The removal of the elected local government chairmen by Zamfara State governor, Bello Matawalle was a clear breach of the constitution.

The state Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Zamfara State chapter, Alh Lawal Liman stated in a statement on Friday.

He noted that it was most unfortunate that PDP government who was the major beneficiary of the rule of law is now turning itself into an authoritarian regime.

Liman remarked that he wondered why the governor would behalf the way he did, while he knew that the matter was before a competent court of law.

‘The PDP government led by Bello Matawalle has acted haphazardly by removing APC council chairmen. Liman, therefore, called on the federal government and indeed all democratic institutions in the country to come to the rescue of Zamfara state, saying, the attitude of the governor if not checked will plunge the state into crisis.

“I called on President Muhammadu Buhari and indeed all democratic institutions to come to the aid of Zamfara people by challenging some undemocratic decisions taken by the PDP led government before Matawallen Maradun declared himself as the lawyer and judge in his own case, as he is going ahead of the court verdict”.

The Chairman expressed the party’s readiness to continue to pursue the legitimate mandate of the APC before the court.

He commended the APC supporters for their patience and resilience in spite of threats to their freedom under the PDP led administration in the state.

Rt. Hon Yusuf Adamu Gagdi Bsc. Msc. PhD (in view) was born at the hills of Gum-Gagdi village, Gagdi ward of kanam LGA on the 5th of November, 1980. (39 years, 7 month).

To a very peasant family of Mallam Adamu and Mallama Hauwa’u, with six brothers and two sisters. His father was then and still the local mosque imam and a Qur’anic teacher in the community. Hon Gagdi had his Islamic education under the teaching and guidance of his father. In him, he learned the virtue of simplicity and compassion. Philanthropy, modesty and love for humanity.

Hon Yusuf Gagdi did his primary school at LEA Central Primary School Gum-Gagdi before proceeding to GSS Gagdi for his Junior Secondary school. Since the school then doesn’t have an SSCE center, he transferred to GSS Dengi where he had his Senior Secondary education and graduated in 1999.

the transfer to GSS Dengi, was his first time of coming to the local government headquarters. An indication of how peasant and humble his background was.

Gagdi got admission at FCE Pankshin in 2001. He resumed with only a few clothes, few measures of grinded maize flour and the grace of God! Without even money to rent a room as his accommodation. That year, he took solace at the security room of the school gate.

Such challenges play a very significant role in shaping the worldview and thought process of Hon Gagdi. His challenging beginning makes him to be exceptionally generous now… Because he knows what it means to be poor.

He navigate through the initial tough life challenges and difficulty at FCE Pankshin and made a name for himself as one of the most vibrant and outstanding chief judge of the student union of the school.

Instead of going back home with his NCE, he chooses an upward movement to Jos.

Due to his brilliance, hardwork, dedication and loyalty he strike a good relationship with the member representing his constituency who was the Deputy Speaker then, late Rt. Hon Usman Zumunta Musa. The relationship that blossomed beyond being a personal aide, to a father and son bond.

The quest for more education pushed Gagdi to the University of Jos where he bagged a Bsc(Ed) in Economics a PGD in Conflict Management and Msc in Peace and conflict management. Right now, a PhD candidate at Nasarawa State University, studying and researching in peace and security studies.

While in Jos, armed with his NCE in 2004, instead of the usual complaints of there’s no job, he chooses not to be docile and lazy. He was traversing the length of Jos teaching as a PTA teacher in order to sponsor his degree education while serving late Usman Zumunta as a personal aide, godson and mentee.

**Then the upwards movement begins* …

Rt. Hon Gagdi started his career as an appointee with the Plateau State Teacher’s service commission where he was posted as a teacher to GSS Anguwan Rogo.

He was later seconded to the office of the head of service, the late Godfrey Mamzhi where he served as his Personal Assistant (PA).

