Breaking News: Federal High Court Jos ordered LP, Dr. Dakum and INEC to appear in 96 hours
The Federal High Court sitting in Jos has ordered the Labour Party LP, Dr. Patrick Dakum and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to appear before the Court in Ninety Six (96) hours to show cause why they cannot be restrained from Substituting Amb. Yohanna Margif as the Validity elected candidate of the the Party.
It would be recalled that Amb. Yohanna Margif who is the Governorship Candidate of the Party ahead of the 2023 elections had approach the Court through his Counsel M. B. Abdullah Esq. In a Motion exparte dated the 15th August 2022 and filled on the same 15th August, 2022, prays the court for the following orders:
“An order for interim injunction restraining the 1st Defendant whether by itself, its agents, privies or assigns or any other person acting through it, or howsoever from taking any action or process or further action or process for the purpose of changing or substituting the plaintiff as the validly nominated candidate of the 1st defendant for the seat of Governor of Plateau State based on the purported letter of withdrawal, notice affidavit or any other document whatsoever not written or signed by the plaintiff or personally delivered by the plaintiff to the 1st defendant pending the hearing and determination of the plaintiff’s motion on Notice for interlocutory injunction.
Justice D. V. Agishi however ordered as follows:” That parties have Ninety six (96) hours to come and show cause why they cannot be restrained from substituting the plaintiff/ Applicant as the Validity elected candidate.
“That Parties (Defendant) are to appear in court on the 24th Day of August, 2022. That the matter is adjourned to 24th August 2022.
GOVERNOR LALONG ADDRESSES 2022 NBA NATIONAL CONFERENCE; SAYS ILLEGAL MINING DANGEROUS AS OIL BUNKERING.
Plateau State Governor Simon Bako says urgent steps need to be taken to tackle illegal mining which has continued to cause economic and security challenges to the nation and most parts of the North just as oil bunkering is doing to the country.
Lalong who spoke during his intervention on Getting Nigeria’s Administration out of oil at the ongoing Annual National Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association holding in Lagos, said the losses resulting from illegal mining and carting away of precious solid minerals constitute a huge loss to Governments at all levels.
He however observed that due to the focus on crude oil, not much attention is devoted to the solid minerals theft thereby leaving illegal miners from within and outside the country to have a field day in ripping off the country and devastating local communities.
Lalong said that is why he has remained an advocate of the inclusion of solid minerals in both the exclusive and concurrent list in order to enable States properly assert control over mining activities which in many cases result into criminality and provide funding for bandits, terrorists and their collaborators.
Also speaking about the issue of enhancing security of lives and properties, Lalong said the issue of State police was germaine and crucial but needs to be guaranteed by factors including the capacity to train, deploy, monitor, and regularly pay the personnel in order to avoid a situation where people with arms are owed salaries and turn out to constitute another security problem.
On the issue of unity and progress of Nigeria, Lalong said there must be a deliberate effort to address the manipulation of religion and ethnicity which according to him have been exploited to the detriment of the diversity and variety they represent.
The Governor also disclosed that under his leadership, Plateau State has made progress is diversifying from dependence on oil proceeds with the empowering of citizens to engage in commercial agriculture, value addition, extention services and leveraging on crops of comparive advantage such as exotic fruits, potatoes, flowers among others which are unique to Plateau State.
He also said the Government has acquired the Inland Container Terminal and also received approval for the upgrade of the Yakubu Gowon Airport Heipang into an International Cargo Airport for export of agricultural and other commodities.
Lalong also disclosed that so much has been done to restore peace in Plateau State which has brought back tourism and investors as well as enhanced the creative industry and sports which are synonymous with Jos and contributing significantly to the economy.
He also spoke about the training of thousands of youths in various entrepreneurial skills which have made Plateau State a household name at the national MSME competition organised by the office of the Vice President among others.
