*Chief Geoffrey Yilleng Former Deputy Chairman of Kanke LG (1997-99), Mourn the demise of Nde Hon. David Deshi Dimka, Former Executive Chairman of Kanke LGA (1997-99)*
I, received the news of your demise with rude shocked when we needed you the most, as custodian and dossier of history, elder statesman in the trues sense of the word.
working closely with you as the Deputy Chairman of Kanke Local Government then, as my boss, you taught me a lot which space will not permit me to mention but you were a hardworking man, peacemaker, wisdom filled when confronted with hard decision to take that will better the lives of people. You contributed your quoter to ensure we all have a better Kanke of our dreams and posterity will be kind to you.
Given the opportunity again, I will choose to work with you over and over again, you are a boss which everyone will yarn to have.
May God comfort the entire family of Dimka’s and my best prayers are with you to emulate the good virtue from the late father.
Continue to rest with our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, till we meet to part no more. Adieu Baba D.D Dimka.
Governor Simon Bako Lalong of Plateau State on Thursday 4th February 2020 revalidated his membership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at his polling unit in Ajikamai, Shendam LGA of Plateau State.
Governor Lalong who registered alongside his wife Mrs. Regina Lalong and daughter Stephanie decribed the process as another great opportunity for members of the party to demonstrate their faith and love for the party and also bring in more members into their fold.
Speaking with journalists after registering, the Governor described the process as smooth and seamless which will encourage many eligible people to register.
He said “we want our members to use this opportunity to bring in more people into the party because the APC is the people’s choice and the biggest party in Nigeria. Our vision and programmes are changing Nigeria and Plateau State for the better and I am very sure more people are going to join us”.
He appealed to the stakeholders and party officials to conduct the exercise with all sincerity and in accordance with the guidelines issued by the national headquarters of the party.
He warned against attempts to manipulate the exercise saying that the party has put in place the strategies for multi-level vetting to ensure that only a credible register is generated.
State APC caretaker Committee Chairman Chief Letep Dabang said the party has trained officials that will go into all parts of the State to carry out the exercise.
Governor Lalong later inspected ongoing projects. These include the Ajikamai township roads completed with asphalt, the N’yak – Gangnum road linking Lantang South from the farm training centre, as well as the Yelwa- Shendam road.
He addressed a large turn out of cheering crowds who appreciated the Governor for providing water, electricity and fixing the roads they have been yearning for over the years.
He said contractors have been substantially funded and are expected to complete the projects within record time as his administration is determined to complete all the projects it initiated along with many it inherited.
The Governor and his delegation later visited the Long Gamai of Shendam Miskoom Martin Shaldas III to intimidate him on their mission to Shendam and seek his blessings for a successful exercise.
Dr. Makut Simon Macham Director of Press &Public Affairs to the Governor of Plateau State. 4th February 2021
GOVERNOR LALONG SADDENED BY DEATH OF CHIEF JETHRO AKUN
Plateau State Governor Simon Bako Lalong has expressed deep sadness over the death of elderstatesman Chief Jethro Akun MON, the Saf Mabol Ron Kulere who died at the age of 76.
Governor Lalong in a statement described the death of Chief Akun as a great loss to his immediate family, the people of Bokkos LGA, Plateau State and the nation as a whole. He praised the contributions of the elder statesman in the governance of the State and the nation by actively participating in stakeholders engagement and making useful suggestions.
He described the late Chief Akun as an astute politician and administrator who contributed immensely to the political development of Plateau State and Nigeria, serving in different capacities with diligence, honesty and patriotism which earned him the national award of the Member, Order of the Niger (MON).
Lalong recalls that Chief Akun who served for two terms as a member of the Plateau State House of Assembly was also appointed Commissioner, serving variously in Ministries of Information and Communication as well as Youths and Sports.
Chief Akun according to the Governor was a key member of the APC who supported the Rescue Mission and did his best to ensure the success of the administration.
His passion for community development and empowerment saw him emerging as the President National Association of Microfinance Banks having spearhead and facilitated the establishment of the Daffo Mangai Community Bank in Bokkos LGA and many others across the nation.
The Governor also acknowledged the contributions of the late Chief Akun to the development of education in the course of his service to the nation where apart from establishing a private school, promoted community and faith-based efforts to establish various schools across the State. He later served as the Chairman of Council for the Federal College of Education Zaria and was elected Chairman, Committee of Governing Councils of Colleges of Education in Nigeria.
Lalong commisserated with the family of the deceased and prayed that God will grant his soul eternal rest.
