RE: POLITICAL MARGINALIZATION IN BARKIN LADI APC BY HON.COMMISSIONER FOR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY. HON. GYANG MUSA DUNG

Our attention has been drawn to a publication with the above title by a nonexistent group which was hurriedly formed by persons who are not comfortable with the progress the party is recording in Barkin Ladi LGA, Plateau State and Nigeria at large.

Ordinarily we wouldn’t had dignified the publication with a comment but this response became necessary to set the records straight and to clarify the issues raised by persons we termed “destroyers” of our great ruling party.

Firstly, we wish to commend the Stakeholders of the party and supporters for the hitch free Local Government Congresses held in Barkin Ladi, other Local Government Areas in the States and the Nation at large.
These are indicators that our Party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) is the party to beat and we will continue to do our best to building the party and sustain victory for it at all levels.
The party in Plateau State under the leadership of our amiable and peace loving Father, Rt. Hon. Simon Lalong the Executive Governor of Plateau State.

While we are working assiduously to add more value to the party, increase it acceptability and popularity in Barkin Ladi LGA, Plateau State and Nigeria, some people’s determination is to destroy the values and reduce the chances of the party in the future.
This is completely at variance with their spurious and laughable allegation that the Commissioner is causing harm to the party.

The group comprised of mischievous persons with ulterior motive of causing disunity and instability in the party for reasons best known to them.

It is also untrue that since he was appointed Commissioner, he never called for a meeting. Party stakeholders are aware that he held a meeting last year where he committed both financial and human resources as well as his time towards building a stronger party. Those present can attest to that.
He has also bring to bear inclusiveness as it is the watch word of the Captain of the Rescue Administration, Rt. Hon. Simon Lalong by carrying all along in what we do.
He has been assisting the party executives and Members who are in need and through his personally effort we now have a befitting office for the party. Hon. Gyang will not relent in contributing to the growth of the party.

The allegation that he sponsored an aspirant during the Local Government Chairmanship Primaries and tagged him “government candidate” is not only baseless but childish and untrue as those with Aspiration contested and we are supporting the Flag Bearer for the party’s victory at the main election coming up soon.

Also, Ward Congresses were held and Executives were duly elected through consensus and elections in few cases without undue interference.

As for the Local Government Congresses, election was only held for the office of the Chairman and as Member of the Monitoring Committee, the Commissioner announced Mr. Stephen Haruna as the winner having scored the highest votes as Winner, we am therefore perturbed at their unquantifiable resentment.

At Heipang Federal Ward, there are unresolved issues emanating from two conflicting consensus reports and as delicate as they are, the monitoring committee have made their submission to the Party for amicable resolution of the impasse.

We calling on the teeming supporters of our great party to remain resolute and committed to building the party and to discountenance those who are determined to destroy the party they have laboured to build.

It is expedient to state that no amount of cheap blackmail or propaganda will distract us from delivering the mandate of the rescue administration.

Since he became Commissioner of Science and Technology, the State has recorded breakthroughs and successes which nationally and globally are visible even to the blind as his Ministry is placing the State on the World map in terms of technology and innovations. We will not relent but continue to encourage him to break new grounds and keep making the State proud.

We wish to call on the mischief makers to desist from distracting the party, join hands with party leaders to increase the acceptability of the party in Barkin Ladi LGA and the State.

God bless Barkin Ladi
God bless Plateau State
God bless the APC
God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria

Mr. Davou Danjuma

Cmr. Daniel Istifanus

For: APC Concerned Youths Barkin Ladi LGA

MATTHEW TEGHA TRAINS RIYOM LGA COMMUNITY YOUTHS ON CURBING MISINFORMATION, URGES THEM TO BE INFLUENCERS FOR CHANGE

Information both online and offline has affected the way we respond to the challenges around us, as such we must begin to arm ourselves with the right information devoid of any misinformation or disinformation especially as we are challenged globally by the pandemic.

Popular Blogger and Influencer for change, Matthew Tegha said this while on a one-day Youth Community Literacy Training/engagement on Curbing Misinformation and Disinformation with Youth representatives of 17wards from RIyom community as part of activities for ConnexUs Influencer for Change Network. Held at the MDGs Hall in Riyom Local Government Area on Tuesday 7th September 2021 with youths from various communities within the Local Government Area in attendance.

Participants were engaged in learning how to identify Misinformation or Disinformation after which they also had insights on what to do when faced with misinformation and disinformation and how communities can work together building cohesion to curb misinformation giving the rising challenges both locally and globally.