The life of Rt. Hon Gagdi has always been that of service and loyalty. Which he has done to these great men Late Hon Usman Zumunta Musa and late Godfrey Mazhi (May their souls continue to rest in peace Amen).

While at the office of the head of service, he facilitated employment into the state civil service to alot of people, mostly, young people of his peers across the state during some recruitment and replacement exercises that was conducted then. Another young person of his age (in his twenties then), will just be thinking of how to get money to be taking friends out, at that time, he prioritized getting opportunities for job placement to his friends and other associates across the state.

Thus, his zeal for job creation and foresight for employment opportunity doesn’t start today. It is something that has always been part of him.

His journey at the state civil service was short because he realized early that he will be of more help to his people in the political circles than the civil service.

He voluntarily resigned from the service of the state and joined the train of politics. (the political journey will be discussed in the SERIES 2 of this bulletin)

He is happily married to Hajiya Maryam Yusuf Gagdi and Jamimah Yusuf Gagdi with 5 children.

GAGDI MEDIA TEAM

CONDOLENCE MESSAGE FROM HON MANJI GONTORI…..

I receive with shock the news of the demise of a party stalwart and a political veteran,the assistant Auditor of our great party,the All Progressives Congress(APC)at the state level,Mr Manzere. it’s indeed a painful loss to us all. these were the words of Hon Manji Gontori this morning in a press statement mourning the passing away of this great gentle man.Hon Gontori while praying for the repose of the soul of the deceased ,sympathise with his immediate family,the great people of Riyom LGA ,the All Progressives Congress(APC) and the govt of plateau state.he pray that God in his infinite mercy will comfort us all.

A vacuum has been created by this painful exit of our brother,uncle and father.may we all take solace in God Almighty in Jesus name.

Rest in peace sir.

Sign:

HON MANJI B.D.GONTORI

By Hosea G. Kama
Environmental consultant

The rate of abusive and destructive environmental practices in Nigeria and the impunity with which they are perpetuated has generated increased concern globally today. There has been increased concern about the adverse impact of environmental contaminants on fertility and reproduction. Epidemiological studies indicate that environmental exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals is associated with human diseases and disabilities. Such exposure to environmental contaminants can be through air, water, land, and the workplace.
Some of the major environmental problems are as follows:

1. Ozone Depletion, Greenhouse Effect and Global Warming
2. Desertification
3. Deforestation
4. Loss of Biodiversity
5. Disposal of Wastes.
   United Nations (UN ) deem it fits to address this Year 2020 World Environmental Day with a Theme: Biodiversity “Time for Nature”
   According to Chief Seattle a Native American leader 150years ago, reported to have said we humans are but a thread in the web of life. He added, whatever we do to the web, “We do to ourselves.”The web is unraveling at an increasing rate . Both plant and animal species have been disappearing at 50 to 100 times the natural rate, due to such factors as the large-scale clearing and burning of forests, over-harvesting of plants and animals, indiscriminate ate use of pesticides, draining and filling of wetlands, destructive fishing practices, air pollution and the conversion of wild lands to agricultural and urban uses.
   Today, the extinction of several species or loss of biodiversity is a much debated issue among the environmentalists at international level. Many species are disappearing rapidly. According to an estimate, 20 to 75 species are becoming extinct each day because of deforestation. This loss of biodiversity is mainly due to the degeneration of life support system. It provides the basis for life on earth. Biodiversity means the variety of life on earth .
   The diversity is a condition for long-term sustainability of the environment. The maintenance of its integrity is, therefore, recognized as being indispensable to sustain human life. Biological diversity encompasses all species of plants, animals and micro-organisms and the ecosystem and ecological processes of which they are a part.
   The increasing interest in biodiversity is a result of concern regarding species extinction, depletion of genetic diversity and disruption to the atmosphere, water supplies, fisheries and forests.
   Many species of animals and plants are disappearing rapidly because of their high consumption or destruction. All the species are the integral part of ecosystem and extinctions of some species threatens the balance of ecosystem, and also diminishes the well-being of the remaining species, including human beings. Our earth’s biodiversity provides varied sources of food and medicinal plants.
   The main causes identified for the loss of biological diversity are:
   (i) Habitat loss, fragmentation and modification;
   (ii) overexploitation of resources; and
   (iii) chemical fertilizers, pesticides and oil pollution.
   ….let’s protect our world today, plant a tree and see to it that the tree grow up to maturity!
   Let’s save our Earth!!
   Protect our Environment, our only home, our Hope!!!
   HG. Kama
   kamalistic1@gmail.com

