FG begins fumigation of Abuja, Lagos & Port Harcourt Airports ahead of re-opening
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria has commenced fumigation of the country’s main airports ahead of re-opening – The airports being fumigated are those in Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt. This was announced through a Twitter post by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).
RESOLUTION OF THE LGA EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING OF THE PEOPLES DEMOCRATIC PARTY (PDP) HELD AT THE PARTY SECRETARIAT ON THE 17TH MAY, 2020.
Sequel to the resolution, the LGA executive committee emphasized on the supremacy of the constitution which accordingly serves as a guide to party activities.
The chairman urged the LGA legal adviser Barr. Selzing Gaven to read article 57(1) of the constitution of the party, which gives power to the appropriate Executive committee of the party to constitute a disciplinary committee to take care of problems that arose after the party congresses. And the same be done at the ward level.
The meeting unanimously agreed on the following resolutions;
1 . Two standing committees are constituted.
(a) RECONCILIATION COMMITTEE
Members are;
1.Kefas Kumdang Dashe-Chairman
2.Gollit Wuyep-Member
3.Justina Amos-Member
4.Anna Danjuma Hussaini-Member
5.Simkur Nimmyel-Member
6.Shaldo Lipdo-Member
7.Mosco Ndam-Member
8.Changkur Sule-Member
9.Domsing Bali-Secretary.
(b) DISCIPLINARY COMMITTEE
Members are;
1.Nanman Takbal-Chairman
2.Nden Jilli-Member8
3.Narobi Laven-Member
4.Hanatu Sunday-Member
5.Mambin Dandam-Member
6.Nansak Pyennap-Member
7.Selzing Gaven-Secretary.
2 . After carefully scrutinizing the scenario of the breach of party code of conduct, the LGA executive committee of the party unanimously resolved on the suspension of a group, led by Mr. Nankpak Nimmyel for one month.
In compliance with the power conferred on the executive in accordance to article 57(1) of the constitution of the people democratic party (as amended in 2017) for the suspension of the group below, .The group led by one Mr. Nankpak Nimmyel were accordingly suspended.
The names of other suspended group members are:
1.NANKPAK NIMMYEL. CHAIRMAN
2.PONKAP YAKUBU. DEP. CHAIRMAN
3.ANTHONY GOSELLE. SECRETARY
4.PONZING VYAPNIM. ASSIT. SEC.
5.DACIT FREEMAN. TREASURER
6.TIMLOH RWAMKO. FIN. SEC.
7.FADAM FANZHI. AUDITOR
8.DANLADI AUTA. ORG. SEC.
9.JOSEPH LAKAI. LEGAL ADVISER
10.NANMAN CHAKVEN.
P.R.O I
11.P.R.O. II
12.SELYA GAMBO. WOMEN LEADER
13.NANKPAK FANIM. YOUTH LEADER
14.SELCHAK NDAM. EX-OFFICIO
15.SELZING LIMAN. EX-OFFICIO
The suspension is with effect from Sunday 17th May 2020
Cc.
State chairman PDP,
Zonal Chairman, PDP Plateau South.
Area Commander,
DPO Langtang North,
DSS Langtang North,
Area Commander Nigeria Security & Civil Defence Core
Mr Nanphak Nimmyel.
…………………………….
Hon. Alexander N. Binfat
Secretary, PDP Langtang North.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES REQUEST THE WHEREABOUTS OF THE CHINESE DOCTORS.
At the planery session of the House of Representatives for Tuesday, 19th May, 2020, Rep. Dachung Bagos, Member Representing Jos South/ Jos East Federal Constituency moved a motion on the need to know the whereabouts of the Chinese doctors who came into the country to help tackle the COVID-19 pandemic and it was seconded by Rep. Maria Onuoha.