Matthew Tegha said that Information is vital and goes a long way to control the way people react as such the wrong information (Misinformation) can sometimes lead to death. Misinformation has also been one of the major factors militating against preventive and control efforts. He noted that in the first 3 months of 2020, nearly 6 000 people around the globe were hospitalized and at least 800 people may have died because of coronavirus misinformation as mentioned by the world health organization (WHO).

He encouraged youths to collaborate more and be more proactive and deliberate in checking information as part of efforts in curbing misinformation. He said as young people, we must take responsibility and be guided by the right information as he highlighted tips to curb misinformation and disinformation especially within local communities like Ryom LGA.
“As community members, we should also be deliberate in addressing factors that undermined government preventive efforts in enforcing poor compliance attitude, selective obedience, social media interference, misconceptions and myths, stigmatization, fear, inadequate health facilities, and distrust for government,” He said.

Responding, a participant Samuel Gyang from Ra-Hos community, said though one of the major problems within the community has been insecurity, it was however vital for youths to know what information to respond to and not be misguided due to misinformation.

Another Participant, Luka Solomon Dalyop, from Buchi Community gave many examples of misinformation within the community especially as it is faced with various challenges. He, therefore, gave his assurances that most of the issues being discussed will help them educate others.

Other youth leaders at the training also shared and discussed further actions which will lead to checking and verification of information to curb the troubling issues of misinformation in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau state. The training was also supported by the Local Government, with the Chairman, Hon Gwalson ensuring that youths were effectively mobilized from various communities to attend the training.

ConnexUs is a global network and coordination platform that creates a collaborative environment for the peacebuilding, humanitarian, development, and public health fields. The platform offers public discussion forums and private messaging features to help facilitate secure and open knowledge sharing. By harnessing the power of working together online, organizations can fill in gaps and reduce overlap in their programs and activities.

ConnexUs is partnering with Blogger and Middle belt Nigeria Influencer, Matthew Tegha to amplify his activities, towards Responding to Global & Local Challenges also in amplifying the Voices of other Influencers Around the World with the support of the European Union Instrument for Promoting Peace and Stability.

GOVERNOR LALONG CONGRATULATES BISHOP KUKAH ON 10TH EPISCOPAL ORDINATION

Plateau State Governor, Simon Bako Lalong has congratulated Catholic Bishop of Sokoto, Most Revd. Matthew Hassan Kukah on his 10th Episcopal Ordination.

Governor Lalong while congratulating the Bishop, described him as a man of God whose calling has over the years earned him reputation for standing for truth, justice and peace-building in Nigeria and around the world.

Lalong said Bishop Kukah has remained consistent in his love for humanity and passion for the cause of the weak, oppressed and less privileged, and continues to inspire many, especially the younger generation.

He said “your contributions to national discourse and the journey to nation building have been acknowledged through your many years of service in the Lord’s Vineyard, particularly in the last 10 years since you were ordained a Bishop.

You have shepherded your congregation diligently and also continued to point many to the teachings of Jesus Christ, thereby leading them to the path of truth, righteousness and salvation”.

The Governor also observed that the deep intellectual knowledge of the Bishop has stood him out at various national and international fora where he made valuable inputs and advanced recommendations to critical challenges.

The Kukah Centre (TKC) according to Governor Lalong has also driven valuable research and advanced solutions to many critical issues, while bringing all shades of opinions together in promoting dialogue, unity and peace.

He wished the Bishop many more years of God’s blessings, wisdom and protection as he serves God and humanity.

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

APC YOUTH VANGUARD BARKIN LADI L.G.A

POLITICAL MARGINALIZATION IN BARKIN LADI APC BY HON.COMMISSIONER FOR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY. HON. GYANG MUSA DUNG

PROTOCOL
We want to start by appreciating the effort of His Excellency Rt Hon. Barrister Simon Bako Lalong in restoring Peace on the Plateau, and will want to commiserate with the people of Plateau State over the recent mayhem, and we pray God to grant us lasting Peace.

We want to equally appreciate His Excellency for opting for Consensus towards the Wards and Local Government Congresses, which we believe was meant to reduce internal crisis amongst Party faithful’s and also to foster unity amongst all the teeming supporters of our great Party.

In spite of the role played by the Governor and the Party at the State level to ensure that every voice is heard and the voice of the people gets the order of the day, the reverse is the case in Barkin Ladi as the Hon Commissioner for Science and Technology is bent on causing more harm and injury to the Party in Barkin Ladi.

