PRESS STATEMENT

NORTHERN GOVERNORS MOURN FIRST NORTHERN LAWYER, AGF ABDUL-RASAQ SAN; CONDOLE KWARA GOVERNOR.

The Northern Governors Forum has commiserated with their colleague, Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrasaq and the people of Kwara State over the death of his father and statesman Alhaji AbdulGaniyu Folorunsho Abdul-Razaq SAN (OFR) who died at the age of 93.

Chairman of the Forum and Governor of Plateau State Simon Bako Lalong in a condolence message described the death of the first lawyer from Northern Nigeria as a great loss to not only the people of Kwara State, but to the entire region and the nation at large.

Lalong said “we are saddened by the passing of this great man who brought pride and dignity to his family, the Northern region and Nigeria through the many responsibilities he handled during his life time. Though his death is painful, we should also celebrate his achievements particularly in the legal profession where he set the pace by mentoring and inspiring many in the profession, using his influence as Chairman of the Nigerian Body of Benchers and a Senior Advocate”.

Governor Lalong also noted that the late
Abdulganiyu Abdulrasaq at various times also contributed immensely to the development of Nigeria as member of the Northern House of Assembly; Nigerian Ambassador to the Republic of Ivory Coast; member of the Federal Parliament; and Federal Cabinet Minister of State for Transport among other duties he handled effectively.

The Northern Governors urged members of his family particularly his wife Hajia Raliat, children and grand children to accept his passing as the will of God and take solace in the fact that he fulfilled his assignment on earth and left lasting legacies which should be sustained.

Dr. Makut Simon Macham, ANIPR
Director of Press &Public Affairs to the Governor of Plateau State & Chairman, Northern Governors Forum.
July 25th 2020.

GOVERNOR LALONG CONSTITUTES A COMMITTEE TO CREATE AN IDENTITY FOR PLATEAU STATE, FLAG, EMBLEM/LOGO, ANTHEM AND COLOURS
Following the adoption of the Tourism Policy Strategic Action Plan and in government’s bid to reposition the Tourism sector, the Plateau State Governor, His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Dr. Simon Bako Lalong has approved the constitution of a committee to brand and create an identity for the State.
Inspired by the State’s rich cultural heritage and in line with the think Plateau, act Plateau mantra, creating a Plateau Identity, according to a statement by the Hon. Comm. for Tourism, Culture and Hospitality, is expected to raise the consciousness and social psyche of the Plateau citizens about their identity, rich cultural heritage, and a sense of value of the past, present and future.
The statement adds that this will motivate and instill a sense of patriotism by appreciating the potentials that abound in the state, thereby attracting investors and tourists.
Accordingly, the committee, which has the Honorable Commissioner for Tourism, Culture and Hospitality as Chairman is mandated to facilitate the production of the State’s official emblem/logo, anthem, flag and colors.
Other members of the committee are drawn from the following organizations:
Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Education (Secondary), Ministry of Information and Communication, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the State, Plateau State Tourism Corporation, and the Office of the Head of Service.
Also on the Committee are the curator, National Art Gallery, and the curator, National Commission of Museum and Monuments.
The Committee calls on members of the general public to submit, for consideration, samples of the stated items at the Office of the Hon. Comm. for Tourism, Culture and Hospitality, JD Gomwalk Secretariat, Jos, not later than August 21, 2020.

Signed:
Tamwakat Weli,
Hon. COMMISSIONER…

The Federal Government is in receipt of the Senate Recommendation that the NDDC IMC be dissolved and
ii. that the NDDC be returned to the Presidency for proper supervision.

The Government set up a technical Committee to study this recommendation and advise it which committee has turned in its Recommendation.

Federal Government hereby accepts the Recommendation of the Senate and accordingly:

1. The President has hereby dissolved the NDDC IMC. The affected officers are to hand over to the most senior civil servant under them.
2. Senator Magnus Ngei Abe is hereby appointed as sole Administrator for initial period of 6 months.
3. The NDDC is hereby returned to the Presidency for proper supervision.
4. The President assures Niger Deltans that the forensic Audit of the Commission will continue unhindered.

Thank you.

Signed:
Femi Adesina
Presidential Spokesperson

Armed men believed to be herdsmen on Thursday attacked a convoy of Prison officials near Plateau High Court, Barkin Ladi, freeing six criminal suspects.

The convoy was conveying 14 suspects charged with different crimes ranging from murder to kidnapping and rape, it was learnt.

On arriving the court premises, the gunmen who had laid ambush by the court entrance opened fire at the convoy, releasing the suspects unchallenged, eyewitnesses say.

None of the four armed prison guards accompanying the convoy returned fire, raising suspicion of culpability.

The Plateau State Commandant of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Mr. S.A. Musa, briefing the State Commissioner of Police, Edward Egbuka at the scene of the incident said the Court did not notify him of a change in hearing date.

However, Official sources say the inmates were not billed to appear in court when the Detention Officers brought them, unlocking their handcuffs on arrival.

“We only had four cases today with only one criminal, and the suspect was not among those brought from the Correctional Centre.

“The court since resumption from lockdown has hardly heard five cases a day, let alone ten, to have warranted the deployment of those suspects today,” a court worker said.

The Court has already been reported to the Nigerian Police Force Headquarters, Abuja, and investigations have commenced to track the suspects.

In the meanwhile, Police have arrested four suspects and recovered two motorcycles believed to be belonging to the ambushers during a combing of bushes.

No official comment has however been made on the incident.

PRESS STATEMENT

GOVERNOR LALONG CONGRATULATES ITF DG, JOSEPH ARI, OVER HIS REAPPOINTMNET.

