Plateau State Governor Simon Bako Lalong has signed into law 2 bills passed by the Plateau State House of Assembly aimed at strengthening the economy of the State. The laws are:
Plateau State Revenue(Consolidated) Law 2020
Plateau State Debt Management Department (Amendment) law 2020
While signing the bills into law, the Governor explained that With the Consolidated Revenue Law in place Plateau State is set to ensure uniformity, certainty and concord in revenue collection through a single machinery coordinated by the Plateau State Internal Revenue Service.
He said with this development, the Government expects its revenue to grow as it blocks leakages and also ensures that all revenue collection is automated.
He said already, the State has engaged a reputable revenue firm to facilitate the harvesting of revenues from sources that have been neglected over the years. Another issue that the new law addresses is multiple taxation which has been a major concern for businesses and other tax payers.
The Governor appealed to the citizens of the State to cooperate with the relevant agencies in the implementation of the law because the revenue generated will be used to implement the projects and programs that are ongoing and those that will be initiated.
The Governor also explained that the amendment of the Debt Management Law was to make it function as a department in line with the Federal law while the tenure and functions of the DG have also been adjusted accordingly.
Dr. Makut Simon Macham Director of Press & Public Affairs to the Governor of Plateau State 20th November 2020.
NORTHERN GOVERNORS GREET FORMER PRESIDENT GOODLUCK JONATHAN @ 63
The Northern Governors Forum has sent warm felicitations to former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan on his 63rd birthday, November 20, 2020.
In a congratulatory message, Chairman of the Forum and Governor of Plateau State Simon Bako Lalong said the former President has continued to serve the country with zeal and commitment.
He said former President Jonathan is a true Democrat whose passion for the growth of democracy is reflected not only in his records while in office, but of his current engagements where he has travelled round the world to monitor elections and also engage with stakeholders.
The Governor also said saluted the former President’s patriotism and dedication to the unity, peace and development of Nigeria as well as offering counsel on various issues.
While wishing many more years of good health, peace and happiness, the Northern Governors asked him to remain focused on his life of service that has brought honour and goodwill to Nigeria.
Dr. Makut Simon Macham Director of Press & Public Affairs to the Governor of Plateau State & Chairman Northern Governor’s Forum November 20th, 2020
ROLE OF TRADITIONAL RULERS: NORTHERN GOVERNORS INAUGURATE COMMITTEE.
In line with resolutions reached during its last engagement with traditional rulers and other stakeholders in Kaduna, the Northern States Governor’s Forum has inaugurated a Consultative Committee on the Roles of Traditional Rulers in Governance Architecture of Nigeria so as to explore ways that traditional rulers would have more involvement in governance. While inaugurating the Committee Chaired by the Emir of Lafiya, Alhaji Sidi Bage Muhammad I, in Lafiya, Nasarawa State, Chairman of the Northern States Governor’s Forum and Governor of Plateau State Simon Bako Lalong said the establishment of the Committee is important considering the great role that traditional rulers play in mobilizing their communities and also maintain peace and security within their domains. He said though traditional rulers have continued to agitate for the inclusion of their roles in the Constitution, this has not yet realised, hence the decision of the Forum to make an effort towards achieving the desire as it will benefit the society. He said “the Traditional Rulers still command a high degree of legitimacy in the eyes of the people. As such, there remains the need to integrate the institution into the country’s contemporary governance system. That is why we believe that political and economic development would be more successful when rooted in widely shared institutional and cultural values which traditional authorities represent. Furthermore, assigning constitutional roles to the traditional institutions will not only be because they are the closest to the grassroots, but also because they are a permanent feature of Nigeria’s body polity. They can therefore contribute more robustly to the development of the society beyond the advisory roles they perform at the moment”. Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State in a remark said the nation stands to gain more if and when it captures the traditional institution in the governance architecture because they have a lot of experience and serve as the conscience of the people. He expressed confidence that the committee will come up with a comprehensive report that will enable the Governors to work with other stakeholders in ensuring that the matter is carried along in the next constitutional amendment. Responding on behalf of other members of the Committee, Emir of Lafiya, Alhaji Sidi Bage Muhammad I, said the committee will do its best to come up with recommendations that will bring an end to the long clamour for mire involvement of the traditional institution in governance just as it was obtained many years ago. The Emir who is a retired Judge of the Supreme Court assured that the 11-member Committee will consult widely and get the views of other critical stakeholders during it assignment. The terms of reference for the committee are: i. To review available Reports earlier submitted by previous committees, panels and commissions on roles of Traditional Rulers in Governance Architecture and advise the Northern States Governors’ Forum appropriately. (ii) To propose defined roles for the Traditional rulers particularly in the Governance Architecture of the Northern States and Nigeria. (iii) Any other recommendation to assist the Forum in pushing for defined roles and responsibilities in the Governance Architecture Nigeria and Northern States in particular. The Committee has 8 weeks to complete the assignment and submit its report.
