PRESS STATEMENT

NORTHERN GOVERNORS FELICITATE WITH GBONG GWOM JOS AT 69.

The Northern Governors Forum has congratulated His Royal Majesty, Da Jacob Gyang Buba, Gbong Gwom Jos on his 69th birthday.
In a congratulatory message, Chairman of the Forum and Governor of Plateau State Simon Bako Lalong said the royal father has contributed to the development of Plateau State, the region and Nigeria as a whole through the many responsibilities he carried out over the years.
Lalong said “Without doubt, the story of your life has been that of excellence, diligence, honesty, patriotism and compassion as you have impacted positively on members of your immediate family and all people that have come across you”.
The Governor also said as Chairman of the Plateau State Council of Traditional Rulers and Emirs, the Gbong Gwom Jos has worked together with his colleagues to promote and consolidate on peace in the Plateau State and other parts of the Northern region as well as facilitate the economic prosperity of the people. This he said has equally enhanced the dignity and integrity of the traditional institution in the State and the nation in general.
While wishing the traditional ruler more years of God’s favour and protection, Governor Lalong urged him to continue to offer his wise counsel and wealth of experience towards assisting the Forum in addressing challenges of insecurity, under development, poverty and illiteracy.

Dr. Makut Simon Macham
Director of Press & Public Affairs to the
Governor of Plateau State &
Chairman, Northern Governors Forum.
10th October 2020.

CHOICE OF HON. GEORGE DAIKA BY THE PDP, A POLITICAL SUICIDE.

The Peoples Democratic party in Southern Zone may have committed a political suicide by their choice of candidate, Hon. Daika as the PDP flag bearer for the October 31st Senatorial bye election in Southern Zone.
As political parties intensify campaigns, reports indicate that contrary to what the PDP thought, Hon. Daika is not on ground in his home local Government, Mikang.
Though from Mikang, Daika does not have the capacity to enjoy/harvest the much talked about home advantage in Mikang due to his limited influence in Piapung, where he’ll have to slug it out with Hon. Naanlong Gapyil, the majority leader of Plateau State House of Assembly, which means KOENOEM, TEHL AND GARKAWA districts are safe havens for the APC.
However, his inability to empower the youths when he was in the National Assembly is one factor strong enough to lead the PDP and its flag bearer to political dungeon.
Few weeks past, youths of Mikang under the aegis of Mikang Youths for Peaceful Coexistence came out to dissociate themselves from the candidature of George Daika, saying they’re in support of Quaan Pan to complete the remaining tenure as a mark of honor for late Sen. Longjan, adding that Mikang has always enjoyed the support of Quaan-Pan people so they’re giving Quaan-Pan 100% support.
However, report has it that Hon. Daika has mobilized his boys moving from town to town with paints writing Amana on every project in sight, from electric poles to boreholes and classroom blocks.
This goes to show how how desperate the PDP candidate is in need of campaign points.
This act has made some heavy PDP bigwigs contemplate giving George their support, saying they over rated his capacity and political worth and now it’s too late.
This is evident that the PDP had committed a political suicide by choosing Daika as its flag bearer.

The Federal Government has retained the N9.2bn budget for the renovation of the National Assembly complex.
This is according to the 2021 budget proposal presented to the National Assembly on Thursday by the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.).
The project, which is being implemented by the Federal Capital Territory Administration, was tagged as an ‘ongoing’ one.
The budget for the maintenance of the Presidential fleet also rose from N8.5bn in 2020 to N12.5bn in the 2021 budget amid calls for the Presidency to reduce the number of aircraft in the fleet.
The Presidential fleet, which is used to convey the President, has also in recent time been used to fly members of his family to personal functions.
Buhari and Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo are also expected to spend N3.2bn for travels next year.
While N2.4bn was set aside for Buhari’s travels, N801m was earmarked for the Vice-President.
The Federal Government also set aside N2.3bn for the payment of entitlements of former heads of states, Presidents and Vice-Presidents.
A further breakdown of the allocation to the Presidential Air Fleet in the fiscal document shows that N2.4bn will be spent on overhauling of Gulfstream G550, Falcon 7X and CL 605 aircraft engines N2.4bn.
The spending is marked as a new project.
Another new project for the PAF is the purchase of AW 139 helicopter gear box which is expected to gulp N1.65bn.
The overhauling of Challenger 605 and Hawker 4000 aircraft landing gears will cost the government N1.1bn.
Another new project is what is termed “ompliance with mandatory upgrades on PAF aircraft” and N1.8bn was appropriated for it.
This is apart from the N1bn voted for maintenance of aircraft and the N250m allocated to aircraft fuel.
For the budget of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, N500m will be spent on the procurement of treated vehicles for the pool of former Heads of State and former Vice Presidents while N212m will be spent Independence Day and Democracy Day
Meanwhile former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has taken a swipe at the N13.08tn 2021 budget proposal submitted to the National Assembly by the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), on Thursday.
Atiku said proposals contained in the document contravene critical sections of the Fiscal Responsibility Act as such, the president and his team should recall and rework the document in the interest of the nation and its economy.
The former Vice President’s position was contained in a statement titled “The 2021 Budget Proposal Contravenes The Fiscal Responsibility Act,” he signed and made available to newsmen in Abuja, on Friday.
He said, “I call on the President, to recall this budget, and recalibrate it to reflect the provisions of the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2007, and the current economic realities of the nation. To do otherwise will not only be unpatriotic, it will also be catastrophic for our nation’s economy.”
According to him, a careful study of the 2021 budget raises a number of “very grave and perhaps, disturbing issues” which he noted that space and time constraints made it difficult for him to list them all in a single intervention.
Copyright PUNCH.