Dr. Makut Simon Macham Director of Press and Public Affairs to the Governor of Plateau State. 22nd August 2022.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lt Gen Faruk Yahaya has charged Army Cadets of Regular Course 69 of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) to deploy their newly acquired combat skills and competences to surmount security challenges in the country. Gen Yahaya gave the charge as the Special Guest of Honour at the Battle Inoculation phase of Exercise Camp Highland, which wrapped up final exercises for the Army cadets, before their passing out of the prestigious Academy later in October this year. The COAS, who expressed satisfaction over the level of training received by the Cadets, noted, that with the recent review of training curriculum in the academy, there has been remarkable improvement in the quality of cadets’ combat training, in tune with NA’s deliberate capacity development effort towards tackling contemporary security challenges. He expressed optimism, that as junior commanders, they will add value to ongoing operational efforts to restore peace and security in troubled parts of the country.
While pointing out that a lot of resources have been invested in training the cadets, the COAS expressed appreciation to the Commander – in- Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, President Mohammadu Buhari for the confidence reposed in the NA, as well as his support and strategic guidance. He assured the President and all Nigerians that the NA in synergy with other services and security agencies will “speak to the insurgents and bandits in the language they understand”.
Describing Exercise Camp Highland Battle Inoculation as a “baptism of the Army Cadets into battle”, the Commandant NDA, Maj Gen Ibrahim Yusuf disclosed that the exercise is a culmination of five years of training for the Cadets before their graduation.
The exercise featured a combat assault on a simulated objective with live firing by a combat team of cadets, supported from the air by the Nigerian Air force to inject realism into the exercise.
Senior officers who witnessed the exercise include the Commander Training and Doctrine Command, Principal Staff Officers from the Army Headquarters, Corps Commanders and General Officer Commanding 1 Division.
ONYEMA NWACHUKWU Brigadier General Director Army Public Relations 20 August 2022
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Kefiano Motors, Abuja, Chief Kefas Ropshak, has apologized to the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) regretting ever supporting the All Progressive Congress (APC) to come to power in 2015. He sated this Saturday while in an interview with team of Journalists shortly after the unveiling of the Hon. Musa Bagos’ “Next Generation Legends and Discussion Cycles”, held at the Sarau Events Centre Jos, the Plateau State capital. The Kefiano CEO said, “I am very passionate and serious about it as I said. Even though, I have spent my fortunes no matter how small it was to support APC wholeheartedly especially from the national level, but we do not need anybody to tell us today that Nigeria has never been this divided along religious lane like this time. We have never had these series of insecurity like this time. “People are suffering and there is hunger everywhere and I do not need anybody to tell me that what I campaigned and bargained for failed and so, it is normal for me realizing that we made a mistake to apologize and this apology is coming from my heart. “I sincerely regret whatever form of support that I gave because I did it and thought people are going to have a better living, but so long as they did not get, it is necessary that I apologize and I am saying that, we cannot have a repeat of this or some of us are going to come out and speak to the power. That is what I stand for!”, he enthused. Ropshak, however, prayed that a better Nigeria would come tomorrow with former Vice President, Alhaji Abubakar Atiku, as the next President and he was doing everything possible to see that Atiku emerge, because he was the only Nigerian that has all his investments in Nigeria and have created job opportunities to young Nigerians. According to him, “for me as I always tell people, some of the reasons why I follow Atiku is because, he has always come to say that, “if you say I am corrupt, tell me where you found me wanting and challenge me” and nobody has come out to say or challenged him with facts. “Among all our past leaders especially, past Governors, past Presidents, past Vice Presidents and so on, I have not seen any past leader in Nigeria that have the kind of investments Atiku have today domiciled in the country. So, whatever those our past leaders have stolen, I do not care. If you invest like Atiku, it will create employment and that is what we want. That is why I am supporting Atiku and I am doing that with all my heart and I have no regret for it”, he vowed.
HOW GOVERNOR LALONG RESCUED PRTV FROM NBC HAMMER BY OFFSETTING N114.5 MILLION BACKLOG OF FIFTEEN YEARS LICENCE FEES
In line with its philosophy of rescue, Governor Simon Bako Lalong approved the payment of fifteen year backlog of licenses of the Plateau Radio and Television (PRTV) owed the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission (NBC), totaling one hundred and fourteen million, five hundred thousand Naira (N114,500,000.00) only. This happened months before the regulatory body took the drastic action of shutting down over 50 defaulting broadcast stations.