Dr. Makut Simon Macham Director of Press & Public Affairs to the Governor of Plateau State & Chairman, Northern Governors Forum. 19th November 2020.
SPEAKER GAJABIAMILA VISITS GAGDI’S NEW ABUJA RESIDENCE, PLAYED SNOOKER TOGETHER.
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, was yesterday at the newly constructed palacial residence of the member representing Pankshin/Kanke/Kanam Federal Constituency, Rt Hon. Yusuf Adamu Gagdi, to greet and encourage him at Diplomatic Zone, Abuja.
The Speaker whose joy knew no bounds and visibly elated by the achievements of Rt. Hon. Gagdi in the past one year in office, showered encomium on the PKK memeber for blazing the trail in legislative activism and achieving extraordinary feats, both personally and to his constituents, within the span of one and a half years in office.
He commended Gagdi for striking a perfect balance between people centered representation and his personal development, both intellectually and economically, and encouraged him to keep the flag flying.
The Hon. Speaker later played game of snooker with Gagdi in his pent house at the new residence, and prayed along with him and his family that God should fortify Gagdi His shield and bless everything he sets out to achieve.
According to the speaker, Gagdi is an epitome of loyalty and excellent representation whose contributions on the floor of the House and other official engagements are without blemish.
You will recall that the speaker was recently in the office of Rt Hon. Gagdi with some principal officers of the House to commemorate with him on his 40th birthday, where the speaker extolled the leadership qualities of the PKK representative and wished him well.
This is an indication that PKK has voted the right person with the midas touch, who is using his connections to advance the cause of his electorate.
The activities of Rt. Hon. Gagdi, so far, is excellent and without blemish. It is our sincere prayer that he sustains the tempo and bring uneven development to the people of Pankshin, Kanke and Kanam Federal Constituency.
Cultism: CSO urges Lalong to urgently declare state of emergency
*Tasks security agencies to be ruthless with cultists
*Pledges total support to security agencies
*Appeals to residents to support security with information on cultist’s hideouts
*Seeks speedy passage of Plateau anti cultism law
A peace advocacy and human rights group in Plateau State has decried the unabated criminal activities associated with cultism in the state,calling on Governor Simon Lalong to urgently declare a state of emergency on the menace.
This was as it tasked the Plateau State House of Assembly to immediately prioritize the treatment of the state anti cultism law by working towards its immediate passage for effective and efficient treatment of cultism related cases in the state.
On the other hand,the group under the aegis of Coalition of Plateau State Civil Society for Peace and Human right tasked security agencies to be ruthless with cultists in the state,saying the change of approach had become imperative to end the ugly development.
In a press statement,Thursday,signed by its National Coordinator,Dr Pam Pwajok and National Secretary,Mrs Hannah Golu,respectively,the peace advocacy and human rights group said its positions followed its emergency meeting on the 18/11/2020 where it deliberated extensively on cult activities in the state.
The group, according to the statement,”condemned in the most strongest terms the barbaric senseless and inhuman killings of over 10 young men in a renewed activities of cultism within Jos Metropolis by rival cults within the space of one week.”
“This action is reprehensible and must not be allowed any place in the state,” it said.
“We call on the Executive Governor of Plateau State, Barr. Simon Bako Lalong,to as a matter urgency, declare a state of emergency on cultism in Plateau,” it said,adding:” We appeal to Plateau State House of Assembly to speedily pass the anti cultism law for the state.”
The group further said:”While we task the governor to liaise with all security agencies to clamp down on this miscreants with every vigor, we urge the security agencies on the other hand to wield a very big stick on cultism with a view to defeating the menace once and for all.”
While commending security outfits in the state especially Operation Safe Haven for routing crimes and criminality,most especially the inglorious herders/farmers conflicts that once enveloped the state,it tasked the security agencies to be ruthless with cultists henceforth,saying it was the best approach to ending the menace just as it expressed confidence on them.
“We have confidence in the security agencies operating on the Plateau,especially Operation Safe Haven to deliver on this urgent and important task. We urge them to rise to the occasion the very way they handled the once incessant farmers/herdsmen conflicts and other heinous crimes within their mandate,” it said.
It added:”We kindly appeal to all the security agencies to collaborate and rescue Plateau citizens from this menace that is threatening the security and peace of the entire state.
“The activities of these cultists have gone out of hand in recent time and must be stopped by using maximum force if we want to achieve meaningful results.”
