NORTHERN GOVERNORS CONDOLE SENATOR BINTA MASI GARBA OVER LOSS OF DAD.
Chairman of the Northern Governors Forum and Governor of Plateau State, Simon Bako Lalong has commiserated with Senator Binta Masi Garba over the demise of her father, Corp. Garba Tizhe Tumba (Rtd), who died after a protracted illness in his hometown of Bazza District, Michika Local Government Council, Adamawa State. In a condolence message on behalf of the Forum, Governor Lalong said this is no doubt a painful experience for Senator Binta and members of her family considering the sacrifices and love her father gave during his lifetime. Lalong said, “As a retired soldier, Baba’s loyalty, diligence and patriotism to Nigeria has been widely acknowledged by many, including His Excellency President Muhammadu Buhari, who worked directly with him”. He described the late Corp. Garba as a man of honour and discipline whose legacies of mentoring can be seen from the achievements of his children, including senator Binta who has shown virtues of humility, boldness, sincerity and candour in contributing to National Development. He urged her to be comforted by the good legacies and name he left behind and the fact that his life will remain a shining example for many years to come.
Dr. Makut Simon Macham, ANIPR Director of Press & Public Affairs to Governor of Plateau State & Chairman, Northern Governors Forum. 18th May, 2020.
RE-PRESS RELEASE BY THE NORTH CENTRAL ZONE OF PDP, A STATEMENT ISSUED BY ONE ARC. SULEIMAN MOHAMMED ZONAL PUBLICITY SECRETARY: CAPTIONED:: NEED FOR CAUTION OVER RECENT DEVELOPMENT IN PDP PLATEAU STATE
The Caretaker Committee of PDP Plateau State ably Led by Hon. Nandom Exo Penap response to above as follows.
(1) we are not aggrieved members of PDP in Plateau State, we are defendants of Justice, Equity and Fairness, we were duly constituted and sworn in by Law. The constitution of the party Section 47(1) 2017 as amended gave room for a single tenure of 4 Years, whereby upon the expiration tenure of the Out gone Excos Led by Hon. Yakubu chocho and by Section 29(2)(b) and section 32(2)(e) of the PDP constitution 2017 as amended gives room for constituting of a Caretaker Committee upon the expiration of tenure of every Executive of the party at any level. We appreciated the fact that you recognises the Expiration tenure of the out gone Excos on the 10 may 2020 Led by Hon. Yakubu Gwott Chocho.
The Plateau State Caretaker Committee Led by Hon. Exo wish to inform you that all the Out gone Excos are seeking re-election in the forthcoming State congresses and base on the tenet of the party moral justice for free, fair and credible elections, the out gone Excos can not be judge in their case. Let it be on notice that the out gone Excos have failed to conduct free, fair and acceptable during the wards and a purported local Government congresses, they changed the names of winners to losers and changed the names of losers to winners in their favour. Their actions have created disunity amongst the party faithful.
It will interest you to know that your Chairman Hon. Theophilus Dakas Shan is part of the injustice and problem bedeviling PDP Plateau State today. Base on this, your committee lacks moral justification to caution any party member on the Plateau because you are part of the problem of the problem we have.
(2) The actions of the leaders, BoT members and critical stakeholders in Plateau State is legal not illegal as you termed it, base on the activities of the out gone Excos and so also the bias mind of the North Central Zone Chairman. The North Central Zone of the party by Law does not have any powers to give appointment in the party at this Magnitude because they are also an interested in what is happening on the Plateau PDP. They have no power to declared the constituted Caretaker Committee Led by Hon. Nandom Exo Penap illegal.
We are aware by Law that only the NWC of the party is responsible for appointing Caretaker Committee and the appointment letter must be Signed by the the National chairman and Secretary of the party NOT National Organizing Secretary, Plateau issue is not elections matters, it is a matter of injustice, distrust and the expiration tenure of the out gone Excos.
(3) We appreciated the fact that you recognises the crisis situation in PDP Plateau State, the Crisis is caused by the out gone Excos and we are happy the Out gone Excos have gone for good.