First of all, since he was appointed commissioner he has never called for stakeholders and the party to meet and deliberate to forge the way forward for our party in Barkin Ladi, and this has created a vacuum and and has raised a lot of dust in the party as it’s been seen that the Commissioner is not carrying everybody along but a few.

We are standing on the part of the political justice, equity and fair play alongside clearly spelled out political rules, constitutional provision and guidelines
It’s rather unfortunate that we stand as youths advocating for youth involvement in politics, but the privileged few that have been opportune are not living up to expectations of the people, and creating more harm than good to our political party most especially in Barkin Ladi Local Government Council.

With the opportunity gotten, we expect that the Hon Commissioner for Science and Technology, Hon Gyang Musa Dung to use his privilege office to unite the Party at the Local Government level, but rather he is bent on causing factions at the Local Government Area.

Secondly, during Local Government Primary elections, the Commissioner sponsored an aspirant whom he termed the Government Candidate as against the will of the people which later prevailed.

Thirdly, the issue of the Ward Congresses which was held in August, 2021 where the Governor admonished all Stakeholders to go back to their various Wards to form the Party Structure, and warned that no Stakeholder should jump from his or her Ward to interfere with other Wards, but the Commissioner and members of the Committee ended up creating Chaos in various Wards of the locality by imposing who they want as against who the people prefer.

This can be traced in the matters that arose from Gassa/Sho Federal Ward, which the Committee issued the forms to a faction when the issue is not settled.
Also from his Federal Ward (Kapwis), a local consensus was reached, where votes were cast and the person with the highest votes was denied the form, and was issued to the person they prefer
Fourthly, issues arising from the Local Government Congresses where the commissioner happens to be a member of the monitoring committee, denied the issues of consensus in the Local Government thereby giving rise to elections.

Positions were zoned to various Districts by the party and Stakeholders, and most of the federal wards had their consensus arrangement and the lists forwarded to the committee.

The committee promised to come on Monday 6th September ,2021 after the election for the post of the chairman was conducted on the 4th September, 2021 to conclude on the issues of consensus where it was not reached or elections be conducted for those positions before the forms will be issued to the appropriate persons.

But to our greatest dismay, the committee on Monday 6th September, 2021 decided to issues the form for the treasurer position to Hon. Timothy Choji Kim from Gassa/Sho Ward who earlier refused Consensus and opted for elections for the post of the chairman and lost to Hon. Stephen Haruna.

Hon. Held the position of the Treasurer for two terms before opting to contest for the Chairmanship position.

The committee also changed some names where Consensus was reached from some Federal wards at the point of collation, and we know a letter of complaint from the Party was forwarded to the State Party to that effect.

In conclusion, Its high time the Youths and all Politically correct elders to rise up to the occasion in fighting for equity and Justice to avoid all forms of Political abnormality and marginalization by a few.

Barkin Ladi is known for decorum and peaceful disposition, so it is time for the best to emerge as our Leaders through due process to restore Political sanity in our Political arena in Barkin Ladi.

We the APC Youths Vanguard Barkin Ladi LGA condemn in totality, the abnormality and the Manipulative tendencies of the Hon Commissioner for Science and Technology Hon. Gyang Musa Dung to the teeming supporters of our great Party the APC.

With all these, we stand today to pass a VOTE OF NO CONFIDENCE on the person of HON GYANG MUSA DUNG as a Commissioner representing Barkin Ladi LGA, we call on him to resign and allow for PEACE, FAIRNESS, JUSTICE AND TRANQUILITY reign in our great Party in Barkin Ladi LGA.

ENOUGH IS ENOUGH
Long Live APC Barkin Ladi L.G.A
Long Live APC Plateau State.
Long Live the Governor of Plateau State. Barr. Simon Bako Lalong.

Signed:

Bulus Gwom
Chairman

Alex Gyang Pam
Secretary

PLATEAU EXCO BIDS FAREWELL TO THREE COMMISSIONERS AS THEY CONTEST FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT ELECTIONS

Three Commissioners in Plateau State have resigned their appointments to enable them contest for the positions of Local Government Chairmen in the forth coming Local Government Elections scheduled for next month.

The Commissioners are: Barrister Zulfa Bitrus, Commissioner for Housing who is vying for the Chairman of Lantang North; Alhaji Dayyabu Garga, Commissioner for Urban Development contesting for the Chairmanship of Kanam LGA; and Kakmena Goteng, Commissioner for Higher Education, seeking to become Chairman of Pankshin LGA.

