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A group under the aegis of the Nigerians United Against Corruption (NUNAC) has described the accusation labeled against the Gagdi-led adhoc committee probing job racketeering in government agencies for allegedly extorting money from the agencies as the hand work of those who have benefited from the practice in the past.

The group in a press statement which was signed by its Executive Director, Mallam Mustapha Bello bemoaned the manner of the accusation, saying it was the case of corruption fighting back.

The statement described the work of the committee as an idea whose time has come, wondering why the 37-member committee will turn round to be engaged in extortion.

It was as a result of the envisaged quality of output the committee members led by Rt Hon Yusuf Adamu Gagdi will churn out that those who have benefited from the monstrous corrupt practice in the past are hell-bent on destroying the good reputation of members of the committee.

Mallam Bello said NUNAC was solidly behind the work of the adhoc committee, however described the distraction as unnecessary as it is tailored towards weakening the resolve of the House in sanitizing federal government agencies, parastatals, MDA’s and tertiary institutions of corrupt practices.

Nigerans United Against Corruption noted that already, Nigerians have an understanding of what has continued to transpire, ‘by denying children of nobody the opportunity to be employed, while those who have the wherewithal are given jobs without regard to the federal character spirit’.

Having been engaged in the fight to right the wrongs perpetrated by a selfish set of Nigerian government officials for several years running, the statement added ‘that rather than raise unfounded allegations against the committee, they deserve a pat on their backs’.

The statement further clarified, ‘if there was any evidence that could proof the allegation, it should be provided, rather than accuse all 37 members of extortion’.

By Freelance Reporters, Jos
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The Ad-hoc Committee of Nigeria’s House of Representatives investigating job racketeering in Federal Ministries, Departments, and Agencies has summoned all Vice Chancellors of Federal Universities to appear on Friday to provide documentary evidence on the allegation of bribery and extortion by a member of the Ad-hoc Committee.

The Chairman of the Ad-hoc Committee, Hon. Yusuf Gagdi, issued the notice during the resumed investigative hearing of the committee, in Abuja.

Hon. Gagdi dismissed the allegation of the alleged extortion of some MDAs by members of the committee.

While arguing that the author of the online report titled: ‘Nigerian lawmakers probing job racketeering are extorting money from agencies,‘ was being unfair to tag all the 37 members of the Ad-hoc Committee as ‘corrupt’, Hon. Gagdi maintained that the Ad-hoc Committee will not be deterred by any form of sponsored blackmail from carrying out its statutory functions.

He maintained that though he is the chairman of the committee and was unaware of any members collecting money from MDAs.

Hon. Gagdi noted that if the author of the report and the Vice Chancellors have any information on any particular member, such report should be channelled towards the member rather than blackmailing all the members of the Ad-hoc Committee.

He said it would be difficult for such a report to blackmail the committee before Nigerians, noting that they had seen how the committee was attacking the agencies.

He said the author of the story who failed to use the word alleged, however, went ahead to indict the 37-member committee, saying that such would not happen even in a military regime.

“Regarding what we are hearing and what we are seeing is first to tell Nigerians that this Committee is not going to be deterred in discharging its responsibility. Nigerians have hope in this Committee from the way we are conducting the business of this Committee, everybody is seeing what we are doing. We will not compromise by hiding and aiding irregularities going on in the public service.

“No amount of statements accusing this Committee will deter us from doing our job.

“You may have your problem with a member of this Committee but don’t blackmail the entire Committee.

“I’m saying this because I am not being accused of doing anything, but you have issues that you want to make a publication about a member of this Committee, sort it out with him, don’t put anything at the faces of members of this Committee.

“We are determined to do justice to Nigerians in the course of this investigation.

“My only appeal to the members of the Fourth Estate of the Realm of the Press is that let us be credible Journalists. If you have anything to say about us be categorical. Don’t accuse my Members blindly. Tell us who is accusing who, instead of tagging this Committee as corrupt Committee.

“It’s unacceptable to us, we are not and we will never be. Nigerians have hope in us and this will be the first in the history of the National Assembly that you will see mind-blowing recommendations that are aimed and targeted at cleaning our public service.

“So, the statement is simple, we will not be deterred. But don’t bring an indicting headline in the name of selling your newspaper or agency. Please I’m saying this

“We will move forward, and we will do the needful, we are not going to surrender,” Gagdi assured.

While noting that the Ad-hoc Committee had no problem with the information the online platform had regarding one of the members or some of them, he maintained that: “From day one of this committee I told them that we are going to be fought, we are going to be chastised, we are going to be witch-hunted even though we are going to do this job to the best of our ability.

“I do not look like someone that needs N2 million from the head of an agency, but the quarrel we have with you is the way the report came out, which does not look balanced and professional.”