The National Working Committee and the National Executive committee Led by his Excellency Prince Uche Secondus are aware of the Plateau State PDP issue, we have sent a letter to him, they have communicated the leaders of the party in Plateau on how to find lasting solution(s) to Plateau PDP issues. We are not begging North Central Zone office to accept the actions of our Leaders, we know our problems better than you do, we will not tolerate any unguarded utterances against our Leaders and critical stakeholders of our party from you.
(4). If truly the North Central Zone Leadership are aware of issues emanating from the ward and local Government congresses which is caused by the out gone Excos, then why are you bend on illegally appointing them to continue as Caretaker Committee while you knowing fully well that they are seeking re-election, what then becomes the other aspirants? It shows clearly that you are equally an interested party.
(5) we will not tender any apology letter to anybody, we have not committed any illegality in our actions, we know the constitution and our actions are constitutional.
(6). We have lost confidence on the out gone Excos and it can’t be regain, they have gone for good.
(7) Genuine PDP members in Plateau State are happy with the emergence of Hon. Nandom Exo Penap Led Caretaker Committee, the committee have assured members of all inclusive Government. It is Hon. Nandom Exo Penap we know as Caretaker Committee chairman Plateau State.
(9). We remain loyal, committed and happy with the Leadership style of His Excellency Prince Uche Secondus, urging him to keep uniting PDP at all levels, we equally request that you use your office to look into the issue of Plateau State and also request that members of the NWC who are bend on creating problems to PDP Plateau State be caution to desist from it or face Sanctions.
We need Peace to reign in PDP Plateau State, we are ready to plan and mobilize our members towards bouncing back to power by 2023.
Thanks and God bless. Long live PDP. Long live Nigeria.
RIMAN – RICE MILLERS ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA CONGRATULATE AMBASSADOR IBRAHIM GAMBARI OVER HIS APPOINTMENT AS CHIEF OF STAFF TO MR. PRESIDENT.
Rice Millers Association of Nigeria – RIMAN congratulate Ambassador Ibrahim Agboola Gambari over his appointment as the new Chief of Staff to Mr. President.
RIMAN wish to call on the new Chief of Staff to use his international exposure and experience in diplomacy to ensure that Nigeria achieves National food sufficiency and security, particularly as it relates to rice value chain in the Milling Sector.
RIMAN is ready to collaborate with the new Chief of Staff to ensure that through our milling efforts, milled rice is supplied cheaply for the consumption of Nigerians.
RIMAN therefore calls on the New Chief of Staff to deal with fairness, all Memos sent for Mr. President’s attention on Rice Milling in the country, as against what was being practiced in the past, where RIMAN Memos meant for the attention of Mr. President are not worked upon, summarized or acknowledged for the progress of smaller and medium Rice Millers in Nigeria because of personal or selfish interest.
RIMAN therefore, welcome Professor Gambari’s appointment and hope that he will do better in his working relationship with small and medium Rice Millers in Nigeria in their efforts in adding to the National Food security through the Rice Value Chain programme of the Nigerian government in the rice sector.
RIMAN also urge all Nigerians to support and collaborate with Professor Gambari as Chief of Staff so that he will work for Mr. President without distraction and for the development of our country in general, particularly in the agriculture and Rice Milling sectors of our economy.
Finally, RIMAN wishes Prof. Gambari God’s guidance, fruitful and a very successful tenure in office.
