56 HEARTY CHEERS TO Rt. Hon AHMED IDRIS WASE, DEPUTY SPEAKER HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
I join millions of well wishers, family, friends, colleagues and associates to felicitate with you on the occasion of your 56th birthday.
They were indeed Years truly lived in great service to humanity and the pursuance of social justice, good governance and communal development.
Your zeal and believe in the promotion of the Nigerian developmental strides is inspiring same with Your commitment to the sustainable prosperity, peace and unity of Plateau State.
Your personal disposition of excellence, maturity and statemanship have impacted so much in many of us that have a reason to be close to you as a honorable colleague and younger brother.
Wishing you many more years in good health, Allah’s guide and protection.
Happy birthday to a worthy Prince and leader.
Rt. Hon Yusuf Adamu Gagdi Dan malikin kanam/Dan majen Jahr Member Representing PKK and Chairman House committee on Navy.
In view of the Executive order issued by His Excellency, Rt. Hon. (Dr.) Simon Bako Lalong, KSG, Executive Governor of Plateau State, I wish to remind the citizens of the state as follows:
That the lockdown which is now a standing order, begins a second past 12.00 midnight of Sunday 31st May, 2020 till 12.00 midnight of Wednesday 3rd June, 2020.
That the curfew imposed on the nation by the President and Commander In Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, between the hours of 8.00 p.m. and 6.00 a.m., is still in force and should be adhered to.
That All passes earlier issued by the State government are no longer valid from the 1st of June, 2020. New passes will be issued by the relevant issuing authority as earlier announced.
That the wearing of face masks is mandatory and defaulters are liable to a fine of not less than N1,000.00 only, when caught.
That unless otherwise stated, all matters and restrictions related to the previous order as it affects COVID-19, remain in force and should be strictly observed, failure of which defaulters will have themselves to blame.
In the light of the above therefore, the Security personnel who have been saddled with the responsibility of enforcement have been detailed to ensure total compliance of these orders please.
His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Plateau State, Rt. Hon. (Dr.) Simon Bako Lalong, KSG, appreciates the understanding and sacrifices of all and sundry in this regards.
LET US ALL THINK AND ACT PLATEAU.
Dan Manjang, Commissioner of Information and Communication, Plateau State. 30/5/2020.
The Police Command in Plateau has paraded one John Ladong of Gero community of Jos South Local Government Area of the state, for personating as a Captain of the Nigeria Army.
Mr Edward Egbuka, the Commissioner in charge of the command, paraded the suspect before newsmen on Saturday in Jos.
The commissioneer explained that the suspect was arrested and handed over to the police by operatives of ‘Operation Safe Haven’ (OPSH), a special task force maintaining peace in the state. Egbuka explained that the suspect,who was arrested on May 18 at Riyom, was also putting on a full army camouflage uniform, and driving an army coloured Peugeot 206 vehicle.
“After arrest, the personnel of OPSH transfered the suspect and handed over to our Area Command in Bukuru.
“Upon interrogation, it was established that suspect was not a military personnel,” the CP said. Egbuka said 15 sets of army and Air Force uniforms, 15 forcecom sim cards, two pairs of military boots, one jack knife, and other items were found in the suspect’s possession.
The commissioner said the suspect would be charged to court as soon as investigations were concluded.
Speaking to NAN, the suspect regretted his act and pleaded that justice be tampered with mercy. He also confessed that he was once a personnel of the Nigerian Air Force but was dismissed from service as a Lance Corporal for mutiny.
The local administration in Jos North has officially handed over thirty hectares of land to the Christian Association of Nigeria and the Jamaa,atu Nasril Islam as burial ground.
The gesture according to the Chairman, Hon. Shehu Usman is in line with Governor Simon Lalong’s directive of 2017.
The burial ground Committee which comprised of CAN and JNI Jos North branches was chaired by Hon Shehu Usman who was then the Council Secretary.
Performing the handing over ceremony at the Local Government Secretariat, Management Committee Chairman of Jos North, Hon Shehu Usman said the thirty thousand hectares of land is divided into two , with fifteen each to the Christian Association of Nigeria and the Jama,atu Nasril Islam.
He commended the maturity of the two major religious groups in the area in ensuring the success of the exercise and reminded the citizens of the LGA that his administration will continue to accommodate people whose ideals and visions would add value to the growth and development of the locality.
Responding separately, Chairman of CAN in the Jos North Reverend Nenman Gowon and his JNI counterpart, Sheikh Lawal Adams through Sheikh Ghali Adam commended the council chairman for having the interest of the people at heart. They stressed that humanity is one with different ways of serving God and assured him of their support to enable him succeed.