To this end, he directed the Clerk of the Ad-hoc Committee to write the Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC) to ensure that all the Vice Chancellors appear before the Ad-hoc Committee on Friday to clarify the allegation.

“The meeting with Vice Chancellors was presided over by Wole Oke, from the report given to me, it was done publicly here, was that we will meet with them institution by institution sometime next week.

“But in view of certain developments, I think the Clerk should summon the Vice Chancellors to appear through the National Universities Commission on Friday. We have to sit on Friday.

“Let the letter reach the Commission today, I want to personally sign the letter so that some of these things will be done in the character of the committee publicly for us to ask questions on what particularly the members of the Press will want to hear. Clerk make sure you do that,” he said.

By Freelance Reporters, Jos
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The Chairman of House of Representatives ad-hoc committee investigating job racketeering in Ministries, Department and Agencies of government (MDAs), Yusuf Adamu Gagdi said on Tuesday, August 29, that the committee would not be intimidated by any act of blackmail against it by agencies of government.
The committee, however, summoned vice chancellors of all federal universities to appear before the committee on Friday, September 1, alongside the National Universities Commission (NUC) to make their presentations and defend their allegations.

Gagdi said the committee was determined to make a recommendation to the House that would reposition the nation’s public service, saying the committee would not be deterred by any act of blackmail.
Reacting to a report accusing the committee of extorting money from universities while negotiating same with Polytechnics and Colleges of Education to compromise their investigation, Gagdi said the committee was determined to do its job and would not compromise for anything.

He said the committee was not ready to betray the trust Nigerians have built in the committee because of the way it has gone about the investigation, adding that the committee will not hide any wrong doing in any agency in the public service.
He said: “we won’t be deterred by any act of blackmail. This committee has not asked any agency or money and we have not asked any member to demand for money on our behalf”.
While confirming that a meeting between the vice chancellors and a member of the committee took place, he said the aim of the meeting was work out the pattern their presentation will take.
He said: “the meeting with the vice chancellors was presided over by Hon Wole Oke at the end of the day, it was agreed that rather than take all of them together, they will be appear before the committee institution by institution next week.

“However, in view of the recent development, the Clerk will write a letter through the National Universities Commission today asking them to appear before the committee on Friday. All stakeholders will be present and the media should be present too.”
Gagdi said it would be difficult for anyone to blackmail the committee before Nigerians, since they (Nigerians) have seen how the committee has been attacking the agencies, adding that the committee would not be deterred from discharging its responsibility, adding that Nigerian had hope in the committee.
He said: “We will not compromise by hiding irregularities in MDAs, and no amount of statement accusing this committee of compromise will stop us from discharging our duty. You may have a problem with any member of the committee, but don’t blackmail this committee. Don’t put anything at the faces of this committee.
My appeal to the press is that let us be credible journalists. If you have anything to say about us be categorical, don’t accuse members blindly, don’t tag this committee as a corrupt committee.
In this committee, you will see a mind blowing recommendations that has not been made in this House before aimed at repositioning the public service. Don’t bring an Indictment. We are not going to surrender

“From day one of this committee, I told them that we are going to be fought, we are going to be chastised, we are going to be witch-hunted. We are going to do this job to the best of our ability.

By Freelance Reporters, Jos

Former Governor of Taraba State Jolly Nyame has congratulated the new Minister of Labour and Employment Simon Bako Lalong over his appointment by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

During a visit to the Minister’s residence in Abuja, Nyame described the appointment of the former Plateau Governor as well-deserved giving the antecedents and record of performance of Simon Lalong.

He prayed God to grant him wisdom and knowledge to discharge his duties with integrity and honesty.

The former Deputy Inspector General of Police Habila Joshak was also at the residence of the Hon. Minister to rejoice with him over the appointment.

Forum of APC House of Assembly Candidates in Plateau State also came calling on the Honourable Minister whom they described as a worthy leader and performer.

Led by the former Majority leader of the State House of Assembly Naanlong Gapyil, the group pledged their loyalty and support to his leadership.

The Minister appreciated the visits and asked for prayers as he takes on the task of generating employment opportunities for Nigerians as well as sustaining industrial harmony.

By Prince Sekat,Jos

If you ever took the adhoc assignment presently being handled by the Chairman, House Committee on Navy, Rt Hon Yusuf Adamu Gagdi OON for granted, you would have succeeded in believing that job opportunities in Nigeria belong to the highest bider.

What it translates into is that the children of nobody could as well be forgotten so long as there is no one to fight for him to compete with those often given waivers in the same process.

As Chairman of the Adhoc Committee investigating Federal MDAs Parastatals, Ministries and Tertiary Institutions on the Management of Personnel Recruitment, Employment, Racketeering and Gross Mismanagement of the IPPIS, Nigerians have been inundated with myriads of things that go against the spirit of Federal Character.