Briefing newsmen after the State Executive Council Meeting, Commissioner for Information Dan Manjang said the Council held a valedictory session in honour of the three Commissioners who have served the people of the State meritoriously and assisted the Rescue Administration in delivering on its mandate to the people.

He said Governor Lalong appreciated their services and wished them well in their political journey, praying that they emerge victorious and again deploy their vast experience in serving people at the grassroots.

Manjang said the Governor approved that pending the appointment of new Commissioners, some serving Commissioners will oversee the running of the three Ministries.

Commissioner for Environment Mr. Usman Idi will take charge of Urban Development while Commissioner for Secondary Education Mrs. Elizabeth Wapmuk handles affairs at the Higher Education Ministry. The Ministry of Housing will henceforth be supervised by the Commissioner for Special Duties Mr. Jerry Werr.

While appreciating the Governor for the opportunity to serve, former Commissioners for Housing Bitrus Zulfa and Dayyabu Garga, former Commissioner for Urban development said they had a great opportunity to serve the State and contribute to the success of the APC led administration ably led by Governor Simon Lalong.

They assured that they will continue to work for the success of the APC and also serve the people diligently when elected into office.
Other highlights of the EXCO Meeting include the approval for the procurement and installation of hospital equipment at the newly constructed General Hospitals in Kwall, Kanke LGA, and Mabudi, Langtang South LGA at the cost of 957, 285, 059.48 each.

There was also variation for the ongoing construction of Angwan Rogo road network and bridge at the cost N375 million naira.

The State EXCO also approved a Bill to Establish the Plateau State Erosion and Watershed Management Agency and other Matters Connected, 2021.

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

President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the appointment of Fatima Waziri- Azi,Ph.D as Director General of the National Agency for Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) .
This is sequel to a recommendation of the Hon. Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Umar Farouq, who expressed the “urgent need for the Ministry to intensify on the existing capacity in the NAPTIP in order to achieve its Key Result Areas as identified.”
She added that the recommendation of Fatima Waziri-Azi was based on her “pedigree, vast experience and proven track record to drive the agency forward and consolidate on what has been achieved so far.”
A former Head of Department of Public Law at the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies, Waziri-Azi is a Women’s Right advocate, a campaigner against domestic and sexual based violence and an expert in Rule of Law.
Garba Shehu
Senior Special Assistant to the President
(Media & Publicity)
September 08, 2021

PLATEAU EXCO BIDS FAREWELL TO THREE COMMISSIONERS AS THEY CONTEST FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT ELECTIONS

Three Commissioners in Plateau State have resigned their appointments to enable them contest for the positions of Local Government Chairmen in the forth coming Local Government Elections scheduled for next month.

The Commissioners are: Barrister Zulfa Bitrus, Commissioner for Housing who is vying for the Chairman of Lantang North; Alhaji Dayyabu Garga, Commissioner for Urban Development contesting for the Chairmanship of Kanam LGA; and Kakmena Goteng, Commissioner for Higher Education, seeking to become Chairman of Pankshin LGA.

Briefing newsmen after the State Executive Council Meeting, Commissioner for Information Dan Manjang said the Council held a valedictory session in honour of the three Commissioners who have served the people of the State meritoriously and assisted the Rescue Administration in delivering on its mandate to the people.

He said Governor Lalong appreciated their services and wished them well in their political journey, praying that they emerge victorious and again deploy their vast experience in serving people at the grassroots.

Manjang said the Governor approved that pending the appointment of new Commissioners, some serving Commissioners will oversee the running of the three Ministries.

Commissioner for Environment Mr. Usman Idi will take charge of Urban Development while Commissioner for Secondary Education Mrs. Helen Wapmuk handles affairs at the Higher Education Ministry. The Ministry of Housing will henceforth be supervised by the Commissioner for Special Duties Mr. Jerry Werr.

While appreciating the Governor for the opportunity to serve, former Commissioners for Housing Bitrus Zulfa and Dayyabu Garga, former Commissioner for Urban development said they had a great opportunity to serve the State and contribute to the success of the APC led administration ably led by Governor Simon Lalong.

They assured that they will continue to work for the success of the APC and also serve the people diligently when elected into office.
Other highlights of the EXCO Meeting include the approval for the procurement and installation of hospital equipment at the newly constructed General Hospitals in Kwall, Kanke LGA, and Mabudi, Langtang South LGA at the cost of 957, 285, 059.48 each.

