On behalf of myself, family and friends, I send my condolences to you, Rt Hon Yusuf Gagdi and your family on the passing away of your father.
We pray God to grant him eternal rest and comfort the family and people of Pankshin-Kanke-Kanam Federal Constituency.
Adieu Baba.

Hon. Nenrotmwa Bala Binshak

SENATOR DIMKA WELCOMES PLATEAU DELEGATION TO SENATE COMMITTEE ON ETHICS & PRIVILEGES HEARING

Chairman Senate Committee on Drugs and Narcotics and member, Senate Committee on Ethics and Privileges, Senator Hezekiah A Dimka was on ground Thursday, July 16, 2020 to welcome Plateau State delegation to the committee hearing on compensation of the host community of Police Staff College, Jos.

Hon Yakubu Dati, who is Plateau State Commissioner for Lands, Survey and Town Planning led the Plateau State Government delegation to the public hearing of the Senate Committee on Ethics and Privileges.

This followed the petition presented on the floor of the Senate by the Senator representing Plateau North, Senator I D Gyang on the allegation of non payment of compensation to the host community of Police Staff College, Jos,
Plateau State.

Senator Hezekiah Dimka, who is a member of the committee had before the commencement of the hearing interacted frightfully with the state’s leader of the delegation, Hon Yakubu Dati.

He expressed delight at their coming and prayed that something tangible would come out of the hearing.

The amiable Senator who represents Plateau Central Zone was to later join his colleagues in the screening of Ambassadorial nominees, which were recently sent by President Muhammadu Buhari.

Makut Alfred Mashat
SSA New Media
To Distinguished Senator Hezekiah Dimka.

*GAGDI: OUR HEARTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU – SEN DIMKA*

I received with shock.the death of the father of the Rt Hon Yusuf Adamu Gagdi, member representing Pankshin Kanke Kanam in the Federal House of Representatives today, July 16, 2020.

I am aware that the painful passage of your father, Mallam Adamu Yusuf Gagdi is immeasurable, even as his contributions in the lives of people cannot be misplaced.

His place in history as a renowned and respectable Islamic scholar: who until his death was the Imam of a mosque in Gum-Gagdi of Kanam Local Government Area of Plateau State; is instructive of the immense role he played in the quest for peace and development of the people.

As he is being buried today, July 16, 2020 at Gum-Gagdi according to Islamic rites, I pray Allah forgive his shortcomings and grant his gentle soul Jannatul Firdaus, Amen!

Please accept my sincere condolences on behalf of my family and indeed the peace loving people of Plateau Central Zone over your loss. May you be comforted knowing the impact he has made on you, the family and indeed people.

*SENATOR HEZEKIAH A DIMKA _Senator representing Plateau Central Zone and Chairman, Senate Committee on Drugs and Narcotics_*

PRESS STATEMENT

ANOTHER PLATEAU ENTREPRENEUR, MAFENG WOODCRAFT, WINS AT THE 2020 NATIONAL MSME AWARDS.

Plateau State has again demonstrated its prowess as the home of innovation and entrepreneurship in Nigeria when another of its illustrious sons Mr. Mafeng Iliya Yohanna, CEO of Mafeng Woodcraft located at Gut, Rayfield Jos, won the award for Woodworks and Furniture Category at the 2020 National MSME Awards held virtually.
Mafeng beat contestants from all parts of the country to emerge winner following his submission to the selection board which assessed the quality of his furniture products and the use of locally sourced raw materials. He was awarded one million naira.
In his remarks at the awards, Plateau State Governor Simon Bako Lalong said he was again honoured to have another entrepreneur and innovator who is putting the State on the national stage once again as far as small and medium enterprises development is concerned.
Lalong said “I am not surprised by the achievement of Mafeng Woodcraft which is following in the footsteps of previous winners starting from Mr. Jerry Mallo who was the overall winner of the maiden edition in 2018 with a tractor; as well as Mr. Luka Zaka Zang Bot who in 2019 won an award in the technology innovation category by producing a computer mouse for people living with disabilities. Ours is to continue to provide a conducive environment for our people to showcase their talents in order to create jobs and prosperity”.
He appreciated the hardwork of the Management and Staff of the Plateau State Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency (PLAMEDA) for fishing out talents, training them and also facilitating the process of establishing their business.
He also thanked partners such as the Industrial Training Fund (ITF) for their support to innovators and entrepreneurs which has seen many ideas being transformed into jobs and employment opportunities.
Mr. Mafeng Yohanna while responding to the award said he was delighted to be chosen as the winner in the Woodworks and Furniture Category of the 2020 National MSME Awards.
He appreciated Governor Lalong for creating the right environment for the small businesses to thrive by not only ensuring that they are given the right training and incentives, but by also ensuring that there is peace in the State which has continued to make businesses to flourish.
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo congratulated all the winners and nominees for their industry, creativity, ideas and innovation that have stimulated the creation of jobs and provision of employment.
He recognized the progress made by innovators and past winners such as Merry Mallo whose Company Bennie Agro has continued to grow and churn out various products after the maiden Awards in 2018.
He said the Federal Government is making available more funds worth billions that will be accessed by deserving MSMEs to enable them produce for domestic consumption and export.
Director General of the Industrial Training Fund Sir Joseph Ari and DG PLASMEDA who participated in the virtual awards assured that their organisations will continue to offer opportunities to those who want to break away from the shackles of poverty by suing their skills for productivity.
Mafeng woodcraft started in 2005, and is into the production of all kinds of woodworks and furniture for interior and exterior purposes such as Home chairs, Room Beds, kitchen cabinets, office table and chairs, school furniture among others.