Dr. Makut Simon Macham Director of Press & Public Affairs to the Governor of Plateau State. 4th February 2021.
With gratitude to God, the Dimka Family announces the sudden death of their Patriach, Hon. Nde David Deshi Dimka of Kabwir District in Kanke Local Government Area of Plateau State.
He will be buried on Friday, February 5th, 2021 at Tuwan, Kabwir in Kanke LGA of Plateau State. Corpse will depart Airforce Military Hospital by 8 am. There will be a Wake Keep on Thursday, February 4th, 2021 by 5 pm at Nde Victor Dimka Residence, No..5 shen street. St Finbars Catholic Church, Rayfield. He left behind Controller David Victor Dimka fsi Rtd and many other children. Grandchildren and great grandchildren. Family and friends Sign Ambassador James Dimka For the family.
EVICTION OF HERDSMEN: NORTHERN GOVERNORS CALL FOR CAUTION AND CALM.
The Northern Governors Forum says it is concerned by lingering reports that herdsmen belonging to a particular ethnic group are being targeted in some parts of the South East and South West leading to loss of lives and properties.
Chairman of the Forum and Governor of Plateau State Simon Bako Lalong recalls the recent intervention of the Nigerian Governors Forum led by its Chairman, Governor Kayode Fayemi who met with stakeholders in Akure, Ondo State to calm the tension and forge amicable resolution of the issues.
While such intervention was celebrated as a success to be sustained through further engagement between herdsmen and representatives of affected communities, emerging reports of attacks on herders and the gradual introduction of ethnic sentiments in the conflict is disturbing and should immediately be nipped in the bud before it gets out of hand.
While the Northern Governors Forum concedes to the rights of Nigerians to reside wherever they so desire without any molestation or discrimination, it also emphasizes that criminal elements should not be used to tar any particular ethnic group for any crime as that will portend danger to peaceful coexistence and national unity.
Rather, such criminal elements should be exposed, isolated and made to face the law of the land without prejudice to their ethnic backgrounds as the motives or criminal actions cannot be said to be the position of their ethnic group.
In the face of the recent worrisome developments therefore, the Northern Governors Forum calls for calm and cautions Nigerians particularly those in the affected areas who might have been aggrieved or targeted to exercise restraint.
Nigeria is going through a lot and escalating such tensions would definitely not resolve any grievances but rather aggravate the situation to levels that could threaten national security.
Leaders across political, ethnic, religious and community lines should avoid utterances and actions that further fan the embers of distrust, hate, violence and retaliation which can easily escalate the situation and cause chaos.
Relevant Government officials, traditional rulers and opinion moulders must also rise up and speak with one voice by not only condemning crime no matter who is involved, but also sending the right signals to those who want to take the laws into their hands and trample on the Nigerian Constitution by attempting to deny others the rights to live and pursue their legitimate business in whatever place they choose to reside.
Security agencies must equally be firm and rise up to the occasion by protecting all law abiding citizens against threat to their lives and properties irrespective of their ethnic or other affiliations. They should also send clear and unambiguous message to those threatening the peace that they will act decisively to stop them from plunging the nation to anarchy.
The Northern Governors Forum further assures Nigerians of all ethnic, religious and political persuasions of their constitutional rights to pursue their legitimate businesses wherever they choose within the region and appeal to the people to resist any attempt to lure them into any act that can threaten the peace and tranquility of the region and the nation at large.
Dr. Makut Simon Macham Director of Press & Public Affairs to the Governor, Plateau State & Chairman, Northern Governors Forum. 4th February 2021.
Plateau State is located in North Central Geopolitical Zone of Nigeria
The state is blessed with an area of 26,899 square kilometres, the State has an estimated population of about three million people.
The state is named after the picturesque Jos Plateau, a mountainous area in the north of the state with captivating rock formations.
The State was formed on the 3rd of February 1976, making it 45 years today!
Plateau can be described as a Miniature Nigeria ,because so many tribes, including the 54 indigenous tribes are resident in Jos the state capital .
Its Current Governor is Barrister Simon Bako Lalong .
Prior to the election of Governor Simon Lalong in 2015 under the platform of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Plateau State was bedeviled with all manners of crises .
It could be recalled with gloomy nostalgia that this unfortunate development ultimately forced many residents living, especially in the Jos and Bukuru metropolis, to relocate to other states in the country.
Our correspondent reports that Similarly, many business owners who lost their investments also left the state
The expectation was, therefore, very high that the wind of Change that brought in Governor Simon Lalong in 2015.
