*Makut Mobilise youths across Ron Central to Register/Revalidate with the APC.*
Makut Alfred Mashat, An APC stakeholder in Bokkos Local Government today mobilised youths across Ron Central Axis to register with the APC as he revalidated his membership of the Party at Nghassi Polling unit of Mandar Ward.
Makut,who is the Senior Special Adviser to Distinguished Senator Hezekiah Dimka on New Media challenged the youths that they can no longer sit on the fence as politics determine almost all facets of society;
“This is the process of staking your claim in the Political equation,no one will give you power on a platter of gold,if you don’t register with a political party,you cannot participate in making a change for your community,
We cannot complain in Ron Central that APC has not been good to us as an Axis,if we don’t have any reason to register enmasse for the APC,we should remember that the Plateau State University (PLASU) Was almost taken away from us until the APC Government through Lalong ensured the school held it’s first convocation, with so many graduates that have since gone for service.
The PLASU legacy is not an immediate one,but in 30 years to come, we will realise the impact,we will have more professors,more graduates even as our economic potentials will blossom, let’s not eat our future today with stipends,let’s join the progressive party” Makut Stressed.
Flanked By APC Youth Leader Mandar Ward,Maram Langwen, Tenti Polling unit Chairman,Kunet Polling unit Chairman and PRO of the APC in Mandar Ward amongst other youths that came out to register in the Axis from Kunet to Butura Kampani to Nghassi to Machambe to Tenti and Garwaza.
The APC registration/Revalidation is on going in all polling units across the federation.
National Youths Re-Awakening Forum for 2023, NYRAF-2023, has taken a swipe on the House of Representatives member representing Jos South/Jos East Federal Constituency, Dachung Musa-Bagos, for criticising governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi state.
Recall that Mr Bagos had during Wednesday’s plenary raised a motion condemning Governor Mohammed’s alleged divisive comments on the recent ethnic clash between Yoruba people and Fulani herders as Sasha Market in Oyo state.
Rising in the governor’s defence, the group, in a statement signed on Thursday by its Convener, Adnan Mukhtar-Adam, said Mr Mohammed’s comments were not divisive and inflammatory, “but rather intended at cautioning all stakeholders to guard against escalating tension and calm frayed nerves towards forestalling a reprisal up North.”
According to the group, Mr Bagos’ comments on the governor are instead the “semantic bickering” that is likely to enable nerves to continue flaring and cause an unwanted situation.
Mr Muktar-Adam said: “Firstly, we need to correct the lawmaker’s erroneous and warped understanding that Governor Bala’s statement was not divisive and inflammatory but rather intended at cautioning all stakeholders to guard against escalating tension and calm frayed nerves towards forestalling a reprisal up North.
“In any case, we wonder why Honorable Dachung will among a pool of authoritative voices who delved into the matter, single out the Executive Governor of Bauchi State for attack during plenary as much as we believe there are more pressing demands than singling out a governor for attack, one in which we have strong reasons to believe he was being sponsored by former speaker Yakubu Dogara,” he alleged.
The also accused Mr Bagos of being in the habit of attacking people in positions of authority, saying: “Dachungs penchant for attacking authority is cerebral and not surprising especially when he has got backing.”
He added: “A single glance through his Twitter handle will reveal this. For instance, on 22nd October 2020, in response to the #LekkiTollGateShootings, he tweeted and we quote in part, “It is rather unfortunate that those saddled with the responsibility of protecting peaceful protesters turned out to be the oppressors.”
“It is worthy of note that Dachung did not find it worthy to leave a word for our security and response agencies who were equally affected and some of them even brutalised by some mob.”
The group’s convener, therefore, stressed that Governor Mohammed, “is by all standard and yardstick a Nationalist who cares about National Unity and security and this is obvious from his antecedents.”
“We hereby advise Hon. Dachung Musa Bagos to reserve his energy against Bala Mohammed and concentrate more on the welfare of his people,” Mr Muktar-Adam added.
The group, therefore, advised the lawmaker to focus on his legislative job, saying that there are other more pressing issues to deliberate upon, other than the governor whose intention was clear.
He said: “If the honorable house member is not aware there are so many motions to move and we will do him the honors of enumerating some for free as follows: “One: a motion calling for the arrest, interrogation and prosecution of Sunday Igboho, the mastermind of the mayhem.
“Two: a motion calling for the constitution of peace and reconciliatory committee that will work towards healing wounds and foster unity in vulnerable areas.
“Three: a motion mandating state governors to work collectively towards National Security.”
The group also advised Mr Bagos to sheath his sword against Governor Mohammed and work harder than he is currently doing, “because as a young vibrant legislature, he has a great potential which may be cut short if he continues to offer himself for proxy wars.”
“In conclusion, we would like to reiterate our unreserved commitment and support for vision Bala Mohammed,” the group stressed.