Peter Dama Chairman, RIMAN – Rice Millers Association of Nigeria
REMARKS BY HIS EXCELLENCY, RT. HON. (DR) SIMON BAKO LALONG, KSGG, AT THE INAUGURATION OF A RESEARCH TEAM ON CORONA VIRUS AND OTHER INFECTIOUS DISEASES AT THE BANQUET HALL, OLD GOVERNMENT HOUSE, RAYFIELD – JOS, 18TH MAY 2020. PROTOCOLS 1. It is with great pleasure that I welcome you to this very important but brief event, which is the inauguration of a Research Team for Corona Virus and other Infectious Diseases in Plateau State. 2. Let me first appreciate you all for accepting to step up to this special call towards evolving home-grown solutions to our health challenges in Plateau State. 3. Although we have had to deal with many infectious diseases in the past, we have not been confronted with anything like the Corona Virus Pandemic in recent history. Indeed, our generation is facing perhaps one of its most difficult times. 4. Clearly, COVID-19 has reminded us of the need to be proactive in not only upgrading our medical facilities and improving manpower, but also working ahead to develop preventive and curative capacity for infectious diseases. 5. Here on the Plateau, we are endowed with human and material resources that are capable of giving us the solutions we desire for the treatment of infectious diseases such as COVID-19 that we are dealing with today. 6. It is for this reason that I decided to bring together this crop of professionals who have done so such in the field of medical and pharmaceutical research within and outside the State to brainstorm and come up with practical alternatives to our dependence on foreign solutions. 7. It is a known fact that Plateau State is endowed with herbal and medicinal products that could be harnessed towards building our capacity to withstand the threat of diseases such as the Corona Virus if, and when they spring up. 8. Therefore, we must not only look inwards to find a solution to the current COVID-19 challenge, but also use today’s experience to prepare for the future in order to avoid panic and desperation. 9. Consequently, Government is today inaugurating this Special Academic Research Committee on Corona Virus and other Infectious Diseases with key researchers drawn from Faculties of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Medical Sciences, and Natural Sciences within the tertiary institutions in the State. 10. The Research Committee which has Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences as the lead Faculty, has the following membership: 1. Prof Noel N. Wannang 2. Prof Jacob A. Kolawole 3. Dr Falang Kakjing 4. Prof James Damen 5. Dr Yusuf Agabi 6. Dr Richard J Kutshik 7. Dr Bukar Bukata 8. Dr Ajima Ukpe 9. Dr Ken Amagon 10. Dr Longdet I. Yohanna 11. Representative of the Plateau State Ministry of Health 12. Representative from the Infectious Unit of Medicine Department, JUTH. 13. Representative from Veterinary Research Institute, Vom. The Terms of Reference of the committee include: (a) To Search for conventional and/or alternative drugs for the treatment and cure of the Corona virus. (b) Design treatment protocols for the treatment of the virus. (c)Conduct clinical trials on the candidate drug (s). (d) Design control mechanism for the spread of the virus. (e) Any other design that will curtail the pandemic and subsequent diseases. (f) The Committee may co-opt any relevant professional to facilitate its assignment. 11. Because of the emergency we are currently facing, the Committee has one week to present a proposal to Government. Within three weeks, Government will be expecting a draft of research prospects, while fortnightly; a progress report should be submitted. 12. It is important to emphasize that members of this team were assembled purely on merit and in recognition of their antecedents in the field of research. 13. From the list, it is evident that they are not only Plateau State indigenes, but a squad of seasoned scientists from various parts of the country that will give results. 14. While carrying out this special assignment, I want to charge you to have at the back of your mind that at the long run, all our efforts should lead us towards establishing a modern infectious diseases hospital in Plateau State. 15. On this note, it is my privilege to formally inaugurate this Academic Research Committee on Corona Virus and other Infectious Diseases to the Glory of God and for the health and safety of our people. 16. Thank you. Rt. Hon. (Dr) Simon Bako Lalong, KSGG Executive Governor, Plateau State & Chairman, Northern Governors Forum. 18th May, 2020.
GOVERNOR LALONG INAUGURATES RESEARCH TEAM ON CORONA VIRUS AND OTHER INFECTIOUS DISEASES.
