COVID-19: GOVERNOR LALONG ENGAGES LOCAL GOVERNMENT CHAIRMAN & TRADITIONAL RULERS
As the fight against COVID-19 continues, Plateau State Governor Simon Bako Lalong has met with Local Government Chairmen and Traditional rulers with a view to addressing the high incidence of the disease. While addressing the meeting at the Government House in Little Rayfield Jos, Governor Lalong said the next level of engagement requires that all stakeholders work together for better results.
Below is the full text of the Governor’s address: REMARKS BY THE EXECUTIVE GOVERNOR OF PLATEAU STATE, HIS EXCELLENCY, RT. HON. (DR) SIMON BAKO LALONG, KSGG AT THE COVID-19 ENGAGEMENT WITH LOCAL GOVERNMENT CHAIRMEN & TRADITIONAL RULERS HELD AT GOVERNMENT HOUSE, LITTLE RAYFIELD, JOS ON 18TH SEPTEMBER 2020. PROTOCOLS
1. It is with delight that I welcome you to this engagement that affords me the opportunity to brief you on our efforts so far in addressing the corona virus pandemic which has drastically affected every facet of lives of our people.
2. You will recall that since this pandemic arrived the shores of our country, we took various steps to confront it and protect our people from its devastating consequences. We began with engagement and sensitization of critical stakeholders including the Chairmen of Local Governments and your Royal Highnesses
3. Thereafter, we took immediate steps to ensure that we guard against the disease. Some of these steps include closing all schools; ban on public gatherings, cultural festivals and anniversaries; closure of markets and borders; as well as offices and businesses.
4. While that was going on, we constituted the Task Force on Covid-19 Chaired by me as well as embarked on a robust response plan which led to massive pubic enlightenment; the establishment of isolation centres; quarantine centres; and treatment facilities within the State.
5. I also led the Task Team on a facility tour to Plateau Specialist Hospital, Jos University Teaching Hospital and the Bingham University Teaching Hospital, to ascertain our preparedness to respond to the challenges of Covid-19 where I immediately ordered the purchase ventilators, personal protective equipment and medications even before we recorded the disease in the State.
6. Other actions such as declaring partial and total lockdowns were also implemented. Although such decisions were very painful, we had no option than to go that way in order to guarantee the well-being of our people.
7. As tough as some of those decisions were, we could not shy away from taking them particularly when we consulted with all stakeholders who saw the merit in our actions. I therefore wish to once again thank the people of Plateau State particularly the Local Government Chairmen and Your Royal Highnesses for the support you have continued to render to Government.
8. Other measures we took were the establishment of the situation room and surveillance centres, as well as the deployment of CCTV cameras to enable us keep an eye on developments across the entire State. We also decontaminated the State to reduce the risk of the disease.
9. My engagements with the Federal Government as Member of the Nigerian Governors Forum and Chairman of the Northern Governors Forum facilitated the establishment of three testing centres in Plateau State. In addition, we have ordered for Mobile Testing Vans which have capacity to diagnose over 30 health conditions including Covid-19, HIV, Ebola, Hepatitis among others.
10. Our current testing capacity as well as our sensitization and mobilization strategy has boosted our community testing, making Plateau State to be rated third best in the country, for which it has been commended by the Presidential Task Force on Covid-19 and referred to as an example to be emulated.
11. In terms of financial commitment, the State Government has so far committed about N366.5 million naira to the fight against Covid-19. Additionally, we launched the Plateau State Covid-19 Endowment Fund which saw good spirited individuals and corporate organisations making donations.
12. We are grateful to kind hearted people that contributed about N123. 3 million naira as well as other food and medical items valued at about N155 million naira. The World Health Organisation also recently donated N100 million to the State Government which has greatly helped us to treat those infected by the virus.
13. Such donations also enhanced our capacity to distribute palliatives to the weak and vulnerable to cushion the impact of the pandemic. The distributions have been handled in the most transparent manner under the supervision of His Excellency, the Deputy Governor, Prof. Sonni Tyoden.
14. In addition, we received donations by the Private Sector Coalition Against COVID-19 (CACOVID) comprising of Maize Flour, Pasta, Noodles, Sugar, Salt, and Semolina worth about N850 million naira for distribution to 39,993 households across the 17 local Governments. We are still expecting rice consignment from the CACOVID donation which will be distributed to the beneficiaries.
15. Since the first Covid-19 index case was imported into Plateau State, we have recorded many other cases which are attributed to many factors including community spread and disregard for guidelines. The Commissioner of Health who is the Chairman of the Sub-Committee on health will give further details on the statistics of the pandemic.
16. However, the biggest challenge remains the lack of compliance to guidelines and protocols, denials and resistance to contact tracing and testing by some individuals. That is why we need the support and cooperation of community and traditional rulers to overcome these challenges.
17. That is why your presence here today is very crucial for us to work together to take measures that will lead to greater sensitization and enforcement within your domains. We need to curtail further spread of the disease by engaging our people to take personal responsibility for their health and the health of others. Many people are not using the facemasks, washing their hands or maintaining social distancing.
18. As royal fathers, we expect you to lead in the next phase of our advocacy and sensitization to attain better compliance, particularly now that we are witnessing the opening up of more sectors of the economy. We need to wake our people from laxity. It is important to note that Covid-19 is not over yet.
19. Preparatory to reopening of schools, we have set up a Committee headed by the Secretary to the Government of the State as well as sub-committees on Readiness and Compliance headed by the Commissioner for Secondary Education and Chairman, SUBEB respectively.