According to the group, ” For some obvious reasons, our judicial system is incapacitated and unable to give these criminals maximum punishment due to lack of sufficient evidence or adequate law to prosecute them hence security agencies need to rise up to this singular challenge of cultism bedeviling the state.”
It regretted that:”The activities of these cultists have led to the death of several productive young men from rival groups and even innocent persons who were caught in cross fire.”
“Available information to us indicate that these groups of cultists perpetuate all the dangerous crimes ranging from armed robbery, kidnapping and extortion while hiding under this deadly and evil association called cultism hence must be stopped once,” it claimed.
” We in the civil society and human rights organizations wish to pledge our total support and maximum cooperation to our security agencies in this fight to enable them sanitize our dear state before it becomes ungovernable.
“We stand by them and will provide valid information that will help them in prosecuting this war against cultism,” the group declared in the statement.
It tasked the governor to provide necessary support to all the security agencies in the state to enable them prosecute the war against all criminal activities in the state.
” We therefore want to finally appeal to Governor Simon Bako Lalong to provide the necessary support to all the security agencies to enable them defeat this crime once and for all,”it said.
NORTHERN GOVERNORS FORUM INAUGURATES COMMITTEE ON YOUTH AND CIVIL SOCIETY ENGAGEMENT
The Northern Governors Forum has inaugurated a Committee on Youth and Civil Society in order to enhance engagement towards tackling the challenges of the region.
While parforming the inauguration in Kaduna, Chairman of the Forum and Governor of Plateau State Simon Bako Lalong said the setting up of the committee became necessary so as to involve the youths and members of the civil society in the programmes that aim to resolve youth unemployment, illiteracy, crime, poverty among others.
Governor Lalong said the setting up of the Committee headed by the Emir of Zazzau Alh. Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli follows the decision reached at the last Consultative Meeting of the Forum and members of the Northern Traditional Council and key stakeholders in Kaduna.
He said “We are well aware that youths form a bulk of the population of the region and the nation, and as such have a great role to play in the destiny of the country. Their voices must not only be heard, but their opinions and views should always be carried along in governance. Here in the Northern Region, the challenges facing the youths are enormous and very well known to us. These include unemployment, illiteracy, crime, drug abuse among others. As leaders, we must not only address these challenges, but also engage the youths in a manner that they own the process to make any initiative successful and long-lasting”.
The Governor emphasized that the assignment of the committee is very crucial in Forum’s agenda of changing the fortunes of Northern youths from despondency to hope, and from few opportunities to vast windows for self-realization and wealth creation.
In his response, Chairman of the Committee, Emir of Zazzau Alhaji Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli assured that the committee will face its assignment with vigour and passion and also consult widely to arrive at a conclusion that will assist in finding lasting solution to youths restiveness in the region.
He commended the Northern Governors for conceiving the idea of the Committee which affirms the fact that sooner than later, the youths are going to be in the saddle of leadership.
The Committee which has 33 members drawn from the 19 northern states is expected to complete its assignment within 8 weeks.
Dr. Makut Simon Macham Director of Press & Public Affairs to the Governor of Plateau State & Chairman Northern Governors Forum. 18th November 2020.
Plateau State Needs Over 1,000 Additional Nurses for Effective Delivery of Healthcare Services – Plateau NANNM
The Plateau State Chapter of the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) said the State need over 1,000 additional Nurses to perform optimally and deliver effective healthcare Service.
The Association decried the shortage of Nurses in the Health Facilities across the State. The group disclosed that over 500 Nurses have retired since 2012 without replacement and said that is adversely affecting service delivery a situation it described as pitiable.
Speaking during a Press Conference to mark the 2020 International Year of the Nurse and Midwife set aside by the World Health Assembly which held at Nurses Green House Yingi Jos, the Plateau State Chairman of the Association, Nrs Briskila D. Dabit while appreciating Gov. Simon Lalong for giving approval to Plateau State Specialist Hospital and Plateau State Hospitals Management Board to employ health Workers appealed to the State Government to expedite such action to employ reasonable number of Nurses to address the manpower deficit being experienced across the State. She said the situation at the Local Government Areas is pathetic saying Nurses and Midwives were last employed in 2006.
“As we strive hard twards l Universal Health Coverage by 2030, the world needs additional 9million Nurses to compliment those already working and the ones that will retire before then. As such we call on Government at all levels to give a waiver to health institutions to replace any health worker particularly Nurses that retire in other to mitigate the gross shortage of this workforce” She said.
Nrs Briskila said despite numerous challenges confronting Nurses, they have remain committed to their duties. She urged members to continue to be more professional and diligent in discharging their responsibilities.
Speaking at the occasion, Nrs Ezekiel Magmang, Chairman of the Central Planning Committee spoke on the critical roles played by the Health Workers and the need for greater attention for optimal service delivery.