Governor Simon Bako Lalong has inaugurated a Special Committee for Research on Corona Virus and other Infectious Diseases in Plateau State. At the inauguration of the team at the Government House in Rayfield, the Governor said although the State has had to deal with many infectious diseases in the past, it has not been confronted with anything like the Corona Virus Pandemic in recent history. He said” Indeed, our generation is facing perhaps one of its most difficult times. Clearly, COVID-19 has reminded us of the need to be proactive in not only upgrading our medical facilities and improving manpower, but also working ahead to develop preventive and curative capacity for infectious diseases”. He charged the members who comprise of researchers from various tertiary institutions within the State, to work hard in utilizing the human and material resources available in Plateau State that are capable of giving solutions for the treatment of infectious diseases such as COVID-19 that State and Nation is dealing with today. “It is a known fact that Plateau State is endowed with herbal and medicinal products that could be harnessed towards building our capacity to withstand the threat of diseases such as the Corona Virus if, and when they spring up. Therefore, we must not only look inwards to find a solution to the current COVID-19 challenge, but also use today’s experience to prepare for the future in order to avoid panic and desperation”. Governor Lalong charged them to be diligent in carrying out this special assignment, and to have at the back of your minds that at the long run, all efforts should lead us towards establishing a modern infectious diseases hospital in Plateau State. The Committee’s Terms of Reference include: (a) To Search for conventional and/or alternative drugs for the treatment and cure of the Corona virus. (b) Design treatment protocols for the treatment of the virus. (c)Conduct clinical trials on the candidate drug (s). (d) Design control mechanism for the spread of the virus. (e) Any other design that will curtail the pandemic and subsequent diseases. The Committee has one week to present a proposal to Government. Within three weeks, Government will be expecting a draft of research prospects, while fortnightly; a progress report should be submitted. Membership of the Committee is as follows: 1. Prof Noel N. Wannang- Pharmacology & Toxicology, Unijos –Lead Researcher 2. Prof Jacob A. Kolawole – Medicinal & Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Unijos 3. Dr Falang Kakjing – Pharmacology Dept. Unijos 4. Prof James Damen – Medical Lab Science, Unijos 5. Dr Yusuf Agabi – Virology Unit, Dept of Microbiology, Unijos 6. Dr Richard J Kutshik – Dept. of Molecular Biology & Biochemistry, Unijos. 7. Dr Bukar Bukata – Pharmacology, Unijos 8. Dr Ajima Ukpe – Medicinal & Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Unijos 9. Dr Ken Amagon – Pharmacology & Toxicology, Unijos 10. Dr Longdet I. Yohanna – Biochemistry, Unijos 11. Representative of the Plateau State Ministry of Health 12. Representative from the Infectious Unit of Medicine Department, JUTH. 13. Representative from Veterinary Research Institute, Vom.
Dr. Makut Simon Macham, ANIPR Director of Press & Public Affairs to Governor, Plateau State 18th May, 2020.
The North Central PDP has frowned at the decision by some Members of the party in Plateau State who constituted and inaugurated themselves as Caretaker Committee Members in total disregard to the decision of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the PDP, which recently and in pursuant to Sections 29(2)(b) and 31(2)(e) of the PDP Constitution as amended in 2017, constituted a Caretaker Committee headed by Hon. Gwott Yakubu Chocho for the State following the expiration of preceding tenure (10/5/2020) of the former Council.
This was contained in a statement signed by the North Central Zonal Publicity Secretary, Arc. Suleiman Mohammed in which he described the action of those parading themselves as Caretaker Committee Members as not only an illegality and a effrontery on the legitimate decision of the National Executive Council (NEC) of the PDP, but in extreme bad faith which will not do the party or the perpetrators of the aberration any good.
The statement says “for the avoidance of doubt, we wish to state unequivocally that any Caretaker Committee for Plateau State other than that led by Hon. Gwott Yakubu Chocho is ILLEGAL.”
“The PDP in Plateau State is just trying to recover from a protracted leadership crisis that took the grace of God and a lot of tedious and careful consultations, dialogue, tolerance and compromises on the part of the NWC and the Plateau State Stakeholders to achieve. Any attempt to return the party to its travails of the recent past after the efforts by the NWC and party leader in the State will be unacceptable. We wish to state that the North Central leadership will not sit idle and watch the great progress made by the NWC and leaders of the party in the State rubbished by anyone, regardless of whoever is involved” the statement read.
The North Central PDP has directed those involved in the crass insubordination and gross violation of the party constitution to quickly retrace their steps by renouncing the illegal act immediately.
It also directed them to tender an unreserved and public apology to the National Working Committee and party leaders in the zone and State while calling on tge recently constituted Caretaker Committee under the leadership of Hon. Gwott Yakubu Chocho to take urgent steps to fully regain the confidence of all party Members.
ADDRESS BY HIS EXCELLENCY, THE EXECUTIVE GOVERNOR OF PLATEAU STATE, RT. HON. (DR) SIMON BAKO LALONG, KSGG, ON THE UPDATE OF TOTAL LOCKDOWN OVER COVID-19 PANDEMIC, HELD ON 17TH MAY 2020.