20. We have trained teachers and Principals, dis-infected schools, and established task teams towards ensuring that all laid down protocols are observed. Once we finish with exit classes, we shall gradually cascade to other classes within secondary and primary levels.
21. The success we record at these levels shall determine the reopening of tertiary institutions, all in a bid to guarantee the safety of our children and avoid resurgence. We hope that if all goes well, our schools should all re-open by the end of October.
22. Realizing the natural endowment of Plateau State in terms of herbs and medicinal components, I constituted the Plateau Research Committee on Covid-19 to search for cure to the pandemic and other related ailments using local remedies. Again, you will be receiving update from the Chairman of the Committee Prof. Noel Wannang.
23. The pandemic has seriously impacted negatively on the economy of the State and we are taking various measures to ensure we mitigate such impact. Recently, we reviewed the approved 2020 budget and also initiated efforts to look inwards for revenue and diversification. The Chairman of the State Economic Advisory Council will also brief you on the measures we are taking so far.
24. I am also looking forward to hearing from you on what you think we can do better to salvage our State from the threat of this pandemic. We are at a difficult moment where we need to put behind us all differences and work together in the interest of our people.
25. As Governor, I want to re-assure you and the entire people of Plateau State that my administration is not leaving any stone unturned in overcoming this disease. I am in constant touch with the Federal Government, the private sector and international partners to ensure that Plateau is captured in all Covid intervention plans.
26. Once more, I welcome you to this parley and urge you to continue to play your part as we work to defeat this pandemic.
27. Thank you for listening. God bless Plateau State and our country Nigeria. Rt. Hon. (Dr) Simon Bako Lalong, KSGG Executive Governor of Plateau State. 18th September 2020.
NORTHERN GOVERNORS CONDOLE PAUL UNONGO OVER THE DEATH OF WIFE.
The Northern Governors Forum has commiserated with former Minister of Steel, Wantaregh Paul Iyorpuu Unongo, over the death of his wife, Victoria. Chairman of the Forum and Governor of Plateau State Simon Bako Lalong in a message described as sad and unfortunate, the passing away of Mrs. Victoria Unongo. Lalong urged members of the Unongo family to accept the development in good faith and find comfort in the many lives she touched, and transformed with love. The Governor said her death has created a vacuum because many will miss her life of service, philanthropy and selflessness where she touched members of her community positively and also impacted the nation and humanity. They urged elder statesman Wantaregh Paul Iyorpuu to take solace in the fact that his late wife loved God and was committed to family life.
Dr. Makut Simon Macham Director of Press & Public Affairs to the Governor of Plateau State & Chairman, Northern Governors Forum 16th September 2020.
NORTHERN GOVERNORS CONDOLE WITH SEN. WAMAKKO OVER DAUGHTER’S DEATH.
Chairman of the Northern Governors Forum and Governor of Plateau State Simon Bako Lalong has condoled with former Governor of Sokoto State, Senator Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko, on the death of his daughter, Sadiya.
Governor Lalong in a condolence message on behalf of his colleagues expressed deep regret over the sudden death of Sadiya which he described as a great loss to her her immediate family and entire people of Sokoto State.
Lalong said “this is a sad development for which we cannot question the creator. Even as we grieve over the demise of this young and promising woman, we must accept it as the will of God and pray that God will forgive her sins and grant her eternal rest. We express our deep condolences to the entire Wamakko family at over this sad occurrence”.
He also prayed God to comfort Senator Wamakko and members of his family at this difficult moment.
Dr. Makut Simon Macham Director of Press & Public Affairs to the Governor of Plateau State & Chairman, Northern Governors Forum 13th Sept, 2020.
Plateau state Governor Simon Lalong on Tuesday launched the state Contributory Health Care Management Agency (PLASCHEMA) .
Speaking at the occasion in Jos ,Lalong called on citizens of the State to avail themselves of the unique opportunity to enroll and gain access to quality healthcare.
He said that the scheme is open for all Plateau residents in the formal and informal sectors together with their families.
In his words ” Let me use this opportunity to again reassure the people of Plateau State that my administration will keep faith with its promise to leave lasting legacies in all sectors, including health.
The Governor vowed that his administration will keep faith with its promise to leave lasting legacies in all sectors, including health.
“We have demonstrated this by completing projects such as the Riyom General Hospital after about 13 years since it was abandoned. Work has continued on other abandoned General Hospitals in Kwal in Kanke Local Government and Mabudi in Lantang South.”
” By this launch, we are equally commencing the enrolment of our citizens into the Plateau State Social Health Insurance Scheme.
He said that the event is a great step towards achieving Universal Health Coverage in Plateau State which is in line with the Rescue Administration’s first pillar policy thrust of Peace, Security and Good Governance.
“The World Health Organization acknowledges health as a fundamental human right and this administration believes firmly in this assertion. This is because only the healthy can participate in economic and social activities that contribute to the development of their communities. ” We are also taking the training of health professionals to the next level as the Plateau State University Bokkos has concluded plans for the take-off of the Faculty of Health Sciences. This is backed up with the establishment of a proposed Teaching Hospital.
The Governor thanked the Speaker and Members of the Plateau State House of Assembly for giving due consideration to the PLASCHEMA bill and passing it into law .
Director -General of the Agency, Dr. Fabong Jemchang who also spoke at the occasion said that the Agency is among other things mandated to regulate cost of healthcare and ensure adequate distribution of healthcare facilities across the 17 located government areas of the State.
