RT HON YUSUF ADAMU GAGDI: REDEFINING THE ROAD TO THE FUTURE
One of the things that happened this week was the congratulations Rt Hon Yusuf Adamu Gagdi together with the standard bearer for the Plateau APC governorship, Dr Nentawe Yilwada Goshwe received.
It came from the Hon Dr. Dayyabu Yusuf Garga, Walin Garga, Galadiman Jhar, Executive Chairman, Kanam Local Government Council. It is instructive as it is revealing with positive implications to many.
If you have followed political developments in the state, but particularly Kanam, one would have observed the sharp political divide and camps that had existed in the area.
No need to be reminded, during the primaries for the Pankshin/Kanke/Kanam Federal Constituency, the hard stance that was palpable in Kanam or Kanke and indeed, Pankshin was easily dissolved, thanks to the resolve to get united behind Gagdi.
You may also recall that the invectives and the animosity became common place towards Rt Hon Yusuf. However, as one who knows his onions well and appreciate people in great measure, he went about doing good. He is still doing good.
Truth is, he has never chosen or given priority to one community above another. Where a need is identified, he deployed resources, men and materials for such to be solved.
For the good of PKK, Plateau and Nigeria, old cleavages should not be left to remain with us. The fact that they draw us back, they are clearly inhibitions to development and unity.
PKK has moved forward, thanks to the seed of unity that has been sown. This only continue in 2023 because It is in God We Trust.
The Northern Governors Forum says it is infuriated over the attack on worshippers at the St. Francis Catholic Church Owo, Ondo State which left many dead and others injured.
Chairman of the Forum and Governor of Plateau State Simon Bako Lalong said the Forum totally condemns the unprovoked attack on the Church and its worshippers which is a clear attempt by criminals to instigate religious hatred and inflame passions among Nigerians.
While commiserating with the survivors, families of victims, the Catholic Church and the Christian body in Nigeria, Lalong said the Northern Governors want security agencies to do all that is possible to apprehend those behind the sacrilege, their sponsors and collaborators.
This he said will not only ensure that justice is served, but ensure a clear message is also sent to criminals who are bent on causing chaos in the country.
He also said the Northern Governors are in solidarity with their colleague Governor Rotimi Akeredolu and the Government of Ondo State, assuring of their prayers and support at this very sober moment.
Dr. Makut Simon Macham Director of Press and Public Affairs to the Governor of Plateau State and Chairman, Northern Governors Forum. 6th June 2022.
APC NORTHERN GOVERNORS AFFIRM ZONING OF PRESIDENCY TO SOUTH Against the backdrop of anointing the Senate President, Senator Ahmed Lawan, as the consensus presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, by the National Chairman of the party, Abdullahi Adamu, to be adopted during the presidential primaries, most governors of the party, affirmed that the leaked agreed rotation of the Presidency to the Southern Zone of the country, remains unchanged. Addressing press conference this evening shortly after a closed door meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari, Chairman of the Northern Governors Forum, who also is Plateau State Governor, Rt. Hon. Simon Lalong, said the President has accepted their proposal of power rotation to the South. According to him, the governors apologized for officially telling him of their proposal after it was leaked to the public. And that the President has accepted their submission with the admonishment that democratic process must be followed in the election of the presidential candidate, saying he has no anointed candidate. Lalong further started that the Progressive Governors will soon go in for a closed door meeting after which the outcome will be made public.
APC SPECIAL CONVENTION 2022: GOVERNOR LALONG PRESIDES OVER MEETING OF HOSPITALITY/WELFARE COMMITTEE.
Ahead of the Special Convention and Presidential Primaries of the All Progressives Congress, the Sub-Committe on Hospitality and Welfare has met to fashion out ways of ensuring that all delegates and members of the party attending the event are properly attended to before and during the exercise.
Chairman of the Hospitality and Welfare Sub-Committee and Governor of Plateau State Simon Bako Lalong who presided over a meeting of the Committee at the Plateau Governor’s Lodge in Asokoro Abuja, charged the members to be dedicated to ensure that the assignment is delivered with excellence and precision.
He told members of the Committee to consider their appointment to serve the party as an opportunity to write their names in gold and also demonstrate their faith and loyalty to the party.
Lalong assured them that the Chairman of the Party and members of the NWC have given commitment that they will provide the committee with all that is needed towards a successful assignment.
Governor Lalong thereafter inaugurated five sub-committees to carry out various tasks towards achieving the committee’s objectives.
The Co-Chairman of the Committee and Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development Hajiya Saadiya Umar Farouk was also present at the meeting.
The subcommittees are expected to submit their reports immediately to facilitate the work of the Committee.
Dr. Makut Simon Macham Director of Press and Public Affairs to the Governor of Plateau State. 6th June 2022.
Gunmen on Sunday attacked the St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo, headquarters of Owo Local Government Area of Ondo State, killing no fewer than 50 worshippers.
According to eyewitnesses, the attack occurred in the morning during the church’s Sunday service.
