The Peoples Democratic Party PDP in Plateau state on Thursday in Jos, held the official flagging off of it’s Party’s “mega campaign rally for Jos North/Bassa federal constituency and Pankshin South State constituency bye-election,” set for this weekend.

Speaking at the flag-off campaign, the National Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, Senator Iyorchia Ayu, said the All Progressives Congress, APC is scared of getting the electoral act amendment bill signed into law because the party is afraid of losing the 2023 general elections.

He challenged President Muhammadu Buhari to sign the bill immediately to position the nation on the path of having credible elections which are impossible to rig.

Also at the event received a former State Chairman of the All Progressive Congress, APC, Chief Letep Dabang, and others who decamped from their parties to the PDP. The state party chairman, Hon Chris Hassan stated that the PDP in the state was receiving a mass return of decampees numbering about 23000 persons across the state.

The National Chairman who presented the Party’s flags to the candidates standing for the bye-election as well as to representatives of the decampees, charged them to be united and ensure victory for the party starting from Saturday.

His words, “I am proud of Plateau as the home of PDP. This is the only serious party in the country, all others are contraptions. Under PDP, we saw development and unity but now, there is no development. I want to see the unity of leaders of PDP on the Plateau because this is home. If they are not united, if I have a problem, what will I do?

“I want everyone to work together and bring back all our members who were angry and left PDP. Plateau is the home of PDP, we must work together to return to power and save the country. I don’t want Plateau to be in opposition when we win the election at the federal… You must do the right thing, get your PVC, and vote. Our votes will count, that is why the APC doesn’t want electoral reforms. President Buhari must sign the electoral act immediately, that will make elections impossible to rig…”

Speaking on behalf of the decampees, Dabang, aka the masquerade, went into memory lane recalling how he was “a messenger,” running errands for the PDP as sent by the late Chief Solomon Lar, Professor Dakum Shown, Senators Ayu, and Jang, among others.

He apologized to Plateau people for playing an active role for them to accept the APC in the State saying, “I regret the confusion that we brought.”

Speaking on his role in bringing the APC in the State, he added, “… as the dodo, I am the one that tied the hyena, I know how we will loosen the hyena,” and assured the people, “I am not here to join any faction, we must be united to change the ugly change. What will make the masquerade to run from a place, be wise and run from such.”

Meanwhile, goodwill messages were received from dignitaries including the Party’s Chairman, Board Of Trustees Senator Walid, National Youth Leader, Mohammed Suleiman, Amb. Fidelis Tapgun, Senator Jonah Jang, Senator Jeremiah Useni, PDP Vice Chairman, North Central, Theophilus Dakashan among others.

Federal lawmaker representing Pankshin / Kanke and Kanam federal constituency
in the house of representatives, Hon Yusuf Gagdi Babayo on Tuesday said he had concluded arrangements to carry out massive construction of motorized boreholes in the constituency.

A statement signed by Pharm Mizim Haruna Dagung, Senior Legislative Aide to the member representing Pankshin, Kanke and Kanam Federal Constituency and Chairman House Committee on Navy reads that in keeping with our promise to drill at least one hand pump borehole each, in all the polling units in PKK and one solar powered borehole in each of the federal wards in the Constituency, we are pleased to announce to our constituents that the projects have commence on Monday .

The statement further added that as much as we are mindful of the naysaying by pessimists that the project will not see the light of the day, because of the delay in the commencement, we kept faith with the advice by professionals to tarry the project until a time when water level has gone deep, so as to be able to drill boreholes that would be sustainable and produce water all year round.



“We are aware that same pessimists would still criticize our work if we had gone ahead to drill the boreholes at the time we purchased the drilling equipment, and soon after the boreholes go dry because of ill timing; hence we remain resolute to give our constituents the best that will stand the test of time. “


Our township roads construction in Kanam LGA has been concluded and put to use, while that of Pankshin is ongoing.




The statement further added that “No fewer than 40 projects raging from clinics, classrooms blocks, townhall and palaces for our traditional rulers are going on simultaneously in different locations across PKK. Many more projects are in the pipeline, and sure to commence before we celebrate our three years in office by June, 2022. “


Gagdi called on every peace and progress loving members of the Constituency to keep faith with the All Progressives Congress APC .

A Chieftain of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Plateau State, Hon (Chief) Maichibi Vwarji PhD has joined the race for the number one man in Plateau State and is set to contest for the gubernatorial seat come 2023.



According to sources close to the dogged politician and philanthropist, a formal declaration to join the race will come after 26th February bye-elections.