Jemchang stressed that his agency, having been mandated to “regulate, supervise and implement State Social Health Insurance Scheme to provide universal health coverage for every resident of the State would work to ensure financial protection form individuals and families from huge medical bills and ensure equally distribution of health cost across different income groups.
Let me start this presentation with the sincerity and genuineness of commitment that I attached with my role as the People’s Representative; a Go-Between the Masses and the Government. I am not oblivious of the fundamental responsibility of government to the people, that is, to provide security and welfare. To reiterate this fact, Section 14(2) of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 as amended declares that: “the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government”.
What this indicates is that if I do not take security serious then I will be neglecting my primary purpose of being elected to represent the good and hardworking people of Pankshin, Kanke and Kanam in the House of Representatives. A symposium of this nature could not have come at any better time than this, considering the spate of insecurity across the various spectrums of our dear constituency and by extension its implication on National Security and the Development of our rural communities. To this extend, I consider this singular opportunity to share my THOUGHTS and ACTION on this topic as expedient. It is not just a topic for academic purpose but a Solution Driven Discussion.
The protection of lives and property is key. While death is inevitable, no mortal would embrace any callous death by any act of violence or social crime. In the words of Sigmund Freud (1856-1939) in His Theories of Life and Death instincts that: “The Goal of all Life is Death”. That people channel their death instincts such as aggression towards one another for different purposes. This shows that the monster called kidnapping and other challenges are worrisome. The challenges of insecurity in Nigeria characterized by Kidnapping; Insurgency; Banditry; Ethno-Religious Clashes; and Disputes; Cultism; Ritual Killings; Armed Robbery; among others are alarming. These challenges in most or less of the cases often result in Aggression and Death.
No society and government can develop its people amidst insecurity. Sadly, the rural areas and their economy particularly in most Nigerian States have become the targets of kidnappers in recent times. What started in Nigeria as a “mere” hostage taking targeting foreigners in the oil rich Niger-Delta region has spread beyond the foreigners to include, the Rich Elites, Businessmen and the poor masses who hardly have stronger means of economic survival. For instance, millions of naira have been paid as ransom to secure the release of victims.
Nigeria in 2014 was ranked among the world’s top eight (8) kidnapping hotspots alongside war zones and failed states such as Afghanistan, Iraq and Somalia. For example in July 2009, 512 kidnap cases were reported in the mid-year compared with 353 for the whole of 2018 (Galadima, 2014). What this shows is that there is now a gradual shift from kidnapping of foreign oil companies expatriate workers by youths considered to be disenchanted with neglect of their communities by these companies; to kidnapping of Film Actors in Nollywood; to parents and children of prominent Nigerians, etc. It is now more worrisome that the kidnappers do not spare anybody – the rich and the poor; the young and the aged; the royal fathers; the farmer; the market trader; the school children; the teacher; the lawyer; the judge; the police and so on.
In Kanam Local Government Area and by extension Kanke and Pankshin, recent history has shown that the people have never been intimidated to live in fear and remorse like in the last couple of months.
WHAT IS KIDNAPPING? First and foremost, kidnapping is a crime against the state and against humanity. To this extend, it has been generally defined in criminal law as the unlawful transportation, exportation and confinement of a person against their will. Kidnapping in Nigeria is thus: … the unlawful detention of a person through the use of force, threats, fraud or enticement. The purpose is an illicit gain, economic or material in exchange for liberation (Chukwuma, 2019).
In Nigeria, kidnapping as a criminal act comes under the Criminal Code Act CAP C38 LFN 2004 and this has been operational in the 16 Southern Sates of the Federation where the criminal law was hitherto considered more appropriate. It will be recalled that the Senate in September 2017 passed a Bill which outlaws abduction, wrongful restraint or confinement for ransom. But it was only in July 2020 that the Senate considered the Criminal Code Amendment Bill aimed at making relevant changes to address the menace of kidnapping inter-alia in Nigeria. Several other States such as Lagos, Akwa Ibom, Abia, Anambra, Imo, Rivers and Enugu have passed anti-kidnapping laws with clear penalties.
In all these laws, certain features are common about kidnapping, namely: i. Confinement of any person against his/her will except as provided by law; ii. False imprisonment by means of abduction; iii. Use of force or intimidation to take a person away; iv. Enticing a person into a vehicle willingly; v. Taking a minor, a mentally derailed person or any disadvantaged person for force labour, detention in solitude or for personal gains.
