GAGDI VISITS OPERATION SAFE HEAVEN (STF) COMMANDER, ASSURED OF IMPROVED SECURITY IN PANSHIN/KANKE/KANAM (PKK).

Flowing from his earlier visit to the Inspector General of Police and the critical meeting of stakeholders of Kanam Local Government Areas in a bid to curb the rising spate of criminal activities in PKK, with particular concern to the incessant kidnappings in Kanam LGA, the member representing Pankshin/Kanke/Kanam Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Rt Hon Yusuf Adamu Gagdi was today at the Operation Safe Heaven (STF) headquarters in Jos, where he held talks with the Commander for a collaborative effort to tame the tide.

The lawmaker commended the commander, Major General Okonko for his efforts to curb the wanton killings in Southern Kaduna, parts of Bauchi and Plateau, and encouraged the commander not to rest on his oars until activities of marauding killers in his areas of coverage are brought to an end.

Rt Hon Gagdi requested for the formation of military checkpoints in Garga axis, Gagdi-Dugub axis and Namaran-Kapel axis, where the kidnappers and other criminals had recently had field days perpetrating their heinous activities.

He said lack of security presence in those axis had encouraged the criminals to execute their missions unhindered, hence observed that when Join Security checkpoints are installed in the areas, the criminals will have to withdraw their activities from those areas or get apprehended by the security apparatus.

While responding, the commander, Major General Okonko promised to hearken to the lawmaker’s request in order to put paid to the criminal activities of bandits in the mentioned areas.

He said his men are well equipped and combat ready to clamp down on bandits and criminal activities in his area of coverage, while assuring that his men will redouble their efforts to ensure improved security in PKK and the whole areas under Operation Safe Heaven.

As Chairman of one of the armed forces committee in the House of Representatives who equally oversight the general activities of the military, Rt Hon. Gagdi was presented with a plague, to honour his visit to the STF headquarters.

Signed:
Gagdi Media Team.

PRESS STATEMENT

NORTHERN GOVERNORS FORUM GREET SULTAN @ 64

The Northern Governors Forum has joined family, friends, associates, and the entire nation in felicitating with his Eminence the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III on his 64th birthday.

In a statement, Chairman of the Forum and Governor of Plateau State Simon Bako Lalong said this special day brings along recollections of the great achievements of the Sultan over the years particularly in promoting peace, unity and development of Nigeria.

He said “You have remained a great advocate of good governance, peaceful coexistence and accountable leadership which explains your consistent support and wise counsel particularly to Governors of the Northern region and the country at large. We are proud of your advocacy and support towards tackling the challenges of the region as you remain a source of inspiration to the Northern Governors Forum”.

Lalong said the Forum has drawn a lot of support from the royal father in areas addressing insecurity, poverty, illiteracy as well as ending the Almajiri phenomenon which had defied various attempts to end it, until recently when Governors of the region took bold steps to return almajiris to their families and also take care of their education and welfare.

The Forum while praying God grant to grant the royal father good health, more wisdom and divine protection, urged him not to be deterred in availing the nation his wealth of experience and fatherly advice on critical issues that border on the well being of the people.

Dr. Makut Simon Macham, ANIPR
Director of Press & Public Affairs to the Governor of Plateau State & Chairman, Northern Governors Forum
24th August 2020.

Rt. Hon. George Daika Obtains PDP Plateau Southern Senate Forms, Promise Credible Leadership


Former Speaker Plateau State House of Assembly, Former Federal House of Representatives Member for Shendam/Qua’an-Pan/Mikang Federal Constituency, Former Member of ECOWAS Parliament and a committed Member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Rt. Hon. George Edwards Daika has obtained the Nomination and Expression of Interest Forms to contest for the forthcoming Plateau Southern Senatorial Bye-election under the platform of the PDP.

The Senate Seat became vacant following the demise of its former occupant, His Excellency Sen. Ignatius Longjan, the immediate past Deputy Governor Plateau State who died in February, 2020.

INEC has also slated 31st October, 2020 for the conduct of the bye-election to fill the vacant seat.

Shortly after obtaining the forms at the PDP National Secretariat Wadata Plaza Abuja, Rt. Hon. George Daika called on the good people of the Southern Zone especially the PDP to vote for him in order to get purposeful and credible representation. Rep. Daika assured the PDP Delegates of outstanding representation and urged them to entrust their mandate to him.

He said he will bring his wealth of experience as a dogged and seasoned Legislator to bear to attract people-oriented projects and give priority to human capital development.