Fellow compatriots, I address you again in continuation of our collective fight against the Corona Virus disease commonly referred to as COVID-19.
In my last address of April 30th 2020, I indicated that we shall continue to observe the total lockdown from Midnight of Thursday to Midnight of Sundays throughout the State.
In addition to other measures taken earlier, I also informed you that we shall continue to restrict inter-Local Government movements to further curtail the spread of the disease which was first recorded in the State on 23rd April 2020.
Since then, the State has recorded more cases of COVID-19 that rose to 33. This necessitated us redoubling our efforts to checkmate community spread by aggressively conducting contact tracing, isolating suspected contacts, and treating the infected.
As at today, we have successfully treated and discharged 10 infected persons including the index case who have all been reunited with their families. The other 22 infected persons are still undergoing treatment and in stable condition. Sadly, one suspect whose sample was taken died yesterday before his result was returned positive.
We have continued to quarantine suspected persons that come in from other States at our designated facilities to ascertain their status over the mandatory period of 14 days. As at today, we have 255 persons in our various quarantine centres.
At this point, I must appreciate the support and cooperation that most citizens have demonstrated during this trying moment. The level of compliance has been appreciative, despite the inconveniences that this pandemic has exposed us all to.
However, the major challenge we have continued to face is the breaches at our State boundaries where people continue to violate the closure order through compromise or resort to illegal routes.
This has exposed the State to more dangers of COVID-19, as virtually all the cases we have recorded, originated from other States and were imported by people who defied our directives and entered the State at all costs. This is indeed sad.
During my visit to our State boundaries at Forest- Hawan Kibo; Ganawuri-Manchok; and Jingre-Saminaka, I again warned that those compromising our collective security will not be allowed to prevail as Government was more than ever determined to put an end to the flagrant disregard for directives.
Fellow citizens, as a Government that is people driven and desirous of carrying everyone along, we have noted the concerns raised in respect of the need to have more room for people to secure services such as banking which were limited because of the existing lockdown schedule.
In order to address these concerns and further strengthen our efforts at combating COVID-19, Government has reviewed some of the guidelines with the following decisions:
i. With effect from 17th May 2020, the total lockdown will resume from midnight of every Sunday and be relaxed on Wednesdays 12 midnight.
ii. This will henceforth be the pattern until further review. In order words, the total lockdown is relaxed on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays; while Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays remain totally locked down.
iii. Restriction on all inter-local Government movements shall continue to apply except for those on essential services as earlier enumerated. iv. The use of facemasks in public places remains compulsory, and anyone found not using one outside his home would be arrested and charged to the mobile court. v. To ensure better enforcement and compliance, Government will henceforth enroll some of its civil servants for the exercise. Accordingly, the Head of Service has been directed to immediately deploy civil servants from grade levels 10-14 to various points across the State. vi. Local Government Chairmen are to also replicate same in their domains to ensure effective coverage of the entire State. vii. The ban on all illegal markets such as the Sunday markets on Ahmadu Bello Way, Bukuru and environs shall remain in place indefinitely, while Social joints, Nightclubs, drinking parlours are to remain closed.
viii. The Faringada Market continues to defy all guidelines for social distancing and sanitation, and poses potent threat to our efforts to defeat COVID-19. Therefore, the market will be shut down until the trader unions and the Management of Jos North Local Government come up with an acceptable model for regulation that poses no risk to public health and safety. ix. Religious gatherings shall continue to have not more than 50 persons, while social distancing, hygiene and sanitation regulations shall continue to apply. x. All these decisions are without prejudice to the overnight curfew instituted by the Federal Government from 8pm to 6am.
Fellow compatriots, the Government remains fully aware of the collective hardship that this situation has brought upon us all particularly the most vulnerable. Already, the distribution of palliatives to this category of people has continued throughout the State.
In the coming weeks, more palliatives from the Federal Government and the private sector donor initiative, CACOVID, shall be received to boost the efforts of the State Government.
Let me at this moment thank the various individuals and corporate organisations that have contributed to the Plateau COVID-19 Trust Fund both in kind and in cash. We have realised almost 100 million naira in donations and I re-assure you that we shall deploy it transparently.
