.
“He constantly send people to me , intimidating me that he is a rich man that he is untouchable that he has done same to several people and go Scott free that I am just nothing but a crayfish”
The complaint, Mr Tuesday is Using this medium to call on the government , security agencies and judiciary to come to his aid and arrest Comrade Kabiru Hassan and prosecute him as his actions violates section (306), (296), and (376) of the Penal code law of plateau State”2017.
A Staunch member of the Peoples Democratic Party in Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State, Hon. Amos Tongwe has congratulated Ngo Josephine Piyo over her emergence as the running mate to the party’s Gubernatorial candidate, Barr. Calep Mutfwang.
Piyo was unveiled on Tuesday as PDP Governoship running mate by the flag bearer (Mutfwang) himself in the presence of stakeholders of the party.
Speaking immediately after the event, Tongwe commended Mutfwang for the decision. He however observed that going by the global trend, he expected a youthful running mate for the purpose of appealing to that group who constitute over 60 percernt of the population of the country.
“Most democracies in the world are geared toward involving the younger generation in the affair of things. This development has not only encouraged youths participation but has seen many taking over affairs of governance in many countries such as France, Canada and Ukraine. In Nigeria, the south East, South West and the far North have shown committment toward involving the younger generation in the scheme of things. This was clearly demonstrated when Pius Anyim was elected and subsequently became Senate President at the age of 39, Bankole Demiji became Speaker, House of Representatives at age, 33 while Salisu Buhari also head the House of Representatives at the age of 29”.
Tongwe lamented that it is only in the middle Belt, particularly in Plateau State that age is always adopted as a factor to edge out the younger generation in the scheme of things.
Consequently, he called on the PDP Governoship candidate to consider it a duty to ensure the inclusion of youths in his Government after recording success in 2023. On his part, Tongwe promised to give his best including resources to ensure PDP victory in the governoship election in 2023.
“I believe in the ideals and philosophy of the PDP because the PDP is the only party that has good and developmental programs for the people. I must also say that I am positive and confident in the capabilitiy and capacity of Hon. Calep Mutfwang in delivering the dividends of democracy to the people. It is for this reason that I am calling on him to ensure the involvement of the younger generation for this onerous task. The involvement of the youth is also significant taking into cognizance the global quest of grooming the younger generation for leadership purpose”, he said.
Plateau APC may just been in trouble as it Governorship Aspirant Nentawe Yilwatda is rumored to have sneaked into the state from Abuja without certificate authenticating him as the party candidate.
Nentawe was said to have sneaked into the state with few supporters of the party late yesterday 21st June,2022.
INEC refusal to give him certificate may not be unconnected to number of petition that greeted his selection instead of Election at the governorship primary.
Although the details is still sketchy, gnews promise to update you of the New development from the APC camp.
President Mohammadu Buhari has nominated names of New Ministers to be screened by the Senate for onward confirmation and rectification.
This to filled the vacant position of the Ministers that has resigned their various ministerial positions to contest various elected positions.
Senate President Ahmad Lawan read Buhari’s letter of request on the floor of the Senate, in Abuja.
In the letter read by the Senate President, Dr Ahmad Ibrahim Lawan, on Tuesday, 21st June,2022,Buhari said the nominees would replace the former ministers that resigned from his cabinet to pursued elected political positions.
The letter read in part, “In accordance with Section 8 Subsection 2 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended, I hereby forward the underlisted ministerial nominees for your confirmation.
A group under the aegis of PLATEAU APC CONCERN VANGUARD, within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Plateau State has warned the National Chairman of the APC, Sen. Abdullahi Adamu and the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party, not to bow to the alleged quest of the Governor of Plateau State, Dr. Simon Bako Lalong for the Vice President slot of the party.The group in a press statement signed by one Samson Pam, as Chairman and one Nicholas Jatau Fabia, as Secretary, dated 21/06/2022, and made available to REALITY claimed that, Governor Lalong should not be trusted to run the Presidential race alongside Sen. Asiwaju Tinubu in 2023 because, “Governor Lalong’s plays politics of betrayal”.The group also in its press text, titled: “RT. HON. (DR) SIMON BAKO LALONG WAS DEMOCRATICALLY ELECTED, BUT TURNS AN EMPEROR” alleged that, the gubernatorial candidate of APC in Plateau State was imposed on the members of the Plateau State APC, while warning that, what had happened in Zamfara State may repeat itself within the party in Plateau State.“As the Plateau APC Concern Vanguard, we want to remind you that, Governor Simon Lalong was mistakenly elected as the Governor of Plateau State, as a result of former Governor David Jonah Jang’s imposition of a right and best candidate on Plateau people at the wrong time. This governor Lalong seems to have forgotten too soon. It is on record that, since the election of the Plateau State Governor into office, he has not conducted any free and fair election beside imposition of persons at all levels of elective and appointive offices in the state. “Similarly, the selection of, Dr. Nentawe Yilwada, was purely a gross abuse of the APC guidelines, specifically to mentioned the election or imposition of delegates up to the election of the gubernatorial candidate. This process from all political fronts was not done by Lalong. Why Not? “Because Lalong said that, he has already purchased the ticket from the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party through the APC National Chairman by using his puppet, which he has successfully imposed on the Plateau people, as the Deputy National Secretary of the APC in the person of, Hon. Festus Fwantur.“No wonder then that, the imposed APC gubernatorial candidate in the person of Dr. Natawe, was not issued any waver because he was an employee of INEC”. The press statement in part read. READ THE TEXT IN FULL BELOW:-RT. HON. (DR) SIMON BAKO LALONG WAS DEMOCRATICALLY ELECTED, BUT TURNS AN EMPEROR.Gentlemen of the Press,As the Plateau APC Concern Vanguard, we want to remind you that, Governor Simon Lalong was mistakenly elected as the Governor of Plateau State, as a result of former Governor David Jonah Jang’s imposition of a right and best candidate on Plateau people at the wrong time. This governor Lalong seems to have forgotten too soon. It is on record that, since the election of the Plateau State Governor into office, he has not conducted any free and fair election beside imposition of persons at all levels of elective and appointive offices in the state. Similarly, the selection of, Dr. Nentawe Yilwada, was purely a gross abuse of the APC guidelines, specifically to mentioned the election or imposition of delegates up to the election of the gubernatorial candidate. This process from all political fronts was not done by Lalong. Why Not? Because Lalong said that he has already purchased the ticket from the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party through the APC National Chairman by using his puppet, which he has successfully imposed on the Plateau people, as the Deputy National Secretary of the APC in the person of, Hon. Festus Fwantur.No wonder then that, the imposed APC gubernatorial candidate in the person of Dr. Natawe, was not issued any waver because he was an employee of INEC. Up till today, the 20/06/2022 that, Hon. Festus (Esq), through the Emperor purchased the APC Governorship Form there has not been a waver for, Dr. Nentawe.Permit us to draw your attention and that of the APC Founding Fathers to the fact that, Lalong in his desperation to impose Dr. Nentawe upon Plateau people and APC, the National Stakeholders lied that, Nentawe was the endorsement of Gen. Yakubu Gowon (Rtd). Just to earn him President Buhari’s adoption and sympathy.It is on sound record with evidence that, when Dr. Nentawe was the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Benue state, he did send an INEC/ICT staff from Benue to Plateau to manipulate votes in the state that later favoured Lalong’s re-election in 2019. It’s now clear that the said Dr. Nentawe, who by INEC’s Act was not suppose to contest any elected position until after some period of years, has been imposed on Plateau people to come and protect Lalong’s lootings and his assets at home and in Dubai from EFCC and ICPC.We are of the knowledge that, Dr. Nentawe has already graciously agreed to cover the outgoing Governor’s mess.It’s also on sound authority that, we want to state that Governor Lalong is not a respecter of the Procurement Act because all his transactions have been between him, his family, brothers and sisters, In-laws and close friends.Gentlemen of the press, because of Lalong’s desperation for power and beside his being clownishly used as the 19 Northern Governor’s Chairman, everyone knows that, he is with Rotimi Ameachi and he did authoritatively directed the Plateau State “selected delegates”, to vote for his principal in the person of Ameachi at the APC Presidential Primary. It was a democratic evil, when he also gave a directive that all his selected delegates should snapped their votes as a prove to earn him favour, while thinking Rotimi Ameachi will certainly emerged. But, as the table turned around, he shamelessly dumped Ameachi and began to solicit for a running mate from Asiwaju Tinubu, whom he had earlier disowned. To us, this is Governor Lalong’s hypocrisy of the highest order, added to his bad character and sad attitude of “Politics of Betrayal”. Despite all the chances and opportunities given to him by the National Chairman of APC in the person of Sen. Abdullahi Adamu , Lalong was on a National Television, opposing the Adamu and his office, without consideration to his pedigre, position, age and position, and yet, he continuously claimed being loyal to Buhari and Abdullahi Adamu.Who then is fooling who?It’s now clear to all that, he who plays the piper dictates the tune. Governor Lalong discredited his National Chairman earlier on the grounds of equity, fairness and justice and that, the Presidential slot should moved to the South, with Ameachi in mind, but as things unfold and changed during the Presidential Primary election and the APC settled for Sen. Tinubu, whom he detested, we are all therefore wondering with surprise, over his present interest.More so, we are inquisitive to know, Sen. Tinubu did not come to Plateau state to canvass for votes from delegates in the first place, and why, despite the unhidden frustration meted on Sen. Tinubu’s campaign team, and with the help of the G-18 Plateau Gubernatorial Aspirants, Asiwaju was able to secure 26 votes from Plateau APC delegates without the Emperor’s knowledge?As a Vanguard, we want Lalong to know that, he cannot take the glory of something he never supported and suddenly wants the moment to turn into an opportunity that will enable him seek for the position of the Vice President, as been agitated for by his Brothers, In-laws, Commissioners and Friends. For ease of reference and in respect to the above submissions, we humbly refer you (Gentlemen of the Press) to, Hon. Ibrahim Dasuki Nakande (the former Minister of State for Information) Press Release on, “Why Tinubu should not pick governor Lalong as running Mate”.We are using this opportunity therefore, to call on the APC National Working Committee (NWC) to come and rescue Plateau else, the Zamfara State sad episode will surely repeat itself on the Plateau.Furthermore, we the APC Vanguard are calling on the national body of the APC, to disregard the notion of being bought over, as alleged by Lalong and Hon. Festus (Esq), but to come down and rescue APC on the Plateau for posterity sake.In conclusion, the National Chairman, Sen. Abdullahi Adamu, should watch his back regarding Lalong’s quest to be Vice President because that would make the office of the National Chairman in the North Central zone, insignificant, and of no importance.Hence, we The Concern Vanguard of APC on the Plateau are saying, we prefer the APC National Chairman seat than that of the Vice President especially to a self-centered person who only thinks of himself. We equally advise the NWC to be more careful with Hon. Festus, who is planted to draw them down. Watch out for the next episode.Samson Pam.. Chairman Nicholas Jatau Fabian…Secretary
Gunmen suspected to be bandits has reported to have adopted Traditional Ruler in Mangu local government district of Panyam in plateau state His Highess,Aminu Derwan.
According to reports, the gunmen men who were about 20 in numbers stormed the palace at the early hours of Monday, June 20, 2022, and took away the traditional Ruler Pa Derwan, the district head of Panyam.
A resident of Panyam community, Moses Garuba, who confirmed the incident said the gunmen scared residents away with gunshots before abducting the traditional ruler.
Garuba said, “It was last night around midnight that the bandits, who were more than 20 and heavily armed, surrounded the district head’s palace in Panyam.
Because his house was not fenced, some villagers who saw how his house was surrounded by strange people alerted other members of the community through a community bell. But immediately the bandits heard the bell, they started firing gunshots and eventually went away with the traditional ruler, leaving the community helpless,” he said.
Some residents, who condemned the attack said that the incident had been reported to the police division in the locality.
The spokesman for state police Command, Alabo Alfred, could not be reached when contacted on the incident as his mobile phones were switched off.
The kidnap of the district head is the latest in a series of abductions targeted at traditional rulers and the clergymen in the state.
On Sunday, June 12, 2022, the Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the Jos East Local Government Area of the state, Reverend James Kantoma, and a traditional ruler in the state, Ugoh Ababs, were kidnapped by gunmen.
While Kantoma, who is also the Catholic priest in charge of St. Anthony’s parish in the Jos East LGA, was kidnapped at his church compound in Angware community, the traditional ruler was abducted when the gunmen attacked his palace in Amo district, Bassa Local Government Area of the state.
Jos base educationist , Bosede Obende has advocated for the Involvement of Children in the fight against depletion of the Ozone layer causing climatic change in Nigeria and the world as a whole.
According to her, until this is done Nigeria in particular, and the world in general might just be sitting on a time bomb waiting to explode.
Bosede Obende who is the head teacher of Bomas Academy shared her views in an interview with journalists during the school’s celebration of this year Commonwealth Connections Project in Jos, Plateau State.
Bomas Academy one of the schools selected in Nigeria to participate in Commonwealth Connections Project said Commonwealth Connections is co-funded by the Commonwealth Games Organising Committee and the British Council. The Birmingham Education Partnership (BEP), is the lead delivery partner and the Youth Sport Trust (YST) and Birmingham Arts School lead on design and delivery of the specialist sports and arts input schools’ project activity.
Ms Obende mentioned the school is encouraging the children to engage more on sports with confidence and sharing information and knowledge on Climate Change advocacy .
In Bomas Academy, we educate our children to avoid wastage of food , water and to also spend less energy sometimes in various activities . We inculcate in them the need to take a walk instead of taking bikes or cars as the case may be.
Recent astronomical events have resulted in great changes in our climate which has affected Nigeria as a country and the world in general, hence the time to take proactive steps in fighting climate change holistically is now and children must be included .
Ms Obende remembered with nostalgia some places like Pankshin Local Government in Plateau state use to be very cold but today research has shown that it’s no longer so due largely to climate change caused by the activities of man.
She stressed that the idea behind the program in conjunction with Commonwealth Connections Projects is to create a voice and we want to start with our children. Bomas Academy as a school is trying to ensure climate change is incorporated into the school curriculum where it will be studied as a subject.
She reiterated that in Bomas Academy , we don’t waste products. We make use of disposed plastic bottles and keep some animals in the school .
Jos base educationist , Bosede Obende has advocated for the Involvement of Children in the fight against activities of men contributing to the depletion of Ozone layer causing climatic change in Nigeria and the world as a whole.
As she said until this is done , the country Nigeria in particular, and the world in general might just be sitting on a time bomb waiting to explode anytime soonest.
Bosede Obende who is the head teacher of Bomas Academy stated this in an interview with journalists during the school celebration of this year Commonwealth Projects Connect of Arts and Sports in the school recently in Jos, Plateau State capital.
The Bomas Academy which has partnership with Commonwealth Council the heads teacher said, the program has to do with Commonwealth game which is supported by game organising committee , British Council Academians and the youth trust.
Bosede further said what the school is doing is encouraging the children to engage more on sport with confident and talking to them on Climate Change advocacy.
She further said in Bomas Academy, we educate our children to avoid any wastage be it food , water and to spend less energy sometimes and incurcate in them the need to take a walk instead of taking flight or motor as the case may be.
She further said the astronomical recent climate change has affected Nigeria as a country and the world in general ,hence the time to take proactive steps in fighting against it holistically, including children is now.
Bosede remember with nostalgia, when you reflect back, you will know that some years back places like Pankshin Local Government in plateau state use to be very cold,but today, research has shown that it’s no longer so due largely to climate change occasion by the activities of man.
She stressed that the idea behind the this program ,in conjunction with Commonwealth Connection Projects is to create voice and we want to start with our children,she further said the school is trying within it power to ensure climate change is Incorporated into the school curriculum where it will be study as a subject.
She reiterated that in Bomas Academy ,we don’t wast any products ,we make use of disposed plastic bottles,and keep some animals in the school .
As you can agree with me that things has drastically change now.
In their separate interview with newsmen ,the lead country director , Mrs Bankole Afolabi said the Commonwealth Connection Projects has Five countries in Nigeria and Five countries in sub-sahara Africa,and stressed that the project has two phases which is sports and Arts.
He said in sports, we try to build as much as possible confident,team work, competent self dependable among the school age children.
Mrs Bankole who is civil Servant with Lagos State Government said the theme for the program which is “Earth Our Home Working Together For An Adaptable Transformation Of Echo System” , which I and my theme come up with is apt considering the danger climate change is currently posing to human lives in the whole world.
On his part the managing Director of Video Wave,Mrs Livinus Otteh whose headquarters base in Kaduna state, said he is in charge of creative section as far as the program is concerned,but contracted for the job.
Livinus reiterated the need to expose the children early to the study of climate change to be abreast with it and with the view of changing it as soon as possible,the method he described as “Catch Them Young.”
Mrs Obende who has received not fewer than three awards to her credit, said Bomas Academy is not there yet as more needed to be done.
She said the awards have to be applied for and convince those in charge to be monitoring you either through visually or Zoom.
In addition, through your work with your students, you should be able to convince them through video or through pictorial.