They also said that the gunmen stormed the church during service and started shooting sporadically., and detonated explosives inside the church premises.
The stray bullets of the terrorists also killed passerby who were hit by their bullets.
The injured and the dead were rushed to the Federal Medical Centre Owo, for medical attention.
Confirming the incident, the Chief Medical Director (CMD) of FMC, Owo, Dr Liasu Adeagbo, told newsmen that the hospital had deployed medical personnel to cater for the victims.
It was learned that the hospital’s medical personnel on ground at the emergency unit were overwhelmed by the large number of victims, hence many of them were referred to private hospitals for treatment.
The police command in Ondo had yet to officially react to the incident as of the time of filing this report.
The expectations on May 27, 2022 during the primaries of the Pankshin/Kanke/Kanam Federal Constituency was massive, even as many had expected.
Candidly speaking, there were fears of the unknown. But in the Gagdi camp, the dice had been cast, and it was a matter of time before the delegates gave him victory.
Take a look at the pattern of the voting local government after another and the outcome, it clearly shows an acceptable conclusion.
Delegates accredited 180, only 179 voted. Only one abstention!
Of this number Rt Hon Yusuf Adamu Gagdi took a total of 171. Let’s consider the scenario:
If your ward returns home with a score card of 95% among his peers or classmates, pray, say what kind of celebration would you offer him? Or would you have in the house?
It is not the score that should excite his followers. What rather should make anyone who believes in Gagdi’s capacity is the fact that, perceived division and camp endorsements that hitherto existed ceased to function for the sake of the party.
Those who know his (Gagdi) worth walk tall and appreciate the reality that a UNITED FRONT is made possible for his success in 2023; as well as of other party standard bearers in the zone and state.
It is on this score that, what happened is further confirmation of greater things to expect in 2023.
GOVERNOR LALONG INSPECTS PROJECTS; SET TO COMMISSION HIGH COURT COMPLEX, OTHERS.
Plateau State Governor Simon Bako Lalong has inspected some projects in Jos with a directive to the contractors to complete the work ready for commissioning in few months from now.
Lalong who visited the new High Court Headquarters Complex in Jos expressed satisfaction with the level of the work and its quality.
The facility which has been structurally completed and currently being furnished is expected to be commissioned soon.
The Governor who was accompanied by his Deputy Prof. Sonni Tyoden, Secretary to Government of the State Prof. Atu, Chief of Staff Noel Donjur and some members of the State Executive Council, said he was happy that the project will soon be finished and put to use which will greatly enhance Judicial Services.
Chief Judge of Plateau State Justice David Mann and other top Judicial Officers were present during the visit and expressed delight that the new complex is at the final stage of completion.
The Governor also visited the Plateau Multi Court Door House which has been completed and also awaiting furnishing.
The Governor also inspected the British-American Flyover construction site where he equally expressed delight on the pace and quality of work.
He said the project which is key to the economic development of the State will bring a lot of relief to motorists who use the road to States in North East and other parts of the country.
Commissioner for Works Pam Bot-Mang told the Governor that the work is going on as scheduled and the contractor, Craneburg Construction Company is doing its best to adhere to the terms of the agreement.
He also said some of the service lines have been relocated while work is going on to ensure that the disruption caused is addressed to ease the challenges faced by the citizens.
Representative of the contractor Craneburg Construction Company Engr. Dani assured the Governor that they will do their best to deliver on schedule and with the best quality.
Dr. Makut Simon Macham Director of Press and Public Affairs to the Governor of Plateau State. 3rd June 2022.
LALONG PREACHES PEACE & LOVE AS PLATEAU CHRISTIANS CONVENE A SOLEMN ASSEMBLY.
Christians across all denominations on the Plateau converged on the Rwang Pam Stadium Jos on Wednesday 1st June 2022 for a solemn assembly to pray and offer supplications to God for the peace, progress and stability of the State and Nigeria at large.
While addressing the gathering organised by Christuan Denominational leaders in conjuction with the Plateau State Chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Governor Lalong said the solemn assembly is coming at the right time when the peace and progress of Nigeria and Plateau State is more than ever before being challenged.
He said “Looking at the level of wickedness and manifestation of evil that is threatening our peaceful coexistence and the safety of lives and properties, the Call to Prayers and Repentance is a collective one that emphasizes soul-searching by everyone. This is because the challenges we face today cannot be said to be the fault of a few persons only. Similarly, the efforts to restore the fortunes of our State and country cannot be carried out by a few persons alone”.
Lalong said in order to build a better Plateau and a greater Nigeria, citizens must shun all acts that are capable of threatening humanity which is God’s creation. He regretted that many times, people allow ethnicity, religion, denominational differences, politics, pride, money, greed and selfishness to take control of their lives to the point that they treat people as if they were not created by the Almighty God.