Sadly it has become a calculated pastime for Nigerian MDAs to recruit staff into their service without notifying the public of the availability of such vacancies through advertisements and or considering the sons of Nigeria’s nobody.

As they do not reflect federal character in their employment, it has led to a curious situation where some states are given many slots, while unfortunately others are left with next to nothing to share.

The disparity is a huge gap, which the Gagdi-led committee seeks to address in order to give a sense of belonging to all and sundry.

The fact that wavers are sometimes given should not be a yardstick to continue. Even if it happens, should equity not come in to play in their consideration?

Nigerians should consider what the committee seeks to achieve: We’ll compel you to advertise those slots so that the son of nobody will have the opportunity to apply. Perhaps, you’ll see him with a 1st class, you’ll see his performance during his interview to be super and then, you’ll recruit him to have the best in those agencies.

Above is the remark by the Committee’s Chairman, Rt Hon Yusuf Adamu Gagdi OON in one of its settings last week that Nigerians must be happy about.

No Nigerian child of nobody deserves not to be given a chance. No state deserves to be short changed in any federal MDA’s, parastatals, ministries or tertiary institutions.

It is on this score that the Gagdi-led committee should be supported to come out clean. Nigerians who have no one to hold their hands are indeed praying for it success.

Powered by:
GAGDI STRATEGIC MEDIA TEAM
August 23, 2023

By Freelance Reporters, Jos


The Defence Headquarters is concerned about a false and disturbing social media reports twisted to state that the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) received request to effect change of leadership in the country.

We want to use this opportunity to reiterate that the AFN never received nor made such declaration at any time to anyone or any group. We believe this statement came from those who do not wish the nation well. It is surely the wicked imagination of a few who are not happy with the progress and well-being of our dear country.

The AFN is very comfortable with democracy and remain loyal to the President, Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR. The military is always willing and ready to defend the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

We urge those peddling such falsehood to desist from such or face the law. The Military and indeed other security agencies are on the look out for these agents of doom. We must all all join hands to strengthen our democracy.

You are please requested to disseminate this information

Signed:
TUKUR GUSAU
Brigagier General
Director Defence Information
13 August 2023

8th August, 202



The Chairman of the All Progressives Congress in Plateau State, Hon. Rufus Bature on behalf of the entire APC family in the state, heartily felicitates with its amiable and digital gubernatorial candidate, Dr Nentawe Yilwatda Goshwe on the auspicious occasion of his 55th birthday anniversary.
The State APC Chairman said Dr Nentawe Yilwatda who is a very vibrant and steadfast political icon is a great asset not only to the APC but to Plateau State as a whole.
According to the state APC Chairman, Dr Nentawe’s emergence as the gubernatorial candidate is a decision the APC will never regret given his impressive and towering credentials not only as a Professor of ICT but a political grassroots mobliser and bridge builder which Plateau State needs as this time.
Despite the temporary set back at the last gubernatorial election, the APC remains very confident that Dr Nentawe Yilwatda and his Deputy, Hon. Pam Bot Mang are going to reclaim their mandate at the ongoing Gubetribunal Tribunal sitting in Jos in order to clean the augean stables and take Plateau State to its most desirable and enviable height with his visionary GenerationNext mantra.
Hon. Rufus Bature is full of praise for the youthful gubernatorial candidate whom he said is a man of peace and a totally detribalised Nigerian who believes in the unity and harmonious co- existence of the people of Plateau state irrespective of their religious inclinations.
The APC Chairman wishes Dr Nentawe, who is a beacon of hope, God’s abundant grace and good health in the service of Plateau state and, indeed, the nation at large.

Signed:

Hon. Sylvanus Namang,
APC State Publicity Secretary.

By Freelance Reporters, Jos

Former Plateau State Governor Simon Bako Lalong has sent warm felicitations to APC Gubernatorial candidate Dr. Nentawe Yilwatda on his 55th birthday.

Lalong in a statement described Dr. Nentawe as an accomplished academic, astute administrator, and a grassroots politician who has contributed enormously to the development of Plateau State and Nigeria at large.

According to the former Governor, the qualities of love, commitment, service, humility and intellectual sagacity which Dr. Nentawe has cultivated for many years have been amplified in the last couple of years since he decided to offer himself for political service.

He said Dr. Nentawe is a leader who believes in inclusive governance, peace and aspires to deepen the involvement of youth in productivity and government.

Governor Lalong said the message of hope generated by Dr. Nentawe’s Generation Next campaign slogan remains highly anticipated among Plateau citizens who are anxiously waiting and hoping that the election tribunal will return his mandate to serve Plateau State.

While wishing him many more years of good health, divine protection and favour, Lalong urged Dr. Nentawe to remain resolute and committed to serving the people as he awaits the tribunal verdict.