WORRISOME NATURE OF KIDNAPPING IN KANAM LOCAL GOVERNMENT By its very strategic location, Kanam is strategically located at the Central Zone of Plateau state sharing borders with Bauchi State and adjoining Local Governments extending their trade relations to Kano State, Taraba State, Adamawa State, Gombe State and so on. This means that the local government with an area of 2,600km2 and population of 165,898 at the 2006 census is a strategic route for economic growth. From early signs, the threat of kidnapping does not exclude any district and village in Kanam Local Government including Dengi town, Garga, Kantana, Bagyar, Bandiri, Bankilong, Basson, Bwalangyip, Gar-Duam, Gumshir, Guzuk, Gwomgwom, Kyansar, Munbutbo, Yalwa, Dugub, Gagdi, Gilong, Gyangyang, Zakkam, Bawas, Bribyang, Jarmai, Takzul, Wakkat-Mulas, Tipmong, Yugur, and all the other villages. Instances of already reported sad incidences of kidnapping in the Local Government are as follows: S/No Kidnapped Victim/Location Date
The Pankwal Bogghom, His Royal Highness Alhaji Shehu Sulaiman Monday 20th April, 2020
Wife and child of the REKNA of Bashar Alhaji Adamu Idris –
Alhaji Umar Hayi in Dengi town 16 August, 2020
Fulani woman around the Kwalmiya, Gyambar, Bungudu general areas –
Dr. Idi Bukdah at his residence, Zungum 6th of June, 2020
Mr. Ibrahim Kafi at his residence, Gum-Gagdi 10th August, 2020
Mallam Muhammad Maikudi at his residence, Dengi town 13th August, 2020
Isiaka Garba Birni 26th March, 2020
Wife of Tafidan Ghal at Gum-Gagdi 16th March 2020
The wife of Alhaji Awal Jadji at his residence, Runji 20th July, 2020 Source: ND Shehu Kanam – Open Letter to Leaders and Stakeholders in Respect of Spontaneous Incidents of Kidnapping in Kanam Deductions and analysis from the foregoing table about the nature of kidnapping in Kanam Local Government Area are made as follows: (a) That the primary targets of the kidnappers are the royal fathers and those that they perceived to have wealth either directly or indirectly to pay for ransom. (b) Access to escape routes from the points of kidnap taking advantages of remoteness of some of the locations have aided the kidnappers to scale away with their victims. This also means that the strategic location of Dengi town and its adjoining communities and villages paved way for “possibly” escaped elements of criminal activities in the North East to find solace for crime in the Local Government Area. (c) Despite the lockdown caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and the gradual ease of the lockdown, the kidnappers who might still be clustered within the Kanam general area have short ranges of operations. There might “even” be questions of internal informants within the Local Government; sponsors (kingpins) residing within the Local Government who might be providing logistic support, etc. (d) The vulnerability of women and the aged as well as minors in the kidnap incidences might be an indication of taking advantage of the “weak and less privilege” in this regard. This does not suggest remarkable strength on the part of the kidnappers but possible cover/mask of the identity of the kidnappers. (e) August 2020 indicates the highest cases of reported kidnap in the Local Government. This might be attributed to taking advantage of the peak of rain and possible escape across water-lock areas or nearby forest/-mountain areas. (f) There was a steady increase in incidences of kidnapping from when the royal father, His Royal Highness Pankwal Bogghom was kidnapped on Monday 20th April, 2020 to August, 2020. This might be an indication of lack-luster approach in timely dealing with the index cases by security agents, community leaders and other stakeholders.
A BRIEF HISTORY OF WARNING SIGNS AND TECHNIQUES OF KIDNAPPING IN KANAM The brief historical antecedent of insecurity and kidnapping in Kanam Local Government could be traced to early warning signs in 1956 and in 2017 with incidences of attacks and threats. It will be recalled that armed men on January 2017 attacked the Divisional Police Station at Dengi, the Headquarters of Kanam Local Government Area killing a Police Officer and carting away several rifles (Premium Times, 2017). January 18th, 2017, the Saturday Punch reported that the Policemen who were on duty at the time were detained by the Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (CID) of the Command in Plateau State. According to the then PPRO, that the men claimed to have gone to eat during the attack which took place around 2:00am. That after the Policeman on duty was shot, the armed men took his AK-47 rifle and proceeded to break into the Station’s Armoury and stole seven (7) rifles. That seven (7) suspects detained for theft in the cell of the Station were also freed; 5 were later re-arrested while 2 were at large.
Since the attack on Police Station in 2017, incidences of kidnapping and other various security challenges were noted in the Local Government. For example, there were reported incidences where notes and bullets were literally left in the front doors of certain individuals. The unknown persons requested for money to be paid in order to avert kidnapping. Border conflicts between Wase and Kanam have also occurred. In 1956 for instance, the unresolved land border dispute between Wase and Kanam have continued to threaten peace in the area. Although, the government and the traditional authorities attempted to resolve the matter in 1970, there has been no clear demarcations around the border.
PROPELLING FACTORS AND CAUSES OF KIDNAPPING AS EMERGING SOCIAL CRIME IN RURAL AREAS There are several factors responsible for the spate of kidnapping as a ripped social crime. In 2006 when the alleged Niger-Delta militants started kidnapping for ransom, many pundits believed that the reasons were rooted in the many years of neglect and greed by the oil companies who had no tangible community programmes for the teeming youths. Environmental degradation deepened by long years of abandonment of farming and fishing activities led to high level of unemployment, poverty, greed and ostentatious life-style from proceeds of kidnap or ransom.
With the subsequent and current spates of kidnapping from the “notorious” Evans-to-Wadume” and the so-called unknown gunmen and/or kidnappers in our vicinities, the propelling factors and/or causes have emerged as follows:
Insecurity and Abysmal Security Presence The level of insecurity and near absence of security agents in most of our rural communities has no doubt pushed a lot of the so-called urban criminals to the ungoverned areas. In most of our villages from Kustim to Wokkos; to Wuseli; to Runji, to Gum-Gagdi, to all the villages in our PKK Constituency, how many security presences do we see? The rural areas have become targets for kidnappers given the poor presence of security.
