By Prince Sekat, Jos

The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has entered into a strategic partnership with the National Population Commission (NPC) and United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF), to kickstart a digital birth registration of children aged zero to five years in Plateau State.

The initiative which was unveiled on Wednesday during a press conference with the theme “Birth Registration Social Mobilization Campaign” held at the Conference Hall of the Federal Secretariat Complex, Jos, will also be a catalyst to a social mobilization drive to ensure that every child in the state has access to education, healthcare, and other essential services.

In her welcome remarks, the Plateau State Director of NOA, Mrs. Kaneng Tabitha Pam-Hworo emphasized the importance of registering new born babies, noting that the door-to-door campaign which will be carried out in all the 17 local government areas in the state, will be free of charge and will be taken very seriously.

“We want everybody, especially parents, to know that birth registration should be taken seriously. This campaign will take several months to ensure that everyone is abreast with the new directive,” she said.

In his address, the Director General of National Population Commission, Ojogun Tellson Osifo, who was represented by the Director Special Duties and State Operations, Mr. David Akoji, said birth registration is the first legal acknowledgment of a child’s existence, essential for safeguarding their rights and privileges.

The DG further explained that the collaboration with the NOA, NPC and UNICEF is aimed at ensuring that every Nigerian child has access to education, healthcare, and essential services from birth.

He encouraged parents and guardians to visit the nearest NPC registration centers, where children will receive a National Identification Number (NIN) upon completion of the registration.

“UNICEF is intervening because they have seen that our data for birth registration did not meet the global standard,” Osifo said.

In his statement at the press parley, the Director General of the NOA, Dr. Lanre Issa-Onilu said the groundbreaking initiative will shape the future of our nation’s children.

“The National Orientation Agency (NOA), in partnership with the National Population Commission (NPC) and UNICEF, is launching a nationwide birth registration social mobilization drive,” he noted.

“This drive aims to ensure that every child in Nigeria has access to essential services like education, healthcare, and social protection. We are focusing on registering all children aged 0-5 years and providing them with a National Identification Number (NIN) free of charge.

“Birth registration is a fundamental right of every child, and this initiative highlights its importance to the child, family, community, and nation. It is the first legal acknowledgement of a child’s existence, safeguarding their rights and privileges, and unlocking access to basic services crucial for their development and future.

“Accurate birth registration is vital for national planning and development, providing essential data for education, healthcare, and public services. By registering a child’s birth, families ensure recognition by the state, protecting them from abuse, exploitation, and statelessness.

“We encourage parents and guardians to visit the nearest NPC registration center to register their children. The process is simple, free, and requires only supporting documents like an immunization card or existing birth certificate.

“During this drive, every child aged 0-5 years will receive a NIN upon face capturing and birth registration. We urge all parents, guardians, and community leaders to participate in this crucial exercise. Let’s work together to give every child in Nigeria the best start in life.

“The birth registration drive, which started in August, will run until November 2024. Don’t miss this opportunity to ensure every child in your community has access to vital services,” he stated.

By Prince Sekat, Jos

Activities marking the 2024/2025 academic session have begun at Plateau State University, Bokkos, in line with the approved academic calendar.

On November 5, the university’s senate approved the commencement of full academic activities effective November 4, with online registration for returning students. The university has also released the first list of candidates admitted for the 2023/2024 academic session.

By this arrangement, the university aims to set the pace in strict adherence to universal standards and ensure early grooming of students to compete favorably with their counterparts in other universities nationwide.

“We want to change the popular perception that no academic activities happen within the first week of resumption and prior to Christmas,” said Chairman of Senate and Acting Vice Chancellor, Prof. Shedrack Best, through Deputy Vice Chancellor Academics, Prof. Moses Pyefa Galadima.

Prof. Best directed lecturers and faculty members to start lectures unfailingly on Monday, November 11.

During the meeting, Senate ratified management’s decision approving a two-installment payment option for tuition fees of 70% in the first semester and 30% in the second semester.

The Senate approved 24th November as deadline for payment of fees by Returning Students in the first semester, after which they are to pay a late registration fee of N10,000.

Also considered was a report on efforts to address security concerns. This includes the allocation of 90% of hostel accommodations to new students and 10% to returning students.

Senate also discussed efforts at fully digitizing the university’s operations. Lecturers and faculty members were encouraged to utilize the university’s portal for the management of student records, courses, and results.

Other reports reviewed and ratified by the senate include measures to regulate commercial motorcycle movement within campus to enhance student and staff safety, efforts to regulate union levies and departmental charges, and efforts to enforce the ban on sale of handouts by some lecturers.

