“EDUCATION REMAINS OUR TOP PRIORITY” GOVERNOR LALONG TELLS VISITATION PANEL TO FCE PANKSHIN

Governor Simon Bako Lalong has said that education remains a priority of his administration as he believes that the solution to the problems of poverty, under development and insecurity can only be overcome through an enlightened citizenry.

The Governor stated this when he received the Federal Government Visitation Panel to the College of Education Pankshin, Plateau State.

Governor Lalong said the Institution has been very successful in training teachers for the nation with many of them from Plateau State who have contributed to the development of the State and the nation.

He said the setting up of the Panel has become very important in order to assess the progress of the school and look at its challenges.

Lalong urged the team to do a thorough work which is expected to set the school on a higher footing to deliver on its mandate particularly in the era where education is driven by ICT.

Chairman of the Visitation Panel Prof. Frances Obafemi said the team has been carefully selected based on the experiences of the members who have distinguished themselves in their various careers.

She commended the Plateau State Government for supporting the school over the years and urged for continuous collaboration.

Dr. Makut Simon Macham
Director of Press & Public Affairs to the Governor of Plateau State.
24th May 2021.

NIPSS STUDY GROUP TOURS PLATEAU STATE,  MEETS GOVERNOR LALONG

Members of Study Group 5, Course 43 of the Senior Executive Course at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) Kuru, are on a local tour of Plateau State as part of their studies.

Led by the Director of Studies at the Institute, Prof. Funmi Para-Mallam, the group met with Governor Simon Bako Lalong at the new Government House, Little Rayfield Jos where they interacted with him on the programmes of his administration.

Prof. Mallam said the team which will be in the State for a week is looking at how the Rescue Administration is getting things done within its policy framework and vision statement within the context of the theme for Set 43 which is “Getting Things Done: Strategies for Policy and Programme Implementation in Nigeria”.

She said having received a general overview from the Plateau State Director General, Research and Documentation Prof. John Wade, the team is looking forward to digging deep into the strategies that the Government has adopted in translating its plans into action for project continuity, peace and security and human development.

Governor Lalong told the study group that his administration has been focused in doing its best towards delivering on its campaign promises with tremendous successes in the face of challenges.

He urged them to be thorough in their research as they focus on unravelling the reasons behind the inability to get things done by Government agencies at various levels.

Lalong reminded them that their observations and criticisms during the tour will be highly appreciated as they will enable the government to address other areas where it is lagging behind.

Dr. Makut Simon Macham
Director of Press & Public Affairs to the Governor of Plateau State.
24th May 2021.

PLATEAU STATE GOVERNMENT FROWNS AT KILLINGS IN JOS NORTH AND RIYOM LGAs, MANDATES SECURITY AGENCIES TO BRING PERPETRATORS TO JUSTICE

The Plateau State Government says it is deeply saddened by the reoccurrence of violence in parts of  Dong Kasa in Jos North Local Government Area and Kwi in Riyom on Sunday night where innocent citizens including children and women were murdered in cold blood.

State Commissioner of Information and Communication Dan Manjang in a statement described the act as barbaric, callous and a desparate attempt to rupture the peace and security of the State.

While commiserating with families that lost loved ones and valuables in the two separate attacks, Manjang said the Governor Simon Lalong is deeply distressed by the incident and has vowed to ensure that the cherished values of peace and security and the sanctity of lives remains sacrosanct in the State.

Manjang therefore said the Administration would continue to take measures and work hand in hand with security agencies for the protection of lives and property of citizens.

He said said as soon as the Government was alerted about the attack, it quickly reached out to security agencies who responded immediately and have been in pursuit of the attackers with a view to apprehending them and bringing them to justice.

The Commissioner reiterated that the capacity of the security agencies for rapid response and intervention will be boosted once the approved 50 patrol vehicles and 200 security motorcycles are supplied.

Manjang assures the citizens that the Rescue Administration through the Plateau Peace Building Agency, State Inter Religious Council and other non State actors will continue to strengthen the peace and cohesion of people of the state while criminals are fished out and dealt with according to the law.

He also encourages citizens to continue to provide useful information that will lead to the prevention of crime and arrest of criminals, assuring the Government is resolved not allow anyone or group to return the state to the dark days of sorrow, tears and blood.

Dan Manjang
Commissioner for Information and Communication.
24th May 2021

Seven people, including teenagers, have been killed in the Dong area of Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State.

Freelance Reporters reports that the deceased were attacked in their residence around 11:30 p.m on Sunday.

The incident is coming less than 24 hours after two herders were killed around the Rantya area.

Two others were killed in Kuru village of Jos South on Sunday afternoon.

