PLATEAU STATE GOVERNOR CONGRATULATES MINISTER OF TRANSPORT, ROTIMI AMAECHI @ 55.
Plateau State Governor and Chairman, Northern Governors Forum, Simon Bako Lalong has rejoiced with the Minister of Transport Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi on his 55th birthday. Governor Lalong in a congratulatory message to the former Governor of Rivers State, described him as an achiever whose antecedents and achievements call for thanksgiving to God who has given him the privilege of service to Nigerians and humanity. Lalong said, “I join all your friends, family, associates and well-wishers in rejoicing with you as you mark another year. No doubt, God has been favourable to you and given you the privilege to serve your immediate community and the people of Nigeria in various capacities over the years. You have not failed in discharging your responsibilities with honesty, diligence and passion thereby changing the lives of ordinary people”. He also asked the celebrant to continue to remain resolute and principled in matters concerning the peace, progress and unity of Nigeria as he has demonstrated over the years. “Right from the time you were Speaker of Rivers State House of Assembly to when you became Governor, and now Minister of Transport, you have left no one in doubt that you are a stickler to excellence, due process and justice. You have therefore left indelible footprints behind you, and Nigerians are today witnessing a revolution in the Transport Industry particularly the Railway sector since you took over. I pray God to give you the grace to continue to assist Mr. President as he restores the sector to full operations” Lalong said. While wishing him many more years of joy and happiness, Lalong asked the Minister to continue to give his best to the growth and sustenance of Nigeria’s democracy, especially given his contributions in the Ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) which he played a key role in its emergence, as well as victory at the polls in 2015 and 2019.
Dr. Makut Simon Macham, ANIPR, Director of Press & Public Affairs to, the Governor of Plateau State. 27th May 2020.
Senator Hezekiah Dimka celebrates with all the Children in his Constituency on their special day.
Dimka believes all Nigerian children must be given all the necessary care,love and attention, especially quality education, that they require to attain their goals in life to make them independent to enable them contribute to nation building.
Dimka,believes the Children are the leaders of today and not the age-long saying that children are the leaders of tommorow.
The Senator also advised children to improve on their personal hygiene by following all the laid down procedures in the fight against Covid19.
Senator Dimka charges parents to take advantage of E-learning to refresh the knowledge of their lads during this lockdown that has kept the children out of school.
He assures that he will continue to see that legislations to give every child right to quality education and protection is propelled especially to reduce the number of out-of-school children.
He equally called on all the youths to be proactive and innovative to add value to the society as he charges parents to be responsible and responsive in taking good care and training of their children for a better society.
First proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in 1954, it was established to encourage all countries to institute a day, firstly to promote mutual exchange and understanding among children and secondly to initiate action to benefit and promote the welfare of the world’s children.
Makut Alfred Mashat SSA NEW MEDIA
To;
Distinguished Senator Hezekiah Dimka Senate House Committee On Drugs & Narcotics
May 27th always remind us of the Importance of Children to our Polity, the Earth reveal its innocence through the smiles on the faces Children.
Children carry the Hopes of our Brighter Tomorrow and the Dreams of our Happy Future as a Constituency(PKK) ,Senatorial Zone, State, Country and the World at Large.
This year’s children’s day is coming at a very challenging time when the world is facing corona virus pandemic with its attendant precautionary measures denying the children the fun of celebrating their day, but, we will not fail to celebrate you even while you are indoors… Stay home and safe as the future hold greater promises…we will pull through together.
There are no words to describe how Children are special to Humanity. Our World is more Colourful because of their Presence. Our Sacred Responsibility as Leaders,Representatives ,Parents, Guardians, Siblings ,Teachers is to nurture them right, help them imbibe the spirit of truth ,Patriotism and Nationalism so they grow up to be able Leaders and Lead the World towards greatness for the Sake of the Child, We should make the world a better Place! God Help Us.