High point of the event,is cultural display by the Pupils of the school, Bomas Academy that was centred around the theme of the event.
Barring any last-minute change, former Secretary to Osun State Government, SSG, Alhaji Moshood Adeoti, his counsel and two others may end up in jail for lying on oath, otherwise known as perjury.
This development is sequel to the petition by the National Secretariat of the All Progressives Congress, APC, through its counsel, Gboyega Oyewole, SAN, alleging that Alhaji Adeoti and others forged the signature of the Chairman of the Osun State Governorship Screening Appeal Committee Report, presented an alleged fake report of the said committee and presented same to the court with the sole intent of misleading the court.
Adeoti contested the last Osun APC governorship primary as an anointed candidate of the Interior Minister and former Osun Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola , who had vowed to dislodge Governor Adegboyega Oyetola. But in the end, Oyetola floored Adeoti, recording 222, 169 to 12, 921.
However, Adeoti approached the court, seeking to be made the candidate on the grounds that Oyetola was not eligible to run at the time he contested the primary.
But APC has alleged that the affidavits filed by Adeoti before the court were forged and is therefore seeking a comprehensive investigation into the matter.
In the petition signed by its counsel, a copy of which was sighted, APC is alleging that Adeoti and his counsel forged the Data page of the International Passport of the Chairman of the committee, Dr. Umar Duhu Umar, in the suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/203/2022, filed before the Federal High Court, Abuja, by Alhaji Adeoti.
Already, the Committee chairman and the members have deposed to another affidavits denying knowledge of the existence of the purported report being paraded by Adeoti and his cohorts.
To this end, APC is asking the Inspector General Police, IGP, to use his good offices to “direct the commencement of a discreet investigation into the glaring forgery and lying on oath perpetrated by Alhaji Adeoti and his counsel, having regard to the implications of the documents on which Dr. Umar Dauda’s signature were forged on the sanctity of the court and court processes.”
It will be recalled that this is not the first time Aregbesola’s loyalists, all of who are in The Osun Progressives, TOP, would be emshed in forgery allegation.
During the Congress of the party in Osun, TOP chairman, Elder Lowo Adebiyi, had, after forging the signatures of some members of the party, confessed before the Appeal Panel at the time that he would be withdrawing his petition and pleaded with his kinsmen to forgive him for forging their signatures.
The People’s Democratic party (PDP) has urged the good people of Nigeria,and lover of democracy to disregard the misrepresentation of Governor Wike ,and vice president of Nigeria in waiting by the Grace of God come 2023.
As the misrepresentation of the governor of River State is not far from the handiwork of some mischief makers who are already afraid of the good governmence the party we offer the good people of Nigeria come 2023.
The statement is contained in a press statement dated 15th June,2022, signed by the People’s Democratic party PDP, National Publicity Secretary ,Hon.Debo Ologunagba and made available to this medium in Jos.
The statement which in part:
Attention of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has been drawn to misrepresenting reports in some section of the media purporting that it had dismissed the reported emergence of Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike as its Vice-Presidential candidate for the 2023 general elections.
The said misleading reports quoted the National Publicity Secretary of the PDP. Hon. Debo Ologunagba as stating such while addressing some journalists in Abuja on Wednesday, June 15, 2022.
For the avoidance of doubt, the National Publicity Secretary did not at any time address journalists on the said subject matter as quoted in the misinforming reports.
To set the records straight, the National Publicity Secretary was a guest on Arise TV Morning Show on Wednesday morning where he answered questions on PDP’s preparedness for the 2023 general elections as well as June 18, 2022 Ekiti State Governorship election
In the course of the interview, the presenters requested some clarifications on reports in the media that the PDP had concluded its processes on its Vice-Presidential Candidate.
In response the National Publicity Secretary stated that the PDP is a party of process and that consultations and discussions were still ongoing in the selection process.
It is therefore mischievous to claim that the PDP National Publicity Secretary made any reference to Governor Wike. Clearly, such distorting claim in a section of the media is the design of mischief makers who are bent on destabilizing our Party ahead of the 2023 general elections.
If anything, our Party reiterates its confidence in Governor Nyesom Wikes’s outstanding ability and commitment to the ideals and values of the PDP. His records of achievement as a Local Government Chairman, Chief of Staff to the Rivers State Governor, Minister of State for Education, currently Governor of Rivers State and the runner-up in the PDP Presidential Primary stand him out as possessing requisite qualities, qualifications, capacity and wide acceptability for the position of the Vice-Presidential candidate of our Party.
The various positions creditably held by Governor Nyesom Wike distinguished him as an excellent team player in public governance.
In fact, Governor Wike’s energy, brilliance, commitment and passion were acknowledged by the National Working Committee (NWC) of our Party and he is adjudged as the foremost candidate in consideration for the position of the Vice-Presidential candidate of the PDP.
While the PDP notes the interest of the media and the public in our Party’s choice of Vice-Presidential candidate it is imperative to state that as an organic Party, all our processes will be followed through in strict adherence to our procedures before any official announcements.
The PDP urges Nigerians to disregard the mischievous reports aimed at undermining our Party’s unity at this critical time.
The Peter and Anna Bawa Ultra Modern Memorial Hospital, Kwande in Qua’an-Pan Local Government Area of Plateau State is to commence full operations in October 2022.
As the management of the hospital will start the test running services in September ,2022 in preparation for the full take off.
The Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Duncan Group of Companies, Dr Godfrey Bawa Shitgurum, MON, disclosed this in Kwande on Saturday June 11, 2022 after he led his management team and medical personnel to an inspection tour of the facilities in the hospital.
Dr Shitgurum, who is the Noetsen Wusai of Kwo Chiefdom, disclosed that the hospital was built by one of their outfit, the Peter Bawa and Anna Foundation as a way of giving back to the people of the community and it’s environs.
He further said once operational, the 50 beds hospital, comprising of 6 male and female Wards in addition to Children and Maternity wards is expected to have 3 doctors and other essential professional personnel to run it.
The GMD/CEO, Miskoom Larry Peters Bawa, the Goena (Barade) of Kwo Chiefdom, informed the team that equipment, drugs and most of the essential materials for the take off are already in place.
He however commended the medical team for ensuring that the hospital is of international standards and urged them not to relent in meeting all the necessary requirements before the October 2022 commencement date.
He further disclosed that the idea behind the establishment of the hospital was based on the philosophy of the Foundation to provide ” modern health facilities for underserved rural areas”, adding that the provision of such services will assist in ending “unnecessary deaths and suffering ” of the people within the area.
Miskoom Bawa opined that apart from the provision of medical services, the establishment of hospital will create jobs, boost the economy of the area as well open other opportunities that will better the lives of members of the community and it’s environs.
Speaking on behalf of the medical
team, Dr Benedict Baamshal Mairiga commended the Duncan Group of Companies and Peter Bawa and Anna Foundation for it’s commitment towards the project.
He assured them of prudent management of personnel and resources, adding that the best hands would be recruited to meet the standards, vision and mission of the hospital.
Some of the major facilities available at the hospital include Ultrasound scan, ECHO and EGG. Laboratories, Ambulance and mortuary, while the services to be rendered include medical, surgical, maternity, neonatal and other specialized care.
The Management further disclosed that it would make available radiological and other facilities recommended by the medical team before the October commencement date.
Estimated billing occurs when a customer does not have a meter, generally, no electricity distribution company (Discos), makes estimated billing its default billing system however, a review of electricity billing practices worldwide indicate that estimated billing is a standard and conventional tool even in advanced economies.
Nigeria is one of the largest economies in Africa despite this great feat it has one of the most significant energy deficit in the world. Although government aims to achieve and boost electricity access from 45% to 90% by 2030, which has been approached by using different techniques to achieve this boost. One of such approach is the privatisation of the power sector in 2013, which aims to improve the power sector efficiency, attract investment and increase the total amount of electricity power generated, however, due to misaligned incentives, this approach has produce results of varying degrees some of the challenges which inhibited the privatisation of the sector include unreliable gas supply, vandalism, insufficient metering among others.
In the Nigerian power industry, many consumers are unmetered and the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) have attempted to reduce the metering gap in recent years through various means such as the baning and criminalization of estimated billing, which has done very little in closing the gap as metering issues still persist.
In another attempt to fix this challenge, the Federal government Launched the National Mass Metering Program (NMMP), an initiative geared towards mass Metering of Nigerians by providing loan facility from the Central Bank of Nigeria to the Discos for the procurement of meters for customers, and the local manufacturers. This is to insure that it provides over 4 million meters as estimated billing encourage a lack of transparency and accountability, worsening tariff collection. In the
first phase of the NMMP called (phase 0) over 1 million meters were estimated to be deployed in about 6 months but the process was delayed as prevailing challenges crippled the roll out of the assets. At the end of the phase, over a million meters were reportedly distributed. Data from the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has shown that at least 8.1 million of the country’s 12.1 million customers are unmetered. NERC says that only about 4.66 million end-users, representing 36% of the entire pool had been fully metered at the end of November 2021.
Consequently, the huge metering gap in Nigeria presents a Herculean challenge for the Discos when it comes to measuring the unmetered customers significantly, there is no more interested party in the comprehensive metering discussion than the DISCO’s. And this is because it is estimated that metering alone reduces collection losses by 30%. Additionally it minimizes the alienation of consumers who, often underpay or do not pay their electricity bills, based on the disputed bills. In recognition of impossibility of comprehensive metering within the near mid-term period, the regulator, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission ( NERC) enacted a regulation on estimated billing methodology to guide the DISCO’s in their billing. Nonetheless, application of the methodology remains a very contentions process, as we have seen cases of overbilling and cases of under billing which, the consumers never talk about. Understandably estimated billing is a vexing issue to un-metered customer, due to the perception of over billing situations.
Estimated billing is a major contributor to non- technical losses as customers have resulted in illegal and corrupt practices to get out of paying those bills they considered Exorbitant, which has led to constant and frequent clashes between the DISCO’s employees and customers. These exorbitant bills have been linked to DISCOS trying to recover or improve their profit due to loss of revenues, this is due to lack of transparency and accountability between the DISCO’s and their customers. About eighty percent of consumers grievances received by NERC is related to exorbitant bills, estimated billing, and poor metering infrastructure this practice has continued to be a thorn in the flesh of Nigerians as some non- delivery of paid prepaid meters and are forced to continue to pay for electricity not consumed.
It is not misinformation that the Discos are billing unnecessary and even arbitrary to meet target. Imagine for instance even with the epileptic power supply across Jos and its environs the Jos Electricity Distribution Company (JED), has continued to give out exorbitant bills to consumers for power never consumed. estimated customers in Jos pays between 15,000 to 22,000 for a month as the case may be while his neighbor who feeds from the same feeder/transformer but has prepaid meter spend between 5,000 to 10,000 on buying units in a month, where is the justification and science in estimated billing? The company also charge consumers to replace melted fuse in transformers, buy cables, buy poles if not the community will remain in perpetual darkness and in the end, the company will immediately come in and claim that these equipment belongs to them. And anytime this exploitation, takes place and you complain or take any action not in tandem with the policy of electricity company their personnel will come and disconnect and sometimes remove what you bought.
The scam in estimated billing had previously caught the eye of the national assembly in 2018, the house of representatives moved to criminalize electricity estimated billing system except where a consumer’s meter can not be accessed by the service provider. The bill introduce when Gbajabiamila was the house leader was passed into law but was not assented by the president. However it was introduced again in the 9th House.
The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has not lived up to its expectations with respect to estimated billing. The commission tend to work in cahoot with the Discos to exploit consumers. Even after issuing policy guidelines for conduct of business in the power sector, it ends there, the commission does not care if Discos adhere to the rules or not, how many time has NERC issued statements to the effect that customers who are not metered should not pay estimated billing? How many times did NERC direct Discos to meter certain customers annually without results.
Discos have flagrantly abused the procedures for estimated billing of electricity consumers, therefore one thinks there is no justification for estimated billing of electricity customers. Although in some cases estimated billing is calculated based on the level and quantity of supply in an area and not necessarily driven by collection of targets as it is widely believed.
The Federal government through the minister of Finance, Zainab Ahmed, had earlier announced that the federal government had quietly removed all subsidies in the power sector. by implications, consumers may be compelled to pay more for energy not consumed. The federal government should not only stop at removing subsidy, it should find a way of addressing this issue because this exorbitant charges with minimum electricity supply if not addressed may lead to chaos in communities as many have started protesting the issue.
Nigerians are ready to be metered and would readily accept prepaid meters, as this would give them control over their consumption and help instill them energy management. This will inturn improve efficiency, utility operational cost, revenue collection and reduce energy wastage. In a recent report by the Punch, the Executive Director, Research and Advocacy Association Nigeria Electricity Distribution Company (ANED), Sunday Oduntan, revealed that as at the last quarter of 2021, the total shortfall in the power sector is about 1.6 trillion. Shortfalls result in debt, which inhibit further investment and development in the sector.
It is on record that consumers are mostly at the receiving end of the general inefficiency of Discos. Therefore, it is our obligation as Nigerians to speak up and ensure that the right things are done. However, consumers on their part need to rise up to their responsibility of prompt payment of electricity bills, which will enable the industry to have the revenue requirement for efficient service delivery.
It should be noted that with the privatisation of the power sector in Nigeria, it has become personal business which the companies need to provide the necessary equipment to consumers before they start billing them and in situations where consumers invest in the company’s supply chain the company should compensate them.
Plateau state Governorship candidate under the platform of People Democratic party (PDP),Barr, Caleb Mutfwang has exposed plans by the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC),in the state to further sown seed of political discords among the PDP member with intent of causing crisis.
This is as a fallout of the charades conduct of the All Progressive Congress primaries which is not pleased with the members of the party and the aspirants who contested for the various positions of the party including Governorship of the party.
The Governorship candidate of plateau state for 2023 general election on the platform of PDP, Barrister Caleb Mutfwang revealed the plans of APC ln a meeting organised by party towards reconciliation of the perceived aggreived members of the party ahead 2023 general election held on Monday,13th June,2022 at Eliel and Events Center Gold and Base Rayfield Jos, plateau state.
The PDP, plateau state Governor in waiting further stressed that it’s no longer news that the ruling APC in the state are already apprehensive over the successful emergence of the party candidate at the peaceful Conducts of it the party’s primaries waiting to kick out APC out of power ,and put end it misrule in the state that has caused the people of the state and by extension Nigerians untold hardship ,lose of millions of lives and other negative vices, hence APC desperate quest to further destabilize the party for their evil motives.
Hon.Caleb appealed to all the party stakeholders to sheath their sword , give room for reconciliation and avoid playing into the satanic antics of the APC in the state and it’s co- travelers because the people of plateau are looking up to PDP for resuce.
He further add that all machinaries have been put in place to ensure he reach out to all the elders of the party ,in the like of Dr.Jonah Jang ,J.T Useni and others to embrace the spirit of reconciliation ,the move has so far taken him to General Useni residence and promised to reach out to those he has not visited due to my tight schedule occasioned by other engagement.
The former chairman of Mangu local government , appealed to the aspirants who contested the position of Governorship at the primaries with him and lose, those who contested various positions under the same platform and party stakeholders should not take their lost personal because as members of the party ,we are one family “No Victor No Vanquish”.
He however, promised that under his watch by the Grace of God as the Executive Governor of the state, under the platform of PDP, he will carry everybody along irrespective of tribes ,ethnic and Religion inclination .
The meeting later went into closed door where the media where asked to excuse them to have heart to heart deliberations.
Those who attended the reconciliation meeting, include the state house of Assembly members,Senate , house of Representatives members and aspirants who contested various positions under the People Democratic party(PDP) and other stakeholders.
The Plateau State Judiciary has received a boost with the swearing in of 4 new Judges of the State High Court and a Khadi of the Sharia Court of Appeal.
As governor lalong charged the new sworn in judges and Khadi to stay away from from desperate politians who may want to use them to advance their selfish course.
While performing the swearing in ceremony at the New Government House Little Rayfield Jos, Governor Lalong said their appointments are based on merit and in recognition of their excellent service to the State and Nigeria over the years.
He said going by their antecedents, he had no doubt that they will take the Judiciary to higher levels and enhance the cause of democracy, good governance and the rule of law.
Lalong said “Since your calling as Judicial Officers gives you the rare privilege of making decisions that affect the lives of the people and sometimes bordering on life and death situations, you must never take this assignment lightly or allow frivolous considerations to influence you. Consider this duty as a Public Trust given to you by God to represent him in the affairs of men. Endeavour to stay true to your Oath of Office and discharge your duties with the fear of God and without fear, favour, affection or ill-will. Failure to do so will not only erode your integrity, but also put the entire society on the path of chaos and anarchy. When people cannot get justice, they may be forced to resort to self-help and other unconventional means to resolve issues. This will not augur well for the well-being of the society”.
The Governor used the occasion to reassure the Judiciary of his personal support and that of the Executive Arm of Government as well as the Legislature towards making sure that they operate under a conducive environment. He said the new High Court Headquarters complex which is at the furnishing stage will soon be commissioned as well as the Multi-Door Courthouse which has also been completed.