He called on all Christians and indeed the entire citizens of Plateau State irrespective of religious or other differences to do their part in sustaining the achievements that have recorded in creating an atmosphere for peace, dialogue, forgiveness, and reconciliation during the last seven years of his administration.
On the 2023 General Elections, he said “As we move deeper into the political spectrum, I wish to advise our citizens to use the moment to work together for a better Plateau. This is the time to pray to God and actively participate for the emergence of the right set of leaders that will take over the affairs of our State and country in 2023. Let us do away with politics of hatred, bitterness, violence, character assassination and fake news. We should not allow desperate politicians to use religion, ethnicity and other antics to divide us. We must never forget to Think and Act Plateau”.
The Governor emphasised that at the end of the day, those who win or lose shall continue to remain brothers and sisters irrespective of their political parties or other peculiarities. This he said should encourage those seeking political offices to tell the people what they intend to do and allow the electorate to decide through the ballot box.
In a sermon, ECWA President and Chairman of the Forum of Christian Denominational Heads Plateau State Rev. Stephen Panya Baba said Plateau is a land blessed by God in all ramifications with great people and abundant resources that are second to none in Nigeria.
He said Plateau has remained the hope of salvation for the North and other parts of Nigeria having pioneered and continously promoted the work of evangelism and spread of the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ to the unsaved.
Although he noted that the State and its people have been under attack by forces of evil who have killed and destroyed properties of innocent citizens, the wonderful heritage bestowed on Plateau by God will never be taken away if the people return to God and continue to obey the Lord, love one another, and seek to do His will at all times.
COCIN President Rev. Dr. Amos Mohzho said the Church on the Plateau is united to address the spiritual, social, political and economic fortunes of not only its members, but of the entire citizens.
Prayers of praise, thanksgiving and repentance were offered by different church leaders. In the same vein, the solemn assembly prayed for the unity of the Church on the Plateau and Nigeria; Evangelism and Missions; 2023 elections and politics; peace and security of Plateau State and Nigeria; as well as the economic prosperity of the State.
Dr. Makut Simon Macham Director of Press and Public Affairs to the Executive Governor of Plateau State. 1st June 2022
ALLEGED COMPLICITY BY SOLDIERS IN BISHOP’S KIDNAP UNSUBSTANTIATED
The Nigerian Army (NA) has been notified of the insinuation making the rounds on social media, alleging complicity of troops of the Nigerian Army in the kidnap incident of the Methodist Prelate in Abia state recently.
While the Nigerian Army expresses concern and sympathy for the victim of this heinous crime and shares in his pains, the insinuation that troops are complicit in the kidnap incident is not entirely premised on any findings of investigations and therefore cannot be swallowed hook line and sinker. This allegation therefore raises some pertinent questions which are still unanswered.
Given, the spate of insecurity in the region, the question would be, was the issue reported to the unit covering the area? Did the Methodist Church take the NA into confidence while negotiating the ransom with the kidnappers? No formal complaint has been received by the unit. More worrisome is the fact that it was alleged that the ransom was paid in less than 24 hours. Was the ransome paid to troops? These are questions that beg for answers.
Moreso, the NA unit, has not received any debrief from the Prelate or the Methodist Church. It is therefore, important to state that troops are deployed at Forward Operating Base(FOB) Okigwe and in front of the Abia State University Uturu and no information was made available to them or to 14 Brigade or any other formation, except the information making the rounds in the social media.
It must be clarified that troops’ deployment in the Nigerian Army is not done with considerations for ethnic affiliation, hence a deployment of troops of Fulani ethnic extraction who as alleged by the Prelate, carried out the dastardly act is not our practice or modus operandi in the NA.
Given our professional disposition and zero tolerance for any misconduct in the Nigerian Army , we will take this weighty allegation seriously and approach the Prelate and the Methodist church to unravel the basis for the allegation.
ONYEMA NWACHUKWU Brigadier General Director Army Public Relations 1 June 2022
Governor Simon Bako Lalong has congratulated Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Rt. Hon. Ahmed Idris Wase on the occasion of his 58th birthday.
In a congratulatory message, Governor Lalong described Rt. Hon. Wase as a consumate politician whose passion for the development and progress of his people is always paramount.
Lalong said the Deputy Speaker has used his office to facilitate the passage of very important laws which have impacted the growth of the nation and in particular Plateau State.
The Governor also commended the leadership of the Deputy Speaker in galvanising the efforts of the Plateau caucus at the National Assembly towards ensuring that issues concerning the State are given due Legislative attention.
He praised him for attracting projects and programmes of the Federal Government to Plateau State as well as carrying out many people oriented Constituency Projects which have benefited his constituents and citizens of the entire State.
While wishing him many more years of God’s blessings and protection, Lalong urged Rt. Hon. Wase to remain committed to the advancement of democracy, good governance and justice in Nigeria, as well as continue to support the initiatives for peaceful coexistence and security in Plateau State and the nation at large.
Dr. Makut Simon Macham Director of Press and Public Affairs to the Governor of Plateau State. 1st June 2022.
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