The Executive Governor of Plateau State, Rt Hon Simon Bako Lalong has commended Operation SAFE HAVEN for uniting youths of diverse backgrounds in its area of operation. The governor gave the commendation today 8th January 2022 during the Grand Finale of the Chief of Defence Staff Peace and Unity Marathon and Football Competition organized by Operation SAFE HAVEN in Jos.







Represented by the Secretary to the Government of Plateau State, Prof Danladi Attu, Governor Lalong noted that bringing the youths together from 24 local government areas of Plateau, Bauchi and Kaduna states is a novel idea towards promoting unity, friendship and teamwork. He maintained that the competition was an indication that sporting activities could be used to unite the youths and take them out of crime.

Governor Lalong further lauded the pragmatic approach of Operation SAFE HAVEN in deploying non-kinetic means to solving communal crises in its area of operation. He urged the participants to be agents of peace in their respective domains in order to consolidate on the efforts of the security agencies in securing citizens’ lives and property.

In their separate goodwill messages, the Governors of Kaduna and Bauchi states represented by the Commissioner (Administration) Kafanchan Municipal, Hon Phoebe Sukai Yayi and Special Adviser to Bauchi State Governor on Security, Brigadier General MJ Yake (Rtd) said the competition was capable of fostering unity and bringing permanent peace to the nation if emulated by both private and public institutions.

They commended Operation SAFE HAVEN for its commitment to national security and congratulated the youths for participating in the competition. They also urged the participants to consider a career in sports which could bring glory to the country.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Commander Operation SAFE HAVEN, Major General Ibrahim Ali, called on all peace loving citizens to unite against the enemies of peace in the society. He urged the youths to distance themselves from activities that will destroy their future, noting that exposing bad eggs in the society is the surest way to achieving peace. He further assured that the competition would enhance robust civil/military relations of the command.

While encouraging the athletes to make good use of the opportunity provided by the competition to discover and develop their potentials towards becoming better persons in the society, General Ali called on community and religious leaders to champion the course of peace in their various domains.Also Speaking during the event, His Royal Highness the Mbra Ngwe, Rtd Rev Ronku Aka , the paramount ruler of Irigwe kingdom and the Ardo of Gashish, Ardo Idris were optimistic that the event has proved that peace has come to stay. They called on the youths to maximally support security agencies and never to harbour criminals in their communities.

Highlight of the event were presentation of trophies, medals and cash prizes to the champions, second, third and fourth positions of the football tournament as well as winners of the boys and girls categories of the marathon competition. Consolation prizes were also presented to physically challenged, oldest and youngest competitors of the tournament.

*OPERATION SAFE HAVEN COMMENDED FOR UNITING DIVERSE GROUPS FROM PLATEAU, BAUCHI AND KADUNA STATES*

The Executive Governor of Plateau State, Rt Hon Simon Bako Lalong has commended Operation SAFE HAVEN for uniting youths of diverse backgrounds in its area of operation. The governor gave the commendation today 8 January 2022 during the Grand Finale of the Chief of Defence Staff Peace and Unity Marathon and Football Competition organized by Operation SAFE HAVEN in Jos.

Represented by the Secretary to the Government of Plateau State, Prof Danladi Attu, Governor Lalong noted that bringing the youths together from 24 local government areas of Plateau, Bauchi and Kaduna states is a novel idea towards promoting unity, friendship and teamwork. He maintained that the competition was an indication that sporting activities could be used to unite the youths and take them out of crime.

Governor Lalong further lauded the pragmatic approach of Operation SAFE HAVEN in deploying non-kinetic means to solving communal crises in its area of operation. He urged the participants to be agents of peace in their respective domains in order to consolidate on the efforts of the security agencies in securing citizens’ lives and property.

In their separate goodwill messages, the Governors of Kaduna and Bauchi states represented by the Commissioner (Administration) Kafanchan Municipal, Hon Phoebe Sukai Yayi and Special Adviser to Bauchi State Governor on Security, Brigadier General MJ Yake (Rtd) said the competition was capable of fostering unity and bringing permanent peace to the nation if emulated by both private and public institutions.

They commended Operation SAFE HAVEN for its commitment to national security and congratulated the youths for participating in the competition. They also urged the participants to consider a career in sports which could bring glory to the country.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Commander Operation SAFE HAVEN, Major General Ibrahim Ali, called on all peace loving citizens to unite against the enemies of peace in the society. He urged the youths to distance themselves from activities that will destroy their future, noting that exposing bad eggs in the society is the surest way to achieving peace. He further assured that the competition would enhance robust civil/military relations of the command.