Rt. Hon. George Daika said Plateau South Senatorial Zone is in dire need of an experienced, exposed and result-driven Leader who will bring succour to the people as well as provide them with dividends of democracy – infrastructural human developments.

“I am an experienced Legislator and will provide sound and visionary leadership to the people”

“As a grassroot politician, I know the plights of the people and there will be robust engagements if I am given this mandate”

“We will work towards lifting as many people as possible out of abject poverty if elected”

“What the people of Plateau Southern Zone need is someone who is selfless and ready to provide credible leadership” he said.

The Former Federal Legislator said if given the mandate, he will consolidate on his achievements.

“I have numerous projects executed across the 3 LGAs I represented, there is no District that is without project I attracted when I was at the NASS from 2007-2011”

“I want to do more and improve the lives of my people as well as transform Plateau Southern Zone if elected Senator”

“My footprints are all over and I am positive that I will emerge victorious at the PDP Primary Election and the bye-election to provide the much needed leadership to the people” he concluded.

PRESS STATEMENT

GOVERNOR LALONG FELICITATES WITH PLATEAU SPEAKER RT. HON. ABOK NUHU AYUBA @34.

The Plateau State Governor Simon Bako Lalong has congratulated the speaker of the Plateau State House of Assembly Rt. Hon. Abok Nuhu Ayuba as he marks his 34th birthday.

Governor Lalong in a congratulatory message joined the family, friends and associates of the Speaker in wishing him God’s continued guidance and divine wisdom as he contunues to lead the Plateau State House of Assembly.

The Governor said “we have every reason to thank God for giving you good health, wisdom and the courage to steer the ship of the House in a manner that has facilitated good governance and the delivery of the dividends of democracy to our people. You have ensured that there is a mutual and collaborative relationship between the House and other arms of government which has assisted in carrying out people oriented programs and projects across the State”.

He also added that Mr. Abok is indeed a worthy Plateau son whose love and passion for the youths, the poor and vulnerable is demonstrated in all his activities.

Lalong asked the Speaker to continue to devote his life to the service of his constituents and the State at large as this will endear him more to them and afford him greater opportunities for service.

Dr. Makut Simon Macham, ANIPR
Director of Press and Public Affairs to the Governor of Plateau State.
21st August 2020.

KANAM KIDNAPPINGS: RT. HON. GAGDI VISITS INSPECTOR GENERAL OF POLICE, SECURES DETACHMENT OF SPECIAL ANTI-KIDNAPPING SQUAD FOR KANAM, PANKSHIN AND KÀNKE LGAs.

Following the rising spate of kidnappings and the surge of heinous crimes in Kanam Local Government Area, the member representing Pankshin/Kanke/Kanam Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Rt Hon Yusuf Adamu Gagdi, in company of Alh. Shuaibu Gyanggyang, visited the Inspector General of Police in his office earlier today where decisions were taken on how best to tackle the upsurge of organized crimes in the constituency in general.

Consequently, the IGP has instructed the AIG in charge of Intelligence, Ibrahim Lamorde, to send a detachment of Special Squad to Kanam LGA who are to overlook Pankshin and Kànke LGAs for a period of three months, at fitst instance, to curb the menace of kidnappings in the area.

Speaking after the successful meeting, the lawmaker maintains that as a representative of the people who is under oath to bring succour to his electorate, he is pained by the upsurge of criminal activities in Kanam LGA in particular, hence the effort to ensure such organized crimes hold no ground in his constituency, while the perpetrators are apprehended and brought to justice.

Gagdi bemoaned the large sums of money lost to the criminals by way of ransom to secure the release of victims of the kidnaps and its negative consequences on the economy of the area, which underscores the need to beef up security in the area to arrest the criminals.

Preparatory to the arrival of the Special Squad in the constituency, the lawmaker has scheduled a meeting with stakeholders and traditional rulers in the three local government areas that make up the constituency on different dates and time starting with Kanam, then Kanke and Pankshin local government areas at the various local government headquarters.

The affected traditional rulers and stakeholders will be communicated of the date, time and venues of the meetings accordingly.

Signed:
Gagdi Media Team

PRESS RELEASE

REASONS FOR THE UPSURGE OF COVID-19 CASES IN PLATEAU STATE.