The Governor also advised them to be wary of politicians that will like to induce them so as to get undue advantage ahead of the 2023 general elections.
“At times like this, there is high tendency for enormous pressure to be mounted on Judges by politicians who want to get undeserved advantage at all costs. I know you have the capacity to resist attempts to corrupt, confuse, intimidate or blackmail you towards participating in unethical conducts. Please stay focused on the oath you have taken and discharge your duties according to the laws of the land and the dictates of the legal profession”.
The Judges sworn in are Hon. Justice Ladi Agyer Madaki, Hon. Justice Elizabeth Angai, Hon. Justice Longden Jacob Danladi, Hon. Justice Dasplang Samchi and Khadi Yahaya Mohammed Kanam of the Sharia Court of Appeal.
Responding on behalf of the Judges, Hon. Justice Ladi Madaki said they will do their best to serve with equity, fairness and justice as well as ensure that they live according to the oath they have taken.
The Accreditation is going to be purely, wholly, and totally Electronic. (Section 18 and 19)
If the BVAS Technology fails to complete the accreditation of a voter, the voter cannot participate in the Election. (Section 20)
If there happen to be a wilful obstruction or resistance to the use of the BVAS Device in some of the polling units, such polling units shall be credited with zero votes during collation. (Section 100-ii)
What should now be determining the inconclusiveness of elections is no more the total number of registered voters in the affected polling units, but the total number of PVCs that were collected in the affected polling units.
If the number of recorded votes is greater than the number of the Accredited Voters (that is, as recorded inside the BVAS Device), then the Elections in such affected Polling-Units is regarded as voided Elections. (Section 40)
If the BVAS Device Continues to malfunction, it should be replaced. And if it wouldn’t be replaced within the day of the Election, then the Election in the affected Polling-Unit should be postponed to continue the following day. (Section 23).
Even though there is going to be Electronic Collations and Electronic Transmissions (Section 38), there should also be Manual Collations and Manual Transmissions (Section 48) .
The Electronically Collated Results would be used to check and verify the manually collated results before they are announced. (Section 51)
Thus, the Electronically Collated Results and the Electronically Transmitted Results from each levels of the electoral process, both voting and collation, as well as all the data that are contained inside the BVAS Device, are all going to be playing very important roles in the final results that are declared by the INEC, from now going forward.
As a major stakeholder in the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Plateau State, let me without mincing words, first of all make it clear that, Bola Ahmed Tinubu was not the choice of Governor Simon Lalong at the just concluded presidential primary of the APC that held at the Eagle Square in Abuja.
It is clear to most people in Plateau State and beyond, that Governor Lalong had an aspirant he was supporting for the presidential ticket of the APC but it was definitely not Tinubu who later won the ticket.
Governor Lalong threw his weight fully behind former governor of Rivers State, Rt. Hon. Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi who has been his political ally for long and every sincere observer of political events can attest to this.
The Amaechi/Lalong alliance had been established since the former handed over to him as Chairman of the Conference of Speakers and has since then made him his point man in the North Central Zone and was even a major financier of his governorship election in 2015.
As evidence that Lalong was not keen on supporting Tinubu, the latter had during the campaign for the APC presidential ticket sought at different times to come to Plateau to speak with the delegates, but because Governor Lalong’s allegiance was elsewhere, he made it difficult for Tinubu to do so through various acts of subterfuge that postponed the visit indefinitely till the campaigns were over.
But because the people that worked for Tinubu in Plateau decided to celebrate their victory with humility and measured dignity, the Lalong camp assumed it can capitalise on the silence to play a fast one on the party to claim working for the APC candidate.
But let me state without fear of contradiction, that those that worked for Tinubu to get the number of votes he did from Plateau delegates at the primary, were no other than APC governorship aspirant, Chief Amos Gizo; Minister for Women Affairs, Pauline Tallen; Member representing Mikang/ Shendam/ Quanpaan Federal Constituency, Hon. Alphonsus Komsol; my humble self and a few others.
Though our position pitted us against the Governor and his men, we were not deterred and it this collective effort that saved Plateau from entirely backing the wrong horse.
And while we did that for the interest of our country Nigeria, we find it insulting that some people would try to reinvent the wheel by claiming what did not belong to them all in the bid to cash in on the situation for selfish gains.
This is a typical case of hunting with the hound and running with the hare but I believe that those in positions of leadership should be honest and sincere enough to stand by their convictions no matter the outcome and stop behaving like street urchins who would lie to change positions when it does not suit them.
But beyond the issue of who Governor Lalong supported, I make bold to say that he does not deserve the vice presidential ticket because he is not leader who believes in justice and fairness.
Though there are claims that he has restored peace on the Plateau through the appointment of few Muslims in his cabinet, in the long run, such acts of tokenism have been exposed to have been volunteered only to serve his parochial interest.
Even other ethnic groups in the state have been complaining about how the Governor has favoured mainly his ethnic group to top positions in the state like Chief of Staff to the Governor, Senator from his zone, DG of ITF, the only member in the APC NWC, the Accountant General, the head of the state electoral commission and others.
As the saying goes, if the crocodile can crush its own eggs, what can’t it do to eggs of others?
The Hausa-Muslim community in the state which gave him the winning votes in all his elections have suffered serious marginalisation in the Lalong administration.
For instance, despite the infinitesimal number appointed, they’ve have not been given any serious portfolio in Lalong’s government despite their contributions. What’s more, none of them has been found worthy to serve currently in the party’s exco in the state.
Worse still, even when positions they’re occupying become vacant, they are quickly replaced with others as it happened to the Bassa/Jos North seat.
The Governor’s meddling into the primary election to select a candidate for the Bassa/Jos North House of Representatives seat just to deny the Hausa-Muslims the chance to occupy the position boomeranged with the loss of the seat to the PDP, a development which has brought the once dead party back to life in Plateau State.
It is even worse with the siting of projects in the Hausa-MuslimMuslim dominated areas where no supervision is made over the few given and contractors are left on their own to drag the work endlessly as they wish unlike in the other places.
Besides, it is unpatriotic to begin to talk about religion or region as selling points for leadership when it should be merit and the ability to win the hearts of the people for the party that should count.
Lalong is not that popular and cannot attract the much needed number to add to what Tinubu will bring to the table as the vote margin in the two times he was won elections as governor showed he only managed to pull through with a slight margin.
The most dishonourable thing for Lalong to do now is to try to claim he supported Tinubu when he did not and it is this level of insincerity we have been experiencing on the Plateau where he will do one thing and claim the other since he assumed position as governor of Plateau State.
Such a person does not deserve to be the running mate of a pragmatic and detribalized leader like Tinubu who extends his hands of fellowship to all regardless of ethnicity or religion.
Tinubu should look beyond the deception if he wants to win in the general elections.
Nakande, former Minister of State for Information and Communication wrote from Jos.
The personnel of Operation SAFE HAVEN has debunked in strong term the falsehood been peddled around by one Jama Emanuel that has gone viral in the Social Media which the writer alleged that the citizens where prevented from chasing the bandit that came to attack Government Science Secondary School Kuru on Friday 10th June,2022.
While Operation SAFE HAVEN would have ignored this merchant of falsehood and disunity, considering his lack of credibility, it is however instructive to put the records in a proper perspective for the interest of not misleading peace lovers and unsuspecting members of the public.
OPSH Debunked the statement in a press release dated 11th June ,2022 , signed by Military Information Officer to OPSH Major Isaku Takwa and made available to this medium in Jos, plateau state.
The statement further read thus,
“It was on Friday 10th June 2022 at about 2000Hrs (8: 00pm) that troops of Operation SAFE HAVEN were informed of gunshots between Mararaban Jama’a and railway crossing by Kuru Science Secondary School along Jos – Abuja road in Riyom local government area of Plateau state. Troops immediately mobilized to the scene and on arrival, the people of the area said they don’t need the presence of the security agencies. The troops were asked to leave the area and they withdrew. It is therefore worrisome to allege that troops fired at unarmed citizens and if they did, what was the casualty figure? The report of troops firing at innocent citizens remains an elusive and mischievous figment of the writer intended to mislead, misinform and cause panic among the law abiding citizens of Plateau State. Hence it should be disregarded in its entirety.
We also urge members of the public to be wary of such mischief makers who are frustrated with the relative peace and gradual return of the state to its glory. Operation SAFE HAVEN is on cause and would not be distracted by the antics of vicious mischief makers whose stock in trade is to peddle unfounded rumors and cause panic
While appreciating law abiding citizens for providing timely information to the security agents, the Commander Operation SAFE HAVEN, Major General Ibrahim Ali call on all stakeholders to continue to be peace ambassadors as Operation SAFE HAVEN continue to intensify efforts in ensuring peace is fully restored on the Plateau. Security is everybody’s concern, when you see something strange, please report to the nearest security agents.
The mention of the name Simon Bako Lalong simply evokes different feelings and meanings to different people.
Whenever Lalong is mentioned, the name resonates in different quarters differently.
Some say, can anything good come from Ajikamai? Similar to what was said of Jesus of Nazareth! Though such question is rhetorical, the answer is obvious to whoever might raise it! While some genuinely ask such question in marvel to what God can do to and with whoever he pleases, others ask the question albeit derogatorily.
Prior to 29th May, 2015 when Rt. Hon. Simon Bako Lalong was sworn in as Executive Governor of Plateau State, despite the fact that he had held positions to be reckoned with, elective for that matter, he was seen as an underdog, someone that can and will not put up a fight of any kind.
Many people did not even believe that he will make it to Rayfield as Chief Executive of Plateau State not even the person he took over from. It is said that his predecessor was sarcastic at a campaign in 2014/15 referring to Lalong when he symbolitically raised a bunch of keys and said “We cannot build a house and one stranger will bring brooms and pile in it!” That is the level which he (Lalong) did not matter in anyway then.
However, destiny came knocking and like God told Jeremiah in Jeremiah 1:4-8 thus:
“The word of the Lord came to me saying, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.’
‘Alas, Sovereign Lord,” I said, ‘I do not know how to speak; I am too young’. But the Lord said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am too young’ You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you; declares the Lord,’’’-(NIV).
Lalong like many, was mirrored differently from the way God looked at him. As a matter of fact, I am tempted to add to his names Jeremiah thus Right Honourable (Dr.) Simon Jeremiah Bako Lalong, KSGG!
Sooner had he assumed office that he faced the issue of insecurity that had engulfed the state of no known dimension and nipped it in the bud to the consternation and surprise of many pundits and pessimists alike. The crisis, insecurity, reduced drastically. Little wonder he was called and consecrated by the Lord himself. Otherewise, he would not have removed us from the situation of hatred against each other.
Like Jeremiah, it is possible that Lalong had looked down upon himself as too young and if that be so, God must have rebuked him not to and went ahead and consecrated him. As a matter of fact, news had it that even people close to him taunted him.
And indeed to their consternation he became governor in 2015 and was re-elected in 2019. And not only that, he was also saddled with the responsibility of leading the 19 Northern State Governors of Nigeria as its Chairman, irrespective of political party and other considerations.
Every human being has two sides. And for Governor Lalong, people only know the seeming weak side of him which is a source of strength for him.
What do you expect of someone whom the Lord has consecrated? The Lalong we do not know is strong-willed, focused, target oriented, resilient and unassuming. This is a man that listens more than he speaks and whenever he chooses to speak, wisdom exudes from his lips. An encounter with him changes your opinion of him for good.
He has ably led the 19 Northern Governors creditably. One of the high points was last week when he led the 13 of the 14 northern Governors of the All Progressives Congress party to insist that the presidency of Nigeria should go to the South when the opposition appeared to have jettisoned zoning and some interests in the ruling party were towing the same line. It takes a man full of wisdom who is focused and who is respected by colleagues to boldly lead this kind of endeavour that has moved our dear nation forward. Equity and justice demanded so and this was demonstrated by the 13 wise men led by Lalong who spoke for national unity, peace and progress. They stood tall in the hour the nation needed them.
What the foregoing means therefore, is that Lalong is God-sent. And if that be so, there is still a lot to be expected from this unassuming, humble, simple and kind son of Ajikamai who does not pride himself on anything apart from God.
Already the people of the Southern Zone of Plateau State have bestowed upon him a higher responsibility beyond the shores of Plateau State to represent them in the Senate following the elections coming up next year.
With the emergence of the APC standard bearer Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Lalong’s name has again resonated among likely candidates to be considered for Vice President.
While he has not said anything about these insinuations, the loud clamour for him to be considered speaks a lot of his personality, achievements and the grace of God upon him. One thing is certain that if he has done it all at the state and regional levels, he can also do it at the national level having been Speaker, Governor and practiced law for many years.
Dan Manjang, anipr is the Honourable Commissioner of Information and Communication, Plateau State
Plateau State Governor Simon Bako Lalong and his Nasarawa State counterpart Engr. Abdullahi Sule were among guests that graced the 31st-38th Combined Convocation ceremony of the Plateau State Polytechnic Barkin Ladi with a commitment to pay more attention to technical education which is the bedrock of entrepreneurship, job creation and productivity.
Lalong who is the Visitor to the Plateau State Polytechnic said the Convocation was long overdue as it has not been held over a long period of time due to various challenges.
This situation he said informed Government’s directive for the convocation to hold which offers the institution the opportunity to immediately clear all backlog of graduation and certificate awards.
The Governor therefore directed that henceforth, all Government tertiary institutions in the state must work hard to hold convocation ceremonies at the end of each academic year as it was a sure way of building confidence, maintaining standards, and motivating the graduands to pursue their careers with zeal and contribute to the development of the State and nation at large.
He further said “Our Government has in the past seven years demonstrated its belief in skill-based education that stimulates entrepreneurship and human capital development, It is our conviction that there is no better legacy to bequeath to upcoming generations than giving them education that goes beyond paper qualification. In the light of this, the Rescue Administration has engaged in reinvigorating moribund Technical and Vocational Education by rehabilitating old Technical Schools and building new ones.
Lalong stressed that the Legacy Projects, we are constructing the Technical Schools in Pankshin, Shendam and upgrading the old Technical School (Butex) in Bukuru.
He maintained that the government intend to equip these schools with the modern tools and machineries once they are completed. Through these institutions, we hope to generate the skillful manpower that is needed to create jobs and contribute to the development of our economy”.
He charged the graduands to focus on using their education for productivity rather than the fruitless search for white collar jobs.
“I challenge you to step out of this institution with the mindset of entrepreneurs and job creators rather than job seekers and applicants. You are all aware that white collar jobs are very scarce and Government is finding it difficult to meet its obligations to existing employees. This has made white collar employment extremely difficult and even less fashionable. What is the focus today is entrepreneurship, innovation and skill development. As graduands of this Polytechnic which prides itself as the hub for technical education, you should be at the forefront of starting your businesses.
Government will support you through the Plateau Small and Medium Enterprises Agency (PLASMIDA) and other relevant programmes such as those by the ITF and the Federal Government”.
Nasarawa State Governor Engr. Abdullahi Sule, who studied Mechanical Engineering at the Plateau State Polytechnic and chaired the occasion, said he was proud to have passed through the Polytechnic as one of its first students where his love for technical education developed and grew.
He recalled with nostalgia his days at the Polytechnic and Plateau State when peace, harmony and trust thrived among all citizens and residents regardless of their backgrounds.
Governor Sule commended Plateau State Governor Simon Bako Lalong for working hard to restore peace and security in Plateau State thereby restoring its fortunes as the Home of Peace and Tourism.
He appealed to those causing trouble in Plateau State and other parts of the country to desist because such actions have denied the younger generation the beauty, serenity and attraction that Plateau State and its good people offer to the world.
Chairman of the Governing Council, Plateau State Polytechnic Miskoom Kevin Kwaplong said the institution has grown in many ramifications and continues to perform its responsibilities of training skilled manpower for Plateau and Nigeria at large.
He commended the Lalong administration for paying attention to many challenges of the Polytechnic which are being addressed to enhance teaching and learning in the school.
Rector of the Plateau State Polytechnic Barkin Ladi, Eldr. John Datoegoem Dawam said the institution has made progress in both physical and academic frontiers despite some of its challenges.
He said the Plateau State Polytechnic was fortunate to have an additional technical higher institution through the magnanimity of President Muhammadu Buhari who approved the establishment of the Federal Polytechnic Nyak, Shendam LGA. He pledged to ensure a robust collaboration with the new institution.
The Rector also expressed the appreciation of the Polytechnic to TetFund, NBTE, NCCE, and other bodies who have continously supported the school.
The Polytechnic’s Fellowship Awards were bestowed on deserving individuals including Governor Simon Lalong, the immediate past Tetfund chairman Prof. Suleiman Bogoro, Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives Rt. Hon. Idris Wase among others.
Apart from Certificates, Diplomas and Higher National Diplomas awarded to deserving graduands, Special Awards were given to best graduating students in various courses.
Governor Lalong and his Nasarawa State counterpart Engr. Abdullahi Sule later inspected some workshops in the Polytechnic as well as commissioned the new library complex and twin theatre.