Happy Children’s day to all the Kids in PKK Constituency. Stay safe and Stay Healthy.
Rt. Hon. Yusuf Adamu Gagdi ( Dan Malikin Kanam). Member Representing PKK Federal Constituency, Chairman House Committee On Navy.
Authorities of Jos North Local Government Council of Plateau State has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Leadership of Farin Gada Marketers Association on the need to follow the guidelines of the medical professionals as a measure to curb the spread COVID 19 pandemic in the area.
A statement signed by Philip Eplong Senior information Officer of the Local Government made available to newsmen in Jos reads that This was achieved after a series of consultations between the Management of the Council and the leadership of the Marketers Association at the Local Government Secretariat in Jos on Tuesday .
It would be recalled that Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau state had ordered the immediate closure of the Farin Gada Vegetables Market in Jos North Local Government Area due to non compliance to COVID 19 protocol there.
Management Committee Chairman of Jos North Local Government Council Hon. Shehu Usman who did not leave any stone unturned went into action, immediately after the Governor’s order and held series of meetings with the Leadership of the marketers association and resolved the issues with the adoption of that the provision of hand sanitizer, compulsory wearing of face mask at the market, avoidance of over crowding, provision of 5000 liters tanks of water at each of the entrances into the market.
The both parties agreed that their should be decongestion of spaces at the road sides of the market to allow for free flow of traffic .
The statement agreed that their should be mandatory use of face masks by all traders and customers; while security arrangement of the market shall be handled by the marketers.
” That upon reopening, the market will be subjected to continued monitoring to ensure compliance and where the marketers fail short, Government will take appropriate action .”
In addition to all these, the Management Committee Chairman, Hon. Usman stated that his Council would set up a taskforce to ensure total compliance cautioning that any defaulters of the said conditions will be sanctioned accordingly.
The Chairman thanked the leadership of the Marketers Association for their understanding, cooperation and support for the present administration.
Responding on behalf of the marketers, the Chairman Jos North Local Government marketers Association Alhaji Dan’azimi Ibrahim appreciated the management committee Chairman of Jos North Local Government Council for working closely with them to resolve the issue and assured of the Association’s readiness to adhere strictly to the terms of the agreement.
Distinguished Senator Hezekiah Dimka visited the family of late Rinji Peter Bala who was shot by a security Operative in Jos some weeks ago.
Senator Dimka led a high powered delegation of his aides,acquaintances to meet with the family of his Slained Constituent.
When it happened,the Distinguished Senator called the father of the deceased twice to commiserate with the family and assured that He will be with the family in person when he arrives Jos after series of legislative duties amidst the Covid19 pandemic in Abuja.
“this death is very painful and unacceptable” Dimka re-echoes.
“I understand what the father is going through,some might not feel it the way I feel until it’s happens you.
I remember when I lost my son in an accident,the expererience was traumatic and devastating,it was only God that helped me pull through that experience”.
I am praying with the family and it’s is only God that can console you at this moment of grief, the Senator stated.
The Senator told the family how he has already got in contact with some lawyers show are willing to take up the case to support them in all proceedings as it has to be done within the ambience of the law.
While responding on behalf of the Family,Mr Peter Bala the father of the deceased appreciates the coming of the Senator and says the family has forgiven but justice must be done according to the law of the land to forestall future reoccurrence as he counts in the distinguished Senator who is a former top police boss to use his legislative might to see that Justice is seen to be done.
Prof SS Shikyil, Nde Lukolm Ngolong Gungji all spoke about the painful death during the condilence visit today.
Makut Alfred Mashat SSA NEW MEDIA To Distinguished Senator Hezekiah Dimka Chairman,Senate House Committee On Drugs & Narcotics
A wave of apprehension is sweeping through Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) as President Muhammadu Buhari begins a probe into the office of the late Chief of Staff Abba Kyari.
The investigation may lead to all appointments and approvals made by Kyari without Buhari’s permission being cancelled.