In particular, I wish to appreciate the Speaker and Honourable Members of the Plateau State House of Assembly for donating 50 percent of their May salaries to the COVID-19 Trust Fund. The Chairman and Members of the Plateau State Council of Traditional Rulers and Emirs also donated food items to the fund. We are very grateful.
On the profiling and return of Almajiris children, which commenced on 26th April 2020, we have made a lot of progress. So far, we have returned a total of 601 Almajiris to their States of origin to be tested, reunited with their families and properly cared for. The States include Kaduna (38), Bauchi (419), Kano (92), Jigawa (47), Gombe (5),
We have also received (119) Almajiris from other States. We received (108) from Nasarawa State and (11) from Gombe State, who have been profiled, and tested. Out of this number, only one (1) tested positive to COVID-19 and is receiving treatment in one of the isolation facilities. The rest have been reunited with their families.
Within the State, we have profiled 36 Almajiris who are indigenes of Plateau State and have been tested and returned them to their families. 25 are from Quan-Pan, while 11 are from Wase Local Government Areas.
Let me again stress that the decision to carry out this evacuation was a collective one taken by Governors of the 19 Northern States during the meeting of the Northern Governors Forum in order to guarantee the safety of these children who were exposed to many dangers, including COVID-19.
It is disheartening that this noble and bold decision is being politicized by a few people who although claim to abhor the Almajiri system, choose for reasons best known to them to play to the gallery by pretending to be fighting for the human rights of these children.
For the avoidance of doubt, the Northern Governors are collectively committed to ensuring that all the Almajiri children returned to their States are profiled and tested for COVID-19 and other illnesses. Those who are positive are treated before being reunited with their families. At the end of the day, all Almajiris will be integrated into the society seamlessly.
Additionally, their education and well-being will be handled by their States, which will bring to an end to the infamous Almajiri system, which has become a social challenge. We again appeal for the understanding and support of all stakeholders. Happily, reports from all the States show that the children are excited to go back home to the warm embrace of their families.
On a sad note, I wish to register my deep personal condolences and that of the Government to the family of Rinji Peter Bala who was shot by security personnel attached to the Operation Safe Haven along Zaria Road on 12th May 2020. I have already ordered a probe and I urge for calm as the law takes its cause. Justice will be done.
Similarly, I also sympathize with victims of attacks in some communities of the State such as in Bassa Local Government, perpetrated by criminals who are taking advantage of the COVID-19 lockdown.
The gruesome murder of Dr. Nandi Drenkat, a Senior Lecturer at the University of Jos and the kidnap of his daughter is totally condemnable. We condole with his immediate family as well as the management, staff and students of the University.
I am glad to report that following the quick response of security agencies in conjunction with the Hunters Association, the kidnapped daughter of the lecturer was rescued alive. Sadly, one of the gallant members of the Hunters Association, Muhammadu Sani made the supreme sacrifice as he died of gunshot wounds from the criminals. We send sincere condolences to his family and pray for the repose of his soul.
Let me assure all citizens that we are working with security agencies to fish out these criminals and ensure they are punished. Already, security forces has arrested a suspected mastermind of kidnappings around the Eto-Baba, Bauchi Road general area who is currently undergoing interrogation. I also urge the citizens to continue to be vigilant and report every suspicious activity.
We also lost a member of the Committee on the evacuation of Almajiris in the State, Alhaji Sabo Umar Shuaibu who has worked tirelessly to ensure the success of the exercise. Again, we sympathize with his family and pray for the repose of his soul.
Finally, I call on all citizens to shun stigmatization and discrimination as well as the spread of fake news that represent major challenges to the fight against COVID-19.
With the measures taken so far, the pandemic has been largely tamed in the State. With a little more effort, we can ensure that we eliminate new infections and transmission.
Thank you and may God bless Plateau State, God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Rt. Hon. (Dr) Simon Bako Lalong, KSGG Executive Governor, Plateau State & Chairman, Northern Governors Forum. 17th May, 2020.
As part of efforts towards cushioning the effect of the ongoing lock-down in Plateau state as a result of the COVID pandemic, Vwang, Gyel, Zawan and Du districts of Jos south local government area of Plateau State have received food items to be distributed to the poor and vulnerable in their area.