Following the massacre of Christian right inside the alter of God in Owo ,Ondo State by alleged Islamic terrorist that left not fewer than 50 persons dead another unfortunate incident has again before on Christians ,this time Kaduna State.
As the Christians students of Kaduna State University under the auspices Hausa Christians Foundation (HACFO) has cried out as the state governor EL-Rufai has ordered the demolish of the Christians students worship chapel of the university.
The affected christian students lamented that they can’t explain what informed the action taken by the governor as no dispute between Christians and Christians or Muslims and Christians just discovered that the governor desended on the students worship chapel of the university and reduce it to rubble.
And called on the relevant authorities to prevail on the government of EL-Rufai to restore the Christian Chapel located at the institution as that is the only church where the students of the institution pray to their God.
The pictures you see below are for the Church that was demolished yesterday the 6th of June, 2022 at Kaduna State university, KASU. The Christian Community live without a chapel for over 17 years of the school’s existence. Just as the Construction of the Chapel began after about 17yrs of the school’s existence, the government came and demolished it.
Hundreds of police men and military collected the phones of the lecturers at the site and demolished the church under construction.
Pray for Christians in Kaduna State university and make it known every where. The Muslims have about 5 mosques in the school, yet denying the Christians the right to even own a chapel.
The Church in Nigeria must arise now or we perish.
IT’S WELL WITH THE RIGHTEOUS!
WE’LL PREVAIL AGAINST THESE EVILS IN JESUS NAME. AMEN!
The GOC 3 Division who doubled as the commander Operation Save Haven OPSH, Maj Gen Ibrahim Ali yesterday 8th June,2022 commissioned a solar-powered borehole donated to Jebbu community in Bassa Local Government Council of Plateau State.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, the GOC noted that the borehole aimed at addressing a critical need of the people was a demonstration of the goodwill of 3rd Division and Nigerian Army to the good people of Jebbu community who are neighbors to Maxwell Khobe Cantonment.
He further said the GOC observed that a situation where the people have to cross the fence to get potable drinking water in the Cantonment, will be a thing of the past and added that the water facility would allow children to concentrate on their studies rather than seeking for water.
The GOC urged the beneficiaries to jealously protect the facility.
Earlier in his remarks, the Deputy Chief of Staff Logistics, Col MT Nagudu remarked that when the need for the borehole was identified, the GOC directed the engagement of a competent contractor who executed the quality work within a period of 2 weeks.
Appreciating the GOC for the kind gesture, the Vice Chairman Bassa Local Government Council Mr Joshua Ishaku noted that the project has relieved the Council the effort of providing water to the community.
Also, in his remarks, the Acting Paramount Ruler of Rukuba Chiefdom Ati Adamu Ingmale thanked the GOC for the gesture and wished him God’s protection and more wisdom in the discharge of his duties.
In her vote of thanks on behalf of the beneficiaries, Mrs Priscilla Yusuf expressed gratitude to the GOC for providing the borehole.
She noted that the borehole would end their daily search for potable water ,and prayed God to grant the GOC more strength, wisdom and blessings in the days ahead.
Governor Bako Lalong of plateau State has charged Association of National Accountants of Nigeria (ANAN)to Synergise with other sisters professional agencies to encourage the act of governmence works and block corruption and linkages .
Thank the pioneer of the college for the his foresight ,which has helped in providing employment to the host state of plateau in particular and the country as a whole,and boost the economy of the state.
Governor lalong represented by the Secretary to the state government Professor Danladi Atu,was speaking at the 3rd Session 2022,”Mandatory Continuing Professional Development (MCPD) Programme”organised by the Association of National Accountants of Nigeria (ANAN)held at Crispan Suites and Events Center , David Jang Express Way, Rayfiled , Jos ,plateau state 7th June ,2022.
Lalong appealed to the professional institution to Synergize with other sisters professional bodies like chartered instituted of Taxation, Auditing, Insurance, Banking and others relevant bodies to help check corruption and block linkages in governmence in other to boost revenue for the state.
He thank the founder of the college for his foresight that has blossom over the year’s and providing employments for the host state and the country at large.
Governor lalong further said his administration will not renege on his earlier promises he made to support the college before his tenure elapses ,but appealed to the body to consider appointing sons and daughters of plateau to the college Governing Council which is the highest decision making body of the institution as the state has competent and qualified hands if the opportunity is given to them.
The Governor Congratulated the university for scaling through the National University Commission (NUC)body responsible for monitoring the quality of University in the country and gives go ahead for the commencement of academic in the university.
And added that some of the request of the university to the government, like the rehabilitation of the road to the university ,l am happy to announce to you that the construction of the road is currently in progress,and before this administration tenure finishes,the government will see to the other requests.
In his welcome address,the plateau State Chairman of (ANAN)Hon.Andy Agbachudah ,thank Governor lalong for giving approval for the state to host the event despite the short notice.
“Your kind support gave us the courage to forge ahead against all odds”
The chairman further stressed that Governor lalong should be honored as the most (ANAN) friendly governor in recent time for hosting the Programme back to back ,2017 and 2022.
He said the governor has appointed members of ANAN,in his cabinet,MDGs,and others.
He also sponsored two ANAN,members ,Dr.Cyril Tsenyil and Mr Ibrahim M.Makut to attend world Congress of Accountants (WCOA)in Rome,Italy in 2014.
“He also hosted International Federation of Accountants IFAC, delegations on a visit to the Nigeria College of Accountancy in state banquet .”
“And further stressed that the Governor lalong is instrumental to the ANAN, state branch Secretariat and assured us of the completion of the road to the university which is currently ongoing.”
In his vote of thanks,the chief Executive Officer CEO, of the university, Dr. Kayode Fasua thank the plateau state chairman of ANAN, Andy Agbadi Udah for making the 3rd Section of the meeting of the college initially billed to be held in North East of the country possible.
In an interview ,the chairman governoring council of the university,Rev.Canon Professor Benjamin Osisioma who doubled as Chief host ,said the university is set to take off academic activities soonest as the university have met most of the requirements of the National University Commission (NUC) for the university to kick start academic programme .
He said the school have sound and qualified lecturers in all the departments that can be compared to any university in the world.
He called on the aspiring students who may want to pursue career in Accountancy, should cash on this “Golden” opportunity and enrolled with the university of Accountancy and get the best training that can be compared to any Accounting training in the world.
The 3rd 2022 Mandatory Continuing Professional Development (MCPD) Programme,has as it theme”Contemporary Auditing Governance, Forensic and Ethical Conduct”
Governor Bako Lalong of plateau State has charged Association of National Accountants of Nigeria (ANAN)to Synergise with other sisters professional agencies to encourage the act of governmence works and block corruption and linkages .
Thank the pioneer of the college for the his foresight ,which has helped in providing employment to the host state of plateau in particular and the country as a whole,and boost the economy of the state.
Governor lalong represented by the Secretary to the state government Professor Danladi Atu,was speaking at the 3rd Session 2022,”Mandatory Continuing Professional Development (MCPD) Programme”organised by the Association of National Accountants of Nigeria (ANAN)held at Crispan Suites and Events Center , David Jang Express Way, Rayfiled , Jos ,plateau state 7th June ,2022.
Lalong appealed to the professional institution to Synergize with other sisters professional bodies like chartered instituted of Taxation, Auditing, Insurance, Banking and others relevant bodies to help check corruption and block linkages in governmence in other to boost revenue for the state.
He thank the founder of the college for his foresight that has blossom over the year’s and providing employments for the host state and the country at large.
Governor lalong further said his administration will not renege on his earlier promises he made to support the college before his tenure elapses ,but appealed to the body to consider appointing sons and daughters of plateau to the college Governing Council which is the highest decision making body of the institution as the state has competent and qualified hands if the opportunity is given to them.
The Governor Congratulated the university for scaling through the National University Commission (NUC)body responsible for monitoring the quality of University in the country and gives go ahead for the commencement of academic in the university.
And added that some of the request of the university to the government, like the rehabilitation of the road to the university ,l am happy to announce to you that the construction of the road is currently in progress,and before this administration tenure finishes,the government will see to the other requests.
In his welcome address,the plateau State Chairman of (ANAN)Hon.Andy Agbachudah ,thank Governor lalong for giving approval for the state to host the event despite the short notice.
“Your kind support gave us the courage to forge ahead against all odds”
The chairman further stressed that Governor lalong should be honored as the most (ANAN) friendly governor in recent time for hosting the Programme back to back ,2017 and 2022.
He said the governor has appointed members of ANAN,in his cabinet,MDGs,and others.
He also sponsored two ANAN,members ,Dr.Cyril Tsenyil and Mr Ibrahim M.Makut to attend world Congress of Accountants (WCOA)in Rome,Italy in 2014.
“He also hosted International Federation of Accountants IFAC, delegations on a visit to the Nigeria College of Accountancy in state banquet .”
“And further stressed that the Governor lalong is instrumental to the ANAN, state branch Secretariat and assured us of the completion of the road to the university which is currently ongoing.”
In his vote of thanks,the chief Executive Officer CEO, of the university, Dr. Kayode Fasua thank the plateau state chairman of ANAN, Andy Agbadi Udah for making the 3rd Section of the meeting of the college initially billed to be held in North East of the country possible.
In an interview ,the chairman governoring council of the university,Rev.Canon Professor Benjamin Osisioma who doubled as Chief host ,said the university is set to take off academic activities soonest as the university have met most of the requirements of the National University Commission (NUC) for the university to kick start academic programme .
He said the school have sound and qualified lecturers in all the departments that can be compared to any university in the world.
He called on the aspiring students who may want to pursue career in Accountancy, should cash on this “Golden” opportunity and enrolled with the university of Accountancy and get the best training that can be compared to any Accounting training in the world.
The 3rd 2022 Mandatory Continuing Professional Development (MCPD) Programme,has as it theme”Contemporary Auditing Governance, Forensic and Ethical Conduct”
The Finals of the Football Peace Competition code named “Major General IS Ali Ramadan and Easter Football Peace Competition 2022” organized by Operation SAFE HAVEN to promote peaceful coexistence among youths of Southern Kaduna was held today, 7th June ,2022 ,at the Township Stadium Kafanchan, Jamaa Local Government Area of Kaduna state as Tricycles were also donated to people living with disabilities at the event.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Special Guest of Honour, Executive Governor of Kaduna State, His Excellency Mallam Nasir Ahmed El Rufai said peace is a neccesity that all must strive to achieve and commended Operation SAFE HAVEN for continuously engaging the youth positively in activities that promotes friendship and harmonious coexistence.
Represented by the Commissioner and Administrator Kafanchan Municipal Authority, Mrs Phoebe Sukai Yayi, the governor revealed that the event has added to the modalities employed by the state towards involving all stakeholders to promote peace and security of the area.
She called on all and sundry to contribute and support the peace efforts of the state and the security agencies as no meaningful development can take place without peace.
On his part, the Commander Operation SAFE HAVEN, Major General Ibrahim Ali said the event is part of non kinetic activities employed by Operation SAFE HAVEN to promote peaceful living and healthy competition among the youth.
He employed the participants to use the opportunity to make friends as well support the security agencies operating in their respective communities to achieve lasting peace. General Ali also warned against youth involvement in drugs and criminal activities.
He congratulated the participants for a success competition and urged them to sustain the team spirit. The Commander further thanked the Beautiful Gate people center for partnering with Operation SAFE HAVEN to reach out to people living with disabilities.
Also speaking at the event, the Commander Sector 7 Operation SAFE HAVEN, Colonel Timothy Opurum commended the participants for the high level of discipline exhibited during the competition.
He equally commended the community leaders and the youth for the massive support to the programme.
The event was attended by officials of Kaduna state executive, local government officials, traditional and community leaders, clergy as well as heads of security agencies in the area.
Highlight of the event were the presentation of trophies, medals and cash donations to winners as well as presentation of tricycles to people living with disabilities.
Plateau State High Court presided over by Justice Godfrey M.Kamyal on 25th May ,2022 has ordered that the sum of 3 Million general damages to be given to the family of Hosea Maram and Pastor Mathew Maram judgment creditor by Bokkos LGA and Bokkos Microfinance bank ltd as judgment debtor for illegal land encroachment and building of Bokkos LGA Secretariat Headquarters and Microfinance Bank Ltd without proper channel of compensation to traditional land owners .
On Friday 3rd of December ,2021 in a suit No PLD/BLD/12 2010 has gave an ordered to Bokkos LGA ,Micro Finance Bank Ltd and those who encroached into the family land of Hosea Maram ,Pastor Mathew Maram of Maram Mavolo the creditor .
The court order upon the consideration of the notice of preliminary objection filed and dated the 29th day of July ,2021 .
And after hearing :obed Y D Vwamhi Esq for the applicants and M.O Omohwo Esq of counsel to the judgment creditor respondent ;
In his order Justice Kamyal says that it is hereby
IN THE COURT OF APPEAL
Holden at Jos Division on the 7th Day of March, 2014 before their Lorddships :
Tijjani Abdullahi Justice of Appeal Court ,Justice Chioma Nwosu Iheme and Justice Ibrahim Shata Bdliya on Appeal No .CA/J/101/2013 when Bokkos Local Government Council filed application to appeal the Judgment of Hon. Justice Cristy L.Dabup hereinafter referred to as lower court the respondents who were the Plaintiffs sued in representative capacity the appellant who was the defendant,claiming as follows :
A declaration that the family of Maram Mavolo is the legal and customary owner of all that piece of land lying and situated at kawal ,Trangol ,behind Bokkos LGA and Bokkos Microfinance .
B, A perpetual injunction restraining the defendant either by itself his agents ,privies or assigns from trespassing ,further trespassing or in any way interfering with the rights of the plaintiff over the property lying and situated at Kawai ,Trangol behind Bokkos LGA Secretariat ,same having not legally acquired from the plaintiff .
C.The sum of #3,000,000.00 general damages .
The Judge said the Plaintiffs inherited the deputed land in 2002 from their father Maram Mavolo who also inherited same from his great grandfather .
According to judgment ,Sometimes in 1982 the defendant trespassed into the plaintiff land and built its Local Government Secretariat thereon .At the time the trespass occurred the land was subject to litigation at upper area court Pankshin which culminated in an appeal to the customary court of Appeal Jos where the matter was sent back for retrial .
“A careful perusal of the previous proceedings (Exhibit D2 ) in relation to the present suit clearly bares out the peculiarities of each case .The submission of the defence at paragraphs 3.4 and 3.5 appear to be misconceived and misguided in that a careful and proper reading of the names of parties and the plaintiffs claims reveal otherwise ,so also the subject of litigation .The court is disposed to agreeing with the plaintiff counsel that the defence of red Judicata “, judgment creditor .
The President of the Nigerian Baptist Convention Youth Conference, NBCYC, Pastor Enunuaye Onajite has congratulated youths of the Nigerian Baptist Convention on the occasion of the annual Youth Week celebration.
In a congratulatory message sent to the media, Onajite said that 2022 Youth Week celebration is unique because it is the last to be witnessed by youths of the Nigerian Baptist Convention before the 50th anniversary coming up in August, 2022.
He said that in this perverse generation, what the world needs is the “Bread of Life” (John 6:22-40) which is the theme for the year.
He encouraged all youths across the Convention, Conferences, Associations, and Church Fellowships to fully participate in all the activities scheduled for the week for their spiritual and physical growth.
Onajite admonished youths of the Convention to be prepared to take the Bread of Life to the world that is in desperate need of the word of God.
He said “On behalf of the leadership of the Nigerian Baptist Convention Youth Conference, I congratulate all our youths on the celebration of the 2022 Baptist Youth Week.
“The Annual celebration has become one of the ways to commune with God, exhibit our leadership qualities and strengthen the inter and intra relationship between the Youths and the Churches and among the youths.
“This year, we are looking at the ‘Bread of Life’ (John 6:22-40). This theme could not have come at a better time than now when the famous generation X and Z have shifted focus from God and His words. It is time for us to go back to the foundation of our faith which is the word of God.”
Onajite said that it was impossible to defeat the devil without being deeply rooted in the word of God.
He wished all youths a happy Youth Week. The 2022 Baptist Youth Week will be held between Sunday, June 5 – 11, 2022.
President of the Nigerian Baptist Convention Youth Conference, NBCYC, Pastor Enunuaye Onajite has condemned in strongest terms, the massacre of innocent worshippers at the St Francis Catholic Church, Owa-luwa, Owo, Ondo state yesterday, Sunday.
He described the attack as unprovoked and an attack not just on Christians across Nigeria but on their faith.
Onajite said that the government has failed to provide security for the citizens hence, the need for citizens to take their security into their own hands.
He said that the archaic security architecture in the country is not working and that is why the crime rate is increasing daily.
The youth leader in a statement he personally signed and issued today, Monday, expressed frustration of Nigerians on the state of the nation.
He called for a national security summit that would lead to training of young Christians to defend the Church whenever the need arises.
He said “From the look of things, we have resigned to fate following the incidences of unabated attacks against the Church in Nigeria. I am calling on the leadership from the Convention to our Churches to as a matter of urgency call for a security summit where the awareness and consciousness of the security of the present day Church would be a subject of discussion and plan strategically the best way to start training our young people to be able to defend the Churches when the need arises.
