A serving Major-General of the Nigerian Army, Hassan Ahmed has been murdered by bandits in the Abaji council of the Federal Capital Territory.
According to reports, Ahmed, who was recently appointed director at army headquarters, was shot dead on Thursday night.
Family members said the bandits also abducted his wife in the process.The couple were said to be returning from Okene in Kogi State when they ran into an ambush in Abaji council area.
Confirming Ahmed’s death in a statement, Brig.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, the spokesman, said the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Farouk Yahaya, had already sent a delegation to condole with the victim’s family.
Nwachukwu also stated that members of the Nigerian Army Officers’ Wives Association (NAOWA) led by the Deputy National President, Mrs Stella Omozoje, have also visited the family to condole with them.
“With a heavy heart, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Farouk Yahaya, Officers and Soldiers of the Nigerian Army regret to announce the passing on of Maj.-Gen. Hassan Ahmed, a former Provost Marshall of the Nigerian Army.
” The sad incident occurred when the senior officer’s vehicle was attacked by gunmen while transiting along Lokoja – Abuja road yesterday 15 July 2021.
“A delegation from the Army Headquarters led by the Chief of Policy and Plans (Army) Maj.-Gen. Anthony Omozoje has visited the widow and other members of the bereaved family.
“Members of the Nigerian Army Officers’ Wives Association (NAOWA) led by the Deputy National President, Mrs Stella Omozoje have also visited the family to condole with them.”
The remains of the deceased senior officer will be buried at the Lungi Barracks Cemetery, Abuja by 10am on Friday, according to reports.
NORTHERN GOVERNORS PRAISE PRESIDENT BUHARI FOR RAILWAY MODERNISATION
Chairman of the Northern Governors Forum and Governor of Plateau State, Simon Bako Lalong has commended President Muhammadu Buhari for his determination to transform the economy of the country through the entrenchment of rail transportation as a major means of moving people and goods.
Governor Lalong was speaking on behalf of his colleagues in Kano, during the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of the third segment of Lagos Kano railway modernisation project performed by President Muhammadu Buhari.
According to the Governor, the Kaduna-Kano segment of the railway line is crucial to the development of Nigeria and particularly the Northern Region which has a lot of economic activities and a large population.
He said the vision of reconnecting all parts of the country by rail is a great legacy for the Buhari Administration which must be supported by all Nigerians. He assured the President of the support of all Northern Governors in the process of constructing, managing and safeguarding the rail infrastructure within the region.
President Muhammadu Buhari expressed delight that the Kaduna-Kano leg of the railway modernisation project is taking off after the successful deployment of the Lagos-Ibadan and Abuja Kaduna segments and other rail segments across the country.
He said the Kano-Kaduna construction is part of the general plan to link the seaport with inland ports that will provide more opportunities for businessmen to import goods and recieve them in the hinterland, thereby decongesting the ports and saving time and resources.
Minister of Transport Rotimi Amaechi said the groundbreaking ceremony is a confirmation of the success story of the Buhari administration in reviving the railways and giving Nigerians a new lease of life.
He said the line will have one of the biggest stations in Nigeria which will serve passengers of the Kano-Maradi route. He said over twenty thousand jobs will be created in the cause of the construction of the Kaduna-Kano rail line.
Dr. Makut Simon Macham Director of Press & Public Affairs to the Governor of Plateau State. 15th July 2021.
GAGDI SENDS TEAM OF ENGINEERS TO INSPECT ABWOR DYIS COMMUNITY HALL.WORK COMMENCES IMMEDIATELY.
To match words with action after making his intention to take over and complete reconstruction of the Abwor Dyis Community Hall,a team of Engineers have arrived the site courtesy Member Representing Pankshin,Kanke,Kanam Federal Constituency,Rt Hon Yusuf Adamu Gagdi.
Leader of the team of Engineers,Shuaibu Haruna Gyangyang informed the Abwor Dyis Community that after the assessment,materials such as cement are billed to start arriving hopefully in the next few days while work commences immediately after the Sallah break.
