PLASU COUNCIL CHAIRMAN CONGRATULATES GOVERNOR MUTFWANG APPEALS FOR HIS INTERVENTION FOR LGs TO RELEASE COUNTERPART FUNDING TO PLASU

The Chairman of the Governing Council of Plateau State University, Monsignor Professor Obiora Francis Ike has congratulated Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang on his assumption of duty as Governor of Plateau State and appealed for his intervention in the release of Local Government statutory contributions to Plateau State University totalling #1.2 billion.
Professor Ike who was speaking when he led members of the Governing Council on a courtesy call on the Governor in his Little Rayfield office said the Local Government Council Areas in the state were yet to remit their counterpart funds of #2.2million each monthly from 2019 to 2023.
He disclosed that despite this the University was able to pay some part of the earned allowances owed its staff to the tune of #320 million as a result of the judicious application of resources but said with the re-accreditation of the university’s programmes coming up between September and November this year,the University would require the sum of #300 million naira to execute the exercise.
Professor Ike said the University currently has an undergraduate population of six thousand (6000) and the number would double with the coming on stream of four new Faculties.
He disclosed that the University is working towards establishing a Business school and a table water factory and appealed to the Governor to consider releasing one of the Campuses of the state polytechnic in Jos for the take off of the school which would add value to the state as it would be involved in the training and retraining of technocrats and the manpower resources while serving as a source as a source of internal revenue generation for the University thus addressing its over dependance on the state government for its funding needs.
Professor Ike said Plateau State University Bokkos remains the greatest asset of the state and currently enjoys a lot of goodwill from outside, particularly with the opening of collaborations with individuals and philanthropists who are ready to assist in some areas of the university’s development needs.
Responding, Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang appreciated the Council Chairman and the University’s Council for accepting to serve the state.
He reiterated his commitment and determination to support the University to enable it achieve its objective of human capital development to enable it compare favourably with its peers the world over.
According to the Governor,ha has taken it as a duty to promote the Plateau State University cause because of the benefits the state stands to gain, adding that as a pointer to this,he recently visited the Bulgarian Ambassador in Abuja where areas of collaborations with Plateau State University were discussed.
He promised to remain the Chief advocate of the University by tackling it’s problems saying the state government is rejigging its revenue and wealth creation avenues for the purpose of expanding the states economy to serve the needs of the generality of the people.
John K.Agam
Public Relations Officer.

By Freelance Reporters, Jos

The APC governorship candidate in the March 18th election, Nentawe Yilwatda is seriously worried about the disturbing security situation in Mangu local government area of Plateau state.

Nentawe, in a statement through his spokesman Shittu Bamaiyi, noted that the security challenge in the area has reached an intolerable and condemnable situation.

He stated that the present situation in the local government area and other parts of the state calls for collective and aggressive action by all and sundry to restore peace in the affected areas.

Nentawe pointed out that it was time to put aside all political differences and sentiments, to confront the problems head on.

According to him, terrorists and bandits know no political affiliations and as such, should be countered with full force by both the government and the people.

Nentawe expressed the believe and confidence that once a united force is established by the people and with the back up from the security agencies, the miscreants would be defeated.

He appealed to the entire people of the state, to fully support the state government in its determination in fighting the bandits and restoring peace in the state.

Nentawe however, sent his condolences to the families of those who lost their loved ones and prayed for the quick recovery of those that sustained injuries in the distardly acts.

Sign

Shittu Bamaiyi
Spokesman Generation next Campaign Council.

By Freelance Reporters, Jos

THE Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), has granted over one billion, two hundred million naira (#1,200, 000,000) as Normal and Zonal Intervention for 2023 allocation for the construction of Female Hostel and also develop the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Unit in Plateau State University (PLASU), Bokkos.

The Vice Chancellor of the university, Professor Bernard M. Matur, disclosed this recently while addressing journalists at a press briefing organised by the university’s management, held at the Senate Chamber of the Institution in Bokkos, Plateau State.

The Vice Chancellor said, “You may recall that I took over the mantle of leadership of the Plateau State University, Bokkos on the 1st day of March this year as the 5th substantive Vice-Chancellor. Today, however, I have something to tell the media having studied the handing over notes and carefully appraised the situation on ground.

“I have embarked on diplomatic shuttles with major stakeholders in the education industry both at the state, federal and international levels with the sole objective of providing academic excellence through collaboration. Such visits took me to both state actors, TETFund, National University Commission (NUC), the Federal Ministry of Education, meetings with Ambassador of Czech representative in Nigeria, High Chief Edwin Clerk, etc.

“These yielded results and the university is indeed grateful to TETFund for granting us over 1. 2 billion naira as Normal and Zonal Intervention for 2023 allocation. The fund is being used to construct female hostels and develop the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Unit”, he enthused.