“We should remember the Nehemiah experience of working with one hand and holding a weapon with another hand. God has not saved us to die like chickens on a daily basis because of share ignorance wherein the enemies are taking serious advantage of. We say no to this carnage bedeviling the church.
“The constant kidnapping and paying of ransome has to come to an end. Jesus already paid for our ransome with his blood, what is happening to us today is only negligence, we can choose to avoid it. The time to rise is now.”
He added that no part of the country is safe. “We don’t have anywhere in this nation that’s not under siege. We are surrounded by vipers of all sort that at every provocation you see reactions that results in lost of lives and properties. Must we continue like this? We say NO. We need to start buying guns and tools that can detect and track dangerous adventure around our Churches”, he maintained.
The former Governor of Ekiti State has tipped the former Governor of Anambra state Peter Obi as the most qualified candidate for the position of president in 2023 general election.
Fayose stressed that among the aspirants from all the political parties currently parading themselves for the position of president of Nigeria,non can be equate with the trained economic, Peter Obi.
He however expressed the fear that with the noise of the Igbo’s in the South East Nigeria to settled for the position of presidency of the country, they refused to do the needful by equipping themselves with PVC and vote for their preferred candidate.
He further said they should not expect to stay at the confine of their respective houses, why the seat of president is giving to them on platter of Gold ,they should work , fight for it like the other sections of the country have been doing.
He expressed the fear that the nonchallant attitude of the Igbo’s if not address in the coming general election,it may jeorpardize their much awaited chance of the zone becoming president of Nigeria .
He advised them to wake up and Get their PVC ready, to Vote God given candidate in the person of Peter Obi who is the most credible candidate among those aspirants parading themselves for the position of president come 2023.
I love Igbos but I have to tell them the truth because I love them.
It is now a law to transmit votes electronically, that means rigging of elections has been reduced drastically.
Igbos are only tribe that have 99% of voters in the South East and second highest voters in other regions in Nigeria.
In the South West, after Yoruba votes, Igbo votes come second. Lagos has the highest number of voters in Nigeria and Igbos are competing with Yorubas in voting power in Lagos.
In the South South, we have indigenous Igbos in the South South and all the major cities in the South South are occupied by Igbos. Go to Port Harcourt you will understand what I mean.
In the North Central, go to Jos and all the state capital in the North Central, Igbos are the second largest population after the indigenous people.
In the North West, go to Kano and Kaduna and you will know that Igbos are the second largest population after indigenous people.
In the North East, go to Maidugri and all the state capitals, Igbos are the second largest tribe after the indigenous people.
Go to federal capital territory Abuja, Igbos are the largest population in Abuja today.
If Igbos truly want to determine who will rule this country today, they will but they only sit back and lament without any action.
Peter Obi is the most qualified candidate to rule this country but Igbos are not with their voters card.
A Security experts turned politians Solomon Nandy Chendan has emerged Governorship candidate in plateau State under the platform of African Democratic Congress (ADC).
As he promised to salvage the state from the current insecurity, economic and other numerous problems facing the state occasioned by APC,led government.
He further promised to tackle the problems of unemployment where our teeming youths are roaming the street with no job, I will reduce the level of poverty in the state to the barest minimum.
Hon.Solomon made the promise during his address ,after unanimous decision to officially affirmed him by the delegates from the 17 local government area of the state held at Kalwa House on Saturday 4th June,2022.
He further stressed that as the governor of the state , contrary to what others are doing,I promise to be servant leader if I am voted as Governor of the state in the forthcoming Election.
He said the vision and mission of campaign team is to encourage oneness and improve on welfare of citizenry .
Chendan emphasized that in one of solid agenda to people of Plateau state was transforming and repositioning the state as one of commercial hubs of Nigeria .
He noted that was burnt out of desire compassion of his commitment for leadership as security experts guard and safeguard lives and properties of citizens .
Nandy stressed that if given this mandate he want to ensure that peace reign in Plateau and restore back the loss glory of the state where Muslims and Christians will come as one .
According to him,Plateau state belongs to all of us ,is not about me ,neither about Caleb Mutfwang ,APC ,PDP but is our projects for Plateau is your state is my state so we must work hard to improve the economic well-being of our people .
He further add that time has come to address numerous challenges facing us by putting it behind to forge ahead and Plateau must rise again and shine .
Solomon solicited the cooperation of voters to vote wisely for him as his votes will achieve success .
He assured of going to be servant that will have listening ears to the plight of Plateau people especially herders /farmers clashes with the use of modern gadgets .
The Chairman of African Democratic Congress ,ADC , Hon Sam Pam Gyang also presented 24 candidates for the Plateau State House of Assembly ,3 senatorial and 7 house of representatives as flag bearer of ADC in Plateau .
He appreciated the party loyal men and women who stood for the party in it trial moment ,but stressed that they are going to be more stronger and united to win the race .
Gyang in his speech described the party as the most popular and acceptable in the history of grassroots mobilizer in all the senatorial districts .
He disclosed that the affirmation was done in agreement reach with stakeholders which was adopted before INEC officials .
Sam Gyang called on Plateau electorate to vote for the party that goes with people oriented program and projects that can impact on lives of the citizens .
Not fewer than 250 person currently battling for their lives at one of the hospitals in Kano state , northern Nigeria for inhaling infected chemical cylinder that got leaked.
The affected persons according to report are currently in one of the hospital in the Kano metropolis battling to stay alive as at the time of filing this report, unconscious.
The doctor can’t say for now if they will make it alive or not,but their condition to say the least is critical.
You can recalled few days back, Russia was pointing accussing fingers on the United States of America (USA) of Funding Bio Chemical Weapon in Zaria, Lagos and Abuja.
Those infected by the virus are reported to have been unconscious, laying lifeless in the hospital.
Ahead of the All Progressive Congress (APC) presidential primary ,the committee set up to screened the aspirants that are qualified to participate in the party presidential primary slated 6th&7th of June,2022 has summited it screening report.
As the out come of the screening which surface online shows that some of the party’s political big wigs couldn’t make it through the screening as they are said to be disqualified and can’t participate in the party presidential primary.
Those disqualified according to the online report are as followed:
1. Robert A. Boroffice Disqualified
2. Uju Ken-Ohanenye Disqualified
3. Tunde Bakare Disqualified
4. Bola Tinubu Disqualified
5. Ahmad Rufai Sani Disqualified
6. Rotimi Amaechi Disqualified
7. Godswill Akpabio Disqualified
8. Rochas Okorocha Disqualified
9. Tein Jack-Rich Disqualified
10. Ikeobasi Mokelu Disqualified
However,the names of the lucky ones who makes it to the primary are as follows:
The 13 cleared out of 23 APC presidential candidates that were screened recently include:
Ahead of the All Progressive Congress (APC) presidential primary ,the committee set up to screened the aspirants that are qualified to participate in the party presidential primary slated 6th&7th of June,2022 has summited it screening report.
As the out come of the screening which surface online shows that some of the party’s political big wigs couldn’t make it through the screening as they are said to be disqualified and can’t participate in the party presidential primary.
Those disqualified according to the online report are as followed:
1. Robert A. Boroffice Disqualified
2. Uju Ken-Ohanenye Disqualified
3. Tunde Bakare Disqualified
4. Bola Tinubu Disqualified
5. Ahmad Rufai Sani Disqualified
6. Rotimi Amaechi Disqualified
7. Godswill Akpabio Disqualified
8. Rochas Okorocha Disqualified
9. Tein Jack-Rich Disqualified
10. Ikeobasi Mokelu Disqualified
However,the names of the lucky ones who makes it to the primary are as follows:
The 13 cleared out of 23 APC presidential candidates that were screened recently include:
Jos North/Bassa Federal Constituency Election Tribunal sitting in Bukuru ,Jos south LG of plateau has reached it climax as parties is to file their final written address for adoption.
The matter which was adjourned till today 3rd June,2022, for contination of hearing and presentation of more witnesses ,by the 1st&2 respondent, People Democratic party (PDP) and Musa Agah respectively .
According to the counsel for the 1st & 2nd respondent,E.G Pwajok told the tribunal that having the respondent analysis the intricacies of the matter, and called five witnesses so far, will arrived at the conclusion that we will not call any more witness as we are satisfied with the five we have provided so far,and to save the tribunal precious time,and stressed that the respondent is satisfied with the five witnesses that testified.
As against this background ,my Lord, will apply to close our case for the 3rd respondent, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to open it case.
In another similar development, the 3rd respondent on the matter, INEC, represented by it counsel Olawale Olatunde ,told the tribunal that they are not calling any witness, and apply to close his case.
The three man panel of the Tribunal led by it chairman, Justice Hope Ozoh directed the Parties in the matter to file their final written address in line with electoral Act, while the date for the adoption of the shall be communicated to the Parties in due course.
It would be recall that Mohammad Gwani of PRP is challenging the election result declared by the 3rd respondent, INEC, which produced Musa Agah of People Democratic party (PDP) winner.
Member representing Jos North /Bassa Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon.Musa Agah ,has called on his supporters to maintain peace no matter any provocation.
As he reiterated his on waving confident to triumph at the on going election tribunal instituted by the People Redeemtion Party PRP, challenging his victory.
The former member of plateau state house of Assembly make the appeal today 2rd June,2022 in an interview with our correspondence at the state High Court election tribunal sitting in Bukuru ,Jos south LG of plateau state.
He said he never loose sleep over the election tribunal challenging his mandate over the House of Representatives bye Election which declared him winner.
He stressed that his supporters are peace loving people who have never involve in anything that will threaten the peace of the state, they have been peaceful people and they will continue to maintain that position no matter any temptation of provocation.
He further add that his mandate of 26th Feb,2022 is not by accident ,but God’s designed, I am not perturbed because God who gives me the mandate is not sleeping non slumber ,I know he will do it again.
He called on his supporters to always maintained decorum when ever they come to court to avoid being flouting the laid down rules of the court and been looked at lawless.
It would be recalled that Mohammad Gwani of People’s Redemption Party(PRP) is challenging the 26th February,2022 ,Jos North/Bassa Federal Constituency bye election which declared Hon. Musa Agah winner.
Governor Simon Bako Lalong has directed contractor handling the state High Court Complex Project to step up work with the view of completion for commissioning.
Lalong give the directive when he inspected some projects in Jos to know the level of work done for them to be ready for Commissioning in few months from now.
Lalong who visited the new High Court Headquarters Complex in Jos expressed satisfaction with the level of the work and its quality.
The facility which has been structurally completed and currently being furnished is expected to be commissioned soon.
The Governor who was accompanied by his Deputy Prof. Sonni Tyoden, Secretary to Government of the State ,Prof. Danladi Atu, Chief of Staff Noel Donjur and some members of the State Executive Council, said he was happy that the project will soon be finished and put to use which will greatly enhance Judicial Services.
Chief Judge of Plateau State, Justice David Mann and other top Judicial Officers were present during the visit and expressed delight that the new complex is at the final stage of completion.
The Governor also visited the Plateau Multi Court Door House which has been completed and also awaiting furnishing.
The Governor also inspected the British-American Flyover construction site where he equally expressed delight on the pace and quality of work.
He said the project which is key to the economic development of the State will bring a lot of relief to motorists who use the road to States in North East and other parts of the country.
Commissioner for Works Pam Bot-Mang told the Governor that the work is going on as scheduled and the contractor, Craneburg Construction Company is doing its best to adhere to the terms of the agreement.
He further said some of the service lines have been relocated while work is going on to ensure that the disruption caused is addressed to ease the challenges faced by the citizens.
Representative of the contractor Craneburg Construction Company Engr. Dani assured the Governor that they will do their best to deliver on schedule and with the best quality.
Jos North/Bassa Election Tribunal sitting at State High Court , Bukuru, Jos south LG , Plateau state has adjourned sitting till Friday 4th June,2022, for contination of defense.
As the defence witness of the 1st Respondent Hon. Musa Agah, and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), 2nd respondent, has confirmed to the National and State Houses of Assembly tribunal that there we voting at polling units in favour of the PDP.
The witness DW2 Mr. Kiyani Joel, led by defense counsel Edward Pwajok SAN, further adopted his statements on oath, further identified himself as PDP’s polling agent at Tudun Wada/Kabong ward.
Muhammad Adam Alkali, and his Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), are in the tribunal challenging the electoral umpire, INEC ,declaration and returned of Hon. Musa Agah, as winner of the 26th February, bye-election into the Bassa/Jos North Federal Constituency, at the House of Representatives.
The petitioners counsel, Yakubu Ruba SAN, while cross-examinng the PDP, witness asked whether, he was aware of high court judgements that said PDP have no structures to nominate any candidate for an election.
“I am not aware of exhibits P9a to P9d, (judgements and court ruling),” he said.
He further told the Tribunal that there were differences, of accreditations on the results sheets and that of the BIVAS.
“In exhbits P2 the total number of accredited voters is 255, in exhibit P4a the total number of accredited voters is 257,” he said.
The defense witness said: “Yes there is difference and there is over voting. The results has not be canceled, it was counted.” He maintained.
Another defense witness Mr. Joel Philip, maintained that he was one of PDP’s agents at Ali Kazaure collation center, further told the tribunal that results of three polling units were canceled.
“I dont know why the results were canceled,” he said. “I don’t know why INEC collation officer put dash, dash, on the results sheets.
Another defense witness DW4 Pam Davou who incidentally a legal practitioner ,and PDP’s Collation Agents for Jos North LGA, told the tribunal that he recieved the results of Tudun Wada/Kabong and that of Naraguta ‘B’, on the 27th February, 2022, but INEC declaration results was dated 26th February, 2022 .
“Exhibit P8, (INEC form C8 results declaration) is dated 26th February, 2022,” he testified.
On the High Court of Appeal judgments, dissolving the executive structures of PDP in Plateau State, the witness told the tribunal that he only heard of it on the news.
“Exhibits P9A to D, are duly issued by competent courts of authority. They are CTCs of Judgments,” he further testified.
The Jos North/Bassa Bye election Tribunal involving Mohammad Adamu Gwani (PRP) Petitioner and Musa Agah of People’s Democratic party (PDP) respondent sitting in plateau state High Court ,Bukuru Division in Jos south LG, has today 1st June,2022 come to climax as the PRP, closed it case after calling Seven Witnesses including the Independent Electoral Commission INEC.
As Mohammad Gwani the Petitioner in all the witnesses called , proof beyond reasonable doubled that Jos North /Bassa bye Election conducted to filled the vacates position created by the death of Haruna Maitala on ghastly motor accident along Jos Abuja road on his way from Abuja to Jos were not free,fair but characterized with irregularities.
Shehu Baba who is witness Pw6, a staff of INEC, gives his address as federal low cost Jos , plateau state, said he had been with the commission for the past 30 years, as he identify exhibit P3-8 which is the election results of Jos North/Bassa bye Election held February,2022 in the state.
In quick reaction, the counsel to the 1st and 2nd respondent,S . Oyawole opposed the competent of the witness ,PW6 to testify on the matter.
He cited some authority and the Constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria to back his argument, that the statement of the witness was filed after 21 days as against what the law permitted.
In his response,the petitioner’s counsel Yakubu Ruba SAN, said the court should not allow technicality to create harm to the Petitioner’s witness.
In his ruling on the admissibility of the documents, Justice Hope Ozoh said the court reserved it ruling for the final address while the documents were admitted provisionally.
In his cross examination by the 1st and 2nd Respondent, the PW6 who said he was not invited by the court to give evidence, further said he only come to sign some of the documents that was brought to the Court from INEC earlier unsigned.
He however told the court that he didn’t Participate in the Conducts of the bye election of Jos North/Bassa federal Constituency of February 26th 2022 in any way, directly or indirectly.
In similar development, another witness Pw7 ,Aliyu Sale who resides in Mistale in Jos North local government, adopted his statement on oath , stressed that he didn’t play any active part in the Conducts of the bye election , either signing results sheet,as polling agent of polling unit or operating Vibas mechine.
It was at this stage the petitioner, counsel, Yakubu Ruba (SAN), said he has to draw the curtains , and thank the tribunal for their understanding.
With the petitioner closing it case, the Respondent PDP, will open it defense tomorrow 2nd June,2022.
However,the Respondent Counsel S.Oyawole, has already intimated the tribunal of the respondent intend to call Eight witness.
As Christians across all denominations on the Plateau converged on the Rwang Pam Stadium Jos on Wednesday 1st June 2022 for a solemn assembly to pray and offer supplications to God for the peace, progress and stability of the State and Nigeria at large.
While addressing the gathering organised by Christuan Denominational leaders in conjuction with the Plateau State Chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Governor Lalong said the solemn assembly is coming at the right time when the peace and progress of Nigeria and Plateau State is more than ever before being challenged.
He said “Looking at the level of wickedness and manifestation of evil that is threatening our peaceful coexistence and the safety of lives and properties, the Call to Prayers and Repentance is a collective one that emphasizes soul-searching by everyone. This is because the challenges we face today cannot be said to be the fault of a few persons only. Similarly, the efforts to restore the fortunes of our State and country cannot be carried out by a few persons alone”.