There was also variation for the ongoing construction of Angwan Rogo road network and bridge at the cost N375 million naira.

The State EXCO also approved a Bill to Establish the Plateau State Erosion and Watershed Management Agency and other Matters Connected, 2021.

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

SINCE the unfortunate events in Plateau State, the new media has been inundated with all manners of invectives on the state governor and the state House of Assembly. That is the freedom the social media appears to have given to users; meaning, there is no stopping people to express their opinions on any subject matter.
Yet on the other hand, some went overboard, insisting they were not beyond the perimeter of civilized criticism. I am aware that to get any of my view across, it must not assume a dimension that could injure the feelings of another person.
Before yours sincerely is crucified, first, let me enter a caveat: I do not hold brief for either side; I am aware they both have credible persons to speak for them. However, I am constrained to want to speak, even if I am accused of having being ‘bought’ over. I have a number of reasons why I love Plateau as to be bought.
Governance can be the most herculean task to be undertaken, particularly in Plateau State, or so it seems. Nothing can ever test the soul and the resolve of a man than in superintending over the affairs of men. For me, that of Plateau can be heart-wrenching, considering the fact that, most times people forget quickly if as a public officer, one has ever done anything good in the past.
It can be the more frustrating when there is a crisis in the state; and which needs to be remedied. Crisis, it has been noted, increases frustration, but can be heightened the most as a result of the bashing the state has received. If justice was given in this circumstance, perhaps the derisive treatment by the state would have not mattered.
I found Benjamin Franklin’s words instructive in the circumstances of Plateau: He once said, ‘Justice will not be served until those who are unaffected are as outrageous as those who are’, however it will be suicidal that ‘the further a society drifts from the truth, the more it will hate those that speak it’, so wrote George Orwell. I have come to see all the altercations on Plateau as pushing for the frontiers of justice to be frankly opened to all.
The anger of the youth, if you must consider, had to do with the treatment given to victims of thee Rukuba road attack. A number of people have asked questions about the quick intervention of the presidency when the Rukuba sad incident took place, but was not given the same speed concerning the attacks on Bassa and Yelwa Zangam communities. I have said in the past that a corpse has no religion when buried; that means we need to accord respect to all who were killed in the state.
It is on account of this development that we can begin to situate the bickering on the Plateau. Yet, even in the altercations, it does appear that some of them were said or written in the fit of anger, however it sent a message more to the federal government than necessarily attacking the state. What that means is that; ‘until the victims are placed above perpetrators, we are just playing around the truth because its essence will hurt our self acclaimed righteousness.’
We are where we are today not on account of the invectives the governor and the members of the Plateau House of Assembly have stomach; rather, the state has been unfairly treated in a system that we thought should offer all equal opportunities, unfortunately, tried as we can, nothing appears good to be done to Plateau in the context of the what communities have gone through.
Frustration can be intoxicating, and that is the situation locals of communities that have been attacked feel, so also are the other tribes; having discovered that before long, if they kept quiet, they also may become victims one day. What they go through can only be described by them; more so when they feel abandoned. On this score, therefore, you can be hard put to it to question the rationale of certain vituperations. It is not surprising that resistance in this case, will turn out to be a duty, when injustice is seen as a law in the land.
We know for instance, that the ancestral lands of people in various parts of the state have been forcefully acquired. Today, there are new occupants on those lands. What better frustration could that be, that nothing can be done to repossess those pieces of lands? This issue must be dealt with in a way that is acceptable to the owners. It cannot be substituted by anyone, what is needed to be done should not assume any colour. It is no time to blame one another; if the people of the state are not united, the blame game shall continue; while the lands bequeathed to them are taken over.
Many have continued to ask: ‘How can you usher peace in Plateau State when indigenes have been chased out of their ancestral land, or barely hanging on them fencing off the menace of displacement with their lives every waking day? Until we bring this truth and justice to the table, we are just jaw-jawing in vain’.