Matur, also, thanked the National University Commission (NUC) for demonstrating faith in PLASU by constituting assessment teams of technocrats and academicians to appraise their facilities to access the activities of their SIWES, Entrepreneurship and advancement and Linkage office as peer review mechanisms of evaluating their strengths and weaknesses.

“NUC has approved that we commence academic programmes in four (4) faculties: Law , Agriculture, Environmental Sciences and Health Sciences and School of Postgraduate Studies. A total of 25 new programmes are now added to existing 17 programmes, bringing it to a total of 42 academic programmes in the university”, the VC disclosed.

He, however, commended all founding fathers of the university which has: His Excellency, Chief Joshua Dariye, Rt. Hon. Simon Bako Lalong, while as the Speaker then, former Head of States, General Yakubu Gowon and also former Governor Jonah David Jang for making the institution well known at NUC when it was temporarily closing down.

The VC also thanked the current government of His Excellency, Governor Caleb Manaseh Mutfwang, for taking the lead in advocating on behalf of the university. “We equally thank the government for its commitment and support in the needed manpower resources,” he stated.

“On our part, we are also working on perfecting our plans towards establishing a Plateau State University Business School, an online Distance Learning Centre and the establishment of a bottle and sachet water factory to boost our internally generated revenue. This is amongst the many plans we have put in place to add value and stem our over dependence on government for our funding needs”, he assured.

The Commander Operation SAFE HAVEN (COPSH) and General Officer Commanding (GOC) 3 Division Nigerian Army (NA), Major General Abdulsalami Abubakar has restored normalcy to Sabon Gari of Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State, following the recent attack in the area.

General Abdulsalami who assumed command on 8 July 23 as the COPSH and GOC 3 Div NA, visited the affected area today 9 July 2023, to have an on the ground assessment of the situation and proffer immediate solution to the lingering crisis. In his remarks during the visit, the commander stated that peace must be restored on the Plateau by every legitimate means possible.

During the visit, the commander led an operation resulting in the recovery of five fabricated AK-47 rifles, 19 rounds 7.62mm special and 4 rounds of 7.62 mm Nato from the two communities involved.

Major General Abubakar also led the enforcement of the 24-hour curfew imposed on Mangu local government area by the Executive Governor of Plateau State, Barr Caleb Mutfwang in order to allow security forces restore law and order in the affected communities.

OYA JAMES
Captain
Media Information Officer
Operation Safe Haven

By Freelance Reporters, Jos

Hearing continued on Thursday at the National Assembly Elections Petition Tribunal sitting at High Court 6 Jos in the matter of a Petition to the membership to the House of Representatives for Bassa/Jos North Federal Constituency between Ibrahim Baba Hassan, APC (Petitioners) and INEC, Musa Agah Avia, PDP, Muhammad Adam Alkali, PRP, Daniel Asama Agoh, LP (Respondents).

The prosecution concluded and closed its case last week and the matter adjourned to Thursday 6th July, 2023 for the 4th Respondent (Muhammad Adam Alkali and PRP) to open their defence over allegations by the Petitioners that the 4th Respondent forged the Primary School Certificate he presented to INEC for the said election conducted on February 25, 2023.

When the case file was called, Yakubu Ruba, Counsel for the 4th and 5th Respondent told the Tribunal that they have five witnesses to call in defence of their case.

Three of the Witnesses were in court on account of Subpoena ad testificandum. One of such witness Tijani Mohammed Naji or 4RW5, was the former Head Master of the 4th Respondent, now a retired civil servant who currently lives at Bauch Road Jos.

Witness identified and adopted his witness statement on oath on July 04, 2023 in addition to other documents he brought which were tendered, admitted and marked accordingly. He further identified documents he made referenced to in his statement including the said certificate which is attached to exhibit PI before the Tribunal.

Witness, during cross examination said that he worked under Jos North Local Government Education Authority from the year 1987 to 2019.

Witness told the Tribunal that he retired as Assistant Headmaster 1 stressing that while in service, he served as Assistant Headmaster 3 at LGEA Primary School Anguwan Rogo, Jos from 2004 to 2012 before he was transferred to LEA Primary School Sabon Layi Jos.

Witness further told the Tribunal that contrary to what PW3 Gambo Adamu who earlier testified before the Tribunal, he was not the Headmaster of Anguwan Rogo Primary School in 2006 but Azi Ajiji.

Witness added that the said Ajiji served as Headmaster of the school from the year 2000 to 2006 when he was transferred to Township Primary School Jos and Hajiya M. K Sani succeeded him as Headmistress and remained in that position until 2007 when she was also transferred to LEA Primary School Gangare.

Witness said that the said certificate with reference number 45472 was issued by him in 2006 in his capacity as Assistant Headmaster 3 adding that the said certificate was not forged but genuine.

He said that at the time, all Assistant Headmasters were permitted to sign and issue certificates to graduates of the school.