Unemployment in the Urban Areas vs High Cost of Farm Inputs to Create Rural Employment There are research evidence that shows a significant correlation between unemployment and job losses in the urban areas with the movement of criminal elements to the rural areas (Abdulkabir, 2017). Unemployment in Nigeria is currently put at about 27.5% according to the National Bureau of Statistics (2020) and this means that more people particularly the youths are idle. Thus, many youths join criminal gangs as means of survival. Incidences of kidnapping for ransom; for ritual purposes; for recruitment into criminal gangs and insurgents could all be linked to unemployment. This is further deepened by high cost of farm inputs to farmers in the rural areas.
Political Parochialism This has to do with the role of some politicians to the upsurge of hired killers especially during campaigns. These thugs sometimes metamorphosed into disparaging kidnappers who use ammunitions obtained from such politicians to capture their victims.
Other factors include: (a) Prevalence of illicit drugs and drug addiction; (b) Unguided display of unnecessary wealth; (c) Ritual and spiritual productivity; (d) Poverty; (e) Idleness propelled by long closure of schools; (f) Hopelessness amidst flamboyant lifestyle of politicians, local businessmen and some farmers; (g) Land disputes; (h) Lack of parental responsibilities; (i) Poor leadership and continues neglect of peace building efforts; (j) Migration and climate changes; (k) Farm disputes between Bayar and Garga and Birbyang and Garga; (l) Lack of sufficient finance in the Local Government; etc.
SNOWBALLING OF KIDNAPPING AS EMERGING SOCIAL CRIME The intensity of kidnapping as an emerging social crime can be seen in very disturbing forms as: Reckless force of young girls into prostitution to bridge poverty gaps amongst families. This is further seen in the rising rape cases of minors. Early forced marriages of girls to augment income deficits amongst larger low income families. Forced transportation of young girls and boys from rural areas to cities where they work as domestic servants without much economic and social benefits. School dropouts without jobs who engage in drugs and thuggery during political campaigns. Blind loyalty to political godfathers who use them to settle old scores. Tribal and religious divide resulting to specific target areas for abduction.
KIDNAPPING: A COUNTER TO NATIONAL SECURITY AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT Internal and external security of Nigeria are both indispensable to rural and national development. No nation can experience any form of progress amidst insecurity. National security according to Dakas (2014) serves as the basis for maintaining the survival of the nation.
National security means the absence of threats, preservation of a nation’s integrity, territory, institutions, economic relations from disruptions and interferences. In 2010, the former President of USA, Barack Obama noted that national security promotes opportunity and prosperity. This shows that National Security is about the protection of the lives and properties of the people from external aggression and internal threats to peace. It is a requirement for progress.
With peculiar reference to rural development, kidnapping as emerging social crime will have adverse implications on the provisions of basic services to the people by both Government; Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and private individuals respectively. As counter to national security and rural development, kidnapping if left to flourish, will result to the following: a) Food Insecurity and Hunger The current hardship generated by painful decisions for complete removal of subsidy by the government will become even more intense with farmers inability to go about their farming unabated whether it is crop production, cattle rearing or poultry. As it stands now, millions of naira have been lost as ransom to the kidnappers. This will mean low harvests hence food shortages and perennial hunger. Our people on Kanam are mostly agrarian farmers and the fear of being kidnapped or paying huge ransom could be devastating.
b) Distrust, Animosity and Eventual Breakdown of Law and Order Where kidnapping becomes perpetual, distrust, hatred has the propensity to bring about crises amongst the various ethnic and religious groups. This can threaten peaceful co-existence as a requirement for national security.
c) Trading Seizure and Economic Insecurity National security and rural development strive on successful trading activities within and outside the State. In this case, most communities within the Kanam axis transact economic/trading activities with one another. The crops, goats, cattle, sheep, beans and groundnuts produced in the Local Government have far-reaching trade benefits to all the geo-political zones of Nigeria. However, kidnapping in the area will mar these trading ties.
Others are: • Environmental insecurity including resource problems climate issues for fertile crop and animal production particularly the ranching policy of the government; and • Energy resources insecurity especially the plan exploration activities for oil in the Local Government; etc.
NB: Key national interests in the Kanam Local Government zone are both economic and social. The economic interest is in Federal Government’s plan for oil exploration prospects in the area and the Federal Government Pilot Agricultural Ranching policy. The social interest is the primary responsibility of the government to provide security and welfare to the people viz. health, education, road linkages to other States of the Federation and so on.
RESPONSE TO THE SECURITY CHALLENGES AND KIDNAPPING IN PANKSHIN, KANKE AND KANAM (PKK) Acknowledging the primary purpose of government which is the security and welfare of the people, the last one year in Pankshin, Kanke and Kanam (PKK) was quite a challenging one. But with God and the people on our side, we were able to address some of the key security challenges. As the people’s representative, I left no stone unturned to ensure that the critical challenges of unemployment, hunger and poverty which propelled criminality are being addressed. We developed a blueprint to take headlong the issues of infrastructures, job creation, health, education, security and human development. Consequently, some of the areas that concerns security were being addressed as follows:-
Job Creation and Empowerment In the last one year, over 261 job opportunities and direct employment were provided to the people of the Constituency. Skilled, semi skilled and skilled young people across the Constituency were provided with lucrative jobs. Women empowerment and entrepreneurial development were not left out. We distributed
Bill on Repeal of Police Act The Police Act Repeal Bill sponsored by my humble self to alter the provisions of the Police Act is among other things aimed at engendering optimum security of lives and property of Nigerians by the Nigerian Police Force (NPF) and to accommodate community policing and other sundry issues. The Bill has already been passed to law.