By Freelance Reporters, Jos

The Vice Chancellor of Plateau State University, Bokkos, Prof Matur Malau Bernard, has showered praises on Plateau State Government and Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), for the numerous supports the university has received through sponsorships of staff trainings and infrastructures in the past years.

Matur, who was represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Administration, Associate Prof Nengak Jurji Gomos, made this assertion during the taking over ceremony of the newly constructed Faculty of Agricultural Sciences building funded by TETFund, under the 2020/2021 Merged Annual Intervention described TETFund as an agency of the Federal Government that has contributed positively, not only in the development of Nigerian universities and it’s workforce, but by extension, the Nigerian students.

The Vice Chancellor described the magnificent building as iconic and one of the best edifices occupying the PLASU space and thanked the contractors, Andex Press and Allied Nig. Ltd, and Rinbang Nig. Ltd, who built and furnished the faculty, respectively, for keeping to contract specifications and delivering in good time, and assured them that their names will be written in PLASU good book.

Matur used the occasion to announce that academic activities will soon start at the faculty, as the National Universities Commission has given the approval for the take off of programmes.

Earlier, the Consultant, Arc. Elisha Ballat, of APD Associates, pointed out that, construction of the one storey building which stated in March, 2022, has provisions for 27 offices, classrooms, laboratories, water supply and has a good road network.

In their speeches, the contractors thanked PLASU and the Consultant for their supports during the period of construction and said, they are always ready and available for more jobs.

Dean of the Faculty, Dr Hosea Finangwai, thanked God for the successful and timely completion of the faculty building and said, the faculty will engage in teaching and research activities as well as find solutions to major problems of agriculture in Plateau State and beyond.

The Director of Works and Physical Planning, Builder Sarah Tsemwan-wayo, applauded TETFund for providing funds for the project, she thanked the Consultant for his relentless efforts and the contractors for jobs, well-done.

John K.Agam
Public Relations Officer

KEEP KANAM CLEAN INITIATIVE APPOINTS ADVISERS AND LEGAL ADVISERS


The idea of initiating Keep Kanam clean initiative movement is born out of our cariosity in creating and ensuring healthy and smooth environment to be found in Kanam LGA just like other locality in Nigeria. It is therefore, our desire and dream to see the organization grow in more rapidly. And on that single determination however, we must as a matter of duty begin to select persons and personalities of high caliber to the organization in meeting our expected target.

APPOINTMENT OF ADVISERS AND LEGAL ADVISERS.

Just like other organizations and bodies, corporate and non-corporate entities where advisers and legal advisers are mostly constitutionally provided so also Keep Kanam clean initiative.

However, sequal to the approval of the names of the nominees earlier forwarded to the EXCO of the organization as constitutionally provided and subsequently approved same, signed by the convener of Keep Kanam clean initiative on the 19th day of July, 2023 the nominees deem appointed

Accordingly, this among many deliberations were anchored during the last meeting of the organization held Wednesday 19th July 2023. Whereas the EXCO expressly reposed confidence that with these new set of appointees meant for the organization, the organization will no doubt witness a lot, it will undoubtedly expand more wider, strategized and being impactful positively on the lives of our citizentry.

The appointees are as follows:-

~ ADVISERS
1.Mr Linus Nehemiah YJ (JP) Environmental Health Officer
2. Prof. Mustapha Jamda
3.Comr.Usman Muhammad (C.E.O.SOS Educational Foundation)
4. Mr. Dahiru Shehu (JP)
5.Mr. Sama’ila I. Auta
6.Comr. Abdulmutalif S.Sambarka
7.Comr. Majam Philemon Nuhu
8.Hon.Comr,Sadiq Kwaltom
9.Hon.Auwal Kadel
10.MLS.Yakubu Sa’idu Dashe
11.Hajj. Jummai Ghambaze
12.Hon. Elisha Bitrus Shehu (JP)
13. Pharm.Gyang Samuel Ishaya
14.Mr. AbdulMubarak Yahaya
15.Mr. Satmak Dapar
16. Hajjiya. Hadiza Usman
17. Mr. Yunana Sulisma Dauda.

Legal Advisers
1. Hon. Richard O.Okonyia ESQ.
2.Barr. Mohd Idris Almagaji ESQ.

Furthermore, the appointment of patrons of the organization will follow suit after a short period of time.
The organization appreciated with all sense the effort and concern of our youths and elders within and outside the state for believing in our intention for a “GENUINE CLEAN ENVIRONMENT”

Let preserve and save our environment. Cleaningness is healthy and healthy is cleaningness and a Clean Environment is a disease free environment.

Thank you all and remained bless!

••••••••••••••••••••••
SANITARIAN Suleiman Pangkwal
Convener Keep Kanam clean initiative
21st July.