Dr. Makut Simon Macham, ANIPR
Director of Press & Press Affairs to
the Governor of Plateau State
16th July 2020.

PRESS STATEMENT

GOVERNOR LALONG CONDOLES HOUSE OF REPS MEMBER, GAGDI OVER DEATH OF FATHER.

Plateau State Governor Simon Bako Lalong has condoled Member representing Pankshin, Kanke and Kanam constituency in the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Yusuf Adamu Gagdi over the death of his father, Mallam Adamu Yusuf Gagdi, who died on Thursday 16th July 2020.

Governor Lalong in a condolence message described the death of Mallam Adamu, a renowned and respectable Islamic scholar and the Imam of Gum-Gagdi Mosque, Kanam LGA of Plateau State, as a great loss to his immediate family, community and Plateau State as a whole.

He said “Late Mallam Adamu was a rallying point in his community as he used his position as an Islamic cleric to not only teach virtues of love, peace, tolerance and hardwork, but also engaged in mentoring the youths to value humility above undue search for quick glory”.

Lalong particularly recognised his contributions towards fostering dialogue and understanding among people of different tribes, religions and socio-political persuasions which has contributed to restoring peace on the Plateau.

Lalong said the State shares the pain with members of his family, particularly the Rt. Hon. Yusuf Gagdi, and urged them to continue to honour his memory by ensuring that his legacies are sustained in the service of humanity.

Dr. Makut Simon Macham, ANIPR
Director of Press &Public Affairs to the Governor of Plateau State.
16th July 2020.

PRESS STATEMENT

NORTHERN GOVERNORS MOURN FEMALE HELICOPTER PILOT, TOLULOPE.

The Northern Governors Forum says it is shocked by the sudden and tragic death of Nigeria’s first female combat helicopter pilot Flying Officer, Tolulope Arotile who was killed in a car accident in Kaduna.

Chairman of the Forum and Governor of Plateau State, Simon Bako Lalong described the late Tolulope as a promising officer, who had demonstrated high sense of loyalty, patriotism and diligence in her service to Nigeria particularly in maintaining peace and security.

Lalong said the testimony of the officer’s bravery in the field of combat, especially towards stopping bandits and terrorists from inflicting more harm on Nigerians will remain indelible in the history of the Nigerian Airforce as well as in the minds of Nigerians.

Governor Lalong on behalf of his colleagues consoled with Arotile’s family, the Nigerian Air Force, the Government and people of Kogi State and the entire Northern Region over this sad incident, while praying that God will receive her soul and grant her eternal rest.

Dr. Makut Simon Macham, ANIPR
Director of Press & Public Affairs to the Governor of Plateau State.
16th July 2020.

The thrust of any political ideology and governance model is built on men and women who are prepared for better service delivery to citizens;at least that’s the fundamental claim and proclamation of any concern citizens with a patriotic intentions for a collective and larger good: Better service delivery to the electorate,and citizens at large.

This philosophy upholds the beauty and sanctity of life and respect for humanity irrespective of race,ethnicity or faith in pursuit of political Holy surjourn.That’s why the sophistry of political and governance mechanisms should ALWAYS fall in the hands of tested men and women of understanding,integrity and morally upright.Men and women whose lives are circumscribed by devoted values of self discipline and principles in their internal and external conducts.

There is cause and effect relation between the values and principles a candidate for an election stands for and how his/her self conduct affect social change positively.

Today it is usual to witness violent rivalries, intolerance to divergent views and gross defiance to our defining inherent values during campaigns.

Even when it’s obvious that I am not the chosen one, We keep soaring OUR UNDYING pride with hate and ill-feelings like an autumn leaves on a fertile ground that nature have provides us with in our political luxury space.

We need another approach.A kind that truly puts men with tested distinction in public service and with a larger heart to serve above self against men with hidden destructive intentions that will soon be revealed.