In another development, the Duala Youth Forum Jos has bestowed an award of appreciation to the Chairman, Management Committee of Jos North Local Government for his doggedness in the enlightenment and education of the inhabitants of the area on the menace of Covid 19, despite their earlier stiff resistance to contact tracing of COVID 19 patients.
Leader of Duala Youth Forum Baba Shuabu delivered the Award of appreciation when he led Community leaders and the leadership of the forum on a solidarity visit to the Managment Committee Chairman of Jos North at the Council Secretariat in Jos.
Baba Shuabu commended the role played by the Chairman in the fight against COVID 19 pandemic and maintained that the people of Duala are now partnering in war against the disease and assured of their loyalty to the Rescue Administration of Governor Simon Lalong and the Local Administration in Jos North.
Responding, Management Committee Chairman of Jos North Local Government Council Hon Shehu Usman said he is elated to receive them and informed them of the Council’s plans to constitute an enlightenment unit committee on COVID 19 in all the polling units of the Local Government Area The Chairman assured citizens of the Council’s determination of ensuring that their well-being is catered for.
NORTHERN GOVERNORS MOURN FORMER NNPC GMD, DR. MAIKANTI KACHALLA BARU.
The Northern Governors Forum says it is shocked and distressed by the news of the death of the former Group Managing Director of Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Dr Maikanti Kachalla Baru. Chairman of the Forum and Governor of Plateau State, Simon Bako Lalong in a message of commiseration described the sudden death of Dr. Baru as a very big loss to the nation. Lalong said “The late Maikanti Baru was a thorough bred professional who distinguished himself in his career where he contributed immensely to the growth and development of the oil and gas industry. He championed the implementation of reforms that left the sector more responsive to the energy needs of Nigerians especially as it relates to the supply and appropriate pricing of petroleum products”. Governor Lalong also recalled the role the former NNPC GMD played a key role in the exploration of crude oil in other parts of Nigeria, particularly the Northern region which only recently found oil and gas in commercial quantity that is awaiting further exploitation. Lalong conveyed the heartfelt sympathies of the Northern Governors Forum to the family of the deceased, the people and Government of Bauchi State, the NNPC, as well as friends and associates of the late Dr. Baru. He prays that the almighty Allah will receive the soul of the deceased, forgive his sins, grant him eternal rest, as well as comfort all who mourn him.
Dr. Makut Simon Macham, ANIPR, Director of Press & Public Affairs to the Governor of Plateau State and Chairman, Northern Governors Forum. May 30, 2020.
Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) recently announced vacancies and planned rerun elections in three States, including Plateau, The polls might not hold immediately due to the coronavirus pandemic. However, interests are building up for the Plateau Southern Senatorial seat.
For the first time, a potential candidate has arisen from the academia – a female first timer in conventional politics, but an old hand in public administration, community development and humanitarian service.
Mrs. Nora Ladi Dadut, a Professor of French in the University of Jos hails from Qua’pan Local Government Area in the Southern Senatorial District of the State. She’s a member of the Lady Knight of St. John’s Int’l and the second Supreme Vice-President in the whole world.
She has been Principal and Education Director for years. While holding those civil service positions, Nora set up a nongovernmental organization, “Society for Community Concerns” in 2004 to help communities utilize their local potentials for self-development.
The nongovernmental organization, Plateau State has executed several programs – water and sanitation hygiene, adult education and among others, agricultural training through community mobilization and participation, a globally recommended model for sustainable development.
Nora’s hoped representation of the people of Plateau South in Parliament, would expand the network and impact of her NGO for improved health, education and wealth in rural communities, she said in a media chat, Friday. Plateau South, Nora said, faces both social and economic deprivations. But as she puts it, “I can change that if given the opportunity.”
Prof. Nora Nora is married to Mr. John Dadut, blessed with four children, Jonathan Dadut, a Civil Engineer in Canada, Jumai Apata, a Medical Doctor in Morgan University, Maryland, Noah Nanet Dadut, A pilot and a Check Pilot in Florida and Judith Dadut, a Lecturer with the University of Jos. “I hate to see women and children growing without education or opportunities to excel in life,” she said.
Nora perhaps has fierce battles ahead to clinch the Senatorial position and carry out her dreams, but she might be the gold to look out for. Being largely in Civil Service and Academia, Nora knows nothing but service, with no records of mismanagement or failure.
In fact, her educational career started in 1961 in R.C.M School Kwalla when she willingly followed her older siblings to school. Despite being under-aged, 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 therefore going all-out, starting from the Senate position, to join other anti-corruption and development advocates to inspire positive change in all of Africa.