He said Rt Hon Gagdi has already directed that the Abwor Dyis hall should be reconstructed to a standard that will befit a status of such a great community.
According to Gyangyang,some additional structures such as a standard office as well as conveniences for both males and females will be added to the structure to ease movements when feeling pressed.
He added that the entire stage will be demolished and an up to date stage created in a way it will serve almost all purposes.
Reinforcements of the pillars and the over heads as well as forming of basement for standard roofing are to be made to stand any interference that may occur in future to the structure.
On behalf of Rt Hon Yusuf Adamu Gagdi,Shuaibu Gyangyang assured the community that his further commitment and love for the people most especially at the grassroots and called on the community to guard jealously the building materials that will start arriving the community.
Responding on behalf of the Abwor Dyis Community separately,the Mishkom Abwor, HRH.Da Thomas Dawam,and the Secretary General of Abwor Dyis Community Development Association,Hon Peter Jwanse thanked Gagdi for taking a step ahead to fulfill his promise to a community he grew up in and started his early education describing it as a give back well appreciated.
They said already a safe place has been provided to accommodate all building materials that will be supplied and kept safely.The youths have also been mobilized for assistance along side security agencies to guard all that will be brought in and that the site engineer who will be supervising the work will also be made to feel at home with the community.
It will be recalled that the Abwor Dyis community held a fundraising for the reconstruction of its community hall where the Honorable Member attended and asked promised to take over from where the community efforts stopped.
Others who were present at the inspection visit were representatives of the youths and women as well as an aide of the Rt Hon Member who hails from the community,Hon Gungret Neple.
GOVERNOR LALONG SIGNS 4 BILLS ON AUTONOMY AND LAND ADMINISTRATION INTO LAW; SAYS NEW LAWS WILL IMPROVE IGR AND SECURITY.
Plateau State Governor Simon Bako Lalong on Wednesday 14th July 2021 signed 4 bills passed by the Plateau State House of Assembly into law at the New Government House, Little Rayfield Jos .
The bills signed into law include Plateau State Legislative Funds Management Law; Plateau State Judiciary Funds Management Law; Plateau State Property and Land Use Charge Law; and the Plateau Geographic Services Law.
While signing the bills into law, Governor Lalong said the new Funds Management Law for the Judiciary and Legislature will guide the implementation of the recently granted autonomy for the two arms of Government particularly in terms of financial management.
According to Governor Lalong, the laws will guide the Judiciary and Legislature on the implementation of autonomy with regards to funds disbursement, approvals and expenditure in line with extant financial regulations.
“These laws will further strengthen the two institutions by ensuring that funds are judiciously applied to the various needs of the Judiciary and Legislature. It will also assist the two arms to work within the framework of the MOU for the autonomy which was arrived at after thorough engagement between the three arms”.
On the new Property and Land Use Charge and the Plateau Geographic Information Services (PLAGIS) laws, Governor Lalong said they are significant in improving land administration in the State as well as boosting revenue generation.
He said “as we sign the law on autonomy, there is greater demand for resources which must be sourced locally. One of the things that will give us financial freedom as a State is for people to pay charges on their properties which hitherto have not been collected. That way, we can get resources to develop the State and provide services. This law will also enable us to enumerate all properties as well as name streets and number houses across the State”.
The Governor said the new laws are not meant to burden the citizens but to enable each property owner contribute to the development of the State. He said the PLAGIS law will make land administration more secure, flexible and reliable as well as ensure that all land data is captured, transformed and maintained in electronic format.
Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice Barr. Chrysanthus Ahmadu said the 4 laws are crucial for the good governance and economic development of the State particularly as they border on revenue generation and land management.
He said with the new Property and Land Charge Law, all owners of developed landed properties whether with titles, building plan approvals or not, will be required to comply with all stipulated charges. Whiel failure will attract sanctions, compliance will attract incentives
Ahmadu said the law harmonises the collection of all land charges including tenement rates that Lcoal Governments are empowered to enforce. This he said is captured in the new collection and sharing arrangement between the State and Local Governments which was done in line with the provisions of the Constitution that empowers such arrangement. He assured that all tenement rates will be centrally collected and shared in line with the formular agreed upon.