Governor Lalong’s magnanimityis an uncommon demonstration of the commitment he has exhibited to see that democracy thrives by providing the citizens platforms to be informed, educated and entertained.
The state media in Plateau State is grateful to Governor Lalong for this progressive act of commitment and resilience, assures him that PRTV will rise up to the occasion by discharging its mandate with utmost decorum, responsibility and professionalism.
The Ministry of Information and Communication as well as management and staff of PRTV consider the Governor’s intervention as a boost to action which will translate to greater commitment to duty by rejigging the Corporation’s programme content and service delivery.
By this development, the era of lackadaisical attitude, truancy and unprofessionalism by staff of PRTV should be eschewed as any breach will not be tolerated.
It will be recalled that prior to the Governor’s gesture, PRTV was under threat of closure by NBC for unpaid licence fees of up to 15 years.
Dan Manjang, anipr Honourable Commissioner, Information and Communication, Plateau State. Sunday 21st August, 2022.
Allege that Plateau workers would become beggars if Mutfwang emerges Governor…
A cross section of former staff of Mangu local government council workers in Plateau state on Saturday vowed to work against the Candidate of the People’s Democratic party PDP in the forthcoming Gubernatorial election in the state Hon Caleb Mutfwang over constant non payment of salaries while he was council boss of Mangu LGA of the state .
A former staff of Mangu local government council of Plateau state who gave her name as Nanret Thompson, who spoke on behalf of the aggrieved former staff of the council said the constant owing of salaries of the PDP Governorship candidate while he was council chairman forced them to abandon their jobs for farming .
“We the former LGA workers of Mangu local government would never support him ,because some of us became beggars while he held sway as council boss .”
Mrs Thompson alleged that some of the workers about 15 of them had to jettison the local government council job while Mutfwang was council chairman because of the non payments of salaries.
Addressing newsmen in Abuja on Saturday ,she said ” I on behalf of other aggrieved former council staff would never support the Candidate of the PDP because of his pass records as council boss.
” Yes we are from Mangu local government council but we would not support the PDP candidate because of how he treated us when he was council chairman,the constant non payment of salaries as well as his absence while he was in office is the problem ,he was not accessible as council boss and then he did not pay us our salaries as at when due .
In her words ,”If Mutfwang would treat us in that way and manner as Council Chairman ,I wonder how he would treat citizens of Plateau State if elected Governor ,so for that we would work against his candidacy .
“We are members of PDP and we would support our candidates in the house of assembly and senate ,but for Governorship we would never support the PDP Candidate ,we have vowed to use everything within our capacity to ensure the success of another Candidate from our local government Mangu because we can not trust the state in the hands of Mutfwang .
I call on the people of Mangu local government to reject Mutfwang because we can not see the good intentions he has for Plateau.
She alleged that Mutfwang as council boss did not only fail to deliver but also allowed decay in critical areas like health and educational sectors in Mangu .
“There was also high insecurity in Mangu local government council due to menace of jobless youths when Mutfwang was council chairman .
We would work for the victory of another candidate from Mangu local government but not that of the PDP.
In her words “my people are rallying around Mutfwang because he is from our local government,I am calling on the people of Mangu to reject him at the polls and support a better candidate,he has been tested as a council boss and he failed us
We would do everything possible not to support him, she added .
There were better candidates in the PDP but powers that be in the Peoples Democratic forced Mutfwang on us and we would reject him at the polls.
“In Mangu ,we have other candidates in other various political parties like the PRP and we would work for their victory ,she added .
Our correspondent reports that the spokesperson of the group was flanked by other members of the group during the press conference .
Following an all-inclusive consultations embarked upon by the Plateau State government for the rebuilding of the Jos Main Market, stakeholders in Jos North Local Government Area have given their consent to the project.
The stakeholders gave their consent to the project in a press conference held in Jos.