Some of the utterances and comments are in the main provocative, insulting and demeaning to the person of the governor and his office as well as the representatives of the people. They are all affected; they are first humans who have emotions and who, should be concerned about what has taken place. There is no person in the state that is not worried about the deaths of people; what more, for the governor and their representatives. They feel the pains, and they would do anything legitimate to salvage the situation. Whoever takes the lead, does so on behalf of all; and they should be supported.
Intolerance has never built a nation; rather, it will further polarize it the more: Considering how identity politics is consistently being used to knock people against each other; one finds it the more painful. I have repeatedly observed that the state must meet certain needs of the youth. It cannot be denied some social programmes have been carried out over the years to meet those needs. The only thing needed is to increase the tempo; as the army of unemployed youth can easily be used to settle political scores for politicians. That is the state we do not want to get to, otherwise, before we all realize many would have been wounded as not to be considered responsible to lead.
The problems of the state cannot be gloated over as if they never existed. In all these, all of us are affected; in fact, we are all victims. What has happened is the result of the increasing devaluation of human life, perhaps occasioned as a result of the choices the governments over time may have made in the treatment of its citizens.
In the last couple of days, so much have been said and done. The governor took measures to address certain concerns raised by the House of Assembly; even as some have asked: Could he not have done same without probing? Whether it was the House or Governor Simon Lalong who did it; all of them as well as the people are the beneficiaries. All are, so long as it was meant to deal with a monster which has haunted the state as none of the communities, government or House members can claim not to have been disturbed by the increasing spate of attacks. ‘In fact, with the increasing devaluation of human life North, South, West and East of the country, we should worry about the future of our nation, weaning our children on a steady diet of macabre killings. Painful to recount past incidents; we have been trusting time to heal us but each reoccurrence of these acts reopens them’.
No doubt ‘these conflicts are bred by injustice but government response to them usually generate more conflict because they embed more injustices. A mere respite by pleasing one side than a lasting peace by being fair to all (will not last). I am beginning to agree with those who argue that a lot of the peace talks, conferences, summits, dialogues, you name it, ongoing in the state and country are bunkum. If truth and justice are not on the table, do not form the basis on which they are based, they are a waste of time and deception’.
Earlier the House had addressed a ‘world press conference’ in which it raised the issue that people of the state must start defending themselves in the face of any attack. This call did not first start to be mentioned here, it was Governor Aminu Masari of Katsina State, who apparently frustrated by widespread criminality and wanton killings in his state, asked them to stand and defend themselves against banditry and terrorism. He has since doubled the call without regret.
The fact that the danger ahead is real, must have informed the call by the House. No man waits to see members of his family being killed before acting to save them. Even as we appreciate this position, knowing that insecurity is currently the biggest challenge facing us as a nation; we must find other means, even as it is a call on governments at all levels to wake up to the challenge.
The message has been made and sent. And rightly so, the responsibilities assigned to the arms of government are not lost in Governor Lalong and the state House of Assembly. Thank God that during the week, whether certain egos were bruised; several meetings amongst the politicians were held to heal the wounds inflicted on each other. There cannot be anything satisfying to all parties to know that the fate of the state is the primary concern of all. If all parties are united; and I dare say, all the bickering will die, and no one will be interested in the impeachment of either the governor or the speaker, as have been peddled around.
Everyone, except a few want peace to reign in Plateau. However, it is a fact that: If peace, like Martin Luther King Jr said; means accepting second class citizenship, I don’t want it. If peace means keeping my mouth shut in the midst of injustice and evil, I don’t want it. If peace means being complacently adjusted to a deadening status quo, I don’t want peace. If peace means a willingness to be exploited economically, dominated politically, humiliated and segregated, I don’t want peace’.
I am sure all want peace that respects our humanity and offers us equal opportunities without hindrance on account of ethnicity and religion.