Six years on, the state has been witnessing a tremendous influx of both people from different works of life and businesses. Many observers say there is an unusually high traffic in many parts of the State as a result of the surge in population.
Lalong on assumption of office worked tirelessly to ensure that lasting peace is restored to the state .
At the moment peace has been returned to the state .
The Lalong led administration has also done a lot of developmental projects in the state .
Plateau is the 12th largest state in Nigeria, popularly known as the “Home of Peace and Tourism” with beautiful rock formations, hills and waterfalls.
To mark this glorious moment you could celebrate by visiting one of the popular tourist sites like:
""""" Ordinarily i wouldn't want to join the trending arguments on Social for or against those who worked one way or the other to bring about the Establishment of Federal Polytechnic SHENDAM . For the record , the said Federal Polytechnic Shendam , a bill was sponsor by Sen Joshua C. Dariye Senator Representing Plateau Central at Hallow Chamber of the NATIONAL ASSEMBLY to be sited in KANAM LGA , the same Bill Sen J.T. Useni to be Sited in Langtang North , Hon Beni Lar Member Representing Langtang North and South in the Green Chamber , Hon Johnbul Shekarau former member Representing Shendam, Mikang and Qua'anpan at the green Chamber Sponsor the same Bill , Hon Alphonsus L. Komsol Reintroduce the same the Bill , Hon Musa Dachung Bagos Sponsor the same Bill of Federal Polytechnic to be Sited in ZENDI in Jos East.. My Dear Social Media Warriors , the Above List of Senators and Reps members who Sponsor or reintroduce the bill for the Establishment of Federal Polytechnic in different Sites within Plateau state.. Dear brethren , sitting an Institution in any locality in Nigeria is the discretion of the Executive base on political consideration/patronage and Superior Lobbying .. Below is the statement credited by the Rep member Hon Alphonsus L.Komsol
“His Excellency, Governor Lalong is a Major Contributor to Approval of Federal Polytechnic Shendam”–Hon. Komsol Longgap @Unity FM Jos, Tuesday 3rd February 2021 So social media Warriors can you now Sheath Your Swords and Celebrate the Good news.. ?
After all , the Fed Poly is a victory for PLATEAU .. If ask me the Argument is NEEDLESS .. Stop over heating the Polity
I REMAIN PEACE AMB SIR TONY BAKO(KSM) GOD BLESS PLATEAU OF OUR DREAM
GOD IS ANSWERING THE PRAYERS OF PLATEAU- GOVERNOR LALONG
Governor Simon Bako Lalong says God has continued to answer the prayers of the people of Plateau State and other friends of the State across the world who have interceeded for the peace and progress of the Home of Peace and Tourism.
Lalong who was speaking at the 6th annual Plateau Prayer Day held at the Government House Chapel Rayfield Jos said the State is gradually leaving its past experience of instability which almost robbed it of the God given potentials.
He said “When we look back at where we are coming from particularly before our administration came on board, we have every reason to give thanks to God and continuously depend more on the Lord even at this critical time of our history”.
He thanked Christian and Muslim faithfuls in the State for not only praying consistently for Plateau State, but also participating in preaching love, unity, forgiveness and tolerance which has engendered tranquility that is the basis for any development.
Lalong said the choice of the theme for this year’s prayer day which is “By His Grace” is very apt because it captures the grace of God towards the people of Plateau State and Nigeria who have had to contend with difficult challenges occasioned by COVID-19 and other issues.
He emphasized the determination of his Government to do its best in providing purposeful leadership that inspires confidence, supports peaceful coexistence, delivers basic services and infrastructure as well as leave behind lasting legacies for generations yet to come.
Guests speaker Rev. Yakubu Pam, Chairman Nigerian Christian Pilgrims Commission who spoke on the topic “By His Grace” said the grace of God gives hope, joy and patience to wait for the manifestation of His power among people.
He admonished the people of Plateau State not to take the grace of God for granted by returning to the past experience of bitterness, intolerance, violance and incitement which undermined the progress of the State.
As this year’s Prayer Day coincides with the 45th anniversary of the State, he urged them to continue to support and pray for Governor Lalong and all other officials of the State as well as the President for God’s divine wisdom to do more in taking Plateau State and Nigeria to higher heights.
Chairman Christian Association of Nigeria Rev. Fr. Polycarb Lubo appreciated the Governor for setting aside the 3rd of every February as Prayer Day for the State, saying this has demonstrated that the Government and its people depend on God for direction.