Mr. Bitrus Pada of Anaguta community who read the resolution on behalf of the other communities said, ‘We the People of Jos North are wholly and fully in support of the laudable move and effort of the administration to rebuild the Jos Main Market as this is the desire and collective aspiration of our people.
“We agree that the State Government’s efforts should be intensified towards rebuilding the market, as the market serves a symbol of unity, a source of integration and a place for synergy for meaningful development. Rebuilding the market will further enhance and solidify the efforts towards enhancing trust, peace, unity and reintegration of our people.
“We agreed that rebuilding the market will further restore the lost beauty of the city centre, thereby enhancing its tourism potentials. It will also boost the business environment for which Jos is known.” The stakeholders therefore call on the Governor to carry on the rebuilding project. He should remain focused and deflect any distractions from his political traducers.
“We understand all issues surrounding the Memorandum of Understanding between the State Government and the potential Investors, the terms of the MOU has been clearly and expressly explained to us sufficiently, and we are in the full understanding of and we are abreast of the issues. We understand also that this will bring about the rapid recovery of the economy of the State.
“We the people of Jos North LGA see the market as a symbol of our sacrifice, heritage and material culture for the advancement of prosperity for our people and the State at large.
“We are pained by the callous and grave disregard for our monumental contribution to the growth of the economy of the State by insensitive remarks suggesting that the market should not be rebuilt or that it should only be rebuilt at a different location other than Jos North. We totally and unequivocally reject and condemn such calls.
“We strongly encourage the rebuilding of this edifice as we believe that it will reduce the rate of crime and criminality in the derelict structure. It will also avail employment opportunities for the vast citizens. Over 75% of the people of Jos North LGA rely on commerce as their means of livelihood, survival and progress.
The people further insist that if the agitation against the rebuilding of the market continues, “We shall appeal to His Excellency to consider restoring the land to its rightful owners (the people of Jos North LGA). We shall immediately embark on rebuilding the market by every means available to us.”
The Nigerian Army has rejected and rebut the allegation that the soldiers are proceeding on voluntary retirement due to alleged corruption, poor service conditions and low morale as recently reported by some media outfits in the social media.
In a statement signed by Director Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu described the report as a concoction of the imagination of the unrepentant enemies of the nation and mischief makers and should be outrightly discountenanced by the public.
General Nwachukwu said the subjective and unethical report is a distraction and another failed attempt at dampening the morale and fighting will of the loyal, dedicated and patriotic fighting force of the Nigerian Army
It is therefore not an aberration that the COAS granted approval for 91 NA/32/4792 WO NDAGANA ISHIAKU and 242 others to voluntarily discharge from the Nigerian Army as being unprofessionally manipulated by some media.
He opined that, perhaps these impenitent mischief makers need to be schooled to understand that the Nigerian Army is not a conscript Army, and that recruitment into the Nigerian Army voluntary with extant policy on discharge and retirement of soldiers and officers respectively, like other organizations.
“This provides its personnel the opportunity to apply for voluntary discharge, when they deem fit and meet the terms and conditions as stipulated in the Harmonized Terms and Conditions of Service soldiers/ratings/airmen (Revised) 2017.
“It is thus, the inalienable right of a personnel to voluntarily or on medical grounds apply for discharge, if they meet the terms,” he said.
He added that, given the pedigree and mannerism of the publisher of the ill-fated report, it is clear, that it is targeted at deflating the high morale of troops by downplaying recent critical interventions by the COAS Lt Gen Faruk Yahaya on troops’ welfare.
Welfare includes; car loans, housing loans, extensive construction of new accomodation, massive renovation of old and dilapidated accomodation, building of befitting residences and issuing of vehicles to Regimental Sergeant Majors, scholarship awards to children and wards of fallen heroes and other unique interventions in the theatres of operation to sustain the heightening morale of troops.
These interventions evidently account for troops’ game changing onslaught in the NorthEast.
It must also be mentioned, that the quantum of equipment that have been injected into the theatres and prompt payment of operational allowances, have all turned the tide against the insurgents.
“Also worthy of note is the welfare flight for troops, which has significantly reduced the burden of troops travelling in and out of the theatres, in addition to huge commitment on the medical needs of wounded-in-action soldiers and the barracks communities.