The Plateau State Government wishes to give an insight into the seeming high number of COVID-19 infections in Plateau State in recent weeks .
While the Government is concerned about the situation and continues to work towards overcoming it, the following explanations for the current scenario of the pandemic in the State would suffice:

1. There is Increase in community testing for the disease as Plateau State has 3 testing Centres at NVRI Vom, Plateau State Specialist Hospital and Jos University Teaching Hospital.
2. As at today (20th August 2020) records show that 23,396 samples have been collected across the State and sent to the laboratory, out of which, 21,015 results have been received. This makes Plateau State among the states with highest testing rate in the country. In fact, Plateau State is one of the few to have tested all its civil servants and continues to test other citizens.
3. Due to slow pace of processing samples, not all test results are released immediately thereby resulting in backlogs. For example, as at today (20/8/2020), there are 2,301 results pending at the National Veterinary Research Institute Vom testing centre alone, due to high traffic. Whenever such backlogs are released, it accounts for the high figures recorded against the State by the NCDC which might be misconstrued as daily figures.
4. Despite the fact that theres is increased awareness about the pandemic in the State, Government has noted wide
   non-adherence and or compliance to laid down protocols of wearing face masks, social distancing and hand washing by many citizens.

Government hereby uses this opportunity to call on its citizens to remain calm and strictly adhere to the protocols as these numbers will subside after the samples awaiting test are exhausted, and the situation normalises.

It might interest the public to know that government spends humongous amounts of money to provide free medication and other forms of support for those infected with the disease.
Regrettably, 25 deaths related to COVID-19 have been recorded in the State which represents 1.2 percent fatality rate, a figure that is by far lower than other States that have recorded well over 2 percent. However, His Excellency Governor Simon Lalong is worried with the loss of lives and remains determined to ensure that no further casualty is recorded.

Government hereby assures its citizens of utmost support and uses the opportunity to call on them to continue to observe the COVID-19 protocols of hand washing with soap under running water, use of certified sanitizers, wearing of face masks and maintaining social distancing.

CONTINUE TO THINK AND ACT PLATEAU.

Dan Manjang,
Honourable Commissioner,
Information and Communication,
Plateau State.
Thursday, 20th August, 2020

PROF. DDD SHENI PICKS SOUTHERN PLATEAU APC SENATE NOMINATION AND EXPRESSION OF INTEREST BYE ELECTION FORMS.

Prof. DDD Sheni the immediate past Vice Chancellor of Plateau State University, Bokkos, one of the strong Contestant for the vacant seat of late Sen. Amb. Ignatius Datong Longjan in the October, 31st bye-election in Southern Plateau.

Recalled, last week, the APC National Secretariat released Time Table for the conduct of primary elections in twelve (12) States.

The party primaries according to the released time table is scheduled for 5th September, 2020.

On his returned from Abuja Yesterday, the erudite professor and scholar, promise to be faithful with the people’s Mandate when elected as Senator. “I know the plights of the people of Southern Zone, they lack of basic social infrastructures among others”, he added.

Professor Sheni the founder of DECENT DANJUMA FOUNDATION, a non-governmental organization with membership of over five thousand (500) Widows in all the six local government areas in the southern zone. Believes his wealth of experience as Vice Chancellor and so many leadership position held (among which is President world Optometrists Association) and several track records, has the capacity and capability to hold public Trust.

Re: disclaimer

My attention have been drawn to a disclaimer purportedly written by one Bege Wesley Mulak who claim to be a Personal Assistant (PA) to my able and respected Chairman, Hon. Chief Letep Dabang,.
I doubt if the disclaimer is with the consent of Hon. Chief Letep Dabang,my revered APC Chairman, Plateau State, the Letep I know can never throw stones on every dog that bark at him on his way, as a politician of repute, Chief Letep cannot say “information reaching us suggest that one Prince Rotdunna Ibn Sekat went viral on social media that Hon. Letep Dabang has declared to contest for Plateau Central Senatorial District” I am not a ghost, I am a loyal party man, and a former SA ICT to the Governor of Plateau State, I should be address properly.

To worse the situation, I did not said Hon. Chief Letep Dabang has declared or has intentions to contest for the Senate seat comes 2023, I only post a message I copied from a group where the group members are drumming support for Chief Letep to contest for Senate in 2023 and as a supporter of Hon. Chief Letep Dabang, I see nothing wrong in what the group are yearning for, politicians cannot tell us what they want, we tell them what we want them to contest and represent us as their electorates hence my supporting the group only for me to see a disjointed jaundice and a complete fallacy written as disclaimer as no politician will not be happy seeing how his supporters are drumming support for him to contest even when what he wants is different from what they want, it’s his duty to intimate them on what he want. Below is the junk message written by the acclaimed person which is a roadside message….

“Information reaching us suggest that one Prince Rotdunna Ibn Sekat went viral on social media that Hon. Letep Dabang has declared to contest for Plateau Central Senatorial District.