This is as pundits said the volte face by the president in directing a reversal of over 100 decisions by Kyari could create more problems than it is trying to solve.
Also, a source within the Presidential Villa suggested that the power block that produced the new Chief of Staff Ibrahim Gambari might be the force fighting back.
Sleep might have already begun eluding many officials in the MDA’s on account of contracts okayed without Buhari’s approval.
If this is what the president is targeting with a view to shoring up his sagging profile, analysts say trouble looms for those who cut illegal deals with the late CoS.
Though no reason was given for the president’s action, reports suggested no less than 150 memos that didn’t have his authorization may have been uncovered.
Special Adviser on Media and Publicity Femi Adesina declined to confirm or refute the report. “I’ve seen your text. I’ve seen your text,” he simply said and ended the call.
Also, Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity Garba Shehu did not reply to a text message seeking a confirmation on the development.
Sources told The Guardian yesterday that the directive might just be a continuation of the bickering that produced a deep crack within the ranks of the president’s men last February.
The first sign that all was not okay within Buhari’s inner cabinet emerged in December 2019 when National Security Adviser Babagana Monguno wrote a memo to the president alleging interference by Abba Kyari.
He accused the late Kyari of usurping presidential powers and directed service chiefs to ignore instructions by the latter.
Monguno’s account of a connection between Kyari’s alleged ‘meddlesomeness’ and an acute spectre of insecurity that had gripped the country was contained in a series of confidential circulars he addressed to top administration officials on national security.
The NSA also accused the chief of staff of sidestepping the president’s directive, to impose his own decision for implementation; a claim some analysts said was all but a direct accusation of treason against Kyari.
The revelations, first published by an online portal, appeared to undercut an integral aspect of the president’s response to critics: that there is unity among security chiefs towards the common interest of defeating terrorists and armed bandits, rather than an admission of clumsiness or crack in his team.
In media interviews after the memo leaked, Chief of Army Staff Tukur Buratai said insecurity was being confronted across board in the Buhari administration.
But Monguno’s memo showed he and other service chiefs had been taking controversial orders from Kyari, despite warnings from the NSA that such a practice was not only unconventional but also in violation of the constitution.
The first signs of war between the NSA and the CoS, two of Buhari’s most powerful aides, was the open letter which revealed both men locked in a bitter confrontation amid raging insecurity.
Perhaps the most potent of allegations raised against the chief of staff by the NSA at the time was that he had been flagrantly discarding decisions already taken by the president and imposing his own recommendations.
Observers saw this as a jarring allegation bordering on treasonable felony.
Since Buhari settled down in office in 2015, Kyari’s role as the chief of staff made him, perhaps, the most-courted associate of the president, arguably more than the president’s wife and other family members.
The chief of staff’s influence exposed him to some of the worst scandals of the administration.
Shortly after telecoms giant, MTN, was slammed with a record fine in 2015, Kyari was the one who allegedly played the middleman in negotiating the fines, a role that threw up allegations of fraud when the scandal broke.
An MTN official who allegedly played a key role in the negotiation was said to have lost her job amid the controversy.
But Kyari held on to his position, going forward to take part in bigger deals on government’s behalf.
Kyari’s influence was also a matter of serious concern for Aisha Buhari, the president’s wife, who had repeatedly lashed out at the chief of staff for allegedly ‘caging’ her husband and making her redundant in the government.
Last November, another online newspaper reportedly obtained documents showing Kyari overriding Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on a crucial decision on RUGA projects, a series of economic palliatives designed to curtail the herdsmen crisis.
It was unclear when President Buhari began his friendship with Kyari, but there is little question that it remained deep and robust since 2015.
When the president was re-elected in 2019, he issued a directive to all his appointees to clear files and memos through Kyari on any matter that required presidential attention.
The president did not even single out his vice president as an exception to that restriction.