More than 52 cattle were shot dead in separate attacks in the LGAs.

Commenting on the incidents, a resident said, “The attackers came around 11: 30 p.m, while people were sleeping, and started shooting sporadically.

“They first killed a family member and later attacked another family and killed six including two teenagers.”

Contacted, the spokesman of the State Police Command, Ubah Gabriel, said “On Sunday 23/05/2021 at about 2000hrs, the Command received a distress call that yet to be identified gunmen came out suddenly from a near by bush, invaded Dong Village, Jos South LGA and killed seven persons.

“A combined team of Policemen, STF, Vigilante operatives led by the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Department of Operation, raced swiftly to the scene but the hoodlums had already fled back into the bush.null

“Investigation is ongoing, Frantic effort is on to arrest the fleeing suspects. Meanwhile, Security has been beefed up in that area to prevent escalation of violence.”

NEW LONG KWO BEGINS TOUR OF DOMAIN
The Long Kwo of Kwo Chiefdom in Quaan Pan Local Government Area of Plateau State, Nigeria, Miskoom Fidelis Longtoe Attahiru I, has started, what he termed “Familiarization and Stocktaking Tour” of his domain.
The tour, which started on Tuesday May 18, 2021 took him to some settlements in Dajin Gwapna, Kabas (Gidan Dabat) and Konggoeyen.
At the three locations he visited, Miskoom Attahiru I harped on the need for peace and peaceful coexistence among the citizens of the Chiefdom, adding that without it nothing meaningful can be achieved.
He called on elders and lesser Chiefs within the Chiefdom to avoid tendencies that may have negative values within their communities, advising them to be law abiding and to report any strange faces or movements to the appropriate authorities.
The monarch also appealed to them to guide their youths toward the enhancement and development of Kwo Chiefdom, Quaan Pan , Plateau State and Nigeria in general.
Miskoom Attahiru I said he will create an avenue for partnership with relevant agencies to get the desired farming inputs to the farmers as and when appropriate.
The Long Kwo said that once that is achieved, it will go a long way to engaging and taking our teeming youths off the street to contribute to Government’s food security program.
Miskoom Fidelis Longtoe Attahiru I then called of the people of Chiefdom to continue to pray for Governor Simon Bako Lalong for God’s guidance, protection as well as give him the strength and wisdom to carry Plateau State to greater heights.
At the places visited, the elated people assured the monarch of their total and unalloyed support, promising to key into his laudable programs.
They informed Miskoom Attahiru I that despite the long absence of a monarch, they have continued to enjoyed their relationship and stay with their host community. The commended Governor Simon Bako Lalong for creating the enabling environment for the emergence of a new Long Kwoand Quaan Pan Local Government Council for facilitating the process, after 33 years
They appealed to the Long Kwo to assist them to call on the appropriate authorities to ensure that their schools and clinics are well catered for.
They also lamented the absence of ward heads and appealed to the Long Kwo to consider appointing new ones in other to enhance law and order in their respective communities.
The next phase of the Familiarization and Stocktaking Tour will take the Long Kwo to Kurgwi, Turniang, Bakin Ciyawa, Npap, Sabon Gida and other villages.

GAGDI MEETS AIDES, URGES THEM TO DISREGARD SOCIAL MEDIA HYPES AND HUES

The member representing Pankshin/Kanke/Kanam Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Rt Hon. Yusuf Adamu Gagdi today, Saturday 22nd May, 2021 met with his aides at his Dengi residence, where he appreciated them for their roles in the successes recorded in his two years stewardship, and urged them to give no heed to social media hate speaches, pessimistic naysaying and pull-him-down attitude of his political detractors.

The lawmaker told his aides without equivocation that the largest chunk of his constituents are rural settlers with little or no access to social media in order to be influenced by some jaundiced expression of sheer hatred; but that the only language his constituents understand is service delivery through the provision of people oriented constituency development projects; which fact has motivated his constant interactions with his electorate and the plethora of projects permeating various communities within Pankshin, Kanke and Kanam local government areas through his intervention.

The lawmaker, who metaphorically equate his performance so far with driving a nine-speed Car that is on the third gear, maintained that by the time he reaches the sixth gear, his political detractors will have no choice but to join him to deliver on the mandate of salvaging PKK from the shackles of underrepresentation.

Rt Hon. Gagdi, whose visit his home local was the first in almost two months, used the opportunity to pay condolence visit to about thirteen families who lost their loved ones within the period, and commiserated with them while making a uniform donation of 50k to each family visited.

Similarly, the lawmaker made 10k donation each to the 115 chambers within Dengi town. Different groups that were at his residence to welcome were also given various sums of money as ‘goron Sallah’ in arrears.