The Students of Plateau state University, Bokkos are protesting over the long unsuspended ASUU strike.
The Protests which ongoing at the Plateau state house of Assembly is lead by the President of the student Union Government of the varsity Comr. Ezekiel Lautei.
WASE EQUITY PROJECT WELCOMED THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT’S APPROVAL FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE COLLAPSED WASE- LANGTANG BRIDGE.
17/2/2021
Wase equity project welcomed the Federal Executive Council’s approval of the sum of 2.8 billion Naira for the construction the damaged bridge along Wase-Langtang road.
The forum said among many competing demands across states, the Federal government looked the way of Wase constituency with this yet another project that will impact positively in the life of our people.
We wish to acknowledge the efforts of the Deputy Speaker of house of representatives His Excellency, Rt Hon Ahmed Idris Wase who leveraged on his personal and official contacts to get the nod of the Federal Government for this important intervention at this critical time,which when completed will impact on the constituency’s transport system as well as socioeconomic activities of the Southern plateau
The forum appriaciate the FEC under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari for the approval despite the financial difficulties government is passing through, to the extent of cutting down on budgets and suspending some projects as a result of the negative effect of economic realities
The forum recalled that Hon Wase recently secured the inclusion of the said project in the 2021 Federal budget as signed by the President.
We are therefore, callling on Wase citizens to continue to support Hon Ahmed Idris Wase, Federal and Plateau State Governments,as well as the All Progressives Congress (APC) for more gains of democracy in the form of projects and appointments.
NORTHERN GOVERNORS CONDEMN KIDNAP OF STUDENTS IN NIGER STATE
The Northern State’s Governors Forum says it is distressed and saddened by the spate of attacks and abductions particularly the reported abduction of some students, staff and families of the Government Science School, Kagara in Niger State by suspected bandits.
Chairman of the Forum and Governor of Plateau State Simon Bako Lalong in a statement condemned the abduction of the students, describing it as a heinous crime and another sad day in the history of the nation.
Lalong said this was another calculated attempt to further deprive the State and the northern region the chance to overcome illiteracy and poverty which is endemic due to the lack of education and other associated opportunities.
He said “We totally condemn the abduction of the school children who did nothing wrong than go to school to seek education. This is a sad and reprehensible act that must not be tolerated whatever the motive of the criminals. It is an act that further compounds the efforts to enroll more children into schools particularly in the Northern region where illiteracy is very high and enrolment is gradually appreciating after sustained efforts by Government and development partners.”
Governor Lalong said the quick action taken by security forces to ensure the safe return of the abductees is reassuring as he sympathized with the parents and families of the victims, urging them not to lose hope even as they go through this traumatic period. He asked Nigerians to rally round the distraught families and support the security forces with useful information that will ensure that those behind this unfortunate development are apprehended and brought to book.
He said the Northern Governors will collectively work in solidarity with their colleague Governor Abubakar Sani Bello to not only ensure that this present situation is resolves swiftly, but bring to an end this unacceptable spate of banditry and destruction of lives and properties that is affecting the State, other parts of the region and the nation at large.
Dr. Makut Simon Macham Director of Press & Public Affairs to the Governor of Plateau State & Chairman, Northern Governors Forum. 17th February 2021
PRESIDENT BUHARI CONDEMNS SCHOOL ABDUCTION IN NIGER STATE, DISPATCHES SECURITY OFFICALS TO THE STATE
President Muhammadu Buhari has received reports of the brazen attack on Government Science College, Kagara, Rafi Local Government Area of Niger State, following which a yet to be ascertained number of staff and students have been abducted by gunmen.
Following these reports, the President has directed the Armed Forces and Police, to ensure immediate and safe return of all the captives. The President has also dispatched to Minna, Niger State a team of security chiefs to coordinate the rescue operation and meet with state officials, community leaders, as well as parents and staff of the College.
President Buhari has assured of the support of his administration to the Armed Forces in their brave struggle against terrorism and banditry and urged them to do all that can be done to bring an end to this saga, and avoid such cowardly attacks on schools in the future.
“Our prayers are with families of the victims of this attack,” said the President as he condemned as cowardly the attack on innocent school children.
Garba Shehu Senior Special Assistant to the President (Media and Publicity) February 17, 2021
PLATEAU STATE TO PARTNER NAPTIP IN FIGHTING HUMAN TRAFFICKING AS GOVERNOR LALONG MEETS NEW NAPTIP BOSS
Director General of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim says the agency is opening up new visters of partnership that will embrace more institutions and donors towards tackling the crimes of trafficking in human beings which is on the rise.
The DG stated this when she met with Governor Simon Lalong in Abuja to seek ways of collaboration in her new task.