Director Nursing Services Plateau State Ministry of Health, Nrs Ladi Davou Zuh commended Health Workers for their contributions to Nation building and improved health of the citizens. She urged them to discard all negative tendencies, be more united; professional and diligent in the discharge of their duties as they serve humanity.
The theme of the event is “Nursing a Voice to Lead, Nursing the World to health
The Association will hold a Public Lecture at Eliel Centre on Thursday 19th November, 2020.
PROGRESSIVE GOVERNORS COMMISERATE WITH PLATEAU STATE
Chairman of the Progressives Governors Forum and Governor of Kebbi State Abubakar Atiku Bagudu on Tuesday 17th November 2020 led some Governors of the APC on a solidarity visit to Plateau State to commiserate with the Government over the looting and destruction of public and private properties by hoodlums who hijacked the ENDSARS protests.
Governor Bagudu who was accompanied by his colleagues from Yobe, Mai Mala Buni and Jigawa, Abubakar Badaru, said their visit was to express sympathy with Governor Lalong over the unfortunate events that led to the destruction of properties worth billions of naira.
He said though the protests were legitimate and supported, criminals hijacked the agitation to perpetrate crimes under the guise of searching for palliatives. He maintained that Governors did not hoard any palliatives as wrongly insinuated.
The Progressives Chairman said “we have the best interest of our youths at heart and believe that without empowering them, development will be difficult to achieve. That is why the APC Government right from the Federal to the States continue to roll out empowerment initiatives that will build the capacity of the youths and make them productive. We shall continue to engage and dialogue with them in enhancing their well-being so as to address restiveness”.
Responding, Governor Lalong thanked them for the solidarity and goodwill over the unfortunate incident. He said the destruction has taken the State back as some of the properties looted, vandalised and destroyed were sources of job creation and industrialisation.
He told the delegation that over 31 public and private properties were affected with losses estimated at over 75 billion naira which will be difficult to restore.
He said already, he has engaged the youths and other stakeholders after the incident to ensure that there is no repeat of such incident.
The Governors later proceeded to Lagos for a similar visit to Lagos State Government.
Dr. Makut Simon Macham Director of Press & Public Affairs to the Governor of Plateau State. 18th November 2020.
NORTHERN GOVERNORS CELEBRATE PAULINE ALAO, WIFE OF FIRST CHIEF OF AIR STAFF AT 79
The Northern Governors Forum has congratulated Mrs. Pauline Alao, wife of Nigeria’s first Chief of Air Staff, Col. Shittu Alao who recently marked her 79th birthday.
In a congratulatory message, Chairman of the Forum and Governor of Plateau State Simon Bako Lalong described Mrs. Alao as a woman of substance who has maintained high sense of responsibility and diligence in her career, mentoring not only her children but many in society.
Governor Lalong said Mrs. Alao has continued to devote her time and resources in assisting vulnerable persons in society particularly widows whom she has supported to start businesses and provide for their children.
He said “Mrs. Alao remains a shining example for the support she gave her late husband when during his career in the Armed Forces when he became the first Chief of Air Staff. Her commitment, loyalty and devotion has remained exemplary as she maintains her faith in the Nigerian project by continuing to emphasize unity, tolerance and peaceful coexistence”.
While wishing her good health, God’s divine protection and wisdom, Governor Lalong urged her to continue to avail the nation her knowledge and counsel.
Dr. Makut Simon Macham Director of Press & Public Affairs to the Governor of Plateau State. 17th November 2020.
It was a moment of pride for Governor Simon Lalong and the people of Plateau when he recieved Miss Sylvia Ulan Andrew, a citizen of Plateau State who emerged the best in the recently conducted WAEC examinations as she scored A1 in all the subjects she sat for during the last examinations.
Ulan who is from Bokkos LGA of the State is a student of Premier Academy, Lugbe Abuja. She is said to have a history of record-breaking having emerged overall best at national common entrance examinations which earned her a scholarship by the Shell Petroleum Company.
Governor Lalong congratulated her for the feat and said he was not surprised because of the abundant talents available in the State. He said the State will grant her scholarship to any University of her choice.
He praised her mother for raising her single-handedly since the death of her husband even before Ulan was born.
Plateau State Coordinator on SDGs Mr. Sam Damla who led the family to Government House Little Rayfield said the performance of the student again shows the potentials that the people of Plateau State possess which must be harnessed.
Ulan thanked the Governor for the reception and promised not to disappoint him and the people of Plateau State. She explained that her passion is to be a Chemical Engineer.
Dr. Makut Simon Macham Director of Press & Public Affairs to the Governor of Plateau State. 17th November 2020.
Freelance Reporters 