Hon. Vwarji is a former legislative aid to Senator Joshua Dariye who has been active in the political space in Plateau State since 1999.



More details soon.

Former minister of Water Resources, Mrs Sarah Ochekpe, Raymond Dabo and Evangelist Leo Sunday Jitung, was on Tuesday 22, February, 2022 sentence to three months imprisonment each, by a Federal High Court Jos Division.

The three, now ex convicts have been standing trial for the past four years on charges bordering on conspiracy and money laundering.

The sentence however, has an option of fine of One Million Naira (N1,000,000).

A cross section of citizens in Plateau state has called for the dissolution of the state’s Vehicle Inspection Office VIO.

Mr Chris Timur, a citizen of the state who spoke to our correspondent lamented what they termed indiscipline of the personnel, and their lack of respect for the public.

Another citizen who gave his name as Ben Tali lamented the rate at which the officials of the VIO disrespect the members of the public and play God.

It could be recalled that today Monday February 21st 2022 an overzealous Vehicle Inspection official who was trying to arrest the owner of the above truck at Hill station Junction in Jos North local government council of Plateau state, allegedly struggled with the steering of the truck leading to the accident although no life was lost in the accident, the driver of the Toyota corolla who was involved in the accident came out unhurt, Including his wife and kids who were returning from school.

By Prince Sekat, Jos

Medical Practitioners under the two major unions of Doctors, Association of Resident Doctors (ARD) and the Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria (MDCAN), Plateau State Specialist Hospital (PSSH) have recommenced the initially suspended strike action to press home some demands.



The unions hinted that resuming the strike action became pertinent on account of the inability of the State government to meet the agreement earlier reached by both parties.



ARD President Plateau State Specialist Hospital, Dr. Gogwan Bangs and his MDCAN Counterpart, Dr. Jonathan Bulus said the decision to resume the strike on Friday 18th February, 2022 was reached at the end of a crucial meeting held on same day the strike commenced at the Premises of the Plateau State Specialist Hospital after deliberations on the issues.



The meeting had in attendance Members of the two unions who deliberated substantially.



According to them, the issues under contention include:



1. Removal of Doctors from agreed Salary structure – the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) which ab initio Doctors in Plateau Specialist Hospital take home as salary only a percentage of what other Doctor were given in other tertiary teaching hospitals across the country, awaiting when fortunes of the State gets better.

This incomplete CONMESS salary structure as agreed upon for Doctors has been initially mutilated and eventually eliminated. Both unions are unclear about the present salary structure being implemented.



2. Ineffective method of payment of allowances (which forms a significant portion of their take home pay) Both unions are completely dissatisfied with the manner in which their allowances are being mutilated.



3. Failure of the government to remit in full dues deducted from their salary accounts to the respective bodies.



“We the members of both unions (ARD and MDCAN) have agreed that the suspended strike will now resume as total and indefinite!”



“Our earnest hope is that the government will rise up to their responsibility and address the issues itemized promptly to ensure that the strike called off” the Unions said.



It will be recalled that the unions on 23rd December, 2021 suspended the strike they started on 22rd December, 2021 which they said will resume without notice should negotiation fail.

By Prince Sekat, Jos

Medical Practitioners under the two major unions of Doctors, Association of Resident Doctors (ARD) and the Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria (MDCAN), Plateau State Specialist Hospital (PSSH) have recommenced the initially suspended strike action to press home some demands.



The unions hinted that resuming the strike action became pertinent on account of the inability of the State government to meet the agreement earlier reached by both parties.



ARD President Plateau State Specialist Hospital, Dr. Gogwan Bangs and his MDCAN Counterpart, Dr. Jonathan Bulus said the decision to resume the strike on Friday 18th February, 2022 was reached at the end of a crucial meeting held on same day the strike commenced at the Premises of the Plateau State Specialist Hospital after deliberations on the issues.



The meeting had in attendance Members of the two unions who deliberated substantially.



According to them, the issues under contention include:



1. Removal of Doctors from agreed Salary structure – the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) which ab initio Doctors in Plateau Specialist Hospital take home as salary only a percentage of what other Doctor were given in other tertiary teaching hospitals across the country, awaiting when fortunes of the State gets better.

This incomplete CONMESS salary structure as agreed upon for Doctors has been initially mutilated and eventually eliminated. Both unions are unclear about the present salary structure being implemented.



2. Ineffective method of payment of allowances (which forms a significant portion of their take home pay) Both unions are completely dissatisfied with the manner in which their allowances are being mutilated.