Monguno’s argument in his memo was that the chief of staff did not swear to a constitutional oath and should, therefore, not be seen issuing directives that carry serious implications for the nation.
When it comes to national security, Kyari’s job “stops at conveying Mr. President’s written directives,” the NSA argued.
Kyari, according to those conversant with the inner workings of Aso Villa, had his hand in every pie, because he was “leveraging his sound education, brilliant intellect and experience in bureaucracy and business.”
One of the areas, which was used to criticise Kyari’s competence, was his stint at the failed Africa International Bank (AIB), which he presided over.
His political opponents tried to define the late CoS as the architect of the negative public perception of the Buhari administration.
They also contended that although every government throughout history is wont to harbor a kitchen cabinet, caucus or cabal, “the remarkable distinction is whether the kitchen cabinet is public-spirited or self-centered.”
National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members on Tuesday donated hand sanitizers and nose masks to members of the Police force in Jos South Local Government of the state.
The Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in charge of ‘B’ Division Bukuru in Plateau, Umar Giade who received the items said that police assignments sometimes expose personnel to the danger of contracting Coronavirus.
The DPO, a superintendent said that the police were frontliner in the fight against the novel COVID-19 by ensuring that government directives are obeyed.
“Just like the NYSC which is partner, we have been trying to see how to keep people away from contracting the virus. “In view of that many of our personnel have been exposed to lots of danger in the cause of assignment. “But notwithstanding, that has not stop us from doing the work,” he said.
He told the corps members that ‘B’ Division Bukuru was one of the major divisions in Jos covering more than 30km radius.
He commended the NYSC for efforts toward assisting other organisations and the security agencies to stay safe.
Mr Abasinsua Attang, who represented Jos South corps members said that the donation was in recognition of police as frontline workers against the pandemic.
“We deemed it fit to bring you hand sanitizers and nose masks so that you can continue to protect yourselves as you secure the society,” Attang said. The NYSC State Coordinator, Ms Caroline Embu said that the organisation was concerned about the welfare of the police who was part of the family “Since the pandemic began, we have been trying to reach out to stakeholders in whatever little way we can. “The corps members of Jos South decides that as they reach out to other people they should also reach out to Bukuru command.
“So, the corps members made some hand sanitizers and nose masks for the command. “We cannot do so much but we believe that this will help you carry out your duties effectively and safely,” she said.
Our Correspondent reports that Jos South NYSC also donated food items and personal hygiene materials to widows and orphans at Imam Maitala Mosque Dandikowa and Klapai Orphanage Home, Kangang Jos.
Alhaji Muhammad Inda and Anthony James who received the materials on behalf of the organisations, thanked the NYSC for the gesture.
The path to greatness they said is full of challenges with ups and downs, and failures which spur weak hearts to ambition oblivion and strong minds to peak of success. And when success target is hit, only the wise manage it well, and the fools prepare a volcano bottomless pit as their rest and retired home. The political odyssey of Rt. Hon Yusuf Gagdi, member representing Pankshin, Kanke and Kanam Federal Constituency in the Green Chamber of the National Assembly, particularly with his sojourn at Plateau State House of Assembly, was unpredictably mixed with hope and hopelessness. But he interestingly and amazingly weathered the storm and is now ushering a wave of political revolution in the state, with remarkable paradigm shift from the archaic, conservative, unpatriotic, religious, ethnic and deceitful politicking that characterized Plateau politics. I don’t mean to sound sycophantic, but suffice me to project the ingredients of determination to success exhibited by the young promising politician, to serve as a guide to upcoming politicians who are determined to excel and live golden footprints on their ambition, and a stumbling block to sly politicians who see power as an end, and to the superstitious who aren’t satisfied with the confidence reposed on them by the electorates, and not only rob and abuse, use and dump them, but sting with the sting of black scorpion, like the whip of the renown Masquerade. The first time I met Hon Gagdi was in mid 2016, when he along side then Senator Joshua Dariye went for a Thank