She said the Agency has commenced a wider consultation with State governments and other critical stakeholders in building a solid platform for preventive approach to the fight against trafficking. This she said was the best way to go because the situation where victims are traumatised and negatively affected before rehabilitation is reactive and does not go far.
The NAPTIP boss said it was cheaper and more profitable for human trafficking rings to be identified and disrupted while the victims are protected rather than allowed to undergo harrowing experiences with some of them losing their lives.
She commended Governor Lalong for being one of the first in the country to sign into law the VAAP Act and Child’s Rights Law which are major instruments for the fight against human trafficking and other violent crimes against children and other persons.
Governor Lalong who congratulated the NAPTIP boss over her appointment said the issue of human trafficking has taken many dimensions with various individuals and organised groups participating to make profit from the misfortune of others.
He said the situation is made worse by poverty, ignorance and greed where even some parents abdicate their responsibilities by putting their children in harm’s way in a bid to make money.
Governor Lalong assured the NAPTIP DG that he will not only support her efforts in Plateau State, but will use his position as the Chairman, Northern Governor’s Forum to mobilise his colleagues towards enhancing the work of the Agency.
Dr. Makut Simon Macham Director of Press & Public Affairs to the Governor of Plateau State. 17th February 2021.
MINISTRY OF WORKS CONDOLES WITH THE HYAT FAMILY. The Plateau State Commissioner of Works, Hon. Pam Bot-Mang led the Management and Staff of the Ministry to condole with the Hyat family of Ganawuri, Riyom LGA over the demise of late Engr. Ishaku Mantu Hyat,the Secretary of Riyom LGC, whom the Commissioner said has served Plateau State in different capacity very well. Pam Bot-Mang made the statement during the condolence visit by the Ministry at the residence of Engr. Sunday C. Hyat,the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Works, who is the younger brother of the deceased at Ganawuri, Riyom LGA of Plateau State. Condoling the family of the deceased, Pam Bot-Mang disclosed that as a Politician he had personal relationship with Ishaku, describing late Ishaku Mantu Hyat as friend of the Ministry and a good administrator. The Honourable Commissioner prayed God to continue to comfort the immediate family, Ganawuri Chiefdom,the entire people and staff of Riyom LGA as well as the nation at large. Responding on behalf of the Hyat family, Engr. Sunday Hyat appreciated the Management and Staff of the Ministry for the visit,noting that the family is indeed comforted by the demonstration of love and concern shown to the family of the deceased. He added that it shows that the deceased has had a good relationship with people in the Ministry and also Riyom LGA,where he once served as Director of works till his retirement. Engr Sunday Hyat equally thanked all those who identified and sympathised with the Hyat family through phones and personal visits.
PRESIDENT BUHARI GREETS LT. GEN. JEREMIAH USENI AT 78 President Muhammadu Buhari sends warm felicitations to former Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Lt. Gen. Jeremiah Useni on his 78th birthday, congratulating him on many years of service to the nation, particularly as a military officer who held strategic positions. The President joins family, friends and associates of the former Military Governor of defunct Bendel State in celebrating the auspicious moment, heralded by distinguished service as Minister of Transportation and Quarter-Master General of the Nigerian Army. As the former Minister turns 78, the President commends his courage for consistency in service to the nation and his people, including winning elections as a Senator, and championing issues that directly impact on development. The President prays for good health and longer life for the former minister. Garba Shehu Senior Special Assistant to the President (Media & Publicity) February 16, 2021
NORTHERN GOVERNORS INTENSIFY CONSULTATION FOR PEACE AND SECURITY In continuation of the efforts to de-escalate the security situation in the country, the Northern Governors Forum has met with heads of security agencies, traditonal rulers and other stakeholders. The Northern Governors led by its Chairman and Governor of Plateau State Simon Bako Lalong met with service Chiefs in Kaduna where they held a closed door meeting lasting hours. Although no detail was revealed after the meeting, sources say the meeting was in relation to the security challenges in the Northern region and the country as a whole. Later on Monday night a meeting between the Northern Elders Forum and Northern Governors Forum was held at the Plateau Governor’s Lodge Abuja. Governor Simon Lalong, Chairman Northern Governor’s Forum together with the Governor of Sokoto State Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, and Deputy Governor of Nasarawa State represented the Northern Governors Forum while Prof Ango Abdullahi led the Northern elders to the meeting. After the closed door meeting, Governor Lalong said the meeting discussed the need for all stakeholders across the country to take strong measures to calm down the State strained nerves. He said the Northern Governors Forum has already dispatched a team to go to the South West to interface with their colleagues from that area. Dr. Hakeem Baba Ahmed, spokesman for the Northern Elders Forum said they all agreed that all Nigerians must be protected wherever they reside and that criminals should be treated as criminals and not with any tribal, ethnic or religious coloration. Dr. Makut Simon Macham Director of Press & Public Affairs to the Governor of Plateau State. 16th February 2021
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