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Josiah Habila, Jos

The Plateau State House of Assembly has started an investigation into the missing N110m which was said to belong to Mangu Local Government Area of the state.

It was learnt that part of the fund was meant for the unpaid salaries of the council workers for February 2018.

It was further gathered that the decision of the House to probe the missing fund followed a petition by a group known as Concerned Workers Forum.

The Chairman of the House Committee on Public Accounts and Petitions, Bala Fwangje, who confirmed the development told The Punch, in Jos, on Wednesday, that his committee had invited the council chairman and other people involved in the alleged deal with a view to recovering the missing fund.

Fwangje said, “We have called the council chairman and his team and he confirmed to us that he knows something about the missing N110m.

“The circumstances surrounding the fund actually preceded the present council chairman. The issue is that there was a contract which was successfully executed by the beneficiary since 2008.

“The grand sum of the contract was N4m at the time and the contractor had been struggling to claim his money without success.”

ACOVID-19 patient has absconded from a Plateau isolation centre, the Coordinator, World Health Organisation, Mr. Williams Bassi, has said.

Bassi made the disclosure during a courtesy visit to the palace of the Gbong Gwom Jos, Jacob Buba, on Thursday.

Officials of the National Orientation Agency, WHO and the state Ministry of Information, had paid a courtesy visit to the royal father to begin the campaign on COVID-19 in Jos North.

The WHO coordinator, however, stated that efforts were on to trace the fleeing patient and return him to the centre to complete his treatment.

He said that the challenge being experienced in the state was that people who had tested positive refused to leave their homes to receive treatment at the isolation centres.

“We have one COVID-19 patient that has absconded from the centre, but I assure you we are on his trail and we will trace him and bring him back to continue with treatment.

“The major problem we have is that so many people have tested positive but have refused to go to the isolation centre, an example is the Duala Area in Jos North.

“They keep refusing to go to the isolation centres until some demands are met, and this is not good for us all.

Bassi noted that early identification, isolation and treatment were the best way to stop the spread of the disease.

Earlier, the Director, NOA, Mr. Bulus Dabit, said that Jos North was the epicentre of the disease in Plateau state accounting for 76 out of 109 positive cases in the state as of June 3.

Dabit said the high number could be because most people in the community did not believe that COVID-19 was real, hence, the non-compliance to social distancing and observance of personal hygiene.

He said the high number of cases in the area was what prompted the motorised campaign to educate the people on the dreaded disease.

The director appealed to the traditional ruler to use his position to impress the message of social/physical distancing, personal hygiene and other safety measures on his subjects as non-compliance was higher in rural communities.

The Gbong Gwom Jos stated that he was working with government and relevant agencies to spread awareness of the disease to local communities.

He advised the public to always eat foods that could build immunity as having a strong immune system was one of the ways to beat the disease.

The Royal father, Buba stated that it was a good sign that the virus could be defeated in the state as the number of discharged cases exceeded the number of active cases.

Plateau Chief Judge, Justice Yakubu Dakwak, has freed 88 inmates serving their jail terms at the various correctional centres in the state.

ASC Martha Banda, the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Plateau Comamnd of the Nigeria Correctional Service (NSC) made the disclosure in statement on Wednesday in Jos.