Advocacy Visit and Appeal for Detachment of Special Police Force to Pankshin, Kanke and Kanam Following the rising spate of kidnappings and the surge of heinous crimes in Kanam Local Government in particular and the Constituency in general, I visited the Inspector General of Police, IGP Adamu Mohammed in his office. Consequently, the IGP has instructed the AIG in charge of intelligence, Ibrahim Lamorde to send a detachment of Special Squad (SS) to Kanam Local Government Area who are to overlook Pankshin and Kanke Local Government Areas for a period of three (3) months at first instance to curb the menace of kidnappings in the area.
Human Development The whole concept of my approach to representation is to develop human capacity and to enhance the quality of life of our people. This I have indicated through various donations in cash; in relief materials; in palliatives; in food items, and so on. During the COVID-19 lockdown in May 2020, I distributed over 3,000 bags of 15kg rice and over 800 bags of maize across the Constituency. Over 70 youths made up of bloggers and information dissemination influencers benefitted from a separate gesture of N10,000 each. This was in realization of the role of information in sensitizing our people against the danger of COVID-19. All the 58 State Electoral Wards across the three Local Governments (PKK) have benefited in one way or the other. In addition to the COVID-19 palliatives, over 520 rams and cows were distributed during Christmas and Sallah celebrations. There are however ongoing distributions at various levels aimed at cushioning the adverse effects of hunger and poverty across the three local government areas.
Infrastructural Development Major efforts at addressing infrastructural gaps have focused on sinking of boreholes; grading of roads and partnership with FERMA to fill major holes; construction of schools; health-clinics; royal palaces, amongst others.
May I state here that I have contributed immensely in funding the local vigilante which in no doubt has enhanced their capacity in managing critical entry and exit points in Pankshin, Kanke and Kanam Local Government Areas. To strengthen the vigilante the more and in line with the community policing, I shall continue to partner with the conventional Nigeria Police Force and the local vigilante through logistic supports.
At this juncture, I wish to announce that I have the following plans:- (a) To provide Hilux Patrol Vans to each of the three Local Governments as a means of facilitating security surveillance; (b) To procure and distribute motor-cycles across the Local Governments to stem the tides of criminality; and (c) Sequel to the various empowerment programmes and jobs that I have facilitated and executed for the people, I have plans within the shortest time to do more. This will further strengthen the socio-economic capacity of the youths and women thereby curb indolence as likely recipe for social crime.
TOWARDS FINDING A LASTING SOLUTION AND THE WAY FORWARD Reiterating the primary goal of government, Section 14(2) declares that: (a) Sovereignty belongs to the people of Nigeria from whom government through this Constitution derives all its powers and authority; (b) The security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government; and (c) The participation by the people in their government shall be ensured in accordance with the provisions of this constitution.
Governments at different levels have made various efforts at addressing social crimes in Nigeria. The Legislature from the National Assembly to the State Assemblies have made various laws to stem criminality and in particular kidnapping arising from their constitutional responsibility for law making as enshrined in Chapter 1 Part 2, Section 4 of 1999 Constitution as amended. Anti-kidnapping laws have provisions about penalties ranging from 10-20 years imprisonment; life sentence and in the cases of gross injuries and death, capital punishment may apply. The Executive Arm of Government is responsible for enforcing or implementing laws. The law enforcement agents ably led by the Inspector General of Police, IGP Adamu Mohammed have various anti-crime units under the Force Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (FCIID). The Special Anti-Robbery Square (SARS) under FCIID deals with crimes associated with armed robbery, car snatching, kidnapping, cattle rustling and crimes associated to firearms. For instance, on 9th May 2019 rolled out new counter-kidnapping operational strategies. The new strategies which are purposeful and intelligence-driven are targeted at identifying, locating and dismantling kidnapping gangs across the nation and bringing the kidnappers and their collaborators to justice. According to the Police boss, there is the “OPERATION PUFF-ADDER” currently going on in several States of the Federation. The operation involves: • Deployment of undercover operatives; • Decoy operations; • High-level tactical missions with active participation of Conventional Police Units (CPU), the Force Intelligence Unit (FIU), the SARS, the Special Anti-Robbery Squads (ARS); • Police Tactical Units (PTU) comprising the Police Mobile Force (PMF); • The Counter Terrorism Unit (CTU); and • The Special Forces.
Operation Puff Adder (OPA) in May 2019 for example, rescued unhurt 27 kidnap victims including 5 Chinese nationals who were hitherto kidnapped on 15th April, 2019 (Mba, 2019). Meanwhile, the number of rescued since then have increased through painful and careful operations. This indicates that the law enforcement agents have being working assiduously to curb kidnapping.