SPEECH BY THE HON.COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT DR. HOSEA ISTIFANUS FINANGWAI ON THE OCCASION OF THE FLAG-OFF/LAUNCHING OF SALES OF SUBSIDIZED AGRIC INPUTS FOR 2020 FARMING SEASON AT MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE FERTILIZER STORE BUKURU EXPRESS WAY JOS SOUTH L.G.A ON THE 28TH MAY,2020.
PROTOCOL
Once again in the tradition and culture of the Ministry of Agriculture, I heartily welcome you all to the flag-off/launching of sales of farming inputs for the year 2020.
This is an unusual launching due to the global Corona Pandemic and so we had to curtail the number of our appreciated farmers in line with the Government guidelines in curtailing the spread of the dreaded disease.
Permit me to first appreciate His Excellency and his team of Northern governors for exempting Farmers from the general lockdown and also permits given for the movement of food and agro related goods. This has in great way reduced post-harvest losses for perishable crops and livestock product such as eggs.
As a ministry,we also appreciate the Governor for giving Agriculture priority by enlisting it as first in the Economic rebirth policy thrust. We shall also remain committed to ensure the goal of this strategic action plan is achieved.
The State payment of counterpart funding for several projects such as the Potato Value Chain Program,Rural Access and Marketing Project (RAAMP)and collaboration with research institutions have yielded commendable results. These results are seen in the adaptability trials carried out on potato ,wheat and barley.
Other efforts and progress made Worthy of mention are:
The proactive approach to constantly improve the processes of farm inputs procurement and distribution.
The development of a medium-term strategic plan.
The committed effort.to revamp the ailing Agriculture Services and Training Company (ASTC). This is to mention but a few.
In other to ensure a safe distribution amidst the Covid-19 challenge,the ministry also will adapt a safety sales mechanism by ensuring all fertilizer stores used for the sales have running water and soap,face mask are worn by all workers and buyers of the inputs and also minimum population and observance of social distance.
The subsidized Agric inputs for 2020 farming season includes: Fertilizer UREA and NPK 20:10:10 at N6,500 and N5000 respectively.
Others include high breed seed of maize,cotton,rice and tomato, and seed dressing/Growth boosters to go with.
As our amiable Governor flags off this 2020 sales of agro inputs, I wish all our farmers a bumper harvest.
PRESIDENT BUHARI EXTENDS APPOINTMENT OF JUSTICE DONGBAN-MENSEM AS ACTING PRESIDENT OF THE COURT OF APPEAL
President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the appointment of Hon. Justice M.B. Dongban-Mensem as the Acting President of the Court of Appeal (PCA) with effect from June 3, 2020, for a further period of three (3) months.
This is pursuant to Section 238(4) and (5) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).
Garba Shehu Senior Special Assistant to the President (Media & Publicity) May 29, 2020
The Federal Government of Nigeria has approved the creation of 5 new Zonal Command Headquarters, 2 Force Criminal Intelligence and Investigations Department (FCIID) Annexes, and others.
The five newly created Zonal Commands Headquarters are Akure consisting of Ondo/Ekiti Commands; Awka made up of Enugu, Anambra, Ebonyi; Yenagoa made up of Bayelsa, Rivers Commands; Maiduguri consisting of Yobe, Borno Commands; and Katsina, Kaduna Commands have new headquarters in Katsina.
In this new reform, the Force Intelligence Bureau (FIB) which was a section under the FCIID, is now a full-fledged Department of the Force to be headed by a Deputy Inspector-General of Police (DIG). With the addition of the FIB as a department, the Nigeria Police Force now has a total of 8 departments.
President Muhammadu Buhari, who is the Chairman of the Nigeria Police Council also approved the decentralization of Force Criminal Intelligence and Investigations Department (FCID). FCID now has an annex office in Enugu, which is saddled with the responsibility of dealing with the investigations of major crimes rising from the South-East and South- South geo-political zones.
The Gombe annex office would deal with investigations of crimes from the North-East geo-political zones.
The President added that the offices would be headed by an Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) who is to report to the Deputy-Inspector General of Police in-charge of the FCID, Force Headquarters, Abuja.
The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Adamu expresses his gratitude to the President. He also noted that this reorganization would help in the entrenchment of the community policing strategy as approved by the Federal Government.
According to him, this reorganization would improve the response time of the Police to incidents across various areas of the country and generally promote efficient service delivery.
This takes a critical look at governance in the state under Governor Simon Lalong, especially in view of the protracted state of insecurity and its grave implications on peace and socioeconomic activities in Plateau before the present administration came into power.