You Tour in Kanam Local Government Area. I was on the entourage as a journalist covering the event. Dariye went as a Senator for his Thank You Tour, while Gagdi as Member representing Kantana Constituency in Plateau State House of Assembly. Then he was the Deputy Speaker. On reaching Kantana, at the District Head’s Palace, some irate youths wanted to attack Yusuf Gagdi after the courtesy call using excuses uncleared to us. Some claimed that Gagdi maneuvered his way to the House and became the Deputy Speaker at the expense of the candidate they wanted. As we lighted our buses to go, some of them pursued us and broke the windscreen of one of the hummer buses. Gagdi knew it was the handiwork of a political foe. His teeming supporters raged and promised vengeance, but he magnanimously calmed them and told them to let go. In April 2017, a bomb shell of impeachment as the Deputy Speakership stroke his boat. I started feeling sorry for him and thinking his political career is at jeopardy of termination. In all this, he did not show any sign of a dampened spirit. When the news stroke the political waves that he was vying for the House of Reps, I said this man is on a political suicide mission because of his religious background and ethnic disadvantage at his Federal Constituency. When he won the All Progressives Congress primaries for the Federal House of Reps, I concluded that his party has lost the secondary election already. However, with his resilience, fearlessness and determination to win, coupled with the support of his Local Government and determined youths of Pankshin and Kanke to stick to the zoning arrangement which the Peoples Democratic Party violated by granting the ticket for a second term to then sitting member of the House of Reps, Hon Timothy Golu, Gagdi emerged victorious. Gagdi, unlike most politicians who use and dump their supporters, he compensated them and carried all of them along. We are yet to hear complain from anyone that campaigned vigorously for him that has been dumped. On the floor of the House, he is contributing remarkably and has initiated many bills for the betterment of the country. In terms of empowerment, he has secured employment to so many of his constituents and beyond without recourse to tribe and religion. Under lockdown, he spent millions on getting palliatives to the less privileged and vulnerable in his constituency. In less than a year, Gagdi achieved by far more that what his predecessors achieved put together since 1999. His political odyssey, projects resilience, faith, patriotism and commitment to the area of assignment, and has human face. Many youths are now looking up to him as a political model and mentor who ushered in the the true democratic norm and culture.
NURSES WITHDRAW SERVICES AT PLATEAU ISOLATION CENTER…
Nurses at one of the isolation Centres for COVID-19 in Plateau State, the Jos University Teaching Hospital, on Monday withdrew their services.
It was learnt that as a result of the development, all the nineteen patients at the isolation centre have been abandoned.
Chairman of the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives, JUTH branch, Mrs. Mercy Lenka, who confirmed the development to our correspondent in Jos on Monday blamed the government for their action stating that they were constrained to withdraw their services at the isolation centre in order to save the lives of their members and others from being infected with the disease.
Lenka said, “Yes, we have asked our members to withdraw their services at the JUTH isolation center. Ideally, when you are involved in the treatment of confirmed cases of COVID-19, you are not supposed to go back home and mingle with your family members or anyone else.
“You are supposed to go to a hotel or any other accommodation that the management, the state or federal government would have made provision for. You go there and stay while doing your work. When you are done, you are expected to stay back for two weeks and samples would be taken which must be confirmed negative before you will be allowed to go back to your family members.
“This has never been provided for our members in JUTH. Besides, nobody has given any stipend, incentive, or hazard allowance to the nurses who have been risking their lives while treating the patients. Already, one of the nurses tested positive for the diseases about two days ago, and yet, they did not see the need to attend to our demands because they still allow the nurses to go back home after work.
“We have done everything to get the attention of the government in addressing these issues without success. Considering the danger this practice poses to the lives of the nurses, their families, and other individuals, we decided to ask them to withdraw their services until these issues are addressed.”
But the State Government, in a reaction condemned the action of the nurses.