Plateau State Governor, Simon Bako Lalong has congratulated the Director General of the Industrial Training Fund, ITF Mr. Joseph Ntung Ari on his reappointment for another term of four years.
Governor Lalong in a congratulatory message described the development as another good omen for the agency and Plateau State giving the track record of achievements of Mr. Ari in the last four years.
He said “I am not surprised by the reappointment of Mr. Joseph Ari by Mr. President for another term because in the last four years, he has rebranded and refocused the organisation by making it a frontline skill development and job creation machinery that has empowered millions of Nigerians. This has given hope to many youths and reduced the fruitless hunt for non-existing white collar jobs, thereby reducing crime in the society”.
The Governor while wishing Mr. Ari a fruitful tenure, assures him that Plateau State Government will continue to partner with the ITF in empowering its citizens through skill development and entrepreneurial development.
He also thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for considering more sons and daughters of Plateau State for appointment into Federal Government Agencies, assuring him that they will continue to give their best at all times.

Dr. Makut Simon Macham, ANIPR
Director of Press & Public Affairs to the Governor of Plateau State.
23rd July 2020.

Following the continuous spread of the COVID-19 Virus in Plateau , the state government on Tuesday said that the ban on operation of nightclubs , bars to curtail the dreaded virus is still in force .

Our correspondent who went round the city observed that most bars in the state still operate without observing any of the laiddown COVID 19 protocols .

On Tuesday Plateau recorded 52 cases of the dreaded virus .

Commissioner for Information and Communication, Dan Manjang who spoke to our correspondent expressed displeasure over the flagrant disregard of the ban being observed by some bars and night club who are still operating without minding the consequences.

He said “It is rather sad that some bars still operate “

When contacted the Public Relations officer of the Plateau Police Command ASP ASP Obah Ogaba, said our men are on ground and are carrying out enforcement of the ban .

….Nigeria, Ecowas should intervene on Cote d’Ivoire, Mali crisis
ECOWAS Nations

Four ECOWAS leaders – Presidents Macky Sall of Senegal, Mahamadou Issoufou of Niger, Alassane Ouattara of Cote d’Ivoire and Nana Akufo Addo of Ghana are expected in Bamako on Thursday, 23rd July, in continuation of the regional efforts to end the political crisis in Mali, official sources said.

The move follows several days of mediation by ECOWAS envoy to Mali, former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan, who on Sunday in Bamako unveiled his delegation’s recommendations, which were rejected by the opposition Coalition M5-RFP.

The Jonathan-led team proposed the setting up of a Unity Government and the reconstitution of the Constitutional Court, among others.

But the opposition has called for continued anti-government street protests, insisting on the dissolution of Parliament and resignation of President Ibrahim Keita.

More than a dozen lives have been lost during the protests with the opposition groups also accusing the Keita government of detaining several of their leaders.

Veteran opposition leader Soumaila Cisse has gone missing after his abduction in March by unknown persons.

Mali has been under seige by terrorists and Jihadists operating from the country’s troubled Northern region fighting for independence.

The insecurity has extended to Central Mali and across its borders to neighbouring countries.

Incidentally, President Ouattara, part of the latest Mali peace mission also has serious political issues in his own country with uncertainty over the planned October 31 presidential election.

In the last three weeks, Cote d’Ivoire has lost its Prime Minister Amadou Coulibaly, the ruling party’s anointed presidential candidate, while Vice President Daniel Duncan also suddenly resigned.

It is unclear if Ouattara would go back on his word not to run for a third term in October, a decision that could reignite the ethno- religious and demographic divisions in the country.

The Senate Tuesday adopted a resolution calling on the Service Chiefs to resign or be sacked due to the multi-pronged security challenges in the country.
The Presidency notes the resolution, and reiterates that appointment or sack of Service Chiefs is a Presidential prerogative, and President Muhammadu Buhari, in his capacity as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, will do what is in the best interest of the country at all times.

Femi Adesina
Special Adviser to the President
(Media and Publicity)
July 21, 2020

Amb Chris Giwa Distributes Free Fertilizer to Farmers in Kuru District.

As part of effort towards ensuring that food production is not affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and to ensure a more sustainable food system, CEO of Chris Giwa Foundation, Amb Chris Giwa on Tuesday, 21st July, 2020 distributed fertilizers to farmers in Kuru District of Jos South Local Government Area, Plateau State.

Speaking during the distribution ceremony at Gwom Rey Kuru Palace at Kuru, Amb Chris Giwa who was represented by Hon Chris Dabang and Hon Bitrus Kataiko said the distribution of the free fertilizer to farmers within the district was to enhance food production, and enable farmers to recover quickly from sudden shocks of the COVID-19 Pandemic as well as sustain food supply in 2021.

He stated that “the decision to support the farmers is as a result of the rising cost of fertilizer which is beyond the reach of many farmers so as to boost their production in the current farming season thereby improving food supply to the people”.

The occasion was graced by Gwom Hwak, Da Pwajok Dangal, Kuru Development Association President, Da Justin Pam, the various Mai Ungwa’s in Kuru district, Berom Youth Movement, and the women wing in Kuru district.

Various speakers at the event applauded the foresight of Amb Chris Giwa for the support to the farmers stating that despite not holding any elective position, he has continued to offer support not only to Kuru community but to various communities and groups across the State.

The senate has asked the service chiefs to step aside.

The resolution of the upper legislative chamber followed a motion sponsored by Ali Ndume, senator representing Borno south and chairman of the committee on army.

Gabriel Olonisakin, chief of defence staff; Tukur Buratai, chief of army staff; Sadique Abubakar, chief of air staff; and Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, chief of naval staff; are all due for retirement.

Despite calls for their sack, President Muhammadu Buhari has kept them in office