APC LGA and Ward Chairmen were given 1.5 million naira, persons with disabilities; 100k, observers;100k, praise singers;100k and his over 100 personal aides whom he pays monthly stipend of 10k and above shared 1 million naira as ‘goron Sallah’.

The meeting adopted a workable program of event to commemorate the two years in office of the lawmaker; with activities lined up to include commissioning of completed projects, inspection of ongoing projects as well as foundation laying for new ones; modalities for the refund of monies paid by his constituents for the registration of 2021 JAMB exams, as well as future projection of the remaining 2 years of his current mandate.

As PLASIEC sets to conduct local government polls in no distant future, Gagdi admonished his aides, particularly those from Kanam, against supporting a cause that would jeopardize the 2023 ‘IN GOD WE TRUST’ reelection agenda, pointing that their party caucus in Kanam, under the leadership of Dr SMG Kanam has fashioned out a template to present a formidable front that will coast home victory in the 2021 local government polls in Kanam local government area. He added that in due time, a candidate that will be acceptable to all interests within the group will be fronted.

Condolence visit was also paid on HRH the Emir of Kanam Alhaji Muhammed Muazu Babangida Mohammed in his Palace in Dengi-Kanam appreciated the first of its kind representation Gagdi is providing to the people of PKK. He equally condole with the member as one of Chairmen of Armed Forces Committee in House of Representatives over the death of the Chief of Army Staff Gen Attahiru.

Signed:
Gagdi Media Team (GMT)

GOVERNOR LALONG MOURNS NASCO FOUNDER, AHMED IDRIS NASREDDIN

Governor Simon Bako Lalong has expressed the deep condolences of the people and Government of Plateau State to the NASCO family over the passing of the founder of the Nasco Group of Companies, Ahmed Idris Nasreddin who died at the age of 97.

Governor Lalong in a message of commiseration described the passing of the patriarch of the NASCO family as a great loss not only to the family, but to people of Plateau State and Nigeria as a whole.

Lalong said the late Nasreddin was a visionary leader who established NASCO in Jos in 1963 as the first jute bag factory in Nigeria and sub-Saharan Africa, in response to the desire of the Nation’s founding fathers to meet the challenges for the effective bagging, storage and export of the large agricultural products from the country.

He said “This vision by the late Ahmed Idris Nasreddin saw the company growing from its little beginnings to become a major conglomerate with successful companies in manufacturing, real estate, hospitality and logistics, trading among others. NASCO has over the years remained a major employer of labour in Plateau State and continues to contribute to the economic prosperity of the State and Nigeria at large through tax revenue and corporate social responsibility”.

The Governor said because of the faith that the late Nasreddin had in Plateau State, NASCO remained rooted in the State throughout the difficult moments when the State witnessed crises that affected its development.

Governor Lalong while consoling the family, Management and Staff of the NASCO Conglomerate, said the legacies of the late business mogul will continue to prevail particularly when the company he founded many years ago is waxing stringer and being successfully run by his son, (Dr) Attia Nasreddin and other members of the family.

Lalong assured the NASCO family of the support and collaboration of the Plateau State Government as he prayed God to grant the soul of the deceased eternal rest and comfort the family.

Dr. Makut Simon Macham
Director of Press & Public Affairs to the Governor of Plateau State.
22nd May 2021

GOVERNOR SIMON BAKO LALONG REASSURES NIPR OF SUPPORT AND COLLABORATION.