By Prince Sekat, Jos

It was a colourful gathering at the residence of Nde Meshach Chindaba, an Elder statements man whom have served the state in different capacities from being an Adviser to the govt to being a honourable member PLHA, amongst member other positions both in public and private sector.
Amidst Friends and well wishers, Nde Chindaba presented Miss Rotdirmwa Glodean to the Family Da Dinju for the solemnization in holy matrimony between Rotdirmwa and Jacob. The honourable had invited close friends, political associates, Family and neighbors to a banquet in his Residence at No. 5 Chindaba Close, Gold and base, Rayfield Jos to join him in thanking God for showing him this great day to mark the last day his daughter will be spending at home as a daughter to her transition to being a wife and mother.
The Bride’s father, Nde Chindaba appreciated all those who had left from far and wide to come share in his family’s joy saying that in their family tradition, they don’t call for “send forth” for their daughters but usually call on friends to pray before handing their daughters over for marriage.
The CAN Chairman PLATEAU STATE, Most Very Reverend Father Polycarp Lubo was the clergy who had led the service of prayers and Thanksgiving. He admonished her to be of good conduct and character as she has always been known for saying that Marriage is a school in life that has no end until death. Again he charged her to be prayerful and obedient to her husband as the holy books have called women to do, that if she will in all circumstances call on God, God will always be there to answer her. He concluded by praying for all that have gathered and blessing them with fatherly blessings.
So many elders were present, amongst them were;
Justice Daniel Longji,
Nde David Parradang,
Nde Gonen Gofwen,
Hon.Amos Gombi,
Nde Goya,
Mr Sati Tanko,
Dr Zakka
Engr. Hosea Wukwa
Prince Sekat
Mrs Victoria Ari,
And many others.
The moments for Item Seven came and people were served many different delicacies of their choice to wine and dine, the DJ thrilled the crowd with a mix of contemporary and Oldschool play that got everyone dancing in merriment.
Nde Ayuba Gana, the NUT chairman Plateau State gave a vote of thanks on behalf of the Family praying for safe journey mercies for all who had come back to their houses and the wedding tomorrow. The bride was ushered to the pastor and Groom’s friends who came to pick the train to the pastor’s house for the wedding that will hold tomorrow, Saturday the 10th of October 2020 at COCIN Church Abattoir, OPP. The Head office of University of Jos Consultancy Services by 11am and reception subsequently at Solomon Lar Amusement Park,Jos.

PRESS STATEMENT

NORTHERN GOVERNORS CELEBRATE GOVERNOR INUWA YAHAYA AT 59

The Northern Governors Forum has sent warm felicitations to Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State on the occasion of his 59th birthday.

Chairman of the Forum and Governor of Plateau State Simon Bako Lalong described Governor Inuwa as a man of excellence and compassion who has brought his progressive ideals to governance of Gombe State.

Lalong said Governor Inuwa is a man who has demonstrated great commitment to the plight of the poor and vulnerable by initiating programs and projects that continue to lift them out of poverty, illiteracy and health burdens.

He said “we are proud of his achievements and acknowledge his wonderful contributions within the Northern Governors Forum as we work in synergy to harness the potentials of our region and make the lives of our people better. He is an embodiment of intellect, humility and honesty”.

While wishing him many more years of peace and good health, Governor Lalong urged him to continue to deploy his energy and goodwill towards touching the lives of people in Gombe State, the Northern region and Nigeria as a whole.

Dr. Makut Simon Macham
Director of Press & Public Affairs to the Governor of Plateau State and Chairman, Northern Governors Forum.
8th October 2020.

RE: ZAWAN COMMUNITY DRAGS PLATEAU GOVERNMENT & 2 OTHERS TO COURT OVER ILLEGAL SALES OF LAND

October 8,2020

The attention of Zawan Youth Alliance (ZAYA) has been drawn to a write up with the caption “Zawan Community Drags Plateau Government & two Others to Court Over Illegal Sales of Land” which was widely publicized by some Bloggers, online Media and social media Users.