In leading the motion Rep. Bagos said when the Federal government announced the arrival of the Chinese health workers in April to share their experiences in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic with their Nigerian counterparts, it generated a lot of controversies that even made the Speaker, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila to convene a meeting between the leadership of the House and the Health Ministry with guidelines to ensure the safety of Nigerians. Rep. Bagos then expressed concern on a report that the Ministry of Health has not furnished reasonable responses to enquiries of concern by Nigerians on where the Chinese health workers are, and what specific help they are rendering? Rep. Bagos called on the House to mandate the Minister of Health to furnish it with a detailed report on the activities of the Chinese health workers as was agreed upon during the meeting with the leadership of the House. He also called on the House Committees on Interior, National Security and Foreign Affairs to investigate and ensure the House is kept aware of the outcome.
The motion was voted on and adopted.
The Honorable Member representing Barkin Ladi/Riyom Federal Constituency Plateau State at the National Assemby, Rep. Simon Mwadkwon, Ph.D has donated building materials worth over N500,000 (Five Hundred Thousand Naira Only) for the roofing of communities in Ropp Barkin Ladi LGA, Plateau State that were destroyed by violent crisis that engulfed the area in the past.
Presenting the items, Dr. Simon Mwadkwon who was represented by Mr. Davou Dung Davou, the DG of the Rep. Dr. Mwadkwon Rescue, Transformation and Progress Campaign Team who was accompanied by the Senior Legislative Aide (SLA) of the Member, Hon. Jackson Daniel Dashwei and other Members of the Directorate said the donation became imperative in order to help the people return to their aboriginal homes as the rains set in.
The Federal Lawmaker applauded the enthusiasm and commitment of the people who are eager to go back to their ancestral land.
He said the donation was borne out of the empathy, love and concern the Federal Lawmaker, Rep. Dr. Simon Mwadkwon has for the people who were displaced by their enemies whose agenda was to kill, dislodge and forcefully grab their heritage.
He encouraged the people to remain resilient and vigilant as they return back to their homes to continue livelihood.
Rep. Dr. Simon Mwadkwon condemned in strong terms recent attack in the area (Messiah College Mission Gana Ropp) in which Rev. Canon Bayo James and Members of his family sustained various degrees of injuries when his house was invaded. He called on government and security agencies to rise up to their cardinal constitutional responsibilities of protecting lives & property of the citizens.
He reiterated the commitment of the Member to the welfare of the Constituents and said he will continue to pursue bills and projects that are people-oriented.
Receiving the items, the Chairman Building Committee of the Communities, Da Dung Adamu Dung, the Village Head HRH Da Gyang Pam Sagai, religious Leaders & others who spoke in their separate remarks commended the Legislator for the humanitarian gesture, timely response to their plight having being told of same not long ago, taking necessary action to alleviate their sufferings and making the welfare of the constituents his priority.
They appreciated the Lawmaker for coming to their aid at the time of their need and contributing towards addressing their physiological problems.
They said the people of the Federal Constituency are fortunate having Dr. Simon Mwadkwon as their Representative describing him as a proactive, focused, visionary and people-oriented Leader.
They promised to accord him the necessary support needed to succeed and take the Federal Constituency to an enviable height.
Cmr. Friday Bako
Director, Media & Publicity to Rep. Simon Mwadkwon, Ph.D
The motion which was moved today 19th May,2020 during the plenary on the flow of the House,by The Member Representing Kanke Constituency.
The deceased,late Mr RINJI PETER BALA,being a constituent of the Hon.Member deemed it fit to call on the State Government to as a matter of urgency carry out a thorough probe that leads to the killing of late RINJI PETER BALA. And to also direct the Hon.Commissioner of justice and Attorney General of the State to take over the case and diligently prosecute the case before the appropriate court of law in other to restore the People’s Confidence in the State.
The Speaker then constituted a Committee of all Principal Officers of the House and the Chairman House Committee on Security,the committee to be Chaired by the Deputy Speaker of the House.
The Committee is to ensure that what the House resolved is dully followed and given proper adherence for Justice to take it’s place.