PLATEAU GOVERNMENT RELAXES CURFEW IN JOS NORTH; LIFTS BAN ON TRICYCLES

Plateau State Government has announced a further relaxation of curfew in Jos North Local Government Area as well as lifted the ban earlier placed on operations of tricycles commonly referred to as Keke.

After a meeting of the State Security Council held on Tuesday 7th September 2021 at the new Government House Little Rayfield Jos, Governor Simon Bako Lalong approved that beginning from Wednesday 8th September 2021, the curfew in Jos North will be enforced from 10pm to 6am.

This will tally with the current status of the curfew in Jos South and Bassa Local Government Areas which still remains from 10pm to 6am.

Similarly, Governor Lalong also approved that beginning from Wednesday 8th September 2021, the ban placed on operations of tricycles will be lifted from 6am to 6pm daily. This means that no tricycle will be allowed to operate between the hours of 6pm to 6am.

However, the ban on motorcycles within the Jos/Bukuru Metropolis remains intact as enforcement will continue to ensure that violators are arrested and punished according to the law.

The Government is working on innovations, legislations and enforcement modules for enhancing the security, effectiveness and availability of public transportation in the State, which will be unveiled in due course and is expected to address the major concerns of the citizens particularly as it relates to the safety of passengers.

Governor Lalong while appreciating the cooperation and understanding of the citizens during the period of the attacks and subsequent curfews, urges them to continue to support Government in restoring normalcy to enable the State resume its normal trajectory of hospitality, opportunity and productivity.

Governor Lalong also thanks all stakeholders within and outside the State for their concerns and goodwill towards addressing the recent ugly developments, assuring that his administration will continue to pursue the path of peaceful coexistence while dealing with criminals and crises merchants who are bent on tarnishing the enviable image of the State.

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

Many questions are being asked following last week’s world press conference by the Plateau State All Progressives Congress Elders Council.

The council had during the briefing held on September 3, 2021, asked Governor Simon Lalong to re-visit the controversial recruitment of security operatives by former Governor Jonah Jang purportedly to address the lingering security challenges bedevilling the state.

During his tenure, Jang had reportedly sent about 300 youths to Israel where they were trained on “security” and when they came back, not much was heard about them.

Jang was the governor of Plateau State between 2007 and 2015.

During his time, the internecine ethno-religious crises laced with political manoeuvring that started during the time of Governor Joshua Dariye in 2000 escalated and claimed thousands of lives and properties worth billions of naira.

Daily Trust reports that there was intense controversy at the time which set tongues wagging over allegations that the Jang’s PDP-led administration had taken hundreds of youth for training in Israel.


Most of them were allegedly picked from the governor’s Birom ethnic group; heightening fears of a clandestine move to use them against those perceived as foes in the state.

People from other ethnic extractions and the then leading opposition party, the APC, spoke against the use of “ethnic militia” to settle scores.

There was back and forth on the matter and the issue regarding the deployment of the 300 youths fizzled out.

However, when Lalong, who contested on the platform of the APC took over from Jang in 2015, peace gradually returned to the state especially in Jos, the state capital, a development that endeared him to some people and also pitched him against others, especially those who believed he was not vigorously pursuing the “Plateau Agenda.”


Therefore, when the APC elders addressed the press last week and asked the governor to among other things look for the youths trained in Israel and deploy them to the streets, the controversial debate on the matter resurfaced.


The press conference by the elders was in the aftermath of the recent security breaches in Jos and environs.

Recall that over 30 people were killed in Yelwa Zangam village days after the killing of some travellers in the Rukuba area of Jos metropolis. Governor Lalong had imposed a curfew in Jos South, Jos North and Bassa LGAs after each of the attacks.

New call by APC elders


The call by the APC Elders’ Council to conscript the 300 youths under contention has therefore raised fresh dust over a new dimension to the crisis in Jos and other parts of Plateau State.

The text of the press conference during which Lalong was asked to look for the youths was signed by the chairman, Chief Baba Capt. J. M. Din (rtd) and Amb. Danladi Wuyep (secretary).

The elders said, “Plateau State has had its fair share of the dark days, where external forces take advantage of the polarization of our citizens based on ethnicity, religion and political leanings.

“No one will wish to experience those days again where people’s lives were wasted without remorse, distrust amongst citizens, and secret killings were the order of the day.

“Having watched keenly how events have unfolded from 2001 to this day, we must come together as a people of good conscience bonded together in love and unity for the good of Plateau State irrespective of tribe and religion.

“It will be in the interest of Plateau State if the Plateau State Government revisits and identifies the youths of Plateau State that were trained abroad in security and intelligence gathering by the last administration as contained in the transition committee report so that they are merged with the 3,000 vigilantes trained by this current administration.

“This will further boost and complement the efforts of the conventional security agencies in information gathering,” they said.

Daily Trust reports that some people are already not comfortable with this call, alleging that it was not with the best of intention.

Others called for circumspection on the side of Governor Lalong.

A source said, “Some of these people were the ones who questioned the integrity and sincerity of Jang when he allegedly took the 300 youths to Israel…I think they criticised him to take away power from his hands and now that they have the power, or rather they are close to the corridors of power, they want to perfect the so-called Plateau agenda.”

Another source said, “I read the press statement. I think it is a big departure from the way Plateau elders used to speak.

“It also restates the cardinal principle of Lalong’s administration, which makes certain segments that still believe in the old Plateau agenda saying Lalong and by extension APC betrayed them.

“However, a major source of concern should be confirmation that indeed the last admission trained some people in Israel. This administration doesn’t even know their whereabouts but generally, the statement is okay by me,” he said.