While encouraging the athletes to make good use of the opportunity provided by the competition to discover and develop their potentials towards becoming better persons in the society, General Ali called on community and religious leaders to champion the course of peace in their various domains.

Also Speaking during the event, His Royal Highness the Mbra Ngwe, Rtd Rev Ronku Aka , the paramount ruler of Irigwe kingdom and the Ardo of Gashish, Ardo Idris were optimistic that the event has proved that peace has come to stay. They called on the youths to maximally support security agencies and never to harbour criminals in their communities.

Highlight of the event were presentation of trophies, medals and cash prizes to the champions, second, third and fourth positions of the football tournament as well as winners of the boys and girls categories of the marathon competition. Consolation prizes were also presented to physically challenged, oldest and youngest competitors of the tournament.

You are please requested to disseminate this information through your medium. Thank you for the usual cooperation.

*ISHAKU TAKWA*
Major
Military Information Officer OPSH
8 January 2022

GOVERNOR LALONG APPOINTS NEW CHAPLAIN

Plateau State Governor Simon Bako Lalong has approved the appointment of Rev. Fr. Godfrey Bunka Gopep as the new Chaplain of the Government House Chapel Jos.

Rev. Fr. Gopep who is currently the Priest in Charge, St Finbarr’s Parish, Rayfield Jos, is to fill the vacuum created after the former Chaplain, David Ajang was appointed by the Holy Father, Pope Francis as the Bishop of Lafia Diocese.

Born in 1982, Rev. Fr. Godfrey Bunka Gopep was
Ordained a Catholic Priest for the Catholic Archdiocese of Jos on the 15th October 2011 at the then Holy Cross Parish Pankshin, now Holy Cross Cathedral Pankshin.

He had  served as Assistant Parish Priest, St Jarlath Bukuru; Assistant Parish Priest.
St John Vianney Seminary Barkin Ladi; Vice Rector, St Michael Nassarawa Gwong; Assistant Parish Priest, Church of Assumption Chong’O’pyeng; Assistant Parish Priest, Our Lady Queen of Peace Gold and Base.

The appointment is with immediate effect.

Dr. Makut Simon Macham
Director of Press & Public Affairs to the Governor of Plateau State.
8th January 2022.

YAHOO BOYS OWN JOS; RITUALISM IS PART OF THEM

By Prince Sekat, Jos

Two years ago I was contacted by the leading Security Agency overseeing the security situation in Jos and environs, as a Private Investigator to investigate 7 young men,names withheld,I was taken aback with the kind of luxury Life style they lived, paying 900k or 600k for drinks in places like Varlaine,Chillers and many other expensive Hotels and drinking bars in Jos.

Sadly, five Plateau girls are the girlfriends of five out of the seven (7) guys,Akuben,not real name lives in a one bedroom self contained, furnished with 43 inches Plasma TV, two fridges and a refrigerator, State of the earth decoders with a Bank account balance of 1.7 million while her parents wallow in abject poverty staying in a two rooms,a mud house located around Fudawa.
Lengkat,Noro,Nanna, and Plangnan not real names are Plapoly and Unijos students respectively,parading themselves as big girls on campus, changing human hair (wigs) of 150k to 250k weekly.
These seven (7) guys were expelled from Unilag,UniUyo,Delsu,Uniilorin,Uniabs before gaining admission at UJ, they don’t have specific homes,they move from One Hotel to another, changing cars weekly.
After two months of thorough investigation, the law of karma finally caught up with them, they were picked at different locations and whisk to the Security Headquarters for further investigation and documentation, preliminary investigation shows that, they had like 1.3 billion naira,starge in various Bank accounts including the accounts of those Hopeless and foolish Plateau girls.
I was privilege to lead the investigation to Akuben house, located at Fudawa as I said earlier,her poor parents and siblings knows nothing about her life,her poor mother who sales Local brewed beer (Burkutu) wept uncontrollable when I landed with Akuben in handcuffs around 4am in the house,she tried all her best to concealed the truth but when I gave her one dirty slapped,she confess that she had a rented apartment opp university of Jos senior staff Quarters,on reaching the apartment,no one believes that Akuben was not a student of UJ,her compound mates were shocked.
We immediately inform Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC and hand over all the suspects to them, sadly,my Commander was relieved of his appointment and redeploy to their Headquarters.