Commissioner for Health, Dr Ninkong Lar Ndam, said that the concerns raised by the nurses were being addressed by the government and wondered why they would still go ahead to withdraw their services.
The Commissioner said, “Why would you leave somebody that is very sick as a nurse. If they have issues, they would have discussed it with us. There was no much negotiation and they went ahead to withdraw their services because as a government, we have not neglected anybody in Plateau State in addressing the COVID-19 challenge.
“As a matter of fact, we have been working very hard to ensure that we provide them with accommodation which they complained about. In fact, over the weekend, we got accommodation for them at the NDLEA camp near Rikkos but we have to decontaminate the place and make the necessary repairs before they can move in and we are hoping that by tomorrow, it should be ready for use. Meanwhile, we have mobilized doctors to the isolation centre to see how we will continue to attend to the patients.”
MESSAGE OF HOPE TO GOD’S PEOPLE “Do not be a terror to me; you are my refuge in the day of disaster.” Jeremiah 17:17 NIV The life of a believer is not always rosy. Currently we are facing unprecedented times. The entire planet is facing a Pandemic called “COVID-19” or the Coronavirus. Fear, uncertainty, panic and desperation are spreading faster than the virus itself. World powers, great countries including our country Nigeria and States have been put on lockdown; people are being told to take shelter in their homes or houses. Schools have been closed. Businesses are shrinking as a result nations economy is almost at its lowest. Churches have cancelled normal services and unlike anytime in modern history people are perplexed and wondering what to do and asking when will this Pandemic ends. Very sad is the people’s behaviour which seems to suggest that they do not believe the Pandemic is real and consciously violate Government preventative measures aimed at controlling the spread of the virus. For those who are called according to His purpose, who know and should do the needful we must show example as we can be rest assured that God has everything under control. The unusual times will eventually come to pass one day. Sometimes the outside world and even some believers including some Christian leaders assume that because we claim to know God and have Jesus as our personal savior we have somehow risen above the stresses of life. And because of this belief, some have taken the issue of COVID-19 lightly. They see it as lack of trust and faith in God when Churches are partially closed and people are in lockdown to prevent the spread of the virus. That is very far from the truth. The Christian life is filled with strife and whatever affects the society affects our members as well. And as good shepherds we have the divine mandate to not only stand in the gab but prevent and rescue our members from what may harm them. Yes, at times life is glorious, and at those times we can easily see the hand of God at work in our lives. Other times, as we are in, life becomes a bitter battle for us to stay afloat. But we are to be encouraged by our trust and faith in God to hold on and, praise His name, even more than ever before. He has never let one of His children down, not one of them has ever been forsaken and at the appointed time we shall not only be conquerors but even more than conquerors. Thus; as we continue in another face of the lockdown, and the number of infected persons is on the increase, let us live wisely. Do not sacrifice your health in the guise of looking for daily living and by so doing infect yourself and others. Let us hold unto the promises that His love never fails; that He will never allow us be put to shame; that His strength is perfect when our strength is gone. Remember, discouragement is a thief. It will steal your vitality, your zeal, your joy, your peace, and your contentment. If discouragement dwells long with you, its friends will soon join. Their names are fatigue, hopelessness, despair, self-pity, depression, doubt, and bitterness. Sometimes, discouragement can be so strong that you even don’t want to go on living. Therefore regardless of the challenges and inconveniences let us continue to trust; lean; hold tightly as we walk through the valley of the shadow of COVID-19, longing and hoping for the day of victory; for another trip to the mountain top in which we have full confidence will come one day. We can stand tall through the painful toils, because our Redeemer lives and He is our refuge through every storm of life. Have you been barely holding on lately? Remember, He has a firm grip on your situation, He cares for you, and His grip is much tighter than yours will ever be! Have a Coronavirus free day and week in Jesus name. Signed: Rev Dr. Soja Bewarang CAN Chairman Plateau State Chapter
