The Duke of Edinburgh, the Queen’s “strength and stay” for 73 years, has died aged 99.
Flags on landmark buildings in Britain were being lowered to half-mast as a period of mourning was announced.
The Guardian UK reported that Prince Philip’s health had been slowly deteriorating for some time. He announced he was stepping down from royal engagements in May 2017, joking that he could no longer stand up. He made a final official public appearance later that year during a Royal Marines parade on the forecourt of Buckingham Palace.
Here is a statement from Buckingham Palace on Friday announcing Prince Philip’s death.
“It is with deep sorrow that Her Majesty The Queen announces the death of her beloved husband, His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.
“His Royal Highness passed away peacefully this morning at Windsor Castle.
“Further announcements will be made in due course.
“The Royal Family join with people around the world in mourning his loss,” the statement said.
The Army Headquarters in Abuja has confirmed the killing of eleven of its soldiers of Operation Whirl Stroke in Konshisha Local Government Area(LGA) of Benue State. The personnel comprising one officer and ten soldiers who were on a security duty in the area were found dead following a rescue operations embarked upon by troops after the soldiers went missing. Director Army Public Relations Brigadier General Mohammed Yerima, who made this known in a statement said “Nigerian Army (NA) troops operating in Benue State came under attack while on routine operational task. The troops comprising one officer and ten soldiers were initially declared missing which prompted the deployment of a joint search and rescue team comprising NA troops and personnel of Operation Whirl Stroke. “The search and rescue team unfortunately found all the missing troops dead in Konshisha LGA of Benue State. While the bodies of the slain troops were evacuated immediately, efforts are ongoing to track down the perpetrators of this heinous crime with a view to bringing them to Justice. The NA under the leadership of the COAS Lt Gen Ibrahim Attahiru remains resolute in ensuring stability in Benue State as well as other parts of the country that are affected by the activities of criminal gangs. The NA remains determined to ensure that this unprovoked attack does not disrupt the general peace being enjoyed by the local inhabitants. “The COAS has therefore directed commanders on the ground to ensure sustained efforts in order to fish out and deal decisively with these bad elements who are threatening the peace in the area. “It may be recalled that Benue State which was a hot bed for violent clashes has been enjoying relative peace following the successes achieved by the various security agencies who have been working tirelessly to safeguard law abiding citizens and ensure they go about their legitimate business without fear of harassment by criminals. The NA appeal to the public to volunteer useful information that will lead to the arrest of the perpetrators of this dastardly act”.
WASE EQUITY PROJECT HEARTILY CONGRATULATES DR MUNKAILA ZAKARI YA’U ON HIS APPOINTMENT AS PIONEER RECTOR FEDERAL POLYTECHNIC SHENDAM
08/04/2021
Wase Equity project heartily joined its leader,Rt Hon Ahmed Idris Wase, the Deputy Speaker House of Representatives to congratulate Dr.Munkaila Zakari Ya’u on his appointment as pioneer rector federal polytechnic Shendam.
May this appointment bring forth, positive developments to the educational sector of Nigeria, Plateau State, southern zone and Wase constituency in particular.
We wish him good health,God’s Guidance and Protection, Long life and Prosperity as he assume office to serve the people.
We in Wase equity project wish to use this opportunity to reiterate our support to the federal, state and local government authorities.
Once more,accept our congratulations,Dr. Munkaila Zakari Ya’u, while wishing you a successful tenure in office.
The Leader of DVD Movement on the Plateau, Compt.Victor David Dimka fsi rtd, has described Chief Ayuba Burki Gufwan as a special gift to Plateau State and humanity as a whole.
The distinguished public servant made this known when he received in audience some members of DVD Movement with Special needs in his office on Thursday, April 7th, 2021.
In his words, “nothing should discourage you from achieving your goals in life as there is ability in disability. For instance, Hon.Ayuba Burki Gufwan is doing a lot of marvelous activities through his organisation to assist and empower members of our communities with the necessities of life”.