Lalong said in order to build a better Plateau and a greater Nigeria, citizens must shun all acts that are capable of threatening humanity which is God’s creation. He regretted that many times, people allow ethnicity, religion, denominational differences, politics, pride, money, greed and selfishness to take control of their lives to the point that they treat people as if they were not created by the Almighty God.
He called on all Christians and indeed the entire citizens of Plateau State irrespective of religious or other differences to do their part in sustaining the achievements that have recorded in creating an atmosphere for peace, dialogue, forgiveness, and reconciliation during the last seven years of his administration.
On the 2023 General Elections, he said “As we move deeper into the political spectrum, I wish to advise our citizens to use the moment to work together for a better Plateau. This is the time to pray to God and actively participate for the emergence of the right set of leaders that will take over the affairs of our State and country in 2023. Let us do away with politics of hatred, bitterness, violence, character assassination and fake news. We should not allow desperate politicians to use religion, ethnicity and other antics to divide us. We must never forget to Think and Act Plateau”.
The Governor emphasised that at the end of the day, those who win or lose shall continue to remain brothers and sisters irrespective of their political parties or other peculiarities. This he said should encourage those seeking political offices to tell the people what they intend to do and allow the electorate to decide through the ballot box.
In a sermon, ECWA President and Chairman of the Forum of Christian Denominational Heads Plateau State Rev. Stephen Panya Baba said Plateau is a land blessed by God in all ramifications with great people and abundant resources that are second to none in Nigeria.
He said Plateau has remained the hope of salvation for the North and other parts of Nigeria having pioneered and continously promoted the work of evangelism and spread of the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ to the unsaved.
Although he noted that the State and its people have been under attack by forces of evil who have killed and destroyed properties of innocent citizens, the wonderful heritage bestowed on Plateau by God will never be taken away if the people return to God and continue to obey the Lord, love one another, and seek to do His will at all times.
COCIN President Rev. Dr. Amos Mohzho said the Church on the Plateau is united to address the spiritual, social, political and economic fortunes of not only its members, but of the entire citizens.
Prayers of praise, thanksgiving and repentance were offered by different church leaders. In the same vein, the solemn assembly prayed for the unity of the Church on the Plateau and Nigeria; Evangelism and Missions; 2023 elections and politics; peace and security of Plateau State and Nigeria; as well as the economic prosperity of the State.
Rev Emmanuel Olorunmagba has clinched House of Representatives ticket under the platform of National Rescue Movement, NRM, beating Hon Tayo Ibidun, former aide to a one time Kogi State governor and Comrade Olusola Daniel.
The keenly contested primary election which held in Lokoja, Kogi state capital saw a peaceful conduct and process with a large turnout of party officials, delegates, supporters and well-wishers.
The Process was also carried out in the presence of officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, the electoral Umpire saddled with the responsibility of overseeing a peaceful conduct of Nigeria’s political process.
After the primary election which was adjudged free, fair and credible, various candidates emerged for the different elective offices in the state.In the Kabba/Bunu Ijumu Federal Constituency House of Representatives election, Hon Mohammed Ndako Idris, the NRM Kogi West Electoral Committee Chairman declared that Olorunmagba polled 39 votes while Tayo got 27 votes with Olusola trailing behind with 9 votes.
Hence, Rev Emmanuel Olorunmagba was declared winner and the flag-bearer of National Rescue Movement NRM in the forthcoming February 25, 2023 National Assembly election.
All the candidates that emerged for various positions are:
SENATE
Kogi East Senatorial zone:
Hon. Isaias Davies Ijele
Kogi Central:
Hon. Musa Awalu
Kogi West:
Hon Bala Abdulgafar Dirisu
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Lokoja/Koto Federal Constituency:
Hon.Godwin Wambebe
Kabba-Bunu/Ijumu Federal Constituency:
Rev Emmanuel Olorunmagba
Yagba East/Yagba west/Mopamuro Federal Constituency:
Hon. Segun Olorunleke
Ankpa/Omala/Olamaboro Federal Constituency:
Hon Agnes Agada
Idah/Ofu/Ibaji/Igalamela Odolu Federal Constituency:
Governor Simon Bako Lalong of plateau state has felicitated with Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Rt. Hon. Ahmed Idris Wase on the occasion of his 58th birthday.
Lalong said the Deputy Speaker has used his office to facilitate the passage of very important laws which have impacted the growth of the nation and in particular Plateau State.
In a congratulatory message dated 1st June,2022, signed by his Director of press and Public Affairs Makut Macham and made available to this medium, Governor Lalong described Rt. Hon. Wase as a consumate politician whose passion for the development and progress of his people is always paramount.
The Governor also commended the leadership of the Deputy Speaker in galvanising the efforts of the Plateau caucus at the National Assembly towards ensuring that issues concerning the State are given due Legislative attention.
And further praised him for attracting projects and programmes of the Federal Government to Plateau State as well as carrying out many people oriented Constituency Projects which have benefited his constituents and citizens of the entire State.
While wishing him many more years of God’s blessings and protection, Lalong urged Rt. Hon. Wase to remain committed to the advancement of democracy, good governance and justice in Nigeria, as well as continue to support the initiatives for peaceful coexistence and security in Plateau State and the nation at large.
The Chairman Jos North/Bassa bye-Election Tribunal sitting in Plateau State High Court Bukuru , Jos South LG, has raised alarm over independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) refusal to release vital documents that will assist the petitioner to prosecute his matter.
As he complained betterly that his finding has revealed that it’s in the character of the Commission in Plateau state to hold back documents in her custody whenever it is needed to establish matter under litigation.
The chairman of the three man panel Justice Hope Ozoh made the lamentation on Tuesday 31st May,2022 ,at the resumption of Federal House of Representatives bye-Election tribunal between Musa Agah of People’s Democratic party PDP, defendant, the candidates of People Redeemtion Party (PRP) , petitioner and INEC as 3rd respondent.
The chairman said election tribunal which is different from the regular court matter is time bound and has expired date ,the electoral umpire , INEC suppose to be aware that those documents will be requested for,and it’s expected he made them available before now .
The matter was expected to have resumed full hearing yesterday,30th May,2022 ,was stalled because the counsel to the petitioner, Yakubu .H.Ruba told the court that since February,2022 ,he has applied to INEC,to make available some documents numbering 74 ,to aid the petitioner in prosecuting it case.
My Lord the petitioner counsel add that the commission did not make any of the requested documents available to us not even when we have paid them the sum of 1.2 million naira for logistics.
Justice Hope Ozoh then adjourned the matter till today 31st May,2022 and order INEC through it counsel Olawale Olatunde to make the documents available to the petitioner before today’s sitting 31st May,2022.
At the resumption of hearing today, Yakubu Ruba SAN, announced to the court that out of the numbers of documents requested for by the petitioner, which is 74 ,the 3rd respondent is able to bring only 12 ,left with 64.
The Senior Advocates of Nigeria further add that even with the insignificant numbers,the documents are not certified true copies , meaning they are not signed.
The counsel to the 3rd respondent INEC, Oluwole Olatunde try to justify the commission action by giving a flamsy excuse that the head of the Commission who suppose to make the documents available to the petitioner,is bereaved and he has to travel out of state.
Barrister Oluwole Olatunde further add that the 12 uncertified documents were given to him this morning through the counsel of the commission.
Justice Hope Ozoh, however advised the petitioner to make do with 12 documents that are before him now because I didn’t foreseen the possibility of the electoral body, Making available more documents.
However,the petitioner has present not fewer than 4 witnesses today 31th May,2022.
One of the witnesses is a star witness, Rabiu Lawal ,who is the chairman of the party in the state told Hon. Justice Hope Ozoh led three-man Panel that the process that saw the emergence of Hon. Musa Agah Aviah as PDP candidate for the Bye-Election Jos North Bassa Federal Constituency held on February 26, 2022 was invalidated by the court.
The witness who testified as PW2 and led in evidence in-chief by Yakubu Ruba SAN spoke through the documents he adopted in line with paragraph 9 of his witness statement on oath as evidence in the petition filed by Hon. Adams Alkali (and his party, the PRP), challenging the declaration of Hon. Musa Agah Aviah in the Bye-Election. The documents which were Certified True Documents (CTC), already admitted in evidence by the tribunal and marked as exhibit 9A to 9D were three separate judgments and a ruling all invalidating the PDP process that saw the emergence of Agah as its flag bearer for the said Bye-Election.
During cross examination by S. Oyawole, Counsel for PDP and Agah or 1s and 2nd Respondent, PW2 who is also the Chairman of PRP (2nd Petitioner), told the tribunal that every political party has its own constitution and guidelines for the conduct of their parties Primary elections. He further noted that as a member of PRP, he was conversant with the activities of his party owing to executive order he received from the National Headquarters of the party.
In response to further questioning, PW2 told the tribunal that the documents before it speak for themselves. Other witnesses who testified before the tribunal were PW3 (Musa Jibrin Yusuf), PW4 (Buhari Ibrahim Shehu) and PW5 (Muhammad Tanko Shittu also indicated in his statement of oath as AAA).
The matter was adjourned till tomorrow, June 01, 2022 for continuation of hearing.
Group under the auspices of Grassroot Mobilization of All Progressives Congress,(APC) in Plateau state, had Unanimously endorse Hon. Ishaya Itse For the Position of Deputy Governor of the Party.
Hon. Ishaya Itse a Frontline Politician,Philanthropist on the Plateau and has impacted positively on the lives of the less privileged,Students and Women through scholarships and grants.
The endorsement which was signed by the Chairman of the group,Hon. Henry Patrick and Secretary,Hon. Azi Moses Madaki,
called on all APC stakeholders in the state to join hands with and support Hon. Ishaya Itse to Deputise Hon. Nantawe Yilwada for good Governance,Equity and fairness.
The group further said, he will use his prowess and wealth of experience to lead the party into victory comes 2023.
Hon. Itse contested for the state Chairman of the All Progressives Congress in the state and is still contributing his quota to the growth of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at His Jos Jarawa Ward,Jos North LGA, Plateau state and the Country at large.
A political scientist and community leader the Group said they will not relent on their oars by lobbying all and Sundry to support the j course.
And stressed if given the Chance, Plateau state will continue to witness transformation,Human Capital Development and entrenchment of Peace as well as Economic Growth.
The chairman Kanam LG,Dayyabu Garga has give his words to work assiduously to deliver member representing Pankshin, Kanke and Kanam Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives in 2023 General Election.
The Executive chairman of the local government,who doubled as the (Galadiman Jhar Of Jhar Chiefdom)made the promise when he received the Honourable member Rt. Hon. Yusuf Babayo Adamu Gagdi, (Dan Majen Jhar Of Jhar Chiefdom) during his thank you tour of honorable Yusuf Gadi over his election as flag bearer of APC for Pankshin, Kanke and Kanam Federal Constituency in the forthcoming 2023, General Election.
On his entourage were the Honourable Member who was along with the Executive Chairman Of Pankshin LGC, Executive Chairman Of Kanke LGC, and the APC flag bearer of Plateau Central Zone, Hon. Diket Plang and State House of Assembly flag bearers of Pankshin, Kanke and Kanam Local Goverment Councils, Yusuf Gagdi said the essence of this thank you tour is “we came to thank our people for giving us the mandate and we will try to come and identify ourselves with them”
Gagdi described Dayyabu Garga as a leader with spirit of sportsmanship and a true lover of the Executive Governor of Plateau State, Rt. Hon. Simon Bako Lalong for accepting his directive to deliver the APC candidates who won the primary election.
In his response the Executive Chairman Of Kanam LGC, Hon. (Dr). Dayyabu Yusuf Garga, (Galadiman Jhar) welcomed them and appreciated the guests for coming and assured the flag bearer that no need to Come to Kanam LGC because already he has thanked the people of Kanam on his behalf of him and all APC flag bearers of Plateau Central and he assured the Honourable Member Yusuf Gagdi, Diket Plang and State Assembly members that Kanam will produce massive votes of in the next general election.
Dayyabu Garga in his speech direct his all his Elected Councillors, Supervisory Councillors, Special Advicers, Senior Special Assistants, Special Assistants to be the Campaign team of this movement after done with the Presidential election we will down to deliver the APC from bottom to top.
The Plateau State National Houses of Assembly Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Bukuru,Jos South LG has Monday 30th May,2022 ordered the State Resident Electoral Commissioner, of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Malam Halilu Pai, to within 24-hour release, all documents requested by Muhammad Adam Alkali.
Muhammad Alkali and his People’s Redemption Party (PRP), has through their Counsel Yakubu H. Ruba SAN, has complained betterly the REC has refused to issue them , petitioner the Certified True Copies (CTC), of the documents they sought since February 2022.
Mahammad Alkali, has petitioned the Tribunal challenging the declaration of Hon. Musa Agah, of the People’s Democratic Party, as the winner of the bye-election for Bassa/Jos North Federal Constituency, held of the 26th February, 2022, INEC.
According to Ruba SAN, his client has applied and paid the sum of N1.2m to commission INEC ,Office requesting for the Certified True Copies, of the accredited BIVAS used during the Jos North/Bassa Federal Constituency bye-election.
He he further told the tribunal that they have made similar appilcation to the INEC Headquarters and within 3 days, the Certified documents were released to them and lamented why it’s hard for the state INEC to replicate same.
Ruba SAN, sought for an order of the tribunal to compelled the State REC, to release the documents or the REC should appear to tell the tribunal whey they have not released the documents.
But the INEC counsel, Oluwole Olatunde, told the tribunal that the documents are ready, but that officers to certified them are not on seat.
The tribunal chairman Justice, Hope O. Ozoh, frowned at the Commission counsel’s excuses which he said are not valids, however ruled that the documents be release to the petitioners or the REC commissioner will be summon by the tribunal.
“The Resident Electoral Commissioner Plateau State, should oblige the documents sought by the petitioners, on or before Tuesday 31st May,2022 or the REC must appear to tell the tribunal why they have not release the documents,” he ordered.
Meanwhile, Mrs. Onomie Okpopuna, an ICT staff INEC Headquarters Abuja, has tendered 20-page Certified True Copies of documants raised from the INEC server, indicating results accreditation generated through BIVAS machine.
Onomie who is PW1 in the matter,was soepined, however testified that the, “documents were generated by computers.”
The tribunal has adjourned seating till Tuesday, 31th May, 2022 for continuation of hearing and taken of more witnesses.
The immediate past clerk of the house of Representatives hon. Patrick Giwa said with his experience as clerk of the lower chamber,law makin is not Child business and it required maturity with persons with experience in law making business
Its is on this premises I am offering myself for the service because I have been their as the clerk , know all the intricacies in the law making which is the reason I bringing myself forward for the job.
Hon.Patrick who has just won the people Democratic party (PDP) primaries to represent Owan-West Federal Constituency of Edo state speak exclusively with journalists after emerging winner at the primary.
Lookout for the exclusive interview with Patrick Giwa.
The committee drafted to plateau state and over see the conduct of the All Progressive Congress (APC) primary has decried the high percentage of illiteracy among the delegates which has slow down the process of voting.
As he further said that good percentage of the delegates can neither read ,write and identify their candidate on the ballot paper.
The committee chairman stated this in his speech after the declaration of the Northern Senatorial Zone Primary Election held at the Land Field ,Jos South LG 29th May,2022.
He advised the winner of the northern senatorial Zone Primary Ambassador Chris Giwa to set up adult education to improve the level of illiteracy in the zone.
He stressed that the Election would have be more faster if the delegates were educated and they can express themselves both in written and orally, stressed that until something is done fast, it will threaten the nation democracy.
Ambassador Chris Giwa scored 213 votes to emerged the winner of APC northern senatorial zone primary of the state while his closet contestant Mafeng Gwalson, the current seating Chairman of Riyom LG scored 150 votes.
In their separate speech, the two aspirants thank their supporters for standing by them throughout the contest.
It would be recalled that the 3rd aspirant lumuba Dah Adah withdrawn from the contest less than three hours to the election.
The former House of Representatives said he is withdrawing from the race because the results of the election has already be determined by the power that be in the corridor of power.
He further said it will be wast of resources to continue with the election ,but advised his supporters to maintain peace as everything is being handled.
The former House of Representatives Member , honorable Lulumba Dah Adeh has withdrawned his participation in the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) primary Election few hours to the election.
Hon. Lulumba Dah Adeh is vying for the senatorial seat to represent Northern Senatorial Zone of plateau state at the Senate.
The former Rep. Member and Senior Legislative Aid to the Deputy Speaker Ahmed Idris make his intention to withdrawn from the primary Election billed to hold on 28th May,2022 in a press briefing dated 28th May,2022 , personally signed by him and made available to this medium.
The letter which has it caption : Withdrawal From APC Plateau Northern Senatorial Zone Primary Election ,copied to the Governor Simon Lalong, Deputy Speaker of House of Representatives Idris Ahmed, commissioner of police plateau state command,Dss and other relevant authorities , read thus:
“I write to inform you that I have withdrawned from the APC plateau Northern Senatorial district primary Election “.