Let me recommend as follows: 1) There is need to enforce local community security relation with deployment of more security personnel and reinvigorating the vigilante. 2) There should be early warning signals with relevant networking that can guarantee intelligence flow for rapid response. 3) Traditional institutions should be carried along in implementing the proposed community policing strategy in the Local Government Areas of Pankshin, Kanke and Kanam. 4) Government collaboration with businessmen in terms of funding vigilante will go a long way in checking insecurity in the area. 5) The Border Commission should revisit the issue of demarcating the border between Kanam and Wase. 6) The moral tone of the country has to be changed. The ethical values around which the youths are developed have to change. The over-emphasis on materialism and the worship of money has to change. The moral standards that leadership should be held must be upgraded. 7) Nigeria must actively engaged in radical social transformation that changes the primitive, feudal social formation that still characterizes many parts of the country, she must equip the population with the social skills to operate in a modern world while maintaining the moral and ethical soundness of our traditional societies. 8) The country has to build a modern economy that is globally competitive and can create jobs for any Nigerian that wants one. The job of governance entails being able to manage the economy in a way that resources are effectively mobilized to meet the basic needs of the population. 9) Corruption, looting of public funds, exploitation of national wealth, particularly by those who are entrusted with managing resources for the common good constitutes covert instruments of insecurity, which have to be vigorously addressed. 10) Education must be encouraged. The response of the population to security challenges is a function of their enlightenment and education. The falling standard of education has resulted in half-baked graduates that are not very functional and who in turn are easily recruited for anti-social activities. 11) Lastly, Nigeria has to continue to build vigorous partnerships with its heterogeneity. Bridges have to be built across ethnic and religious divides in such a way that the people respect human dignity and the rights of others. There are many issues which disconnect our social and political lives. Acts of coalition and consensus building must be perfected, where they do not exist, there should be a capacity to build them through constructive engagement with vulnerable communities. Nigeria must devise a means of building strong coalitions across the deep seated divides in the country.
CONCLUSION May I conclude this presentation by appreciating first and foremost, the Almighty Allah and the people of PKK, the untiring roles of the Inspector General of Police, IGP Adamu Mohammed and his team in promptly responding to the security plights of the Constituency. As the House Committee Chairman on one of the Security Committee in the National Assembly, I will continue to do everything humanly possible to assist the security agents in the areas of budget and other legislations on security.
The Commissioner of Police in Plateau State, CP Edward Egbuka and his team have also shown a high level of professionalism in addressing criminality and insecurity in the three Local Government Areas. My unalloyed support to the Police Command shall be intensified to further strengthen our partnership in the security sector of the State as a whole.
I appreciate the Director, State Security Service (DSS) in Plateau State; the Commandant of Operation Safe Haven and the Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corp (NSCDC) in Plateau State for their respective response to the security challenges in the entire Constituency.
GOVERNOR LALONG CONGARTULATES GEN. DOGONYARO AT 80.
Plateau State Governor Simon Bako Lalong has felicitated with former Chief of Defence Staff, Lt. Gen. (Retd.) Joshua Nimyel Dogonyaro on the occasion of his 80th birthday. In a message of felicitation, Governor Lalong described Gen. Dogonyaro as a patriotic and loyal Nigerian who served his nation with courage, dignity and selflessness. He recalled the achievements of Gen. Dogonyaro during his career in the Army where he held several command positions and accomplished his assignments with tremendous success. Lalong said “Plateau State celebrates this elder statesman whose outstanding achievements in the service of Nigeria brought a lot of pride and honour for the State. The accomplishments he recorded and gallantry he demonstrated in his military career has continued to inspire younger officers and men to commit to the defence of Nigeria’s territorial integrity as well as ensuring its peace, unity and prosperity in the face of daunting challenges”. The Governor also praised his immense role in the development and professionalism of the Nigerian Army as well as his outstanding leadership in the course of Nigeria’s contributions to international peace keeping and monitoring efforts, particularly when he served as ECOMOG Field Commander in Liberia. While wishing him good health and God’s divine protection, Governor Lalong urged Gen. Dogonyaro to continue to offer Plateau State and the nation his wealth of experience and knowledge particularly as Government works assiduously to overcome security challenges of insurgency, banditry, kidnapping and other crimes.
Dr. Makut Simon Macham Director of Press & Public Affairs to the Governor of Plateau State. 12th September 2020.
Governor Simon Bako Lalong has described the death of late Air Vice Marshal Paul Nungkopba Dimfwina as a very big loss to his family, Plateau State and Nigeria as a whole.
Governor Lalong whose condolence message was delivered to the family by the Plateau State Liaison Officer in Abuja Mr. Pius Yenshi, said he recieved with shock the death of the dedicated airforce officer who untill his death was the Chief of Information and Communication Systems at the Nigerian Airforce Headquarters.
Lalong said though the death of the Senior Military Officer is a huge loss, the State and family are consoled by the records of his excellent service in the Nigerian Airforce having served and commanded many formations successfully.
He urged the widow of the deceased Mrs. Janet Paul Dimfwina and his children to accept the the situation as God’s will and continue to trust God to fulfill his will in their lives.
He assured the family that the State will not abandon them as their late father was a patriotic son of Plateau State who did his best to advance its cause and serve the nation.
The late Air Vice Marshal Paul Nunkopba was born on 28 April 1964 and hails from Kangke LGA of Plateau State. He was enlisted on 23 Sep 84 as a member of NDA 36 Regular Course.
He has been buried in Abuja.
Dr. Makut Simon Macham Director of Press & Public Affairs to the Governor of Plateau State. 11th September 2020.
NORTHERN GOVERNORS HOLD VIRTUAL MEETING; DISCUSS COVID, REHABILITATION AND RE-INTEGRATION OF ALMAJIRIS, OTHERS.