A community leader said, “I see it as a reflection of the new order slowly gaining ground in Plateau.

“If you look at it, the recent outbreak of violence in some parts of the state did not take the usual trend of post-conflict media war and blame game usually seen in such situations.

“Sure, Capt. Din is the chairman of the elders’ forum and he is currently embroiled in a fierce contest for control of the party with the deputy governor, Prof. Sonny Tyoden, who comes from the same ward in Mangu LGA with him.

“Capt. Din is a staunch ally of President Buhari and Lalong. The press release is a step forward in the demonstration of concern over the unknown/unidentified youths Governor Jang sent to Israel for paramilitary training in the guise of Operation Rainbow, almost all of whom were his native Birom.

“It might interest you to know that investigations being conducted on the killings of innocent travellers along Rukuba Road have so far revealed that some of the suspects were also among those undergoing trial for the murder of General Alkali. They were released on bail but four of them have so far been identified.

“There is a strong desire to find out who are those guys who went to Israel for the training during Governor Jang’s administration,” he said.

Retired Major General Idris Alkali, a former Chief of Administration, Army Headquarters, was killed around Dura-Du, Jos South LGA, while on his way from Abuja to Bauchi.

‘We mean well’

When contacted, Pam Dung Gyang, who read the APC elders’ council text at the press conference, said their basic requirement is for the Plateau State government to identify the youths that were trained abroad in security and intelligence gathering by the last administration.

He said this was contained in the transition committee report ahead of the shift from Jang to Lalong administration.

Gyang said the youths should be merged with the 3,000 vigilantes trained by this current administration.

He said the major function of the trained youths abroad was information gathering across the various communities and wards, and thereafter report to the appropriate authorities accordingly.

On why the Operation Rainbow initiative was earlier condemned by the APC when it was in opposition and PDP was in government, and now somewhat accepting the plan, he said it was not so.

Gyang said assuming the present government was against Operation Rainbow, the group would not have been functional to date.

He said the aim of the security outfit was not to target any section of the society and that they were not a fighting force but an information-gathering arm.

The Commissioner for Information and Communication, Dan Manjang, said the operatives of Operation Rainbow had been living up to their operational terms.

He said the call for the rejuvenation of the security outfit by the APC elders was not out of place as anything that will improve the security of lives and property on the Plateau at this period of security challenge would be welcomed.

Manjang said Operation Rainbow was a kind of state police outfit that will still need ratification of the State House of Assembly to make it more legal and effectively operational.

‘Clamour not new’

Daily Trust recalls that Deputy Speaker Ahmed Idris Wase had in 2018 stunned his colleagues and many Nigerians when he mentioned at the floor of the House of Representatives that 300 people from Plateau State had been trained in Israel some years back and later fizzled into thin air.

Though the member did not clarify the organisation under which the “300” youths were trained in Israel, many quickly jumped to the conclusion that he was referring to the almost 4,000 youths trained under Operation Rainbow, a Plateau State-owned security outfit established by Jang.

Despite being backed by state legislation in 2012, Operation Rainbow was always viewed with suspicion especially by the Muslim community in the state.

Many had at the beginning thought it would model Kaduna’s Operation Yaki but this quickly changed when most of those recruited appeared to have been picked from a certain group.

But a circulated statement said to be from a former Secretary to the State Government disputed Wase’s claims but confirmed that the security vehicles for Operation Rainbow were bought from Israel.

He also reportedly said Israelis had set up the State’s Agricultural Service Training Centre (ASTC), conceived the security of the new government House at Little Rayfield and trained some of the Operation Rainbow personnel.

He also said the assertions that 300 people were trained in Israel and that a truckload of ammunition had been discovered were false.

Our correspondent recalled that in December 2013, about 1,000 team leaders from the about 4,000 trained in neighbourhood watch of Operation Rainbow graduated from a two weeks training by the Israeli-based Protection and Counter-Terrorism Centre under the International Security Academy (ISA).

Before that, 30 youths from the security outfit were said to have undergone training in counter-terrorism at the ISA in Israel which the then Coordinator of Operation Rainbow, AVM Bala Danbaba, confirmed and said they were to return and become instructors to the 1,000 team leaders in Nigeria.

It is now left to be seen whether Lalong will heed the advice offered by his party’s elders; whether the 300 youths would be found; whether they would be put to use; and whether some people who cried foul would trust the Israel-trained youths at all.