In what seems to be like a turn around the CWC members of the plateau youth council is denying elongating the tenure of the Dr J. Fabong administration. in a statement issued and available to the press, sign by 22 members of the CWC denied any attempt of tenure elongation. recalled that a few weeks ago exactly on the 08/05/2020 a statement was released to the general public of elongation of the tenure of the current exco, however, seems all interest is not settling and plateau youths council is about to start a new saga.
The statement reads:
We make it bold to say that we were never carried along as always, moreso on this constitutional matter that ought to have been exhaustively debated upon on the floor of the House to avert/circumvent the looming leadership vacuum as the Constitution neither provides for Caretaker Committee nor Tenure elongation under any guise.
The PYC Chairman and his cohorts may well do us all the honour of referring us to any section of the PYC Constitution that empowers the EXCO, factional EXCO or “Expanded EXCO (sic!)” to elongate the tenure in office of any PYC official beyond the lawful, recognized date.
The statement alleges that the process was not only illegal but an arrangement outside the spirit and letters of the PYC constitution:
THE PRINCIPAL OFFICERS, LOCAL GOVERNMENT CHAIRMEN AND SOME HANDPICKED MEMBERS OF VOLUNTARY YOUTH ORGANIZATIONS CANNOT SUBSTITUTE THE ENTIRE COMPOSITION OF THE CWC MEMBERSHIP. CAN THESE PERSONS PROVE WHERE THE CWC EVER SAT TO BESTOW THE POWER OF ACTING ON HER BEHALF UPON THEIR SHOULDERS?
Furthermore, the statement claimed that there is still a Vote of no confidence of the chairman “ We wish to remind the PYC Chairman, Dr Fabong Njemchang that there is still a valid Vote of No Confidence passed on him by a clear 2/3 majority of his EXCO, that is awaiting deliberation and action by the CWC”
Again the statement is accusing the chairman of a number of issues which includes running a one man exco among others which reads :That he is attempting to remove members with Valid Certificates of Return, through the back door, despite these members never having a petition written against them smacks of nothing but lawlessness, arrogance and disdain for adherence to laid down rules for order in a civilised society. This crude ,primitive ,local and selfish behavior can only be exhibited by a power drunk and autocratic despot who has nothing to show to his constituents despite receiving millions on their behalf, always seeking avenues to run away from being made to account; laying the blame on the Government or abusing the very youths that put him in office!
other contents of the statement read:
We, therefore, urge Dr Fabong Njemchang to take inspiration from a Past Chairman of the Youth Council-Hon. William Audu, who when faced with similar allegations of embezzlement and misapplication of PYC funds, stepped aside to allow for an unhindered investigation. The same man was subsequently probed and cleared by the CWC and was returned to the office to complete his tenure.
Dr Fabong should stop playing to the gallery and do what he knows he should do now, which is to immediately hand over to the next most senior official in the Council and allow for an unhindered meeting of the CWC
Your Excellency, as the Patron of the Plateau Youth Council and a past member yourself, sir ,we beseech that you direct the embattled Chairman-Dr Fabong Njemchang to step aside to allow for a thorough investigation into the allegations that 2/3rd of the EXCO members have proferred against him.
In addition sir, we plead that you also direct the Plateau Information Communication Technology Development Agency, the State Ministries of
Justice, as well as Youth & Sports Development to with immediate effect, set up modalities for an EXTRA ORDINARY MEETING of the Central Working Committee USING VIRTUAL MEANS as is now the globally accepted standard, so as to deliberate and devise the way out of the impasse and set up an Electoral Committee as well as honour our dearly departed colleagues. There are a few days left of the life of this current PYC administration within which this can be done.
All members must present their Certificates of Return as the evidence of membership of the 2017-2020 CWC before accreditation into the meeting.
We want the deliberations of this meeting to be streamed live for the benefit of the multitudes of Plateau youth that have been left in the dark for too long about the true state of affairs of the Youth Council.