We need leaders that promotes our common Humanity with sincere intentions to approach issues and also strengthens institutions of politics and governance, and its only such leaders that can protect and assures us of a safe and secured future for generations yet to come.

As citizens,we must support leaders that promotes equality,justice,respect of the rule of law,self-less service and love for a fellow human being.

Good morning.
Maxwell Gowon.

The House of Representatives has resolved to investigate the purported voluntary resignation of 365 soldiers from the Nigerian Army. According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), this resolution followed a unanimous adoption of a motion of Matters of Urgent Public Importance by the Chief Whip of the House, Honourable Mohammed Monguno, at the plenary on Tuesday.

Moving the motion earlier, Monguno said the Nigerian Army, which was founded in 1960, is the largest component of the Nigerian Armed Forces. He said that the Nigerian Army has a staff strength of about 200,000 soldiers saddled with the responsibility of taking charge of land warfare operations, as well as protecting the territorial integrity of the nation.

The lawmaker said that on June 22, a lance corporal, Mr Martin Idakpeni, in a video on social media condemned the attitude of the Chief of Army Staff towards the attacks and killings of innocent Nigerians and soldiers. Honourable Monguno said that the officer also decried the untold hardship soldiers face while conducting combat operations.

According to the lawmaker, on several occasions, Nigerian soldiers have disobeyed orders from superior officers in protest of poor welfare arrangements and alleged embezzlement of allowances due to them by their superiors. Monguno said that there had been cases of mutiny resulting in sporadic shooting and attempted lynching of senior officers by junior officers.

The lawmaker said that military sources have attributed these massive resignations to loss of morale, unimproved allowances, mass casualties in the hands of Boko Haram terrorists, among others. Monguno also said that the sources blamed the development on lack of intelligence apparatus and fighting equipment, as well as poor welfare packages for soldiers and their families by the army authorities.

He said rather than addressing the challenges, the Chief of Army Staff, via a 17-page circular and signed by Brigadier-General T.E Gagariga, graciously approved the voluntary retirement of a battalion of aggrieved soldiers in one fell swoop. He said if the situation is not brought under control by nipping the influx of able ex-army officers into the society without job security, it may become a serious security threat.

He said it is an impending military mutiny that may imperil the nation’s democracy, hence the need to urgently tackle this menace. Speaker of the House, Femi Gbajabiamila, mandated the Committee on Army to investigate the allegations and report back in one week for further legislative action

PRESS RELEASE

GOVERNOR LALONG APPOINTS NEW GENERAL MANAGER FOR PLATEAU PUBLISHING CORPORATION

Governor Simon Bako Lalong has approved the appointment of Dr. Boniface Bakshuet Gwotbit as the new General Manager of the Plateau Publishing Corporation, publishers of The Nigerian Standard Newspapers.
Until his appointment, Dr. Gwotbit was the Director Marketing of the Corporation, and has served in the organisation for 32 years.
He has a Ph.D degree in Business Administration from Barmenda International University Cameroon and was one time Management Committee Chairman of Mikang Local Government.
Governor Lalong charges the new Managing Director to leverage on his experience and work assiduously towards repositioning the Corporation in consonance with the dream of its founding fathers and the realities of today’s competitive and dynamic publishing industry.
In particular, Governor Lalong wants the Nigerian Standard Newspapers to be revived and sustained to take its rightful place as one of the most vibrant newspapers in the country, as well as compete favourably in the media space.
He wants the new leadership to also focus on the commercial prosperity of the Corporation for self-sustenance.
The Acting Managing Director is to hand over to Dr. Gwotbit immediately and revert to her parent Ministry for further directives.
The Governor thanks her for her services during her period of acting.

Dr. Makut Simon Macham, ANIPR
Director of Press &Public Affairs to the Governor of Plateau State.
15th July 2020.

by Editor-in-chief

It is with great sorrow that the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) regretfully announces the unfortunate demise of Flying Officer Tolulope Arotile, who died today, 14 July 2020, as a result of head injuries sustained from a road traffic accident at NAF Base Kaduna.‬ Until her death, ‪Flying Officer Arotile, who was commissioned into the NAF in September 2017 as a member of Nigerian Defence Academy Regular Course 64, was the first ever female combat helicopter pilot in the Service.‬ During her short but impactful stay in the Service, late Arotile, who hails from Iffe in Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State, contributed significantly to the efforts to rid the North Central States of armed bandits and other criminal elements by flying several combat missions under Operation GAMA AIKI in Minna, Niger State.
The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, on behalf officers, airmen, airwomen and civilian staff of the NAF, commiserates with the family of late ‪Flying Officer Arotile‬ over this irreparable loss. We pray that the Almighty God grants her soul eternal rest.

IBIKUNLE DARAMOLA
Air Commodore
Director of Public Relations and Information
Nigerian Air Force