According to her, the CJ’s action was part of his second quarter jail delivery exercise aimed at decongesting the correctional facilities in the state.
Banda explained that the CJ visited the various facilities and carried out exercise on June 1 and 2.

“The Chief Judge of Plateau, Justice Yakubu Dakwak, during his second quarter jail delivery, released 88 inmates in the state.
“This is part of effort to decongest correctional facilities in the state.
“At the Jos custodial centre, 49 inmates, seven at shendam, 15 at Lantang, 14 at pankshin and three at Wase custodial centres were set free.

“All the inmates discharged were those on awaiting trial category with minor offenses,” he said.
Banda said the inmates who benefited from this exercise were grateful and assured that they would turn a new leaf.

Preamble; Rape has been in existence for centuries, it can be use interchangeable with sexual violence which means the same. Other nations have tame ugly head of the rape before it get out of hand, yet other countries have treated it with kit gloves and it has become a national concern. Rape can simply put, the sexual intercourse through force without the legal consent of the other party which can be male or female.
Or according to wikipedia; Rape is a type of sexual assault usually involving sexual intercourse or other forms of sexual penetration carried out against a person without that person’s consent. The act may be carried out by physical force, coercion, abuse of authority, or against a person who is incapable of giving valid consent, such as one who is unconscious, incapacitated, has an intellectual disability or is below the legal age of consent.
But for purpose of this write up women will be considered to be the most vulnerable people in this regard.

Rape as a challenge in the Nigerian perspective.
Nigeria is widely regarded as the most religious country in the world base on our acceptability of the two religion e.g Christianity and Islam. Both religion are vehemently against this unwholesome practice.
Nigeria has her extant laws to carter for this epidemic yet is still subsisting in our national daily life. We can’t continue to shy away from this realities.

Furthermore, most of our women who are constantly at the receiving end in this act are usually silent due to societal conspiracy of stigmatizing them. It’s time the raise the bar high to tame this monster once and for all. Most of our young girls suffered rape in schools, companies, corridor of power, religious institutions etc

Recommendations for possible way out of rape in Nigeria.
1. Let our extant laws be review to meet up with the current realities through National Assembly and State Assemblies respectively.
2. There should be capital punishment e.g death by hanging or by firing squad to the perpetrators.
3. There should be training and retraining for law maintaining agencies.
4. Mobile courts be set for accelerated cases and quick discharge of rape cases in Nigeria
5. Our schools, companies, religious institutions should adopt modest and decent dress compulsory for their populace.

There’s no better time to tame this monster “RAPE” than now. It has cause havoc which cannot be overemphasized; traumatized and death of many victims. But collectively we’ll overcome this monster.

By Jimmy Nanyak Lar

I read with surprise and enthusiasm the Commissioner of Information, Hon. Dan Manjang’s response to the widespread fact that Gov. SB Lalong has endorsed Prof. Nora Daduut as his preferred candidate for the forthcoming Plateau South Senatorial Bye-election. Ordinarily I would have dismissed it as a very bad public relations job by someone that is paid to defend his principal, even if he erred.

To therefore set the records straight, I will want the Commissioner to answer the following questions; 1. Did the Chief of Staff really hold a meeting with Prof. Nora Daduut in Guest House NO.1? 2. Did Nora Daduut embark on consultation as alledged in the interview I granted? 3. I want to ask all APC Stakeholders when Prof Daduut joined APC. 4. Who gave her waiver to contest the Senatorial Bye-election election? Because the party is already comatose.

From these questions it would be noted that the party cannot give our collective mandate to a PDP because she has never voted for APC before. I can also tell you on good authority that two weeks ago the APC LGA Exco in Shendam held a meeting, where the chairman, Alh. Awwal intimated them of the governor’s preference for Prof. Nora Daduut. But hardly had he finish his speech that he was manhandled by his executive. I can also tell you on good authority that the Plateau State government is equally dangling both carrot and cane to the dully elected 17 local government chairmen. Infact, plans are already at advanced stage for the state government to illegally dissolve the councils if they fail to go along the government’s preferred candidate during the forthcoming primary election in the southern zone. That being the case, the other 11 council chairmen from the central and northern zone are already mounting pressure on the other 6 council chairmen in the southern zone to save their heads, by going along with the preferred candidate. This is intimidation of the highest order.