“The letter further read that the discision was taken after a review of prevailing situation and extensive consultation with stakeholders.”
He further said having consult with his immediate caucus on the happening in the APC primary Election generally ,after deeper and thorough review , in view of the prevailing circumstances surrounding the the party primary Election generally,we have come to the conclusion that it will be to our best interest to withdraw from the execise.
On what will be the feelings of his supporters,he described it as very unfortunate , though difficult as the decision ,I believe my supporters will come to terms with it.
And stressed that it’s needless to go into the election which it final purpose is already determined.
It would be recalled that during the party Governorship Election,not fewer than five aspirants of the party stepped down because they insinuated that the whole execise is a scam.
While some staged walk out when the discovered the primary Election is fraud .
Comrade Mohammed Tanko Shittu an aspirant under the platform of People Redeemtion Party ,is optimistic that he will not only clinched the seat to represent the good people of Jos North-North Constituency in the plateau state house of Assembly, but his party PRP, will spring up suprises to win the majority of seats in the House.
A journalist turned politians Shittu Tanko is currently vying for the seat of state House of Assembly to represent Jos North North Constituency under the platform of PRP is however sure that his aspiration will come to reality come 2023 general election.
The aspirant who is currently the correspondence of “Blue Print Newspaper in Plateau State, said,
“Majority of electorates, have impressed on us, to vie for the seat of Jos North-North Constituency. I hed to their clarion calls and I will provide far-reaching consultative representatuon to make the difference.
“Our aspiration will by the amazing grace of God, not only come to success at the end of the party primary election, but we are optimistic that victory is ours even at the 2023 general elections,” he said.
According to Shittu, the last bye-election into Bassa/Jos North Federal Constituency, has proven that the PRP is not only a party to beat, but that majority of constituents are for it.
“The PRP being people oriented political party, is waxing stronger in Plateau State, and we are optimistic that our candidates in both Governorship, and House of Representatives will emerged victorious in the forthcoming 2023 general elections.
“We are getting well prepared to also clinched majority of seats into the House of Assembly,” he enthused.
Comrade Shittu, urged peace loving People of Plateau State, to discard any politician coming their ways, canvassing in the name of ethnicity or religion.
“We should canvassed issues based politics, but not on ethnic or religious cards,” he urged.
Plateau State candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Barr. Caleb Mutfwang said he will bring on board all members of the PDP and Plateau people for the task of restoring the dignity and unity of Plateau state
Mutfwang disclosed this yesterday after his declaration as the Candidate of the PDP for 2023 general election in Plateau State.
“Our great party which I am privilege to be the flag bearer is saddled with responsibility of restoring the dignity of Plateau State.i am happy to inform you that I am prepared to take charge.
” This is anchored on my experience in leadership as former local government chairman, my years in private practice and the resource of untiring party faithful, men and women endowed with special skills sets that will form the bedrock of our rebuilding process.”
Mutfwang described the outcome of the party primaries as a win to all aspirants and who participated in the election and appealed them to join forces in the PDP and deliver during the general election.
“We are all winners and there is no looser. This is our mandate and we shall work together to restore our dignity and reclaim our heritage.
“Without controversy, the enormity of industry, time, labour and resources can only be replenished by God and Almighty. I therefore, pray that God opens a book of remembrance for all our teaming men and Women on the Plateau.”
Mutfwang said the Plateau has witnessed unprecedented misgovernance, retrogression, underdevelopment and loss of confidence in the Plateau spirit.
Dr. Nentanwe Yilwatda has been declared winner of the All Progressive Congress (APC) Governorship Primary Election in plateau state.
The Election held at Langsfield, Rayfield Jos, plateau state on Friday having pulled total votes of 803 to beat the other three aspirants.
According to the Chairman of the electoral Committee, Hon. Habu Ajiya, Nine Aspirants were in the race but five Aspirants later sent their letters of withdrawal from the contest. They are; Sunday Garba Biggs, Dr. Sarpiya Danyaro, Sen. Hezekiah Dimka, Dr. Patrick Dakum and Arch. Fitka.
The chairman further said Four of the Aspirants participated in the election and they are, Garba Pwul SAN, Prof. Sunny Tyoden, Dr. Nentanwe Yilwatda and Hon. Victor David Dimka.
The scores of the aspirants are as followed, Garba Pwul (SAN). 2, Prof. Sunny Tyoden 25, Hon. Victor David Dimka 7.
The Governorship Primaries of the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) in Plateau State is currently rocked by crisis as group are insinuating that the whole process lack credibility .
According to an agent whose name is not know at the time of filing this report, alleged that the power that be has already decided the results of the election,as the exercise is a mere smoke screen.
It look the intervention of the security agent comprising the police, civil defense to calm nerves.
Similarly,our report was at St Luke’s primary school venue for the state house of Assembly,the entrance in the venue of the exercise was under lock and key with some security men at the gate disallowed our Reporter entry into the venue.
According to one of them,
“We did not need journalists here”
“You can phone our oga to clear you”.he said.
Although voting is currently in progress.
gnewsreporter will continue to up date you live from the venue of the primaries.
As the APC primary Election is about to commence,it had just been announced that one of the frontline aspirant Sunday Biggs has dropped his ambition for plateau Governorship race.
His withdrawal was announced few minutes ago as voting was about to commence.
With the withdrawal of Biggs who has gone round the whole of the local government in the state for consultation,come as surprise to many.
However,at the time of this reporter the reason for the former protocol to the governor’s action is yet to be know.
This medium promise to up date you as more facts unfolds.
Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo has today, Wednesday May 25th, 2022 declared curfew in eight local government of the state as he addressed the people of Anambra State.
The imposition of the curfew dated 25th May ,2022 is contained in a press statement signed by the commissioner of police of the state,CPS Christian Aburime ,and and made available to this medium online in Jos, Plateau State capital.
Below is the full text of his address:
*Peace and Security in Anambra As Our Collective Responsibility*
Charles Chukwuma Soludo, CFR
Governor, Anambra State
Being Press Statement by Professor Charles Chukwuma Soludo, CFR (Governor of Anambra State) at a News conference: Awka, Wednesday, 25th May, 2022
Umu nnem, Ndi Anambra!
You employed me to lead the process of building a livable and prosperous homeland. After swearing-in on the 17th March, 2022, I worked for 8 hours and 45 minutes that day and have kept working hard every day to make you proud. A lot is ongoing, and we will report to you in due course. However, we recognized from the first minute that restoring peace and security will be foundational to our larger agenda as a people. We devoted several paragraphs in our inaugural speech to underscore the grave security challenges we inherited (with the deadly criminal gangs largely in occupation of 8 local governments). You may recall that I was attacked by so called “unknown gunmen” while addressing youths at a rally in March 2021 leaving three policemen dead, and indeed hardly any candidate could campaign freely in the seven local governments of the south senatorial zone in 2021. I knew the grave situation, and determined to confront it. I met with the state security council for three and half hours on the first day and there was the consensus to deploy both kinetic and non-kinetic approaches.
While the security agencies have been doing their best with limited resources, we are convinced that sustainable peace and security cannot be achieved without the cooperation and solidarity of the people. Consequently, we went to work to mobilize our people and address the wider socio-economic and legacy issues fueling agitations and insecurity.
We consulted and collaborated with the South East Joint Body of Bishops and traditional rulers; issuing joint statements, with the Joint body of bishops organizing prayers sessions in the entire South East on 4th April, 2022, with the goal of ending the Sit-at-home and ensuring an enduring peace and security in the South East;
We organized Anambra Peace and Security Dialogue, with the leadership of the Christian denominations, town unions, traditional rulers, youth organizations, women, market, and transport unions, as well as political leaders and non-indigenes on XX with a Communique calling for an end to the Sit- at home—and peace and security in the South East on 2nd April, 2022;
We offered the Olive branch to all the armed youths in the forests to come out, surrender their guns and with the commitment that our government would help to retrain and empower them to contribute positively to our development. Our government has, in our proposed revised budget, provided handsomely for youth empowerment.
The official leadership of IPOB also repeatedly issued statements dissociating itself from the senseless and destructive Sit- at home on Mondays etc as well as the kidnappings and criminal actions of gangs in the state and the south east;
We set up the Truth, Justice and Peace Committee, with the goal of getting to the remote and immediate causes of the agitation and criminality, with a view to proffering systematic and lasting solutions;
We have severally again met with town union leaders and traditional rulers; landlords etc, all in the mobilization of the people for lasting peace and security;
True to our commitment to engage with ALL state and non-state actors relevant to the search for lasting peace and security, we visited Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, and he reiterated that he never authorized the senseless Sit at Home, and absolved his organization, IPOB, from the crass criminality especially the barbaric enforcement of the Sit at home and the kidnappings and spilling of blood. Mazi Kanu expressed his willingness to personally address the press to charge his followers to keep the peace. Subsequently, his lawyer issued an official statement confirming this position and his associate also addressed the media in the same vein;
We have also had Town Hall meetings with Ndi Anambra in Lagos and Abuja, and our people are united in their condemnation of the criminality going on in the state and environs, and demonstrated their commitment to join hands with us in solving it.
The list of the public engagements is long (with even a longer list of backroom plans and actions).
Despite the above, the criminal gangs are unrelenting in their desperation to maintain their very lucrative criminal enterprise and expand their other agenda of domination. When the security agencies rooted them out of two of their numerous camps, their reprisals were to burn down the secretariats of two local governments and attack police stations, police and soldiers. Routinely they kidnap for ransom, rape, and murder their victims as well as burn houses and properties. They relish in shooting soft targets, including recently a poor woman frying akara in front of her house on a Monday. Over the past one week, Ndi Anambra and indeed the nation have been treated to the gory stories of the kidnapping and subsequent beheading of Hon Okechukwu Okoye (member of the State House of Assembly) and his aide, Cyril Chiegboka (both from my community, Isuofia) as well as the brutal murder Mrs Harirat Jubril from Adamawa state and her four children and three other northerners. Anambra people have been in shock. This is not who we are. Our deepest condolences are with the families of the various victims. We are working round the clock with the security agencies and the perpetrators must be brought to book.
Let us be very clear. These criminals causing mayhem in Anambra, albeit of disparate groups and gangs, are Igbos (dominantly from other South East states) whose real objective is lucrative criminality and foisting their idolatrous religion on the region. Unfortunately, every criminal gang (including cult groups) claims to be a “liberation movement”, making it difficult to differentiate between any genuine agitators from criminals. Unfortunately also, the criminals now dominate the space. Anambra is the prime target because that is the most lucrative location for kidnapping for ransom in the South East. With their immense propaganda machine funded largely by their sponsors abroad, they have tried everything to indoctrinate the people with all kinds of false emotive narratives, and divert attention from their real objectives. They claim to be “fighting for the people”, and yet randomly kill the same people, destroying their livelihood, and stopping their children from going to school. What has agitation to do with kidnappings including kidnapping of priests of God, invasion of churches and tabernacles including desecration of the Alters of God? Why is it that everywhere they gather and in every camp they operate, there is a Deity/idol to which they routinely offer blood in sacrifice? From accounts of those kidnapped and later freed the stench of dead bodies in the camps cry up to heaven. We see videos of them and their idol worship; we note their threats to priests and bishops, including threatening to take over some churches?
The truth is that this tiny minority (certainly far less than 0.1% of us), is bent upon challenging the foundation of the things that make us who we are:
Enterprise: We are known for our enterprise but these people are bent on killing our businesses by the forceful Sit at home; kidnapping for ransom; forceful taxation of communities, businesses, and individuals; etc;
Christianity: The people of the South East, especially Anambra, are predominantly Christians. But with this gang, idolatry is back with vengeance. They forcefully try to convert people, especially the young ones to idolatry by initiating them into cults, swearing oaths to their Deities, etc with the promise of invincibility. Consequently, these youths join them as members and informants.
Desecration of our culture: Spilling of the blood of the innocent is considered an abomination by our culture and by our Christian religion. We understand that they kill and harvest human organs for rituals and human sacrifice in their so called camps.
With their new religion of idolatry and deadly weapons which they use to kill at random, they have tried to create a culture of fear and silence. More recently, the people have begun to question their propaganda, motive and means and they know that they have lost the sympathy of the people. That explains why they desperately tried to ignite a national inter-ethnic crisis by killing some innocent northerners who have lived peacefully in our state for decades to divert attention from their criminality and then seek to re-brand themselves as “defenders of the people”. They have failed, and will continue to fail. Millions of our people live in the North and other parts of Nigeria, and Anambra people are known for their uncommon hospitality. In most homes in Anambra, non-indigenes live happily as tenants or as landlords, pursuing their legitimate businesses and this won’t change. We pride ourselves as the Light of the Nation, and Anambra will continue to be a land of opportunity for every Nigerian as well as non-Nigerians. We will continue to work hard with security agencies to ensure security of life and property in our state.
Umu nnem, Ndi Anambra!
The hour has come for us to step up our game, and take back our state. The tiny but vicious gangs that have invaded our state and terrorize us are mostly in eight local governments in Anambra and three neighboring local governments in Imo State. They are in our forests, communities, and houses owned by individuals. They don’t come from the air, and hence are not “unknown” gunmen. They are known. You know them, but are either too scared to speak up or out of indifference. But for how long will you be silent while our people continue to be killed in the most cruel and barbaric manner? It is because we have remained ambivalent, opting to sit on the fence rather than take a stand against an obvious evil, that has made a minor sore to fester so cancerously. The hour has now come, and we must rise up to take our destiny in our hands. Everyone, indeed, everyone has a role to play. While we continue to commit Anambra unto the hands of God, we as a people must rise up to clean and cleanse our land. The security agencies will continue to do their part, but we the people, must proclaim that Enough is Enough and demonstrate full ownership. Consequently, as complementary measures to the efforts of the security agencies, our government has decided on the following immediate steps:
Once again, we are releasing several telephone numbers for the public to report any criminality or suspicious conducts. These phone numbers are managed in my office (in strictest confidentiality). Call us, or text (SMS or WhatsApp), and we will respond expeditiously. The phone numbers are:
09017280990
07039896429
09167514891
09076237441
09168041120
08093175528
08124153139
In addition to the N10 million cash reward we placed on those who gruesomely murdered Hon Okechukwu Okoye and his aide, we are also offering a cash reward of AT LEAST One Million (N1,000,000) to anyone who provides useful information leading to the arrest of any of the leaders or members of these criminal gangs including those who support them financially or in kind, and all those enforcing the illegal Sit-at-Home order, or anyone involved in the kidnapping, murder, and arson, or access to the camps where the criminals operate from. The bounty will depend upon the profile of the criminal: their leaders will attract higher amounts. Similar bounty will be paid to anyone who gives information about anyone or location where hard drugs (especially “Mkpulu mmili”) are manufactured in the state. The State Government hereby assures any informant of confidentiality in this process and would not disclose your identities or contact.
With effect from tomorrow, Friday, 26th May, 2022, a 6pm to 6am curfew is hereby placed on motorcycles (okada), tricycles (keke), and shuttle buses in Aguata, Ihiala, Ekwusigo, Nnewi North, Nnewi South, Ogbaru, Orumba North and Orumba South Local Governments until further notice. Until further notice also, motorcycles, keke and shuttle buses are banned from operating in these local governments on Mondays until the Sit-at-Home completely stops. The youths of every community in the zone are hereby enjoined to assist the security agencies in the implementation of this policy and are mandated to seize any such motorcycle or tricycle on the spot. Local Vigilantes should report such motorcycles or tricycles (keke) immediately, and they will be confiscated by government and the owner prosecuted. The Okada, Keke, and shuttle bus union leaders must take responsibility to report their members who are involved in criminal activities. We shall review this after two weeks, and if members of these unions continue to be involved in criminal activities, the government will have no choice but to either disband the Unions and/or ban them out rightly in the state.
No part of Anambra State (house, bush or forest) shall be used as camps for these criminals. Anyone with a gun in a camp is considered a criminal in Anambra State, and the government and people will work with security agencies to flush them out. The State Government shall pursuant to its powers under the Land Use Act revoke and acquire any land found to be harboring these criminals, for public purpose. Henceforth, every community is required to provide information on any part of their land occupied by these criminals as camps. If the community fails to do so, the government will take over such land.
All communities are hereby charged to take over their communities completely and through the leadership of their Town Unions and Traditional Rulers give weekly security reports (submitted every Friday) to the State Government on the state of security in their communities. The cooperation of the youths in that regard is now imperative. I charge the vigilantes of each community to rise to the occasion and contend with these criminals in your locality whether they are in your bush or the houses in your community. The State Government expects the report of any progress made in this regard and shall support and reward you accordingly.
Any buildings found to be harboring these kidnappers and murderers who have laid siege on our State will, as provided by Criminal Code (Amendment No.3) Law 2013, be forfeited to the State Government. To that extent, all landlords are hereby directed to proceed on “Operation Know Your Tenant” by keeping appropriate records of their tenants and report anyone suspected of being involved in criminal activities. Each community leadership must keep full register of all tenants in their communities, their occupation, etc and keep an eye on their activities. The State Government shall as an emergency measure, disband the leadership of any community which fails to report criminal activities in their communities or immediately respond to the requests contained in this address.
