PRESS RELEASE

UPDATE ON PLATEAU POLYTECHNIC PROTESTS; PLATEAU GOVERNMENT CONDEMNS KILLING OF STUDENT, ORDERS INVESTIGATION

Recall that the Plateau State Government issued a Press Statement on Monday 20th September 2021 to throw more light on the protests by students of the Plateau State Polytechnic Barkin Ladi who blocked the main highway into the State from both the main campus and the Jos campus respectively.

In the statement, background was given as to the reasons for the student protests which were triggered by an Industrial Action by the Polytechnic’s unions to press home their demands despite the fact that exams were slated to start same day (20th September 2021).

As at the time the last Press statement was issued which was shortly after the Deputy Governor Prof. Sonni Gwanle Tyoden met with the unions, school management and student union representatives to resolve the matter, there was no reported death as a result of the protests, apart from some students that were injured and taken to hospital for treatment.

However, the Government has today regretably received the sad news from the Police of the death of one of the students who was said to have been hit by a stray bullet and taken to hospital for treatment but could not survive.

This is a very sad development which the Government totally condemns and has therefore directed an immediate and thorough investigation to be conducted into the circumstances leading to the death of the student.

While commiserating with the family of the deceased student, the Government assures that it will not spare anyone found culpable in the death of the student as it is determined to ensure that justice is done.

Meanwhile, the Deputy Governor has directed a Government delegation to visit the family of the deceased student to sympathise with them over the sad and unfortunate situation.

Hon. Dan Manjang
Commissioner for Information and Communication, Plateau State.
21st September 2021.

PLATEAU STATE GOVERNMENT

PRESS STATEMENT ON THE IMBROGLIO AT THE PLATEAU STATE POLYTECHNIC

Plateau State woke up to a mild drama that saw the staging of agitation by students over the refusal to conduct examination by the academic staff as a result of a strike to drive home labour demands. As a result, activities at the institution were disrupted.

This resulted into the blocking of the highway by students resulting in disruption of traffic along the ever-busy road.

When security personnel moved in to persuade the students to vacate the road and restore normalcy, a clash ensued between the students and security personnel.

Contrary to news making the rounds in the social media, no casualty has been recorded. However, some students sustained injuries and have been taken to the hospital and are responding to treatment.

At a meeting with labour leaders of the Polytechnic, Executives of the Student Union Government of the Institution, Management of the School and Government officials, led by His Excellency the Deputy Governor, Professor Sonni Gwanle Tyoden, it was resolved that the lecturers should allow academic activities to continue while negotiations go on between the aggrieved unions and Government over the said demands.

The implication of this is that students will continue with their examinations according to plan.

While Government recognizes the right of both students and staff to press home their demands, it enjoins all and sundry to do so with all civility and in accordance to the rule of law.

Plateau State belongs to all citizens and as such the agitation for one’s right should not deny the rights of others. Therefore all
must strive not to rupture the peaceful coexistence which has been built over the years, particularly in the face of recent developments.

ALWAYS THINK AND ACT PLATEAU.

Dan Manjang,
Honourable Commissioner of Information and Communication,
Plateau State.
Monday, September 20, 2021.

NORTHERN GOVERNORS MOURN OBADIAH MAILAFIYA

The Northern Governors Forum has described the death of former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Dr. Obadiah Mailafiya as a great loss to the nation as well as the entire  Northern region.

Chairman of the Forum and Governor of Plateau State, Simon Bako Lalong said the death of Dr. Mailafiya is a sad development not only to his family, but to the nation because of his enormous contributions to the socio-economic pursuits of Nigeria.

Lalong described the late CBN Deputy Governor as a consummate financial expert and vibrant intellectual whose local and international reputation is highly acknowledged, having been sought and deployed for the benefit of Government and private entities around the world.

While commiserating with the family, Lalong said the legacies of Dr. Mailafiya will continue to be celebrated as he showed passion for development, emancipation, truth, justice and equity in all his interventions at various platforms.

He said such aspirations for a better Nigeria and the upliftment of the downtrodden motivated him to vie for the office of the President in 2019 which afforded him the opportunity to expouse his vision for a better Nigeria.

Lalong extends the Forum’s sympathies to Governor Nasir el-Rufai, the Government and people of Kaduna State.

Dr. Makut Simon Macham
Director of Press & Public Affairs to the Governor of Plateau State & Chairman, Northern Governors Forum.
20th September 2021

Following the declaration of strike action by the Joint Union of Academic Staff of Plateau State owned tetiary institutions, which the Union said would commence on the 17th of September, 2021 through thier State chairman Comrade Lumye Innocent Simji.

Students of the Plateau State Polytechnic on Monday 20th September,2021 whom are supposed to be writing there semester exams woke up to the reality of the strike action as their school gates were completely barricaded. This in turn angered the students who took to the streets on protest.

The provoked students blocked the major road leading from the state secetariate junction down to old airport junction causing serious traffic and hardship on motorist who had to manuvier in difficulty for alternative routes.

The union are having three major demands which are the issues of a) Salary consolidation through minimum wage implementation b) Deduction of remittance from cooperative c) State Health contributory scheme deduction by the agency.