Of a truth, yahoo activities on the Plateau is on the increase and Plateau girls are the target,do you know why? Because the thirst for material things by Plateau girls nowadays is second to none in Nigeria.
I was in Lagos two days ago and what I saw weakens me,Go to Epe,Ikeja,Surulere,Ikoyi etc and see how our sisters have been made sex slaves and sex toys just because every girl wants to belong and be wearing expensive materials or driving a car,what pains me MUST is that even the married ladies are not left out, after Lagos is Kano,Portharcurt, Maiduguri, Bauchi, Kaduna and Gombe etc.
Who will rescue Our Sisters and Save them from Calamity?

Prince Rotdunna Ibn Sekat
The Yandar Ngas

Reporter with Freelance Reporters Online News.

GOVERNOR LALONG APPOINTS NEW CHAPLAIN

Plateau State Governor Simon Bako Lalong has approved the appointment of Rev. Fr. Godfrey Bunka Gopep as the new Chaplain of the Government House Chapel Jos.

Rev. Fr. Gopep who is currently the Priest in Charge, St Finbarr’s Parish, Rayfield Jos, is to fill the vacuum created after the former Chaplain, David Ajang was appointed by the Holy Father, Pope Francis as the Bishop of Lafia Diocese.

Born in 1982, Rev. Fr. Godfrey Bunka Gopep was
Ordained a Catholic Priest for the Catholic Archdiocese of Jos on the 15th October 2011 at the then Holy Cross Parish Pankshin, now Holy Cross Cathedral Pankshin.

He had  served as Assistant Parish Priest, St Jarlath Bukuru; Assistant Parish Priest.
St John Vianney Seminary Barkin Ladi; Vice Rector, St Michael Nassarawa Gwong; Assistant Parish Priest, Church of Assumption Chong’O’pyeng; Assistant Parish Priest, Our Lady Queen of Peace Gold and Base.

The appointment is with immediate effect.

Dr. Makut Simon Macham
Director of Press & Public Affairs to the Governor of Plateau State.
8th January 2022.

GOVERNOR LALONG CONGRATULATES WOMEN AFFAIRS MINISTER DAME PAULINE TALLEN AT 63

Plateau State Governor Simon Bako Lalong has felicitated with Minister for Women Affairs Dame Pauline Tallen as she marks her 63rd birthday.

Governor Lalong describes the Minister as a leader whose passion for women and children has motivated her over the years to work towards ensuring that their wellbeing is addressed and their rights protected.

Lalong said Dame Tallen has also shown that she is a politician with passion for development of not only Plateau State, but Nigeria as a whole as she has used her opportunities to advance the cause of the people.

While wishing her a memorable celebration, Governor Lalong expressed his determination to continue to collaborate with her towards attracting more Federal presence in the State and also ensuring that the people of Plateau State are carried along in the scheme of things.

Lalong also urged the Minister to continue her drive towards ensuring that gender violence and violence against children, men and women is addressed to provide a conducive environment for them to thrive and realise thier dreams.

Dr. Makut Simon Macham
Director of Press & Public Affairs to the Governor of Plateau State.
8th January 2021.

GOVERNOR LALONG GREETS DG GOVERNORS FORUM, ASHISHANA OKAURU AT 60

Plateau State Governor and Chairman of the Northern Governors Forum, Simon Bako Lalong extends warm felicitations to Director General of the Nigerian Governors Forum, Ashishana Okauru on the occasion of his 60th Birthday.

Lalong says Mr. Okauru is a thorough-bred technocrat whose vast experience in the private and public sectors has enabled him to contribute to governance in Nigeria particularly in his role as the Director General of the Nigerian Governors Forum.

He describes him as a humble, detailed and passionate person who gives his best to every assignment. This has made it possible for him to administer the bureaucracy of the Governor’s Forum and also coordinate its many engagements with proficiency.

While wishing him many more years of good health and peace, Lalong admonishes him to continue to give his best to his current assignment and also give attention to mentoring younger professionals to acquire experience and expertise for national service.

Dr. Makut Simon Macham
Director of Press & Public Affairs to the Governor of Plateau State.
7th January 2021.

GOVERNOR LALONG SALUTES GEN. JON TEMLONG AT 68

Governor Simon Bako Lalong of Plateau State has felicitated with the first Commander of the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF),  Brigadier General Jonathan Ndam Temlong (rtd) on his 68th birthday.

Lalong in a message, celebrated General Temlong for his record of achievements in service as well as his passion towards finding lasting solutions to the security challenges of Plateau State and Nigeria at large.

He described Gen. Temlong as a strategic thinker and team player who has continued to avail Plateau State and Nigeria his vast experience in peace and security matters even after retirement.