All market leaders and stakeholders are hereby charged to join the communities in taking back their territory and monitor the activities in their markets. They are all required to return weekly security reports to the State Government.
Everybody who either in person or through telephone calls demands cash support or ransom from anyone in furtherance of any criminal activities or groups should immediately be reported to the government via the telephone lines provided.
All transporters, i.e, bus drivers, shuttle drivers, tricycle (keke) and motorcycle (okada) riders must immediately report any suspicious passengers. Because it has come to the knowledge of the State Government that over 80% of transport operators use fake plate numbers and identities, all transport operators must henceforth re-register their vehicles, tricycles and motorcycles with their valid means of identification and their biometrics captured. This exercise shall immediately be commenced and anyone who defaults in doing that after four weeks from today would be treated as a suspect and adequate measures taken against him or her.
All hotels are directed to obtain the means of identification of their guests and keep an inventory of all guests in their hotels. The management of the hotels should immediately report any suspicious persons or group of persons checking into or converging in their hotels. Immediate sanctions would attend any dereliction in that regard, including possibly shutting down or demolition of such hotels.
All fuel stations are hereby directed to, within 4 weeks from today, place surveillance cameras in their stations and keep the records generated by those cameras in order to assist the State Government, when required, in tracking these criminals who inevitably fuel their vehicles at fuel stations.
Finally, let me urge our people to remain calm. This season shall pass. The God of Anambra assures that we shall overcome the forces of darkness. Indeed, this tough beginning foretells of a more glorious future. We thank all the stakeholders in the Anambra project, and particularly thank the security agencies for their determination and sacrifice. We enjoin our religious leaders to continue to lift up the state in prayers and to also mobilize our people as they fight evil in our land. Together, we shall take back our state and make it the true Light of the Nation.
The vice president of Federal Republic of Nigeria and the presidential aspirant under the All Progressive Congress (APC), professor Yemi Osinbajo has said his meeting with the stakeholders of the party,and the delegates is fruitful as it availed them discuss wide range of issues ranging from Security, Economic, Health and other issues.
As the interface with this critical Party
stakeholders,and the delegates is very helpful as we were able to understand ourselves, which is very helpful and very robust engagement with this group of people,and they were very happy.
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo who is in Jos to interface with the party stakeholders, revealed this during an interview with journalists in Jos plateau state ahead 2023, general election.
He stressed that in the causes of the interactive section which was held in close door for over 30-40 minutes , the presidential aspirant said many wide range of issues where raised, to proffer solution.
He agreed that the government of APC, has failed the country woofully in all facet of live endeavor said if given the opportunity to serve,he will straighten the current economic problems, provision of health care system and bring education back to it feets.
He said it’s acceptable fact that APC has taken the nation far back 20 years , but agreed that in every challenges, their must
be solution, which he said the national Inter stand from nanma.
The visit of the presidential aspirant was greeted with mammoth crowed including those who traveled fron their various local government ,and where at the new government house the venue of the program as early as 9am.
Presidential Aspirant under the All Progressive Congress (APC),and former minister of solid minerals Dr. Kayode Fayem had condenmed the illegal minerals exploration going on in Wase local government of plateau state, and it surrounding without corresponding development in the community in particular and Plateau State as a whole.
Fayemi frowned at the Nigeria constitution which gives the government absolute power to the federal government on solid minerals exploration irrespective of where they are discovered ,the section of constitution have leave the state and communities where this commodity are found vulurable and impoverish with little or nothing to show for God gift natural resources deposed in their domains.
The governor of Ekiti state Dr Kayode Fayemi, currently vying for presidential position in the forthcoming 2023 general election, was in Jos to meet with the stakeholders of the ruling APC in the state ahead delegates Elections of the party coming up soon.
He said when he became the president,l will give consideration to the states where solid minerals are found to have a say in the exploration of their God gift endowment and allow the dividend to reflect in the state or communities.
He condenmed the recent operating constitution where the solid minerals is in exclusive list which gives the federal government to have exclusive rights over
the control of the minerals deposit irrespective of the area it’s discovered, promised that under his watch as president of the federal republic of Nigeria,I will ensure that the law is reviewed to accommodate the yearning of the weeping state in the current Exclusive practice.
And recalled that when he was minister of solid minerals ,I ensured that states with minerals deposit, created their own solid minerals development cooperation , which plateau state was one of them.
And added that to ensure smooth take off of the program,his administration set up special purpose vehicle , signed the necessary documents for the affected States.
During the period under review,I fought with Chinese expatriates illegally exploring minerals deposit in Wase local government of Plateau State under the company name “Compani Zurak”.
I got some of them arrested , took them to Abuja where they were detailed for onwards trial.
Fayemi however lamented that some notable People in the state ,under the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) colluded with these Foreigners to cause economic damage to the state and the country at large.
And added that with these natural resources the LG of Wase is blessed with, nothing to show for it ,as the place is deviod of development with no good roads, cottage hospital, potable water, schools and other essential amenities that makes lives Worth living.
Promised that such dehumanizing constitution will not allow to continue under my watch as president of the country.
He decried the inequality in Nigeria where the rich is getting richer, and the poor are getting poorer which the chairman governor’s form said is very bad for the country which is one of the reasons for insecurity an other crimes in the country.
He said unless the fundamental causes of crime and criminality are address, Nigeria as a nation may just be prosponing the evil day.
He reiterated the need to bridge the gap between the have and the have not ,and improve the need of the vulurable poor in our society, which will go along way in addressing the issues of crimes and criminality which is synonymous to insecurity.
He said with his knowledge he has garner over the years,and doctorate in security studies which is priority issues,the Nigeria should be rest assured that when he became the president ,he will change the narrative for good,but these can only work by technical expertise ,as God have given me the capacity ,competent , commitment, integrity and international exposure.
Fayemi make it clear to the party stakeholders in attendant,and the delegates that he is not saying he must be the presidential candidate of the party by hook or crook.
I am in the state to bring to the table what I have in stock for the Nigeria ,I am only pleading to you and recognize what I am bringing to table,by way of experience , knowledge , capacity and by way of understanding the Nigeria predicament and proffer solution that work.
“I feel that you owned the power ,as the party stakeholders, you have the authority ,if you don’t invest it in me ,I can speak from now till tomorrow and it will amount to”Long Grammar “of no use.”
Hon.Patrick Giwa has emerged the People’s Democratic party (PDP)flag bearer in Owan-West primaries in Edo state to represent the Constituency in the House of Representatives.
Patrick emerged the winner of the keenly contested primaries on the 22nd May ,2022 in the state ahead 2023 general election .
Patrick Giwa who is the immediate past Clark of the House of Representatives retired in 2020,hailed form Uzebba in Owan-West LG of Edo state.
He was however called by his Constituency to contest for the position considering his enormious effort in influencing some vitals projects to his Constituency when he holds sway as Clark of the house.
The victory of Hon.patrick today at the primary election is primary for the good people of Owan-West Constituency who want to vote for people oriented projects and development,one of the delegates maintained.
One of the people of the Constituency who spoke with this medium on condition of anonymity , said “we are tired of the deceit of the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) who has bring nothing to the people of Nigeria ,and Edo state in particular ,than hardship.”
He complained that under the APC led government he can no longer send his children to school, even to eat three square meal daily is a big problems.
And further said APC is a party of deceit who tell the people of Nigeria a lot of lies to get to power, when they got there,they become vampire practically socking the blood of the people of Nigeria because of hunger,lack of availability of essential basic amenities.
And however thank Almighty God for giving them the like of Hon. Giwa to the rescue the Constituency,and charged the electorates to overwhelmingly vote him in 2023 general election because he will charge the Narratives of Owan-West Constituency history for the better
The Special Task Force Operation Safe Haven has graduated another set of trained 122 vigilantes youths in the Southern Kaduna on 21st May,2022 to assist the security agencies to ensure security of hinterland communities in Sanga Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
Delivering his remarks, the Special Guest of Honour, Commander Operation Safe Haven, Major General Ibrahim Ali charged the youth to take the lead in ensuring timely security information get to the security agencies for prompt action.
Represented by the Deputy Commander Operation SAFE HAVEN, Deputy Commissioner of Police Mohammed Rabiu, the commander urged the youth to always collaborate with their community leaders to fish out criminal elements from the societies. He charged the trained Vigilantes to be good ambassadors of their communities and discharge their duty effectively devoid of sentiment. “You must embibe the tenant of equality, fairness and neutrality in discharging your duty.” he averred.
General Ali further charged the community leaders to support, monitor the activities of the vigilantes and check their excess.
Earlier in his welcome remarks, the Commander Forward Operating Base Sanga Kaduna state, Major Mohammed Galadima said the essence of the training was to create security awareness among the youth whom he described as vanguard of peaceful coexistence and development in the society.
Represented by the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Chieftaincy Affairs, Kaduna State, Mallam Abba Abubakar, the depute Governor Kaduna state said the state has fashioned out measures towards ensuring security of lives and properties in Southern kaduna communities. He commended Operation SAFE HAVEN for the initiative to engage the youth in the security affairs of their communities. Mallam Abba disclosed that Kaduna state will leave no stone unturned towards supporting initiatives towards lasting peace in the state.
Also speaking, the Chairman Sanga Local Government, Hon Bisalla Mallam while congratulating the trainees urged them never to betray the trust imposed on them.
Highlight of the event was the taking of oath by the trainees and presentation of award to those who distinguished themselves during the training. Cultural display and colourful match pass parade in honour of the Special Guest of Honour was also observed.
The Plateau State Governor , Simon Bako Lalong had advised the Berom Nation to work towards preserving it culture to avoid it being extinct that are today threatening some of our cultural heritage.
An advised the Socio Cultural group to constantly use the platform to engage and advise his people how important it will benefit them as organisation , and in dividual for them to be Involve in active politics.
Governor Lalong gives the advice at the 2022 Nzem Berom Cultural Festival Celebration held on Friday 20th May,2022 at the Rwang Pam Township Stadium Jos,plateau State.
Governor Lalong said the theme of this year “Nzem Berom” 2022 Cultural Festival tagged “Celebrating Berom In Politics” is very apt particularly now the political activities towards 2023 General Election is on top gear,is imperative to use this opportunity to call on the Berom nation to continue to participate in the political discourse in Plateau State and also mobilise the citizens to actively participate in politics.
We must teach the younger generation politics of service anchored on the right values emanating from our cultures and traditions that will foster honesty, accountability, tolerance, love and service to humanity,these are all attributes that the Berom man and woman are known for.
He appealed to the Berom nation and indeed the entire socio-cultural groups in Plateau State to do all within their power to ensure that there is no room for criminals who apart from causing havoc and destruction, seek to sow the seeds of hatred and division among the people. As diverse as the 53 ethnic groups in Plateau State may be, we have a long standing reputation for love, hospitality, harmony and tolerance.
Further advised them not to allow anyone use religion, politics or ethnicity to create division and destabilise our State.
And add that in the past 7 years, our Rescue Administration has committed so much resources and time to boosting security, building peace and encouraging reconciliation and forgiveness.
The result has been wonderful as more people who had left Plateau State or were afraid of coming into the State now do so with rest of mind.
Lalong gives the assurances that his administration we continue to pursue peace and enhance the capacity of the security forces to deal with criminals that attack our people without any cause. Working with the traditional institutions and Community Development Associations such as BECO, we shall always empower vigilante and neighbourhood watch groups to assist in gathering intelligence and exposing criminals who seek to terrorize our people. There will never be a safe haven for criminals in Plateau State under my watch.
He stressed that as part of his government commitment to fairness, justice and pursuit of inclusion and harmony, I recently approved the creation of creation of 268 Districts and Village Areas as well as 2 Chiefdoms. I also restored 3 others (2nd Class) as well as approved the grading of 5 others on 3rd Class Status. I am happy to say that all the 3 restored are in Berom land while 2 of the graded ones are also in Berom land. This is in addition to many new Districts and Village Areas that have been created across the Berom nation.
And urged the plateau citizens to see this development as part of the efforts by the Rescue Administration to increase inclusivity, unity, peace, harmony and development. This gesture of Government should not in any way be misconstrued or politicised for creating acrimony, division and disaffection. Government will not tolerate any act that misrepresents its intention and promotes oppression, hatred and disharmony.
Lalong further said is not unmainful that not all the wishes of the various groups have been met in this phase of the approved Districts, Chiefdoms and Village Areas, there is no need to be despondent or get bitter because this is an ongoing process that will be revisited in the nearest future where any perceived shortcoming can be addressed. Nobody should begin to incite people or generate imaginary trouble.
However thank the Berom nation for their support to his administration, and assured that his administration shall continue to carry out projects and programmes that will improve the living standards of the people.
“We have demonstrated this by completing many inherited projects such as the General Hospital and Trauma Centre in Riyom abandoned since 2005 as well as initiated new ones. Many have been completed and others at the verge of completion. Among them are various Legacy Projects that consist of World Class Schools and Hospitals throughout Berom land. With your support, we shall achieve our dream for a better Plateau.”
He used the celebration to congratulate His Royal Majesty the Gbong Gwom Jos, Da Jacob Gyang Buba, the Berom Traditional Council, Berom Educational and Cultural Organisation (BECO), the organisers of this year’s festival and the entire sons and daughters of Plateau State for staging another fantastic event. It goes without saying that Plateau State is indeed blessed in all ramifications.
And pay tributes to great political actors from the Berom land that have played and are still playing very crucial roles in the development of Plateau State and Nigeria.
“Some of them include Da D.B. Zang, Da Patrick Dokotri, Ngo Sarah Dokotri, Ngo Hannatu Chollom, Da Bature Dangyang,
Da P.D. Pwajok, Hon. Edward Pwajok, SAN Da Toma Jang Davou, Da John Wash Pam, Da Anthony Bingel, Ngo Mary Princewell, Da Michael Bot-Mang, Da Jonah David Jang, Col. David Dungs, Da Gyang Dantong, Senator I.D. Gyang, Hon. Simon Mwadkon, Senator Davou D.B Zang, Ngo Naomi Jugu, Da Barnabas Dusu, Da Jonah Madugu, Da P.D. Gyang and the Chairman of our great party (APC) Da Rufus Bature among others. “
Ahead 2023 presidential delegates Election, Plateau state has endorsed the immediate minister of transport,Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi as their sole presidential candidate.
This to reciprocate the good gesture of Amaechi for his numerous humantian and assistance to the people of plateau state for the registration of APC in the state, and financial assistance when they were in dare need of it , during the troublelent period.
Governor Bako Lalong stated this in his welcome address during the visit of the former Governor of River State and immediate past minister of transport Hon.Rotimi Amaechi on Thursday 19th May 2022 held at Victoria Gowon Conference Hall New Government House Little Rayfiled , Jos, plateau State.
Amaechi who is presidential Aspirant for 2023 General Election ,was in plateau to meet with the state delegates and solicit for their votes ahead the forthcoming APC primaries Elections.
Governor Lalong assured Amaechi that he doesn’t have anything to fear as regards to garnering votes in the state as they have agreed within them that their votes will not be casted for any other Aspirant expect Amaechi for his support to the people of plateau during trying time.
Lalong said like the popular saying that one good turn deserves another, because Rotimi Amaechi came to the rescue of the people of plateau when they needed assistance, it’s time for the people of the state to pay back to avoid being an ingrate full of ingratitude.
Going memory lane,the governor remember how the presidential Aspirant footed the bills of the registration of APC as political party in the in the three North Central zones of the country with plateau among,he also revealed that some of the presidential approval to the state projects,was facilitated by Amaechi even when the state were conspicuously represented at the federal cabinet.
Governor Lalong remained the delegates that Amaechi becoming the next president of Nigeria will be a great advantage to the state because is going to open widows of development to the state because the relationship between the state and the president has already been established.
He charged the presidential Aspirant to ensure he gives the plateau state railway projects expendious attention when he become the president of Federal Republic of Nigeria.
In his speech, Amaechi told the delegates that he was in the State to seek their support and mandate to fly the flag of the party in 2023 because he has the competence and capacity to tackle the challenges of the nation.
He take the delegates to his records of service as two-term Speaker and Governor of Rivers State, Former Chairman of the Nigerian Governors Forum, Former Minister of Transport and former Chairman, Conference of Speakers in Nigeria.
He said his relationship with Plateau State runs deep as he has worked with major stakeholders of the State over the years and promoted the interests of the State particularly during the administration of Governor Simon Bako Lalong with whom he shares close friendship.
Amaechi assured the people of Plateau State that the security and development issues of the State will be given priority when he becomes President of Nigeria.
In a session conducted by the Speaker Plateau State House of Assembly Rt. Hon. Yakubu Sanda, Majority leader of the House Hon. Naanlong Daniel moved a motion that the delegates adopt Rt. Hon. Amaechi as the aspirant to be supported by Plateau delegation. Hon. Baba Hassan seconded the motion which was unanimously carried.
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