Meanwhile government has been in negotiations with the union leaders, with further details coming soon.

Former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria Dr Obadiah Mailafia is dead.

According to a source, the 64-year-old died at the National Hospital Abuja.

More details soon

GAGDI REJOICES WITH NIGERIA ARMY, DATONG FAMILY OVER MAJOR CHRIS RETURN FROM KIDNAPPERS DEN

I am overwhelmed with joy, as the news filtered around of the safe return of Major Chris Datong, after several days in kidnappers den, following his abduction at the permanent site of Nigerian Defence Academy recently.

My joy knows no bounds, as pessimistic naysayers had already spread the fake news of his death, leaving his wife and family in needless apprehension of the safety of their husband, father and son in the hands of the daredevil terrorists.

I sincerely salute the Nigerian Army for their gallantry in the rescue operation that ensured the safe return of the army officer, who happens to be my constituent from Chip Chiefdom of Pankshin Local Government Area.

On behalf of my family and the entire good people of PKK, I rejoice with the Datong family for the grace of God upon the life of this illustrious son of Plateau State, and pray for God’s guidance and protection through out his meritorious service to his fatherland, and urge him to continue to put his best in the defence of the territorial integrity of Nigeria.

To the pessimistic naysayers who had propagated the fake news of the officer’s death, I urge you all to use the same energy you dissipate in propagating bad news to spread good news about your country and its people.

Once again, I say thank you God for sparing the life of your servant, and earnestly pray that Almighty God extends similar grace to all those languishing in kidnappers den across the country; Amen!

Signed:
Rt Hon. Yusuf Adamu Gagdi,
(Dan Malikin Kanam),
Member Representing PKK and Chairman House Committee on Navy.

“Says Yakubu Dati is the most outstanding Commissioner”



By Golok Nanmwa, Jos





Plateau Regeneration Group on Sunday rated the Chief of staff to Governor Simon Lalong, Hon Noel Donjur, the Commissioner for Lands and Survey Hon Yakubu Datti as well as the Senator representing Plateau South in the National Assembly Professor Nora Ladi Dadu’ut high for distinguishing themselves in their various offices as well as impacting positively in the lives of citizens of the state.







Others that were also rated high by the group include the Deputy Speaker of the House of representatives Hon Idris Maje Wase, the Federal House of Representatives Member representing Pankshin/Kanam/Kanke constituency of Plateau State Hon Yusuf Babayo Adamu Gagdi, the Director of press and public affairs to the Governor of Plateau state Dr Simon Macham, the Chairman of Langtang South Hon Rims Samson Nimchak as well as that of Riyom Hon. Mafeng Gwalson for transforming their local government councils.









This was contained in a press statement made available to newsmen in Jos on Sunday and signed by Pam Datri the Public Relations officer of the group.





The group said that Hon Noel Donjur remains the best chief of staff in the history of Plateau.





“He is also the most principled chief of staff Plateau has produced “.







They described Noel Donjur as a man of destiny and bridge builder.





The statement further reads that “That Governor Simon Lalong alongside his deputy Prof Sonni Tyoden as well as his Chief of Staff Hon Noel Donjur, the Secretary to the Government of the state Prof Danaladi Atu has created an enabling environment for peace, politics without bitterness, development and businesses to thrive in Plateau .”





“We commend Hon Donjur for the good jobs he has been doing in Plateau since he got appointed as chief of Staff to his Excellency, Governor Simon Lalong and called on him to continue to do more









The group further said that Hon Donjur is a man of destiny “Sir your coming on board as Chief of Staff to Governor Simon Lalong has brought a new lease of life to governance in the state .”







The group also lauded the developmental strides of the Commissioner for Lands and Survey Hon Yakubu Datti for revamping the ministry



“We at Plateau Regeneration Group PRG rates the Commissioner for Lands as the best commissioner in Plateau saying that he has distinguished himself through his selfless service to his constituents and Plateau at large through his office.” We have carried out our research and conclude that Dati stands out tall and we rate him as the most outstanding Commissioner in the Lalong led administration “



Dati is working so hard and keeping up to the mandate of Governor Simon Lalong in ensuring that necessary incentives like easier access to land titles are implemented and the State One-Stop-Shop Initiative is completed so that all obstacles to doing business is removed.







“, Yakubu Dati is keeping up to the mandate of the rescue administration “



“Hon Dati is also always in touch with his constituents and preaching the good message of the Lalong led rescue administration .”



“We commend Governor Lalong for appointing Hon Datti as Commissioner and call on him to continue to do his job diligently” the group added.



The group also extolled the leadership virtues of the Senator representing Plateau South, Professor Nora Ladi Dadu’ut for providing quality legislation to the good people of the Senatorial Zone as well as empowerment of Youths, women since she got elected.







The group stressed that the Senator who is less than 9 months in office has distinguished herself that she

has the interest of the people of her zone, Plateau and Nigeria at heart.











They lauded the Senator for her courage, patriotism and commitment to nation-building as well as her quest to better the well-being of women and youths in her consistency









The group also lauded Hon Yusuf Gagdi the member representing PKK for always standing with his people.