3. Failure of the government to remit in full dues deducted from their salary accounts to the respective bodies.



“We the members of both unions (ARD and MDCAN) have agreed that the suspended strike will now resume as total and indefinite!”



“Our earnest hope is that the government will rise up to their responsibility and address the issues itemized promptly to ensure that the strike called off” the Unions said.



It will be recalled that the unions on 23rd December, 2021 suspended the strike they started on 22rd December, 2021 which they said will resume without notice should negotiation fail.

GAGDI DONATES #40 MILLION FOR APC BY-ELECTIONS IN PLATEAU STATE

The February 26, 2022 scheduled by-elections for the vacant seats of Jos North/Bassa Federal Constituency and Pankshin South State Constituency are, by every political permutations, a litmus test to survival of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the ruling party in Plateau State beyond 2023.

To emerge victorious at the polls, the ruling party must stockpile its arsenals for the showdown, beyond the rhetorics of the mere availability of government machineries to work in its favour. It was in the light of the foregoing that the APC in Plateau State organized a fund raising dinner to garner support for her candidates in the by-elections.

The member representing Pankshin/Kanke/Kanam Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Rt Hon. Yusuf Adamu Gagdi was fully on ground to lend his support with the donation of a whooping sum of #40 million, indicating #20 million each, to the two candidates.

He calls on the electorate of Jos North/Bassa Federal Constituency and Pankshin South State Constituency to come out in droves next Saturday to vote Hon. Abbey Aku and Ezra Dakup, both of the All Progressives Congress (APC), for the respective positions.

He pledged to personally embark on campaign tour of all the electoral wards in Pankshin South Constituency on Thursday, 24th February, 2022; after which he will round off the tour with the presentation of six cars and 20 motorcycles to some party faithful from Pankshin and Kanke LGAs; just like he did in Kanam LGA sometime ago.

The lawmaker expressed disappointment with the lack of physical presence of all the Plateau State APC gubernatorial hopefuls at the event, and also lamented the thrifty attitude of some APC political office holders, which has grossly affected the growth of the party in Plateau State, almost seven years after clinching power.

Gagdi charged his fellow party members who are holding various positions courtesy of the party, to cultivate the attitude of sharing the gains of their offices with the electorate, as only in doing so would they lure people to support the APC, especially now that times are hard.

According to the lawmaker, “the governor cannot be everywhere at the same time to assist the citizens meet their petty needs, that is why he appointed people from every part of the state into different positions; and the least such appointees can do is to share part of their earnings with the people around them, especially those in need. That is another way of making people feel the impact of the government”.

Rt Hon. Gagdi was earlier at the Mupun Youth Connect, a yearly gathering of Mupun Youth in Jos, where he made a donation of #1.2 million to the Mupun Youth.

POWERED BY:
Gagdi Media Team

GOVERNOR LALONG PRAISES FEDERAL GOVERNMENT’S SUPPORT TO PLASU AS NEW  STRUCTURES ARE INAUGURATED

Governor Simon Bako Lalong has praised the Federal Government for its support to the Plateau State University Bokkos (PLASU) which has made the Institution one of the fastest growing in the country.

Governor Lalong was speaking during the inauguration of the new Senate Building and Faculty of Health Science complex executed by the Tetfund.

Governor Lalong said the inauguration of the new facilities reinforces the existing strong partnership between TETFUND and Plateau State Government in the development of tertiary education in the State.

He said the projects which are within the 2019 High Impact Intervention initiative where PLASU was selected as a beneficiary for the North Central Zone, will go a long way in boosting teaching and learning at the University.

He said “although many tertiary institutions across the country lobbied very hard to be considered for the projects, PLASU was very fortunate to be given this privilege owing to our good relationship with the ES TETFund who is a son of Plateau; the Hon. Minister of Education who is a friend of Plateau and my personal friend; as well as President Muhammadu Buhari who has proved beyond reasonable doubt that Plateau has a special place in his heart”.

He said what this gesture has shown that for education in Nigeria particularly at the tertiary level to be taken to a desirable level, the three tiers of Government must collaborate and work together. As a Government, we shall continue to play our part by funding education to develop manpower and infrastructure that will ensure a good learning environment.

He also spoke about the ongoing strike assuring that his administration is doing everything possible to fulfill its obligations to the staff.

“We are aware of the ongoing strike by some Unions in the University for reasons bordering on earned allowances for which government has already approved the sum of N100 million as part payment. Let me assure the University Council, Management, Unions, and students that we are sparing no effort to ensure that the issues are resolved so that academic activities are restored without further delay” he said.