Masara Kim
Acting Public Relations Officer
Plateau State University
Bokkos

By Prince Sekat, Jos

The Honourable Minister, Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction (FMHAPR), Professor, Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda has called for transparency and automation of processes to create visibility for the Ministry’s activities and to encourage both local and international collaboration.
The Minister stated this during the welcoming reception organised by the Ministry for the two newly appointed Ministers of the Ministry today Monday 4th November, 2024 at the Ministry’s headquarters in Abuja.
He said with collaboration and commitment to transparency, the Ministry could make significant strides in the Humanitarian sector.
“I am not going to perform miracle but to find a family that we can sit together and work out modalities of addressing the issues that are affecting us. We have challenges that we as a nation must recognise, identify and come together as people to address them for ourselves and our future “He emphasised.
He appealed to the Agencies, Management and Staff of the Ministry to give human face to every policy of  Government so that the people at the lower ladder will not be suppressed.
He expressed happiness for the warm reception given to him on his arrival at the Ministry. He appreciated the Permanent Secretary, Head of Agencies under the Ministry, the Management, staff and Union Executives of the Ministry and promised to carry everyone along as he also needs their cooperation to make the work easier.
Earlier, the Honourable Minister of State (HMOS) Dr. Yusuf Tanko Sununu  said Mr. President appointed the  two Ministers to find solutions to the issues bordering on the Ministry, to provide leadership and strategy to reduce poverty in the country.
He emphasized the need for cooperation and teamwork among staff to move the Ministry forward for a better Nigeria.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr. Abel Enitan in his welcome address congratulated both Ministers and stated that their appointments came at a crucial time when efforts are on-going to address the current socio- economic challenges facing the country and to bring succor to the citizenry especially those at the base of socio- economic pyramid in tandem with the Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr. President.
Enitan expressed his gratitude to the Management, Staff and the Union for their cooperation and support during the turbulent times. He enjoined them to extend same to the Honorable Ministers.

Present at the event were the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Delu Bulus Yakubu, Heads and Representatives of the Agencies under the Ministry and  Directors/Heads of Units as well as Union Executives of the Ministry.

Iliya  Rhoda Ishaku
Head, Information and Public Relations

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, Osun State Command was today thrown into mourning as an officer (name withheld) slumped and died out of shock immediately after he received his October Salary.

The event leading to the shock, as learnt was an expectation of three months 35% Salary increment arrears and New minimum wage implementation which were not added to the salaries of the NSCDC officers.

An inside source told ProwlingEagles, “Immediately after one of our officers received his alert this morning, he just screamed, ha!ha!!ha!!! After which he fell down and never woked up. All efforts to rescue him from the shock proved abortive. His body has been deposited in the mortuary”.

Our finding revealed that many of the officers had their salaries reduced by 24,000 naira instead of the expected increment and payment of arrears.

Recall that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had sometimes approved the 25/35% salary increment for some FG workers which includes the NSCDC but this was yet to be implemented.

In September, all officers received N40,000 increment on their salaries but, in the month of October, the unexpected happened as many officers were disappointed.

By Prince Sekat, Jos

Plateau State University (PLASU) Bokkos is poised to become the sporting headquarters of Plateau State.

The move is aimed at positioning the university for a leading role in peace building across the state, said Acting Vice Chancellor, Professor Shedrack Best.

Receiving a medal won by the university’s team in a recent football tournament, Prof. Best pledged to provide relevant facilities for the attainment of the vision, describing football as a unifier.

“Sports is an instrument not only for well-being but for social cohesion and for the peace building of the local community and local government which is badly needed,” Best said at a brief ceremony in his office on October 25.

“I hope that we can use PLASU as a sporting capital in order to achieve this,” the Acting Vice Chancellor said.

PLASU took part in a month-long local government tournament tagged Jasper Fiton Peace and Unity football tournament, second edition 2024.

The university’s team, PLASU Boulders, led by Coach Agwom, conceded no goal until the finals of the tournament, which it lost 1:0 to Selected Boys of Tenti. Professor Best applauded the team’s performance and encouraged it to do more in future outings.

Masara Kim
Acting Public Relations Officer
Plateau State University Bokkos

By Prince Sekat,Jos

Plateau State University has commenced the process of establishing new academic programs, which will increase the university’s academic programs to more than 52 from less than 20 as at establishment in 2005.

On October 28, the university’s management, led by Acting Vice Chancellor Professor Shedrack Best, received two separate Resource Verification Teams to assess the university’s readiness for the new programs.

Professor Best acknowledged the university’s rapid growth over the years, which has seen the expansion from three faculties to nine faculties at its permanent site.

He emphasized that the expansion of programs is part of his mandate and assured that his administration is committed to leaving a lasting legacy.

The Acting Vice Chancellor expressed his commitment to providing an enabling environment for Research, Teaching, and Community Service, which is the core mandate of the institution.

The verification teams included:

• A team led by Professor Ademola Ajayi from the University of Ibadan for the establishment of a Department of Religious and Cultural Studies under the Faculty of Arts.
• A team led by Professor Abdulrahaman Ndanusa from Federal University Technology Minna, Niger State, for the establishment of the Department of Statistics.
• Teams for the verification of facilities for the establishment of the School of Medical Sciences, Pharmacology, and representatives of the National Universities Commission.