“Gaudi is a progressive who has the interest of the people and Plateau state at heart.











The group further added that Gagdi’s achievement in less than two years as a federal lawmaker has brought development to his constituency.



“Gagdi has portrayed himself as one of the most remarkable leaders in Plateau state.”



To us, Gagdi is the only one who can represent the interest of the youth, women, aged and others and defeat any candidate of other parties in the state comfortable in PKK come 2023.



Gagdi is a detribalized Nigerian who has carried all along since he became a lawmaker.



The statement further reads that ” To us, Gagdi is a marketable material for the All Progressive Congress in PKK come 2023 .”



“The achievements of Hon Yusuf Babayo Adamu Gagdi the has shown that there is no vacancy in the zone come 2023”



“His good works are there for all to see, he has stood out so tall “.





They further said Babayo is a man of performance and integrity and he would appeal to the electorate during the 2023 elections.



The group also appealed to the people of PKK to support Gagdi and the APC at all times.



Babayo has demonstrated his preparedness for public service by his incontestable public-spirited disposition and commitment to the welfare of his people, thus solidifying his political credibility and enhancing his electability.”



While commending Gagdi for “striving to attract projects and development to his zone ” the group urged the electorate to support him for a second term as their Federal legislator, noting that “a return of Gagdi to the Federal House would consolidate on gains made so far.”





Plateau Regeneration Group further commended the Director of the dress to Governor Lalong Dr Simon Macham the Information Commissioner Dan Manjang and David Daser, the DG of Plateau state information technology agency for the good works they are doing in the Lalong led administration

ARREST OF FAKE MILITARY OFFICER AND RECOVERY OF AK49 RIFLE, TWO MAGAZINES AND A VEHICLE SUSPECTED TO BE STOLEN.
On 12/9/2021 at about 1900hrs, one Timothy Emmanuel `M` 28yrs of Bakin Chiyawa village, Quanpan LGA of Plateau State was intercepted along B.A.D road, Lafia wearing Military camouflage in possession of AK49 rifle with two magazines and driving a black Toyota Corolla vehicle with registration number ABUJA BWR 973 CD suspected to be a stolen vehicle.
Preliminary investigation revealed that, the suspect who parades himself in military camouflage was never enlisted into the Army but got the uniform from his Uncle who is a Military personnel serving in Borno State; he there after moved to Jos, Plateau State under the guise of being a Military personnel and went away with the AK49 rifle and two magazines of a Nigeria Security and Civil Defense personnel serving in Jos, when the rifle was left in his custody by the NSCDC officer who went to do his registration to obtain National Identity Card.
Furthermore, the suspect came down to Nasarawa State and started perpetrating his nefarious activities in Karu and Lafia before nemesis caught up with him. The suspect had given the Police useful information and investigation is ongoing at State Criminal Investigation Department, Lafia.

NDE VICTOR DAVID DIMKA fsi MOURNS THE DEMISE OF CHIEF HON. DAN DUL

The former Comptroller of Customs and leader of the DVD Movement in Plateau State, Nde Victor David DIMKA fsi has commiserated with the Taroh traditional council and the Taroh nation over the passing on of Chief Hon. Dan Dul whose sad event took place recently.

Nde David Victor Dimka fsi said the Passing on of the former Chairman of Langtang North and a title holder of the Taroh nation was a great loss to not only Taroh nation but Plateau State as a whole.

According to him, the Barayan Langtang served Langtang North and Plateau State meritoriously especially as the Executive Chairman of Langtang North.
He recollected with profound gratitude to God, the career path that was shared with the late Chief in the Nigeria Customs Service, the friendship that they lived and prayed that God will reward him with eternal rest in perfect peace.

He also commiserated with the Tarok traditional council and Tarok nation in general praying that God will grant the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

DVD MEDIA TEAM

NDE DAVID VICTOR DIMKA fsi SYMPATHIZES WITH FORMER PLATEAU STATE SPEAKER, GEORGE DAIKA OVER LOSS OF WIFE.

The former Comptroller of Customs and leader of the DVD Movement in Plateau State, Nde David Victor Dimka fsi has commiserated with the former Speaker of the Plateau State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. George Edward Daika over the demise of his wife, Mrs Ann George Daika who was called to eternal glory recently.

Nde David Victor Dimka fsi described as very saddening the death of Mrs. Daika who was a very strong woman with great attributes of patience, love, humility and fear of God.

He said her death is not only a great loss to her husband and children, but to many people who had benefited from her good heart and generosity.

Nde David Victor Dimka fsi recalled that the deceased was a great pillar of support to her husband in his political career particularly when he served his people at the House of Assembly as Speaker, before proceeding later to the House of Representatives, representing Mikang, Shendam, Quan-pan Federal Constituency.

While urging the family to accept the sad incident as the will of God, Nde David Victor Dimka fsi said her legacies will continue to endure as she lived a godly life and served humanity.

He urged Rt. Hon George DAIKA, the immediate family and the people of Mikang LGA as a whole to bear the irreplaceable life.

May her gentle soul rest in perfect peace

DVD MEDIA TEAM