Ordinarily, we wouldn’t had bother responding to the write up, but it became imperative to correct the false, misleading and erroneous caption which we felt the general public need to know.

To set the records straight, the land in question which the writer(s) of the misleading story wrote belongs to certain individuals and not the community. Even as the community is in solidarity with the land owners.

We may not know the motive behind dragging the entire Zawan Community into the matter when the land is not a Community land.

While the Land Owners have every right to seek legal redress on the issue which they have done and we are in full support, the entire Zawan Community shouldn’t be dragged into the issue.

The general public should therefore know that the information that Zawan Community drags Plateau State Government and two others to court over illegal sales of land remains false and misleading and should be disregarded.

For the avoidance of doubt, we wish to state categorically that Zawan Community is not in legal tussle with the Plateau State Government.

This respond is to correct the wrong impression being publicized to mislead the general public on the subject matter.

Thanks and God bless.

Mr. Emmanuel Zi

ZAYA President

MIKANG LOCAL GOVERNMENT CHAIRMAN TASK POLITICAL APPOINTEES IN THE LOCALITY TO DELIVER THEIR WARDS/POLLING UNIT.

As part of Hon. Ezekiel Vuelgap led administrations effort to strengthen the bond of unity within the All Progressive Congress {A.P.C} in Mikang. The Executive chairman of the locality through the Council Deputy Hon. Bako Augustine held a meeting yesterday 7/10/2020 with all the 161 appointee’s of the Council.

The meeting which was held at the Council Chamber was aimed at Uniting all party’s elected and political appointee’s across the four {4} district of Mikang LGA ahead of the forthcoming senatorial Bye election comes October 31st.

The Deputy Chairman charged the appointees to be forward thinking in the discharge of the onerous task of delivering their individual polling Units & wards comes October 31st.

He further said, that building our future together is more than a mantra. It is a policy thrust that we will leave no stone unturned to actualize.

He admonished all by saying “Our inclusiveness is not deliberate, because together, we will achieve more an at a faster pace”.

Responding. The appointee’s, like in their earlier phases are in consonance with the Hon. Ezekiel VuelGaP led administrations policy to promote inclusiveness, merit and experience in its quest to building a peaceful and more prosperous future for Mikang having served the council for a period of time now.

At the end of the long hour deliberation, a motion was moved and seconded by the Special Adviser to the Chairman on Political Matters Hon. Markus Kumbat, charging all appointees including the Chairman of the Council, His Deputy, Hon. Member of the State House of Assembly and the Hon. Commissioner to deliver their Federal Wards, While elected Councillor’s and Supervisory Councillor’s to deliver their various State Ward’s and all Appointee’s and Stakeholder’s of the party in the locality to deliver their various Polling Units.

Plateau workers will start receiving the new minimum wage in October, the Chairman of the state chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mr Eugene Manji, has said.

Manji, who disclosed this while briefing newsmen to mark the World Day for Decent Work, said that the new minimum wage was to have been implemented in the state in March, as the negotiations were concluded and a partial agreement was signed.

He said that the COVID-19 pandemic, however, delayed the commencement of implementation.
“The Coronavirus pandemic brought economic activities to a halt and the Plateau Economic Team advised that the implementation be suspended.

“However, we ensured that no percentage of workers’ salaries was deducted on account of the impact of the pandemic.

“We were also able to maintain and protect the workforce as nobody was laid off.

“As economic activities began to pick up, we wrote to the State Government on Aug. 14 asking it to implement the new minimum wage as agreed.

“We wrote again on Sept. 7 to remind them and they called us on Sept. 14 and they agreed to commence payment at the end of September but we did not see it when salaries were paid last week.

“We met and government assured us that they will commence implementation this month and that the local governments will be carried along,” Manji said.

News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Oct. 7 has been set aside as the World Day for Decent Work, and the 2020 edition of the celebration has the theme: “A New Social Contract for Recovery and Resilience”.

During that day, trade unions, union federations and other workers’ associations develop their actions to promote the idea of Decent Work.

Actions vary from street demonstrations to music events or conferences held in many countries.

The labour leader noted that the financial and humanitarian impact of the COVID-19 pandemic was already a global health challenge, that had come to stay.

He, therefore, called on government to support workers to undertake small businesses.

According to him, the global health and economic consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic are already biting harder and affecting workers in different nations, including Nigeria.null

“Government should therefore include workers in their bailout funds to assist workers to establish small businesses that will supplement their meagre monthly income,” he said.

The chairman stated that the celebration of this year’s World Day for Decent Work was aimed at boosting workers’ morale by renegotiating their working conditions.

He said that it was also to resist plans by the “oligarchies” to deliberately cause job losses by giving excuses of dwindling resources as a result of the pandemic.