Equally important, is the fact that troops are now being regularly and consciously rotated from the frontline, hence, issues of overstay and battle fatigue are gradually being overcome. Suffice to say, that some of these recently discharged soldiers are beneficiaries of these giant strides.
The COAS, once again congratulates the discharging personnel for their gallantry, patriotism, loyalty and courage while in service and wishes them the very best as they successfully exit active service from the NA.
He also reiterates his avowed determination to continue to have direct impact on the welfare and wellbeing of both serving and retired personnel.
He is also assuring the retirees that soon, their various commanders would organise a farewell luncheon in their honour, as it is the practice in the Nigerian Army since Gen Yahaya took over command.
CHAIRMAN HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES COMMITTEE ON NAVY COMMENDS TROOPS’ RESILIENCE IN THE MAINTENANCE OF PEACE
The Chairman House of Representatives Committee on Navy and Member representing Pankshin, Kanam and Kanke local Federal Constituency, Hon Yusuf Adamu Gagdi has commended troops of 3 Division and Operation SAFE HAVEN for their untiring efforts towards ensuring lasting peace on the Plateau and environs. Hon Gagdi gave the commendation during a courtesy call on the GOC Maj Gen Ibrahim Ali at Headquarters 3 Division, Jos,
Hon Gagdi noted with delight the effort being made by the troops to decisively deal with criminality on the Plateau. He appreciated the GOC and the troops for the good job of tackling the security challenges with utmost commitment.
The Chairman reiterated his continued support to the Nigerian military and security forces on the Plateau as they strive to add value to humanity.
Hon Yusuf Gagdi also stated his resolve to support policies of the government aimed at improving the combat readiness and welfare of troops to enable them discharge their duties professionally.
Responding, the GOC 3 Division and Commander OPSH, Major General Ibrahim Ali thanked the Chairman for the visit and his concern for security of not only his constituency but the States and Nigeria as a whole. He assured of his readiness to continually deal with all forms of security challenges to return the state to its pride of place where communities are peaceful and secured for economic activities to thrive.
General Ali also appreciated the community leaders and their subject for supporting the security agencies with useful information. He thanked Him Gagdi for the commendations and encouragement.
Present during the visit were Commanders and Principal Staff Officers of the Division.
You are please requested to disseminate this information through your medium. Thank you for your usual cooperation
ISHAKU TAKWA Major Acting Deputy Director Army Public Relations 3 Division Nigerian Army 19 August 2022
PKK WOMEN FOR RT. HON. YUSUF GAGDI PLEDGE TO MOBILISE SUPPORT FOR THE SUCCESS OF THE #VOGA MOVEMENT
Women drawn from Pankshin/Kanke/Kanam Federal Constituency resident in Jos but Registered to vote in their various polling units within the PKK Constituency have pledged to mobilise support for the success of the APC flagbearer of the PKK Constituency Rt. Hon. Yusuf Adamu Gagdi.
The women group at their usual meeting which took place today Thursday ,18th August,2022 at Zarmaganda said they took the collective decision to galvanise themselves together ,ensure they all get registered in their various polling units ,mobilise support for the success of Rt. Hon. Gagdi come 2023 due to his various developmental programs/projects aimed at supporting/empowering the Youth,Students ,Women and their communities in general.
According to the spoke person of the group Mrs Gloria Wuyep, Gagdi’s Representation prowess at the 9th Assembly is unprecedented and the best in the history of the Constituency,and they pray that God through them and the many Constituents of PKK would return him back to the green Chambers again and again.
Rt. Hon. Yusuf Adamu Gagdi represented by his SLA ,Pharm. Mizim,Hon. Yakubu Gumshar and Hon. Bulus Sulisma in their various submissions appreciated the patience, sacrifices and support of this group towards the actualization of the dream of PKK Constituents to returning Rt. Hon. Gagdi back to the green Chambers come 2023 God’s willing ,pledging all the needed support to them towards the practical actualization of the great feat.
They later donated the sum of N100,000.00 on behalf of the Member to the group..
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