Witness noted that the said certificate was sent to the school by Primary Education Board along other certificates with verifiable serial numbers.

4RW5 told the Tribunal that all Primary Education certificates sent to the school by Primary Education Board had duplicates and that if all the certificates issued in 2006 are presented to him, he would identify the duplicate copy of the 4th Respondent with reference number 45472 which he issued to the 4th Respondent.

Witness also told the Tribunal that the Jos crises affected the school and some documents were either missed or misplaced as at 2006 including the master list of pupils that finished from the school in 1990.

Witness said that as a result of the effect of Jos crises stated earlier, he used the 4th Respondent’s position in class and the total number of the pupils in his class to complete his certificate as it was the only available record of set 1990 as at the time time the 4th Respondent came to collect the certificate.

He further explained that all the certificates he issued relating to year 2001 (crisis year) and below, were issued in accordance with Class Result since using the position and number in class was not prohibited by the school or by the LGEA until the master list was later found in one of the old Registers sometime in 2008.

Witness further told the Tribunal that Muhammadu, Muhammad, Mohammad and Mohammed are one and the same name.

Another Subpoenaed witness Shehu Ibrahim Abubakar (4RW1) a trader who lives in Anguwan Rogo Jos North came to the Tribunal with an enlarged photograph of set 1990 pupils of Anguwan Rogo Primary School.

The photograph was admitted in evidence and marked as exhibit 4R1. The witness during examination in chief identified himself and the 4th Respondent who was standing behind their teacher (Teacher Thomas) in the photograph as stated in paragraph 7 of his statement on oath.

Hassan Adam Ibrahim (4RW2) lives at Anguwan Rogo Jos North and a trader too. Witness also adopted an original and photo copy of testimonial result and post card photograph of set 1990 of LGEA Primary School Anguwan Rogo.

4WR2 equally identified the 4th Respondent in the picture. Witness also told the Tribunal the names of some of their teachers in 1990 as Teacher Ali, Teacher Thomas, Teacher Usman, Teacher Amoiza.

Usman Zakari is 4WR3 is a civil servant who was Subpoenaed to come with documents. Witness identified himself and the 4th Respondent in the 1990 set of pupils of Anguwan Rogo Primary School.

Witness told the Tribunal that the name of the Headmistress in 1990 is Mrs. Elizabeth Atang. Witness who is the supervisor of teachers in under Jos North Local Government Education Authority stated that in all honesty that 4th Respondent did not forged the result.

Another Subpoenaed witness Shehu Muhammad Abdullah, a retired civil servant also identified and adopted his witness statement on oath.

The witness who is a former teacher in Anguwan Rogo Primary School said he knew the 4th Respondent graduated from the school even though he was not yet a teacher in the school in 1990 stressing that Administration is a continuity.

Witness added that Muhammad Adam and Muhammad Adam Alkali are the same person.

The matter was adjourned to 25th July 2023 for adoption of Written Addresses.

By Freelance Reporters, Jos

The Executive Governor of Plateau State, His Excellency, Barr. Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang has expressed joy over the emergence of Senator representing Plateau North in the National Assembly, Simon Mwadkwon as the Senate Minority Leader for the 10th National Assembly.

Governor Mutfwang in a congratulatory message said he received the news of the elevation of Senator Simon Mwadkwon to the leadership of the Senate with jubilation and described it as cheering to not only Plateau people but Nigerians as a whole.

Barr. Mutfwang appreciated the leadership of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and the PDP Caucus at the National Assembly for trusting Sen. Mwadkwon with the Senate Minority Leader position and prayed for greater collaboration in the interest of Nigeria.

He described Mwadkwon as a thorough breed politician, who has demonstrated exceptional legislative skills and competence, while serving in the House of Representatives and urged him to be steadfast in his new role.

The Governor admonished him to bring to bear, his wealth of experience and legislative skills in providing strong opposition that will constructively contribute towards the peace and unity of Nigeria.

While congratulating Sen. Mwadkwon, Governor Mutfwang wished him more wisdom, knowledge and the ability to lead the PDP Caucus well at the National Assembly.

Gyang Bere
Director of Press and Public Affairs to Executive Governor of Plateau State
4th July, 2023

By Freelance Reporters, Jos

Former Plateau State Governor Simon Bako Lalong on Monday 3rd July 2023 visited Vice President Kashim Shettima at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa Abuja.

The Vice President warmly received Governor Simon Lalong and rekindled his fraternity and friendship with him over the years.

The two later held a closed door meeting details of which were not disclosed.

It would be recalled that Governor Lalong took over as the Chairman of the Northern Governors Forum from Vice President Kashim Shettima after his tenure as Borno State Governor.

The two also worked closely during recent General elections where Governor Lalong spearhead the campaign for Tinubu/Shettima as Director General of the APC Presidential Campaign Council that returned President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Senator Kashim Shettima elected.