The general public and Party faithful should note that Hon. Letep M. Dabang did not make such declaration(s) as he is focused on leading the All Progressives Congress (APC) to an enviable height and as such the public is called to disregard such information as it is geared towards misinforming the good people of Plateau State and party faithful.

I want to state categorically clear that his focus and resolve is to oversee a United APC on the Plateau and to emerge victorious in the forth coming Plateau South Senatorial election which is scheduled to take place soon.

Mulak Bege Wesley
Personal Assistant to
Hon. Letep M. Dabang.

In conclusion, if my able Chairman, Hon. Chief Letep Dabang is aware of this disclaimer then I wish to let him know that no one is an island and he should not allow kids to dictate for him what he wants but allow the general public and people of charisma to do that on his behalf that will go a long way.

Prince Rotdunna Ibn Sekat
The Yandar Ngas

PRESS STATEMENT

GENDER BASED VIOLENCE & RAPE: PLATEAU TO OPEN OFFENDERS REGISTER – GOV. LALONG.

Plateau Governor Simon Bako Lalong says the fight against sexual, gender-based violence and rape must be fought with a lot of attention to ensuring justice for victims and rehabilitating them while severely punishing perpetrators to serve as deterrent for others.
Governor Lalong was speaking at a webinar on addressing sexual, gender-based violence and rape in Nigeria organised by Gideon & Funmi Para-Mallam Peace Foundation.
Governor Lalong regretted that the problem of sexual, gender violence and rape has taken alarming and disgraceful dimensions in Nigeria in recent times which must not be allowed to go on.
Lalong said “One thing we take very seriously as a Government is the prosecution of rape and sexual offenders. Following increase in rape cases in the country, I have directed the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice to step up vigorous prosecution of offenders no matter their status. Very soon, we shall open a Sexual Offenders Register where the data of convicted offenders shall not only be deposited, but their identity made public so that they are named and shamed. I believe that they are the ones that are entitled to stigmatization not their victims”.
The Governor said sexual and gender based violence finds incubation in conflict areas where most women and children are at the receiving end. The Plateau State Peace Agency he said has also been mandated to step up engagements with communities on the dangers of sexual and gender based violence particularly during crises.
On the role of the Northern Governors Forum in tackling the situation, the Governor said “Under my leadership, the Nigerian Governors Forum has declared a state of emergency on the increasing rate of sexual and gender based violence in the country. We have all resolved and condemned all forms of violence against women and children. The Forum also resolved to ensure that member States promulgate laws with stiffer penalties against perpetrators of sexual based violence. As part of our resolve, Governors are to ensure the domestication of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act, 2015 in their various States without further delay”.
British High Commissioner to Nigeria Catriona Laing said addressing gender violence and rape is a challenge that must be handled wholistically with the cooperation of all stakeholders where there is condemnation and intolerance for perpetrators as well as succour for the victims.
She said the UK was willing to support the action against gender based violence and rape as well as work with and advocacy groups, government agencies and religious leaders in ending the scourge.
First Lady of Ekiti State Mrs. Bisi Fayemi, and her Kebbi State counterpart Mrs. Zainab Bagudu acknowledged the role played by the Nigerian Governors Forum and the Northern Governors Forum in ensuring that more States pass legislations against rape and violence as well as domesticate the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act 2015.
Conveners of the Forum, Professors Funmi and Para-Mallam identified sexual, gender-violence and rape as vices that get more exacerbated by crises as can be seen in many areas where violence has been recorded. They called for more action by government and civil society groups to end the cycle of violence that targets women, girls and children.

Dr. Makut Simon Macham, ANIPR
Director of Press & Public Affairs
to the Governor of Plateau State.
18th August 2020.

Malian President, Ibrahim Boubacar Keita has resigned.
Keita on Wednesday said he was resigning to avoid “bloodshed”, hours after his arrest by troops.
Rebel soldiers reportedly detained Keita and Prime Minister Boubou Cisse on Tuesday afternoon and drove the duo to a military base in the town of Kati, near the capital Bamako, which they had seized that morning.
Jubilant crowds in the city centre, gathered to demand Keita’s resignation, cheered the rebels as they made their way to the 75-year-old’s official residence.
Read Also: President, PM arrested in Mali mutiny
Keita who appeared in a state television broadcast, midnight, to declare the dissolution of the government and national assembly, said he had no choice but to resign with immediate effect.
“If it pleased certain elements of our military to decide this should end with their intervention, do I really have a choice?” he said of the day’s events.
“(I must) submit to it, because I don’t want any bloodshed.”