GOVERNOR LALONG HARPS ON ROAD SAFETY CULTURE AMONG NIGERIANS

Plateau State Governor Simon Bako Lalong has advocated for an intensification of the road safety culture among Nigerian road users particularly among those who drive or intend to drive.

Governor Lalong was speaking at the 10th anniversary of Kwapda’as Road Safety Demand (KRSD) Foundation a nonprofit organisation founded in honour of late Prince Kwapda’as Rangna’an Dongban, son of the President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem.

Governor Lalong while commending the President of the Court of Appeal for establishing the Foundation, said she has used the painful story of the tragic death of her son in a motor accident, to raise awareness and education to halt further needless deaths on Nigerian roads.

He said the fact that many people are on the road without the requisite knowledge and experience of driving is very disturbing as many accidents occur because of recklessness and ignorance. Time he said had come when people must be conscious of the rules of safe driving and also promote it wether they are driving or not.

He stated that Plateau State has continued to work towards improving the safety and efficiency of public transport which is a major economic driver. A bill for the establishment of a transport management commission he said has been approved by the Plateau State Executive Council which is before the House of Assembly for legislative action.

Founder of KRSD Foundation, Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem said for the past ten years, the foundation has made efforts to bring to the fore the needless sufferings and deaths that are foisted on innocent citizens due to the careless actions of drivers who either refuse to obey traffic regulations or fail to take care of their automobiles.

She said her story has served as a pivot for further highlighting the issue of road safety culture among Nigerians through the many programmes and engagements that have been organised at different levels.

Justice Dongban-Mensem thanked Governor Lalong and other stakeholders in and outside the country for supporting the foundation to carry out its vision for a more safe and secure road transportation.

FCT Minister Mohammed Bello, Transport Minister Rotimi Amaechi, and other speakers advocated for stiffer penalties in enforcement of road traffic rules and regulations.

High point of the event was the presentation of awards and decoration of KRSD, Patrons and Special KRSD Marshals. Among those awarded was Governor Simon Bako Lalong.

Dr. Makut Simon Macham
Director of Press & Public Affairs to the Governor of Plateau State.
23rd September 2021.

LETEP DABANG EULOGISES PROF TYODEN ON HIS BIRTHDAY.

Today marks an additional privilege in your life to the glory of God and service to humanity which you have indeed distinguished yourself.

The name Professor Sonnie Gwanle Tyoden resonates in the academic as well as political space which you have made landmarks.

As you celebrate your birthday today I join you in thanking God for the favors that have come your way and the various positive touches you have made in the lives of our people.

May God continue to grant you strength,good health and wisdom in delivering sound leadership to the people for the development of our dear state.

On behalf of my family I wish you a very memorable birthday and many happy returns.

HON CHIEF LETEP M.DABANG AND FAMILY.

GOVERNOR LALONG SALUTES DEPUTY, PROF. TYODEN AT 71

Plateau State Governor Simon Bako Lalong has congratulated his Deputy, Prof. Sonni Gwanle Tyoden as he marks 71 years, describing him as an accomplished technocrat, academic, gentleman and politician.

Governor Lalong in a message of felicitation said Prof. Tyoden has exhibited high level of commitment, sacrifice and intellectual capacity in handling all responsibilities that have come his way over the years.

He said the Deputy Governor remains a strong pillar of support, wisdom and encouragement to the Rescue Adminstration which has continued to work hard in restoring the fortunes of Plateau State since coming into office in 2015.

Lalong said Prof. Tyoden has deployed his academic prowess and experience to governance which has added value to the programmes and projects of the administration and positively impacted the lives of the people.

While wishing him many more years of peace, good health and God’s protection, the Governor urged Prof. Tyoden to continue to serve the people with more zeal and also allow his wealth of experience rub off on the younger generation who he has mentored over the years.

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

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