He also said the issues of delay, missen files, corruption and other leakages wil be blocked once the implementation of the new PLAGIS law commences.
The PLAGIS law provides for a Director General, Company Secretary and other supporting staff who will manage the agency.
The Governor thereafter presided over the State Revenue Council Meeting.
Dr. Makut Simon Macham Director of Press & Public Affairs to the Governor of Plateau State. 14th July 2021.
GAGDI RATES NIGERIAN NAVY HIGH, AS VICE PRESIDENT COMMISSIONS FALCON EYE
The Chairman House of Representatives Committee on Navy, Rt Hon. Yusuf Adamu Gagdi, has rated the Nigerian Navy highly and applauded them for curbing piracy and reducing criminalities along Nigerian coastal areas to the bearest minimum.
This was contained in his remark at the official commissioning of Falcon Eye, at the Naval Headquarters in Abuja today.
The official commissioning, which was performed by the Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, on behalf of President Muhammadu Buhari, had in attendance the Minister of Defence, all the Service Chiefs and other topnotch military officers.
The Vice President, who conveyed Mr President’s delight on the milestone achievement recorded by the Navy for the technological advancement in the war against waterways related crimes and expressed his administration’s readiness to give the armed forces the moral and financial support needed to win the war against all forms of criminalities in the country, said Nigerian Navy can be rated among the most equipped and advanced navies in the globe.
Falcon Eye is a technological device that enables the Nigerian Navy to monitor ships on Nigerian waterways within thousands of nautical miles from the comfort of their office.
With the aid of the Falcon Eye, the Nigerian Navy can now monitor all ships moving in and out of the country, and detect any criminal activities taking place on the high seas, whereby they can communicate the nearest patrol ship to the scene from their headquarters in Abuja.
Meanwhile, Gagdi and all other members of the 9th National Assembly are having a dinner with President Buhari this night, where critical issues of national importance shall take the front burner in a discussion between members of the executive and legislative arms of Nigerian government tonight.
PLATEAU GOVERNOR VOWS TO OVERHAUL CIVIL SERVICE; INTENSIFY FIGHT FOR RIGHTS OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITY
Governor Simon Bako Lalong of Plateau State has vowed to continue the overhaul of the State civil service in order to make it more efficient and responsive to the demands of current challenges.
Governor Lalong stated this while swearing in some members of Statutory Boards and Commissions at the New Government House Rayfield Jos.
Among those sworn in are the Chairman and Members of the State Civil Service Commission, Disability Rights Commission, Plateau Independent Electoral Commission, State House of Assembly Service Commission among others.
Lalong said the State Civil Service remains the engine of governance which must be constantly upgraded to perform effectively. According to him, this has led to current audit to remove ghost workers and those who have tampered with their records to remain in office perpetually.
He said “as experienced technocrats, Plateau State will be relying on you to deploy the best of your skills, techniques, and experiences to track down ghost workers, and other fraudulent staff who have over the years tampered with their records to perpetually remain in service. This is the only way we can save cost and open up doors for the younger ones to be engaged in service and bring in fresh ideas about governance. Moreover, this is a generation that is driven by Information and Communication Technologies that are at the tip of the fingers of our children. Why then would someone continue to tamper with records to block the younger ones from having an opportunity to serve the State and the nation?”.
While admonishing the members of the Disability Rights Commission to be up and doing, the Governor said he will continue to fight for the rights of people living with disability and ensure their welfare is given priority.
On revenue generation, the Governor said the target is to raise the internally generated revenue of the State to over 3 billion naira monthly. He charged the Chairman of the PSIRS to drive the process and ensure that the new revenue vision comes to pass.
Lalong also harped on the issue of transparency and accountability by charging the Auditor General of the State; the Director General of Procurement; and the Member of the State House of Assembly Commission; to be up and doing particularly as they were coming into office when the State has already commenced implementing Full Autonomy for the Legislature and Judiciary.