On assumption of office for his second term, Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau State vowed that his administration would consolidate on its gains and achievements in the past four years, and also review and fine-tune some of its policy thrust into a “new normal and more result-oriented”. He immediately after his swearing in for for his second term told newsmen that his determination is to move the state away from the civil service perception, through the creation of many economic opportunities that are only found in an industrialised and entrepreneurial environment. He said the idea was to use the development plan to empower the people. Lalong said he hoped to consolidate on the gains and achievements, in the light of increasing demands and development priorities amidst resource challenges. The governor further pledged to finish uncompleted projects initiated by his predecessors and to complete the good works he started in his first tenure. He said that his Policies and programmes of the rescue team, Phase 2” with focus on a three-point policy thrust framework. The three-point policy, according to the governor while marking the Democracy Day at the Banquet Hall, New Government House in Jos, would focus on peace, security and good governance; Physical infrastructural development and Sustainable economic growth. Lalong explained that his administration has deliberately resolved to review the vision into three policy thrusts from five to enable him focus and concentrate on the limited resources at his disposal in order to achieve more service delivery.He said, “We have carefully woven all the critical sectors of the Plateau economy and society into three-point policy direction to ensure that we lay foundation for sustainable growth and development for the future of our dear state.”
In the second term, the governor promised to ensure the full take-off of the Mobile Police Force Barracks in Gashish, Barikin Ladi LGA and in Longvel, Shendam LGA. The governor also pledged to generate N50 billion per year as internally generated revenue (IGR) in the next four years. He said, “Although we were able to increase our Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) from N6.9billion per annum in 2015 to N12.7billion per annum in 2018, almost 100% increase.
“Yet this level of IGR is grossly inadequate to meet what the Rescue administration needs to fund our recurrent and capital expenditure in the next 4 years. We shall therefore re-invigorate our IGR machinery to ensure that we generate a minimum of N2.5biilion per month or N50billion per annum in the next four years.”
Our Correspondent reports that as Governor Lalong has achieved a lot since he took over mantle of leadership 5 years ago which includes the construction of over 270 roads across the state, as well as the completion of inherited infrastructural projects, renovation of hundreds of schools in the state, creation of Small and Medium Scale Agency (PLASMIDA) that has trained thousands of youths on variety of entrepreneurial skills, revival of the moribund State Fertilizer Blending Plant located in Bokkos, which has made fertilizer readily available to farmers and in turn, encouraged many more youths to return to farming which has led to the drastic reduction in the number of idle youths. Speaking while inspecting his legacy and other projects at Riyom Local Government Area, the governor vowed to leave begin a lasting legacy for the state. Under the Governors Legacy projects, there are 7 Model secondary schools, 6 hospitals, and 8 model primary schools, under construction and spread across the LGA’s of the state. The legacy projects which are already at advanced stage contractors to put more grease to their elbows to meet the deadline. The governor, who equally spearheaded the renovation and equipping of the Riyom Trauma Hospital which was initiated in 2005, by the former Governor Joshua Dariye led administration in the state and among other projects scattered all over the three senatorial zones in the state said he would complete projects initiated by his predecessors no matter how long they have been abandoned by past administrations. “I was a government after others but they didn’t complete some of these projects. But I will not allow them to waste because government is about continuity. I will complete the projects started by my predecessors”, Lalong said. The hospital, which has already been completed with equipment installed in the wards, delivery room and theatre among others, is ready for commissioning”. Our correspondent also reports that Plateau state, especially Jos North and South are now very peaceful. Prior to the election of Governor Lalong in 2015 under the platform of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Plateau State was bedeviled with all manners of crises. It could be recalled that before 2015 several residents living in Plateau had relocated to other states in the country, as several business owners who felt their investments were no longer safe. But on assumption of office, the governor restored the dignity and prosperity of the State to what it has all along been known for “the Home of Peace and Tourism”. At the moment, five years after he took over oath of office, the state has been witnessing a tremendous influx of both people from different works of life and businesses. Also the tourism sector has received a boost and efforts and initiatives/approaches adopted by Governor Lalong to restore peace to the state are paying off. Gang Bitrus a citizen of Plateau state from Riyom Local Government of the state commended Governor Lalong for his efforts in restoring peace in the state saying that “there is an unusually high traffic in many parts of the State as a result of the surge in population. Lalong has done well in road construction and completing of projects inherited by previous administration. I also commend Lalong for the installation of streetlight in Jos, the state capital”. He said that almost all