The Hon.commissioner of Agriculture and Rural Development of Plateau State Dr.Hosea Istifanus Finangwai today 18th May,2020 at the Nigeria Police conference Hall,Jos inaugurated the Joint Technical Task Team(JTTT)on emergency response to Covid-19 on challenges to movement of good and Agricultural inputs in Plateau State.
The Hon.commissioner while inaugurating the JTTT, urged them to work strictly by the Terms of Reference which will be issued to them after the inauguration.
The objectives of the (JTTT) is to put in place a strategy in order to facilitate free movement of food stuff, livestock,fish, perishable items and other Agricultural inputs at checkpoints to avoid food shortages and ensure 2020 production season is not hampered.
Terms of Reference
The Joint Technical Task Team (JTTT)has the following Terms of Reference while carrying out their assignment.
I.Work with relevant agencies in the State and Local Government Areas to develop a window that will facilitate the free and unhindered movement of food, livestock and Agricultural inputs without compromising the security and health of the nation.
ii. Issue out clear instructions to all the security personnel in the three internal security outfits Police,Civil defence and the Army on the need to allow the free and unhindered movement of food stuff, livestock and Agricultural inputs to all parts of Nigeria.
iii. Work with the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) to adequately educate it’s members in ensuring that vehicles conveying foodstuff , livestock and Agricultural inputs (excluding passengers)are allowed to pass.
iv. Ensure that adequate information clarifying the controlled movement of foodstuff , livestock and Agricultural inputs is disseminated by the media to food transporters and security personnel.
The Joint Technical Task Team (JTTT) is composed of the following members:
i. Nigeria Police Force ———- Chairman
ii. Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC)——— Member
iii. All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN)———Member
iv. National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW)———Member
v. Nigeria Union of Journalist (NUJ)———Member
vi. Nigeria Association of Road Transport Owners.Co-opted
vii. State Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.(MARD)———Secretary.
Audu Bappidak SAMBO
Personal Assistant to the Hon. Commissioner.
18th may,2020.
Is Nigerian Defence Headquarters STF in Jos, Plateau State of Nigeria a Curse or Blessing?
Ideally, the military is expected to be one of the most important institutions in a democracy.
The duties of the Nigerian Military include; to maintain the territorial integrity of Nigeria, to defend country from external aggression, to protect the country’s borders, to restore order if needed and in cases of insurrection etc. They do all the aforementioned in compliance with constitutional provisions.
In a democratic setting such as Nigeria, the duties mentioned above notwithstanding, the Civil-Military Relations ought to be cordial and healthy. This isn’t what is obtainable as the rate of human rights violation has increase in a geometric pattern thereby leaving the citizens wondering if Nigeria is practicing democracy or in Military regime.
Men of the Special Task Force (STF) while in Plateau State to work for the restoration of peace, enhance internal security and ensure that lives and property of the citizens are secured are often time involved in one form of human rights violation, extra-judicial killings, molestation, harassment and maltreatment of the citizens.
These have adversely affected the civil-military relations in the State as citizens have accused the STF of complicity and colluding with attackers in some instances.
The level of human rights violation has continued unabated as perpetrators often go away with their heinous crimes or such crimes are swept under the carpet without justice being served to serve as deterrent.
Plateau State in recent times has witnessed human rights violation and extra-judicial killings which have created distrust and suspicion between the people and security personnel in the State.
Some cases of extra-judicial killings in Plateau State are outlined below:
On Monday 22nd, 2018 some Soldiers who had gone to the bank to transact their personal businesses shot and killed a security guard at the Jos Branch of Diamond Bank. They also shot and injured two other security personnel of the Bank after a minor disagreement.
In February, 2020, 20 year old Benjamin Arum Izang died after sustaining multiple fractures from the hours-long brutality by Special Forces of the Military Task Force at Tina Junction Jos North LGA over an issue involving him and a Egg Seller. The amount involved here was N50 but his life was prematurely cut short.