Masara Kim
Acting Public Relations Officer
Plateau State University
Bokkos

By Freelance Reporters, Jos

Plateau State University Bokkos is mourning the loss of a vital stakeholder in its community relations efforts.

Mr. Bulus Mador, the Galadima of Butura, passed away on Sunday [October 27] after a brief illness. As Chairman of the joint community relations committee for the university and the host community, Mr. Mador played a crucial role in resolving disputes between the university and its initial landowners, Acting Vice Chancellor Prof. Shedrack Best said, Tuesday October 29.

Prof. Best described Mr. Mador’s demise as a significant setback.

“His passing has dealt a deep vacuum and caused a major setback in the university’s ongoing infrastructural and academic expansion drive,” Prof. Best said.

“He spent the whole day holding meetings with university and community representatives on Saturday [October 26], and was supposed to continue the meeting the following day but passed away before the meeting time,” Best said while leading the university management on a condolence visit to the deceased’s residence.

The District Head of Butura, Engr. Dr. John Makwal Mallo, and a representative of the deceased’s family, Danladi Mahanan, expressed gratitude for the university’s solidarity and love, urging for sustained unity between the institution and its hosts.

Mr. Mador’s legacy will be remembered as one of unity and cooperation between the university and its host community. His efforts will continue to inspire future generations.

Masara Kim
Acting Public Relations Officer
Plateau State University Bokkos
October 29, 2024

By Freelance Reporters, Jos

In line with the efforts of the Military High Command to ensure quick passage of information by members of the public to security agencies, the Military has activated active toll-free line for ease of communication in emergencies or complaints to Operation SAFE HAVEN (OPSH) Operations Room.

The toll-free line is specifically to serve as the fastest available means to the populace to report cases of insecurity within their communities to Headquarters Operation SAFE HAVEN for prompt action.

The general public is kindly enjoined to call the number below and report any security breach or any other issue of security interest within Operation SAFE HAVEN Joint Operations Area.

Headquarters Operation SAFE HAVEN (OPSH) Jos can be reached via toll free Mobile phone Number
*08000020203*


SAMSON NANTIP ZHAKOM
Major
Media Information Officer Operation SAFE HAVEN
7 September 2024

By Freelance Reporters, Jos

Plateau Bloggers and Online Media Association (PLABOMA) received with immense joy the news of the appointment of one of its illustrious Members, Chief Seigha Ebide by the Executive Governor of Plateau State, Barr. Caleb Mutfwang as Senior Special Assistant on Community Relations, South-South Nationalities.
This appointment didn’t come to us as a surprise considering the significant roles Chief Seigha Ebide is playing in the unity, peace and progress of the State.

This appointment is well-deserved, apt and timely.
We believe in the competence and capacity of the Appointee and his ability to mobilize and unite the People for progress as a Leader par excellence.

We appreciate the Governor for finding one of us worthy to serve in his administration.

We wish to admonish Chief Seigha Ebide to justify the trust bestowed on him by the Governor with sterling performance towards the actualization of the vision of the present administration.
“To whom much is given, much is expected”.

Go and be our good Ambassador.

Once again, congratulations and best regards.

Friday Bako
Chairman, PLABOMA

By Freelance Reportes,Jos

The Special Adviser on Security and Homeland Safety to the Plateau State Governor, Barr. Caleb Mutfwang,Brig. Gen. GG Shipi Rtd has said the curfew imposed last Sunday as a result of hoodlums who hijacked the peaceful #EndBadGovernance, in the State, will soon be over.

The Security Adviser, said the Governor does not intend to impose the curfew in the first instance because citizens have the right to protest as enshrined in the country’s constitution.

He said the step was taken only to protect lives and properties which is the responsibility of the government.

Gen. Shipi who also doubles as the Coordinator, Operation Rainbow, a State owned Security outfit, added that to ensure that the curfew does not have adverse effects on the businesses of peaceful citizens and economic growth of the State, the Governor has on a daily basis reviewed the curfew by adding some more hours for free movement.

According to him: “When the national protest began, we had a three to four-day peaceful section in the State, to an extent that Plateau was used as a reference point to other States. But unfortunately, the protest was infiltrated by miscreants who had other plans.

“As a responsible government that took oath to protect the lives of its people, we stepped in to prevent the situation from escalating, by imposing the curfew because it is better to be proactive than to wait for something to happen.

“The Governor does not intend that the curfew will be prolonged or be permanent because as we can all see, there is no day that passes that the government does not add some hours of freedom to citizens so they can engage in their legitimate businesses.

“The main interest of the Governor is for life to return to normal. His target is to relax the curfew permanently”, Shipi said.

Recall that the protest against bad governance turned deadly in Plateau State last Sunday when one person was killed in the Bauchi Road area of Jos North Local Government.

The protest, which began on August 1, calling an end to bad governance and hunger, took a different dimension when thousands of youths and children took to the streets, with some attacking businesses and markets.