I also want to let Dan Manjang and the plateau state government to note that, in conflict management anybody that forment inequality and injustice is the very person that has brought the necessary ingredients for crisis and war, and by implication, he is the ” merchant of conflict”, and in this instant case it is Gov. Lalong and his Chief of Staff that are the crisis merchants, who stand to benefit from it when there is armed conflict because they will overdraw outrageous and ridiculous amounts in the name of security vote.

In the same vein, if care is not taken, I bet you, southern senatorial seat will elude the APC, for several reasons. In the first place, the State Chairman of APC, Chief Letep Dabang is no more in charge of the party apparatus in the state. Infact, the APC State Party Secretariat is a ghost town where only lizards and other rodents are it’s occupants. This is so because the functions of the party, the secretary to the Government of the State and indeed the entire civil service have since been usurped by the Chief of Staff, Government House.

Finally, I will want to draw Gov. Lalong’s attention to Gal. 6:8, ” whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction;…” I have always referred Lalong to the holy Bible because I want him to discountenance the counsel of some of his associates whose stock in trade is primitive accumulation of wealth. A WORD IS ENOUGH FOR THE WISE.

FREELANCE REPORTERS ONLINE NEWS
….. the online news you can trust..

Professor Nora Ladi Daduut,is born to the family of Musa Shalong on the 10/5/1953,
Prof. Nora Ladi Daduut started her educational career in 1961 in R. C. M Primary School Kwalla when she willingly followed her older siblings to school. Despite being under-aged. The young Nora’s class records were so impressive that at Primary 2, when she was due for promotion to primary 3, she was promoted to Primary 4. Those excellent records continued till she obtained her Doctorate in 1991.
Failure for her, though inevitable, should never be a result of one’s failure to strive for perfection.
She is a member of the lady Knights of St. John International and the second Vice-president in the whole world. Married to Mr John Daduut and blessed with four children,..
Jonathan Daduut, a Civil Engineer in Canada,
Mrs Jummai Apata, A medical Doctor in Morgan University, Mayland..
Noah Naanep Daduut, A Pilot in Florida, USA and
Miss Judith Daduut, A lecturer with the University of Jos.

Prof. Nora said “I hate to see women and children growing without education or opportunities to excel in life” this made her to set up an NGO in 2004 called Society For Community Concern to help communities utilise their local potentials for self-development.

Prof Nora Ladi Daduut has given admission and employment to a lot of Plateau Citizens in University of Jos and other places outside the state.She is also an employer of Labour as her Guest House situated in Kwalla which is Headed by a widow has reasonable staff who earn a living from there, Her concerns in seeking the Senatorial sit includes enacting legislative principles that will affect the lives of the people positively and executing several programs including water and sanitation hygiene, adult education, agricultural training through community mobilization and participation, sustainable development among others.
Professor Mrs Nora Ladi Daduut is a cousin and an elder sister to High Chief John M. Dafa’an immediate pass Chief of Staff to Governor Simon Bako Lalong who is also contesting for the senate seat and as the humble, true Christian mother she is, she instructed her supporters to have an issue best campaign without insult, intimidation, name calling and vulgar words.

Prof. Nora Ladi Daduut can be best described as an assurance to the people of Plateau south of quality representation, offering the desired change that if given the opportunity would expand the network of her community through improved health care, education and wealth creation in rural communities thereby cutting down on the social and economic deprivations faced by the people.

Prof. Nora Ladi Daduut have travelled length and breath of the world and have written so many books and journals in her name, she is currently a Professor of French and Head of Department HOD French, University of Jos.