On 12th May, 2020, 20 year old Rinji Peter Bala, a 300 Level Student of History & Int’l Studies in the University of Jos was shot and killed after being arrested in his community, Hwolshe Jos South LGA by Security Operatives at Sector one Zaria Road Jos
On Friday 15th May, 2020, Abdullahi Shittu who was going home from work in the evening was shot by a security operative of the STF and sustained injury around Majema Junction Near Zololo Junction in Jos North LGA who was shooting to clear the heavy traffic gridlock encountered in the area.
Rinji Peter Bala, a 300 Level Student of the University of Jos was
Abdullahi Shittu shot on his waist
There are many cases of human rights violation and extra-judicial killings in the villages where the security agencies who are supposed to protect the people have become huge security threat to them.
Many innocent persons have been killed without provocation by trigger-happy security operatives or by corrupt officers who collude with attackers to perpetrate attacks on communities in the State. There are instances where evidences were found in attacked communities of security personnel’s belonging including name tags, ATM Cards, Bank Cheque Book etc.
The conducts of the STF in Plateau State remains unprofessional, in total deviation with their expected code of conduct and rules of engagement.
These and many more should be looked into and justice allowed to prevail if future reoccurrences are to be stemmed.
Even as the Operation Safe Haven is working to achieve durable peace in Plateau State, there is need for it to intensify efforts toward improving civil-military relationships so as to regain the trust and confidence of the people.
The mental state of security operatives must also be examined and their should be constant training and retraining on their code of conduct, rules of engagement, professionalism, human relations and civil-military relationships as it pertains to a democratic environment.
There is also need to deploy those trigger-happy security personnel to war zones instead of the cities where they potent great threat to higher population.
There is need to weed those with compromised integrity, depressed/frustrated officers and other tendencies that have continue to bring disrepute to the Military and cost it much in paying for court cases involving human rights violation.
Security operatives instead of making Nigeria more secured have made its rating in terms of human rights violations and insecurity high on account of their activities.
May God give the Defence Headquarters the needed wisdom to handle this situation.
Thank you & God bless
*Comrade Friday Bako writes from JOS, Plateau state of Nigeria.
The Federal Government on Monday said the recent order of the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), on gradual ease of lockdown will remain in force for another two weeks.
The Chairman of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19, Boss Mustapha, disclosed this at the daily briefing of the task force in Abuja.
The President had on April 27, announced a “phased and gradual easing” of the lockdown, while declaring a nationwide curfew with effect from May 4.
He also ordered a ban on all inter-state movements.
Mustapha, who is also the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, said in spite of the modest progress made, Nigeria was not yet ready for full opening of the economy “and tough decisions have to be taken for the good of the greater majority.”
He said, “Any relaxation will only portend grave danger for our populace.
“Advisedly, the current phase of eased restriction will be maintained for another two weeks during which stricter enforcement and persuasion measures will be pursued.
“The two weeks extension of Phase One of the eased restriction is also to enable other segments of the economy to prepare adequately for compliance with the guidelines, preparatory to reopening in the coming weeks.”
For the avoidance of doubt, the SGF added that “Mr President has approved the following: (i) The measures, exemptions, advisories, and scope of entities allowed to reopen under phase one of the eased locked down, shall be maintained across the federation for another two weeks effective from 12 00 midnight today (18th May, 2020 to 1st June, 2020);
“(ii) intensifying efforts to ‘tell (communicate), trace (identify) and treat (manage)’ cases;
“(iii) elevating the level of community ownership of non-pharmaceutical interventions;
“(iv)Maintain the existing lockdown order in Kano for an additional two weeks;
“(v)Imposition of precision lockdown in states, or in metropolitan/high-burden LGAs, that are reporting a rapidly increasing number of cases, when the need arises. This would be complemented with the provision of palliatives and continued re-evaluation of the impact of the interventions; and
“(vi)Aggressive scale-up of efforts to ensure that communities are informed, engaged and participating in the response with enhanced public awareness in high-risk states.”