He encourage them to aspire for higher heights in their chosen endeavours.
He further used the opportunity to congratulate Chief Gufwan for adding another year to his age. “I am proud of him, and strongly believe that God will continue to bless and protect him”, he added.
President Muhammadu Buhari approved the appointment of principal officers and members of the Governing Councils for the newly established Polytechnics and Colleges of Education.
Director Press and Public Relations, Ben Bem Goong who announced this in a statement on Thursday in Abuja said the Chairmen and members of the Council of the affected institutions shall be inaugurated by the Minister of Education Malam Adamu Adamu at a date to be announced.
According to him, Professor Dakas J Dakas was appointed as the Chairman of the Federal Polytechnic, Ayede, Oyo State governing council while Dr Taofeek Adekunle is the Rector.
Others are Federal Polytechnic, Ohodo, Enugu state, Chief Dr Sylvester Ameh, Chairman Governing Council, Prof Edwin Onyeneje, Rector, Federal Polytechnic, Ugep, Cross River, Prof Andrew Chukumeri, Chairman Governing Council and Prof Edward Ntui-Okay, Rector.
Federal Polytechnic, Shendam, Plateau state has Sixtus Abetianbe as Chairman and Dr Zakari Ya’u as Rector. At Federal Polytechnic, Monguno, Borno, Dr Umar Tambari is the Chairman while Prof Garba Mohammed is the Rector.
Similarly, Ibrahim Tukur is the Chairman Governing Council, Federal Polytechnic, Wannune, Benue state while Engineer Dr Terlumun Utser is the Rector. The Federal Polytechnic, Daura, Katsina has Chief Wasiu Olamide as Chairman while Federal Polytechnic, Kaltungo, Gombo has Micah Kamat as Chairman.
For the Federal College Education, Iwo, Osun state, Liadi Tella headed the Governing Council while Prof R Adebayo is the Provost, Federal College of Education (Technical), Ekhadolor, Edo has Prof Samuel Osato as Chairman and Dr Emmanuel Asagha as Provost.
Federal College of Education, Gidan Madi, Sokoto is chaired by Prof Okoro Nwanko and Faruk Zaki as Provost, College of Education, Odugbo, Benue, Sen Salisu Matori, Chairman, and Prof Joel Obo-Eriba as Provost, College of Education Jama’Are Bauchi, Hon Aminu Abdulfatah, Chairman, Prof Indo Jidda, Provost while College of Education (Tec), Isu, Ebonyi had Simon Shango as Chairman and Dr Okey Reuben Okechukwu as Provost respectively.
Former Minister of Information, Professor Jerry Gana, has alleged that there is no government in Nigeria. Gana said this when he, alongside many of his supporters, returned the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) on Wednesday.
In March 2018, Gana, a member of the Board of Trustees of the PDP, had dumped the party for the Social Democratic Party. But addressing the party members in Bida, Niger State, during a reception to mark his return to the party, Gana said the country is nosediving and needs urgent rescue.
Prof. Gana said, “Today is not a day for lecture. It is not a day for campaigns. We just want to rejoice that we are back together solidly; and we are going to work together solidly, that we are going to work together effectively, that we are going to campaign powerfully. “I tell you, we are going to go around strategically, in such a way that the All Progressives Congress (APC) so called government, whether in Niger state; is there a Government in Niger State? Because many people are not aware, or at the Centre? At federal level, we don’t even have a Government.” Earlier, Party leaders from across the three Senatorial zones assured the party faithful that the PDP is ready to take over Niger and salvage it from the “deflated state that it is under the ruling APC”.
One of the finest souls on the Plateau is Chief Burki Gufwan. He has touched more less privileged people across Nigeria than other living being on the Plateau.
Through his Beautiful Gates Foundation, he has skilled and employed many people living with disabilities in the workshops. They construct tricycle for the handicaps, making hostel beds, gates, doors and many other items. He is the highest employer of people with disabilities on the Plateau.