He said “His continuous engagement with stakeholders particularly as the immediate past President of the Alumni Association of the National Defence College gives him a great opportunity to not only interogate the factors behind the nation’s security challenges, but also contribute towards ensuring that they are addressed. No wonder he has served meritoriously in several Presidential Committees set up to rejig the Armed Forces and make them in tune with current threats to the unity, peace and progress of Nigeria”.

Lalong said the General has been very supportive of the Rescue Administration in Plateau State particularly on matters of security where he willingly offers valuable suggestions on how to maintain peace and security in the State. This has assisted greatly in ensuring that the incidences of violent clashes are minimised while strong proactive measures are taken to deal with criminals and merchants of crises.

He also commended him for his active participation in politics and contibuting to the democratic growth of not only Plateau State but Nigeria as a whole.

Governor Lalong while wishing him many more years of good health, peace and happiness, urged him to sustain his philanthropy and concern for the less privileged, as well as deepen his faith in God which has been his source of strength over the years.

Dr. Makut Simon Macham
Director of Press & Public Affairs to the Governor of Plateau State.
7th January 2022.

GOVERNOR LALONG CONDEMNS KILLING OF THREE PERSONS IN RAFIN BAUNA, BASSA LGA; ORDERS ARREST OF ASSAILANTS

Governor Simon Bako Lalong has mandated security agencies in Plateau State to immedialtely go after assailants who attacked and killed three persons in Rafin Bauna, Bassa Local Government Area on Sunday, 2nd January 2022.

Governor Lalong who condemned the act, described the attack as yet another callous attempt by the enemies of peace to begin the new year with violence, said the Government will resist such attempts with all resources available to it.

The Governor said security report available to him indicates that the victims were on their way from Dutsen Kura to Rafin Bauna when they were ambushed and killed by assailants who are at large.

Lalong asked the security agencies to conduct thorough investigation and ensure that the assailants are fished out and brought to justice as the Government is more than ever committed to making life difficult for criminals.

The Governor sympathised with the families of the victims and assured them that justice will be done.

Meanwhile, the Governor has warned kidnappers to leave Plateau State as anyone who is caught and convicted for kidnapping will face the death penalty.

He was speaking at the Catholic Cathedral Shendam where he reassured the citizens of the State that the Government will increase its fight against all kind of crimes especially kidnapping which has become a greater threat to peace and security of the citizens.

Dr. Makut Simon Macham
Director of Press & Public Affairs to the Governor of Plateau State.
3rd January 2022.

GOVERNOR LALONG CONGRATULATES NEWLY PROMOTED OFFICERS FROM PLATEAU

Plateau State Governor Simon Bako Lalong is excited over the promotion of more senior officers in the Nigerian Armed Forces from Plateau State who are among the 235 Generals, Rear Admirals, AVMs, and others promoted across the Nigerian Army, Navy, and Air Force recently.

Among them are two Major Generals, ES Buba and GM Mutkut; one Air Vice Marshal, PD Masiyer; Rear Admiral, AD Bingel; and others promoted ranks equivalent of Brigadier General.

Governor Lalong, who described their promotion as the will of God, said the promoted officers also played their roles in making the will of God possible in their lives by serving the nation with diligence, honesty, patriotism and selflessness.

The Governor said he was not surprised by their elevation as they were selected for this well-deserved promotion because they have remained consistent and focused to their call since joining the various services.

He said “While we relish in this moment of joy, I wish to remind you that this is another responsibility that you must discharge with loyalty and the highest sense of duty. It is now time to redouble your efforts to justify this promotion as you serve the nation and support the Chief of Defence Staff and other Service Chiefs to carry out the mandate of defending Nigeria’s territorial integrity and dealing with all threats to national security”.

Lalong also challenged them to sustain the long tradition of gallantry and patriotism established by their predecessors in the Nigerian Armed Forces by raising the bar especially now that Nigeria is confronting various security challenges orchestrated by insurgents, terrorists and other violent criminals that want to destabilise the peace, unity and economic prosperity of the nation.

“As Ambassadors of Plateau State, you should do your best to sustain the rich legacy of bravery, excellence, discipline, loyalty and honesty that Plateau sons and daughters have established within the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria over the years, in order to motivate and inspire the upcoming generation. We shall continue to pray for you and support you as you give your very best to the nation and by extension Plateau State at this very crucial moment of our history”.

Lalong also used the opportunity to appreciate the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Federal Republic of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR for approving the appointments, as well as the Minister of Defence Gen. Bashir Magashi, the Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Lucky Irabor and other Service Chiefs for ensuring that all those promoted were treated on merit.

Dr. Makut Simon Macham
Director of Press & Public Affairs to the Governor of Plateau State.
2nd January 2022