the streets in Jos including Mango Road Wild Park, Taen Junction to D Medical Junction, Polo Round About to Farin Gada, Jishe Round About to Rantiya Low Cost, Yakubu Gowon way all have streetlights. “See how lasting peace has been restored to Plateau, I commend Governor Lalong and called on him to continue to do more for Plateau. Linda Ajang, said “As a proactive government, the Lalong Rescue Administration is taking necessary measures to expand existing structures to meet the increasing demand on the lean existing ones to prevent them from being overstretched. Prominent sectors are education, transportation and the health. This is at the heart of the design and implementation of the Governor Simon Lalong Legacy projects initiated across the three senatorial districts of Plateau State”. Remark Ditep, a citizen of Plateau who spoke to our reporter said that ever since Lalong assumed the mantle of leadership as the Executive Governor of Plateau, he has been up and about to ensure primarily, the restoration of peace on the Plateau. He said that Lalong,s efforts ultimately culminated into the creation of admirable sustainable peace initiatives, engagement of regular and robust dialogue sessions with the creation and empowerment of the Plateau Peace Building Agency (PPBA) to ensure contact amongst all stakeholders on the importance of peace and unity in the state. Ditep also said that the Lalong-led government cleared the backlog of inherited salaries of civil servants and eight months of pension to pensioners. It has sustained the payment of workers monthly since then. The government successfully hosted a trade fair after 10 years suspension by successes administration due to civil unrest. The Direct Data capture exercise, Bank Verification Number (BVN) and physical verification of staff were introduced the tackle the problem , also The government recovered looted funds of about N2.7 billion from the State UBEC. Peter Biyal another citizen of Plateau from Shendam Local Government commeded Governor Lalong for his efforts at bettering the lives of Plateau citizens. In his words “immediately after securing his second term mandate, Lalong engaged the famous Boston Consulting Group (BCG) to work on the five year development plan for the state. The State’s development roadmap for the next four years is therefore hinged on a three-pillar vision that revolves around: peace, security and good governance; infrastructural development; and sustainable economic rebirth. As a result of the outbreak of COVID-19, Lalong also directed all civil servants from Grade Level 12 and below, to remain at home. The state government also planted Closed-circuit television CCTV cameras at major land borders in the state to check the entrance of persons to the state. In a related development Chief Executive Officer of Anista Marketing Ms Bolcit Barshep, has commended the Plateau State Governor, Barrister Simon Lalong for the strict measures taken so far to contain the spread of the dreaded Covid-19. She further commended the state Government for planting Closed- circuit television CCTV cameras at major land borders in the state to check the entrance of persons to the state. According to her the restriction is to further help curb the spread of the virus in the state and country at large. Barshep noted that the lockdown was the best way to go in order to contain the spread of the pandemic. She commended the governor for providing qualitative leadership to Plateau citizens at a time the Coronavirus was spreading exponentially across the globe. She said “So far, the Governor has taken frantic efforts to contain the spread of the virus in the state. The lockdown and close of borders to restrict movement of persons into the state who may be carriers of the COVID-19 was timely and the governor deserves commendation”. Also Owing to the serious impact of the Corona Virus pandemic on the global economy as well as its effect on Nigerian economy and by extension the Plateau State economy, Lalong also directed the State Economic Advisory Council headed by Chief Ezekiel Gomos, to immediately brainstorm and come up with practical and comprehensive strategies on the sustainability and continuation of the State Economy under COVID-19. He also directed the Council to put together a post-COVID road map for the Plateau State economy especially for its revival and recovery.” Lalong said to achieve this task, the Governor has mandated the Council to liaise and consult extensively with all Ministries, Department and Agencies; Local Government Councils; key private sector players in the State in the manufacturing, agriculture, banking and finance; hospitality and entertainment; trade and commerce; ICT; mining sector; and other important stakeholders like the MSMEs; the informal sector; Trade Associations; Chambers of Commerce; development partners NGOS and CSOs, Labour Unions etc. He said that the Council is expected to submit periodic policy and strategic recommendations to the Governor on the State economy under COVID19 and beyond. Jerry Alan another citizen of the state who spoke with our correspondent commended Lalong for procuring 400 tractors for farmers inorder to boost agriculture in the state. Also another aspect the Governor has done well since assumption of office for his second term is the rise in the Internally Generated Revenue of the state. Dashe Arlat, the Chairman of the Plateau State Internal Revenue Service (PSIRS), said that the service generated over N7.2 billion from January to March 2020. Arlat told newsmen on in Jos, that the state’s Internally Generated Revenue(IGR) for the first quarter of 2020 surpassed that of first quarter 2019 which was N3.3 billion. He attributed the feat achieved in revenue generation to various strategies deployed by the service. He listed the stategies to include enhanced data collection, aggressive enforcement of tax laws against defaulters and enforcement in the transport sector in the state.
Freelance Reporters 