Delivering the palliative which are food items at the various Palaces of the district heads of Vwang, Du, Zawang and Gyel, the donor, Amb (Dr) Chris Giwa, the Foundation and CEO of Chris Giwa Foundation represented by the duo of Hon Chris Dabang and Hon Bitrus Kaitaiko stated that the downward spiral of the economy as a result of the lock down has affected the capacity of many families to take care of their needs thus necessitating rendering assistance to aid the people at this difficult time. He pleaded that the items should be given to the poor of the poorest and the vulnerable.
He commended the people of Jos South local government area for obeying government health tips and further charged them to adhere strictly to the preventive measures and government directives to prevent the spread of COVID-19. He prayed for the end of the pandemic
The items donated are: 40 bags of maize and 40 bags of rice (10 bags of maize and 10 bags of rice to each district) and were handed over to the Gwom Rwey’s of the four districts for onward distribution
In their separate remarks, the Gwom Rwey’s of the various districts applauded the gesture of Amb (Dr) Chris Giwa. They commended his philanthropic act and prayed that God continue to bless and open more doors for him to continue impacting positively the lives of people as he has been doing for years.
It will be recalled that Amb Chris Giwa had earlier distributed 63 bags of rice and 63 bags of maize to the poor of the poorest and the most vulnerable in Kuru district of Jos South local government area. Also, undisclosed quantity of maize and rice was distributed to supporters of Amb Chris Giwa in Jos South and Jos North local government area of Plateau State respectively.
The first Senior Advocate of Nigeria on the Plateau, Chief Garba Pwul paid a condolence visit to the family of the slain youth, Rinji Peter Bala at the family residence in Hwolshe, Jos South LGA of Plateau State. Chief Pwul, who was accompanied by his older brother, Chief Musa Pwul, friends and Lawyers from his Chambers expressed total disappointment in the unprofessionalism displayed by the officers of the Operation Safe Haven which led to the death of the promising young man. He told the parents of the deceased and the sympathizers present that his visit was in dual capacity: as a close friend of the family who is directly affected and as a Plateau State indegene who has vowed to ensure every Plateau son and daughter is duly protected. He condoled the parents of the deceased, encouraging them to turn to God because He is the true comforter. He called to attention the fact that about six deaths have been recorded from military brutality within a short period of time and gave assurance that the murder of Rinji will never be swept under the carpet. He pledged that his Chambers will take up the case free of charge and will follow it up to the end to make sure justice is served. “It is divine to forgive, however, the law must take it’s cause so that it will serve as a deterrent to others. When tax payers’ monies are used to purchase weapons and employ people for security, it is only right to hold those people responsible when such weapons are used against the same tax payers” The Commissioner of Police, who incidentally was on condolence visit too, appreciated the visit by Chief Pwul and expressed his pain with the whole event, stressing that the officer in question will never be shielded from the arm of the law. The father of the deceased, who is also a security personnel, was highly thankful for the visit, observing that the peace he feels is deeper than the pain he felt when he got the news. He said there must be a reaction to every bad action and if the death of his child will bring an end to all the unprovoked killings on the Plateau, so be it. He assured the sympathizers that he has forgiven the officer who perpetrated the act but the law should take it’s cause. The visit was rounded up by a prayer from Dr Hantsa Jakada, who was in the entourage of the celebrated Senior Advocate.
I wish to extend my sincere condolences to the family of *Nde Peter Bala* over the gruesome murder of their son , *Mr Rinji Peter Bala* which has become a thing of concern to the family, youth groups, his peers and the entire plateau state.
It’s a plain tragedy to lose such a promising young man who was an inspiration to his peers at such a prime age. I stand with you in this moment of grief.
I call on the commandant of the *Operation Safe Heaven (OPSH) and his entire team to take drastic action that would curtail the further recurrence of such mistakes.* I so much feel it in me when plateau youths cry out *”we want justice for Rinji”* just to know we are tired of their mistakes which often result to loss of vibrant youths with bright future every year.
Today, we demand that legal action be taken and justice must prevail though that won’t bring back the deceased but to ensure these kinds of professional ineptitudes don’t continue.
*I call on the family, plateau and particularly Kanke youths* to all take heart as we lay our dear son, friend and a brother to rest. may God gives us the heart to bear this irreplaceable lost.