He also intimated the TETFund Executive Secretary that the Government has since commenced the construction of a Teaching Hospital for the University cited at one of our Legacy projects in Shendam. Very soon, work will be completed at the facility to provide a training ground for students that will be admitted to the new Faculty of Health Sciences.

While inaugurating the projects, Executive Secretary Tetfund, Prof. Elias Bogoro said the interventions were carried out in line with the determination of the Federal Government to improve tertiary education in the country particularly in State Universities.

He disclosed that although PLASU was considered for the projects on merit, the personal enthusiasm and intervention of Governor Simon Lalong at the highest level ensured that all necessary approvals and funding were given for the execution of the projects.

Bogoro also maintained that attention will also be given to manpower training and acquisition of modern scientific and research equipment for the new Faculty of Health Sciences which will go a long way in producing high quality manpower for the nation’s health system.

Vice Chancellor of the Plateau State University Prof. Yohanna Izam said the University has been taken to greater heights with the inauguration of the new infrastructure and the ongoing construction of others.

He thanked Governor Lalong for his commitment to making sure that PLASU takes a leading position in the country’s University system having revived it from a state of comatose on assuming office in 2015.

Izam also paid special tribute to Prof. Bogoro for his favourite disposition to the Plateau State University which he said has put his name in gold as far as the history of the Institution is concerned.

Dr. Makut Simon Macham
Director of Press & Public Affairs to the
Executive Governor, Plateau State.
18th February 2022.

PLATEAU GOVERNOR ASSURES FARMERS OF MORE INPUTS AND TRAINING

Plateau State Governor Simon Bako Lalong has assured farmers in the State of the determination of his administration to ensure that they get high quality farm inputs and training that will enable them produce optimally.

Governor Lalong said this while flagging off the nationwide first quarter 2022 roll-out of agricultural inputs distribution to farmers held in Jos Plateau State.

He said the roll-out is coming at the right time as farmers continue to prepare for this year’s wet season farming as well as carry on with the dry season farming exercise.

He said “amidst the numerous challenges facing our farmers in Plateau State which border on shortage of farm inputs, seedlings and requisite extension services, there are other extraneous security issues in many parts of the country such as kidnapping, banditry, herder-farmer conflicts and climate change. Apart from tacking these challenges we have in the recent years also recruited four hundred Extension Workers to promote best agricultural practices and to also carry out Climate Smart Agriculture that will adapt to, and also mitigate against climate change”.

The Governor disclosed that his administration is determined to run the economy of Plateau State on agriculture because of the natural endowments that gives the State the leverage to cultivate several unique and exotic crops.

He said the State has made tremendous investments towards this direction by reacquiring BARC farms in Zallaki, seated on 4,000 hectares of land. Out of this, cultivation of 1500 hectares of rice by the State agriculture company, the Agriculture Services Training and Marketing Company (ASTC) in the 2021 farming season has been done.

Lalong praised the Federal Government and the Minister of Agriculture and Rural  Development for their  collaboration saying that due to the high level of unemployment among youths which is causing many social problems, the State has developed a model to engage and empower 35,000 youths across 48 agricultural value chains. Another pilot phase for 10,000 youths will be rolled out soon for the 2022 cropping season.

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Dr. Mahmood Mohammed Abubakar said the Agricultural sector has been a priority for the current Administration which became necessary to stimulate local production of food to achieve self-sufficiency, attract investments, create jobs and enhance the livelihood of farming families.

This he said made the sector to become one of the major contributors to the country’s economy, contributing about 25% to our GDP, small-holder farmers accounting for about 70% of national food production.

He said the roll out event is among the numerous initiatives being implemented by the Ministry, and the farmers will be supported with inputs Seeds, Growth Enhancers, Seedlings, Sprayers, Equipment among others. 35% of these items will go to Women Cooperative Groups, 15% to people with Special needs while 50% will go to Farmer Associations in various production clusters.

Abubakar appreciated Governor Lalong for restoring peace to Plateau State and also making sure that agriculture recieves the desired attention.

Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development in Plateau State Dr. Hosea Finangwai thanked the Plateau State Governor for his close contact with the Federal Government and the Minister of Agriculture will resulted in Plateau being selected as the first place of the input distribution roll out.

He appealed to the beneficiaries not to sale the items as this will be detrimental to their economic fortunes and the economy of the nation.

Women groups and other beneficiaries thanked the Government for their support through the distribution and premised to use it judiciously.

Dr. Makut Simon Macham
Director of Press & Public Affairs to the Governor of Plateau State.
18th February 2022.