The Northern Governors Forum has met to further discuss issues relating to the development of the region. The virtual meeting held on Wednesday 9th September 2020 was presided over by Chairman of the Forum and Governor of Plateau State Simon Bako Lalong. On Covid-19, the Northern Governors were happy with the level of awareness and testing particularly as all the States of the region now have testing centres. They however resolved to sustain community engagement to prevent further spread of the disease particularly in rural areas. They were also briefed on the order for mobile testing vans which they made saying once they are supplied, they will help in diagnosing about 30 clinical conditions including HIV, TB, HEPATITIS, EBOLA among others. The Economic Blueprint Committee headed by the Governor of Kebbi State Atiku Bagudu briefed the forum that a document has been developed encompassing the present economic situation of the region and highlighting how to harness its many potentials particularly during the post-Covid era. The report will soon be presented formally. The Governors also reviewed the success of the ban on Almajiri phenomenon in the North and concluded that it was a success as the children were evacuated to their States of origin to reunite with their families and guardians. To further consolidate on this success and ensure that the children are given proper education and care, the Northern Governors received briefing from Mariam Uwais, Special Adviser to the President on Social Investments who explained that the Federal Government was willing to partner with the Northern Governors in the process of ensuring that the children are given a smooth transition from the Almajiri system to formal education. She said the plan is to ensure that proper data is generated so that the children will be kept in a school environment for about 6 to 9 months and be given intense basic education and skills to enable them fit into the new perspective which will prepare them for the classroom and formal school system. She said those who are a bit older and may want to go into trade and other vocations will also be trained. The Forum also received briefing from Mohammed Alqassim Yahaya of Ansarudeen Global Resources, Consultants engaged by the Governors to conduct detailed research on the Almajiri phenomenon in the region so as to generate relevant statistics that will assist them deal with the situation conclusively. Yahaya said they were still harvesting the data which was slowed down by the corona virus pandemic and assured that before March 2021, the data will be ready. The Governors asked for speedy work on the assignment to keep pace with developments on the subject. Minister of Women Affairs, Dame Paullen Tallen also addressed the Northern Governors on the girl child in Northern Nigeria where she stressed that educating the girl child is the best way to reduce the burden of the region be it poverty, illiteracy or disease. She appealed to the Governors to fast track the domestication of the Child Rights Act in the region as ten States in the North are yet to domesticate the law, long after it was enacted at the Federal Level. The Minister also called on them to do same for the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act which only few States have domesticated in order to tackle the rising cases of rape and other crimes against women particularly in the North. She also raised an alarm over the proliferation of orphanages in the region which are increasingly being used for child trafficking. World Bank Country Director Shubham Chaudhuri and Aisha Garba Mohammed, Education Specialist were also invited to brief the Northern Governors on the Bank’s interventions in the region in the areas of education, health and empowerment. They said that some of the bank’s empowerment programmes in the region are focused on women and girls and the Governors are key drivers for implementation. They explained that the 500 million dollars grant recently announced for six States has five from the North as beneficiaries which will be targeted towards improving education by constructing and renovating over 5000 schools close to the communities, support for poor families, and social engagement to change orientations that hinder access to schooling particularly for the girl child.
Dr. Makut Simon Macham Director of Press to the Governor of Plateau State & Chairman, Northern Governors Forum. 10th September 2020.
Death of notorious Benue militia, Gana, exciting-Miyetti Allah
Fulani Socio-Cultural Association, Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, has described the death of notorious Benue militia group leader, Terwase Akwaza, popularly known as Gana, as exciting and cheering.
The Association, thus challenged the security agents to, immediately, launch a manhunt of other members of his gang as well as his sponsors, as that would help to permanently bring an end, the era of Gana in Benue state and beyond.
President of the Association, Alhaji Bello Bodejo, who spoke to Daily Sun, on Wednesday, in Abuja, said the death of Gana is a great achievement for security agents in the state, and a clear pointer to the fact that Fulani herders have not been responsible for the numerous crisis and destructions in the Benue state and environs.
He said: “Undoubtedly, his death will correct a lot of things in Benue State and beyond. It will particularly strengthen the good image and reputation of Fulani herders in Benue state and beyond, because, before now, killings and destructions are said to be orchestrated by Fulani people even when they are innocent. Little did Nigerians know that it was Gana and his boys that have always sparehead the crisis. He always lead in the unending communal crisis between Tiv and Jukun.
“Though, we may not have the details of what transpired that led to his sudden death, but we are unhappy with his summary execution by the security agents. They would have arrested and kept him alive for the purposes of investigation to unravel his co-travelers and sponsors. Now that he was summarily executed, there will limit to information that would be provided for further investigation.
“Most often, we see him in pictures with the Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, and that speaks volume. If he was arrested and kept alive, he would have been interrogated and we would have heard more shocking things about his sponsors, his boys and his operational style.”
He encouraged security agents to continue similar operations against such kind of people if that would guarantee peace and security of local communities in Nigeria.
Recall that Gana who has been under the watchlist of the security agencies for several crimes and killings was gun down on Tuesday by soliders somewhere in Benue State.
Member, Representing Jos South/Jos East Federal Constituency, Dachung Musa Bagos has empowered over 50 persons from his constituency with sewing machines, Grinding Machines and Motorcycles.
Bagos while distributing the items to the beneficiaries who are mostly youths and women said the aim was to support them to establish small scale businesses and take care of their families.
The lawmaker who announced that he will launch a co-oporative scheme in every ward under his constituency next month pleaded with those who did not benefit from the scheme to be patient, as more empowerment programmes are on the way.
Chairman of the Peoples’ Democratic Party in Plateau state, Chris Hassan commended the lawmaker for always making up programmes that help alleviate the suffering of his Constituents and urged the beneficiaries to make judicious use of the items.
Some of the beneficiaries appreciated the Lawmaker for the gesture and promised to use the items for the benefit of their communities.
There were goodwill messages from the Northern Zone Chairman of the PDP, Davou Mang, Women leaders of Jos South and Jos East and also youth leaders who applauded the lawmaker for always identifying with his Constituents.
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