Speaker of the Plateau House of Assembly, Nuhu Abok Ayuba, Chief Judge Gyang Dakwak, Commissioner of Police Edward Egbuka and Long Gamai of Shendam Miskoom Martin Shaldas III all appluaded the Prayer meeting and said the event was another sign of hope for the State.
Dr. Makut Simon Macham Director of Press &Public Affairs to the Governor, Plateau State. 3rd February 2021.
Be careful how you judge people. 2015: The Rt. Hon. Simon B. Lalong, a former state legislator rose from an underdog candidate to be a winner in the gubernatorial polls. 2019: Written off because he was competing against a candidate who was a military Governor when he was only a pre-university student at SPS Keffi he won again! 2021: from an orchestrated campaign as under-performer (or so rated by a local radio station) among Southern Plateau politicians he transmuted within weeks to one of the greatest achievers for attracting Federal development projects to the zone!! Lalong appears to be an enigma. The more he is villifed the more he seems to excel. From his biographical background, from youth, he appears to always exceed people’s modest expectation of him. Yes, he became a state legislator but who ever thought he would be the longest occupier of the seat in the state or even voted twice as Chairman, Nigerian Conference of Speakers by his colleagues from all the 36 States of the federation. I thought his life history should inspire our youths with similar humble background and the enduring belief that with with God’s help one could excel notwithstanding and to begin to emulate his example. Rather I see some being recruited into a patently destructive path of mindless hate! Some through narrow party partisanship while many others by way of unbridled tribal sentiments. I will say that under the democratic dispensation in Plateau State other past governors have made their marks in the state leveraging on their various individual strengths and opportunities. I count it a blessing that I have been privileged to serve in the two previous democratic administrations of their excellencies, Gov. Joshua Dariye and Gov. Jonah Jang so I have some knowledge of their inner workings. My point here is to appeal for moderation in the manner of correcting our leaders. I’m concerned because I see a lot of venom spewing from our young people on social media when commenting on political matters.. I believe that the hate building up within our community is not only detestable but ominous to our future as a peaceful society. I have been a government critic most of my career life (don’t forget the early days when we had to confront military governments) and I know my views are still subject of discomfort in some circles. I believe therefore that criticism is a healthy habit in a society. However, I believe such should be constructive, healthy and hate-free. Partisanship may be unavoidable but it should be reasonably objective and constructive . My fellow compatriots, we don’t know what more goodies Plateau State will win through Gov. Lalong’s style, so we should give him the support. Where we think he’s crossing the red line we can sound the alarm but this mindless hate mongering must stop please. In matters of gubernatorial legacies, as some people lately seem concerned, always let posterity be the judge!!
Plateau State Governor Simon Bako Lalong says former members of the legislature have a great role to play in profering solutions towards addressing the challenges of the nation and promoting natonal unity.
Governor Lalong said this while addressing the meeting of former members of the Plateau State House of Assembly at the Government House Rayfield Jos Tuesday 2nd February 2021.
Lalong said the Forum of former legislators is necessary to harness their experiences and knowledge in handling some of the challenges that the State and nation is contending with.
He said “as former members of the legislative arm of Government, we have to come together and discuss the progress of Plateau State. This is the moment for us to work across party lines which is a common practice in the floor of the house especially when it affects critical issues. We can also practice this even if we are no longer legislators”.
The Governor said the former members of the legislature should always put the interest of the State above any other consideration as they champion the consolidation of peace and progress in Plateau State.
He called for synergy between past and serving legislators at both the State and Federal levels across party lines in the interest of State, citing the example the newly established Federal Polytechnic Shendam whose bill was initially spearheaded by Hon. Johnbull Shakarau, a former member of the Plateau State house of Assembly who later went to the House of Representatives and collaborated with other elected representatives to champion the cause.
Acting Chairman of the Forum Hon. Maimako Bello congratulated Governor Lalong for his achievements especially his doggedness for the establishment of the Federal Polytechnic Shendam, thanks to the support of President Muhammadu Buhari who has continued to give the Governor a listening ear by acceding to many of his demands.
Hon. Maimako Bello said the former legislators appreciate the Governor as he has paid attention to their welfare by settling their outstanding entitlements and reaching out to them at personal levels.
Other members also commended the Governor for his vision of completing inherited projects and also implementing new ones throughout the State.
Dr. Makut Simon Macham Director of Press & Public Affairs to the Governor of Plateau State. 2nd February 2021.
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