He has raised funds to make thousands of tricycle through his foundation. These tricycles are shared to people living with disabilities across most states of the federation. No single individual has touched lives across Northern Nigeria were polio has ravaged many a person more Burki.
He has targeted women and people living with disabilities to support them with fertilizer during farming seasons. He is touching these many lives across the Northern states without noise and funfare as many will do.
Today I celebrate you as you turn 49. Happy birthday my inlaw and may God bless and reward your many labour of love to humanity. Congratulations Chief Burki Gufwan.
Plateau State Chairman, Association of Local Government of Nigeria ALGON, on Wednesday said that all Council chairmen in the 17 local governments have unanimously agreed to independently handle the payments of their respective workers in their council .
Mr. Ezekiel Pabuet Vuelgap ALGON Chairman Plateau state, made this known while speaking with newsmen after a crucial meeting held between Council chairmen and Labor union leaders in the 17 LGA’s .
He said that the resolution came following the delay in the payment of salaries by council chairmen in the past two months occasioned by the minimum wage increment as well as the dwindling Federal allocations to states .
In his words ” Arising from our meeting with the Labor union leaders with representatives from ministries on the issues of salaries ,you are aware that last year ALGON and labor union as well as workers in Plateau agreed on the implementation of the 30 thousand Naira minimum wage .
“We have commenced the implementation since the agreement was signed ,Your are aware that in the Month of January and February salaries of workers in the LGA are yet to be paid .
He further added that “This is not deliberate ,it is because of the challenges of the inflow which we are receiving , do you know that 99.9 of our revenue comes from the Federation allocation account , as such what is been generated internally is insignificant .
He lamented that what is coming in is insufficient to pay the council workers salaries as at when due hence the delay .
Hon Alex Naantuam the chairman of Shendam local government council who spoke to our correspondent expressed his desires to pay the LG workers the 30 thousand naira minimum wage .
GAGDI COMMISERATES WITH GOGWIM FAMILY OVER SENATOR SATTY’S DEMISE
I received with a devastating blow, the tragic reality of the passing unto eternal glory of Sen. Satty Davies Gogwim, a retired soldier, accomplished businesses mogul, consummate politician and legal luminary of inestimable credentials.
On behalf of my family and the entire good people of Pankshin/Kanke/Kanam Federal Constituency, I extend my sincerest condolences to the Gogwim family, the entire Ngas Nation and Nigerians at large over this irreparable loss.
The deceased had paid his dues and excelled in different spheres of human endeavors, leaving indelible footprints in the sand of history as a Jack of many trades and the master of all.
Your successors shall live to benefit from the avelenche of goodwill you have established while your sojourn on the planet earth lasted.
You came, you saw and you conquered; may Heaven smile at you, and grant your soul eternal rest, amen!
Signed: Rt Hon. Yusuf Adamu Gagdi, (Dan Malikin Kanam), Member Representing Pankshin/Kanke/Kanam Federal Constituency and Chairman House Committee on Navy.
Plateau State Governor Simon Bako Lalong has expressed sadness over the death of Senator Sati Davies Gogwim who died at the age of 71.
Governor Lalong described the death of the Senator Gogwim who represented Plateau Central in the Senate between 2007-2011 as a patriotic Nigerian who gave the nation and Plateau State his very best at all times.
He said the Senator who retired from the army with records of achievements, further proved his dexterity and diligence in politics, business, community service and philanthropy.
Lalong said the State will miss his consistent contributions to the growth and development of Plateau State particularly during its challenging moments where he offered counsel, facilitated engagements and resolutions that helped in mitigating such problems.
While commiserating with his family, friends and associates, Governor Lalong urged them to take comfort in the legacies he left behind and build on it to honour his memory.
Dr. Makut Simon Macham Director of Press & Public Affairs to the Governor of Plateau State. 7th April 2021
Freelance Reporters 