The Executive Governor of Plateau state, His Excellency Rt. Hon.(Dr.) Simon Bako Lalong, KSGG has reassured the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) of continuous support and collaboration with the institute toward fostering effective Public Relations and Communication management in the country.
He gave this assurance during his speech as a Distinguished Guest of Honour at the NIPR Annual General Meeting (AGM) and Elections at Command Guest House Bauchi, Bauchi State capital recently.
Governor Lalong stated that his government recognizes the place of Public Relations in the issues of governance and how it builds relationships that facilitate national development.
Furthermore, Governor Lalong as a friend of the NIPR family, urges members to be fair in their politicking as this AGM is an election AGM. He charged members to vote credible people who will represent well and take the institute to a greater height.
He added that the choice of Bauchi State as the venue to host the 2021 AGM was very good decision by the NIPR President and Council members since this is the first AGM to host in the North Eastern region of the country since inception of the institute.
As the Chairman of the Northern Governors Forum of the 19 states, he said this will foster unity and inclusiveness among members of the institute.
The Governor who was ably represented by the Honorable Commissioner of Information, Hon. Dan Manjang , anipr wished the NIPR leadership and the entire members a successful and fruitful AGM and elections.
Also speaking as Special Guest of Honour, the Governor of Bauchi State, Senator Bala Mohammed, who was represented by his Deputy, Senator Baba Tela, enjoined the members of NIPR to practice their profession according to it’s ethics and Code of Conduct.
In his response, the NIPR President and the Chairman Council Mallam Mukhtar Zubairu Sirajo, fnipr thanked the Governor of Plateau state Simon Bako Lalong for his unwavering support and collaboration towards enhancing the practice of Public Relation in Nigeria.
He added that this AGM is a hybrid one, because this is the first AGM having onsite and virtual sessions at the same time.
Mallam Mukhtar urged members to take consciousness and seriousness to manage the reputation of our dear country Nigeria in order to enhance understanding and peaceful co-existence.
As part to part to mark the event 19 members were upgraded in the statutory level of Fellow of Nigerian Institute of Public Relations fnipr
Addressing the Plateau state chapter members, the NIPR member of Council representing Plateau State Barrister Haroun Harry Audu, fnipr congratulated the newly inducted members for taking a bold step to horn their career.
He charged other members to be more serious and upgrade in their statutory level and emphasized mostly on the unwillingness to upgrade to the status of fellows.
Barrister Haroun also thanked the members of the state chapter for endorsing and supporting his candidature as member of Council, NIPR.
He also applauded the state Chairman’s dynamic leadership skills, inovation and proactivity to take the chapter to a greater height.
Also speaking, the Chairman NIPR Plateau state chapter Mr. Charles Homsuk, mnipr appreciated the state members for their support and cooperation to represent Plateau state well.
He charged the inductees to be more serious with the chapter activities and to be more committed to attending meetings.
He assured members that the exco under his watch will do its utmost best to represent the chapter well.
During the election, Barrister Haroun Audu and 16 others were presented to the general congress as nominees of council members in the 2021 election by Mrs Comfort Okwela, the vice chairman of the NIPR 2021 elections and after the elections Barrister Audu of Plateau state emerged winner amongst others as one of the NIPR Council Members.
Also present at the event was the Honorable Minister of Information and Culture Alhaji Lai Muhammed virtually connected, the representatives of the Executive Governors of Gombe and Borno states and the Emir of Bauchi, Dr. Rilwanu Adamu amongst others.

PRESIDENT BUHARI EXPRESSES SHOCK, SORROW OVER DEATH OF LT. GEN ATTAHIRU, OTHERS

President Muhammadu Buhari is deeply saddened over the air crash that claimed the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru, and other military officers.

The President condoles with families of the deceased, the military, and Nigerians in general, describing them as “heroes who paid the ultimate price for peace and security in the land.”

While praying that God receives the souls of the patriots, the President says the crash “is one mortal blow to our underbelly, at a time our armed forces are poised to end the security challenges facing the country.”

The President pledged that the departed would not die in vain.

Femi Adesina

Special Adviser to the President

(Media and Publicity)

May 21, 2021

NORTHERN GOVERNORS SHOCKED OVER DEATH OF CHIEF OF ARMY STAFF

The Northern Governors Forum has expressed deep shock over the air crash involving an airforce plane that killed the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru, his aides and crew members in Kaduna.

Chairman of the Forum and Governor of Plateau State Simon Bako Lalong in a statement said the Forum is distressed over the sad incident which claimed the lives of the Army Chief and other officers and men of the Nigerian armed forces who were on an official assignment in the cause of advancing the security and peace of the country.

Lalong said this is another sad day in the history of the nation as it has lost patriotic Nigerians who gave their lives to the defence of the territorial integrity of the country, and also ensuring that its citizens live in peace and security.

He said ” Lt. Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru was a committed soldier whose passion for defending Nigeria was very clear throughout his military career even before his appointment as the Chief of Army Staff. Since his appointment, we have engaged him as Northern Governors Forum and individually as Governors towards enhancing the security and safety of our States, region and the nation at large. Within the few months he held sway, we have seen improvements and high resolve to bringing an end to insurgency, banditry, kidnapping and other criminal activities. We had  been working on consolidating this before this tragic incident that took his life and that of others working with him. We are highly shocked and pained”.

Lalong while condoling with the the President and Commander in Chief Muhammadu Buhari, the Nigerian Army, families of the deceased officers and men, as well as the entire Nigerian Armed Forces said the sad event is deeply regrettable but should not deter the Armed Forces from giving their best in the service of the nation just as the deceased COAS, officers and men did before their tragic death.

He prayed God to grant the deceased eternal rest and comfort their families.

Dr. Makut Simon Macham
Director of Press & Public Affairs to the Governor of Plateau State Governor and Chairman Northern Governor’s Forum.
21st May 2021.