He said there is greater need for transparency, accountability and due diligence across the three arms to ensure that resources are used judiciously and for the benefit of the people.
Responding on behalf of the appointees, Chairman of the State Civil Service Commission, Mr. Luka Fwangyil promised to do their best and serve the State with diligence and honesty. He promised that they will work in tandem with the mandate of the Governor to cleanse the civil service and make it more credible.
LIST OF APPOINTEES SWORN IN: 1.Barr Luka C. Fwangyil-Chairman, Civil Service Commission 2.Chief James Barry-Member, Civil Service Commission 3.Mr. Rindam Selchum Lar -Auditor-General, Plateau State 4.Alh. Salisu Gyabe -Member, PLASIEC 5.Mr. Peter Dogo -D.G. Procurement 6.Mr. Arlat Dashe Dasogot-Chairman, PSIRS 7.Ms Kiyennah John Mizim-Chairman, Disability Commission 8.Mr. Seth Attah -Member, Disability Commission 9.Mr. Gyang Joshua Zi-Member, Disability Commission 10.Catherine Kyamwan-Member, Disability Commission 11.Mr. Deignmuk M. Damasus-Member, Disability Commission 12.Hon. Dinah Lar-Member, Plateau State House of Assembly Commission 13. Mr. Felix Rwang-Dung – DG, Plateau State Infrastructure Promotion and Regulatory Agency (PPP Office)
Dr. Makut Simon Macham Director of Press & Public Affairs to the Executive Governor of Plateau State 13th July 2021.
GOVERNOR LALONG CONDOLES CATHOLIC CHURCH OVER DEATH OF REV. FR. RAYMOND HICKEY
Plateau State Governor Simon Bako Lalong has described the late Augustinian Catholic Priest Rev. Fr. Raymond Hickey, as a man whose love and passion for Nigeria and its people transcended the barriers of religion, ethnicity or socio-political attributes.
Governor Lalong who eulogized the cleric during a condolence visit to the Augustinian Community at St. Monica’s Parish Rantya, Jos, to commiserate with the Church over the demise of the Irish Priest said the deceased had deep faith in Nigeria’s unity, peace and progress and also held a huge reservoir of knowledge on the history of many challenges and successes of the country, particularly the Northern Region where he spent about 60 years preaching the gospel.
Lalong said “Indeed the death of Rev. Fr. Raymond Hickey is a great loss to the Catholic Church as it has lost one of its committed Missionaries that devoted his life to the service of God and humanity. Having spent his almost 60 years of priesthood in Nigeria serving between Maiduguri Diocese, Yola Diocese, Jos Archdiocese and in the Apostolic Nunciature, Abuja, the late Rev. Fr. Raymond Hickey, ministered to Catholics, non-Catholics and people of different religious, cultural, ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds”.
He also said his love for Nigeria enabled him to easily connect with her people at all levels while working for the salvation of their souls, reconciling them to God and championing their rights. Little wonder, he has earned tremendous respect and variously described as a historian, researcher, conservator, an author, but above all, as a humble and dedicated Irish Augustinian priest.
Responding, Rev. Fr. (Prof) Anthony Kanu, (OSA) the Prior Provincial, Order of St. Augustine, Province of Nigeria, thanked the governor for commiserating with them and said the deceased had given the Augustinians in Nigeria a positive connecting identity through his great works across the country.
“He was a historian and the respect accorded him is also accorded us. We shall miss Fr. Raymond Hickey, we have actually enjoyed the fruit of his labour and the dividends are still with us,” he said.
He expressed confidence that Hickey’s works would be written in the annals of history, and will for the next 100 years , remain a valuable resource for anyone writing the history of Catholic Church in Northern Nigeria.
Rev. Fr. Raymond Hickey was born in Dublin, Ireland in 1936 and ordained a catholic priest in 1960 in Rome before being posted for missionary work to Nigeria. He came to Nigeria as a Catholic missionary and served in Borno and Yobe states for 28 years. Fr. Raymond has lived among the people of Zaladava of Pulka, the Karekare, Ngezim and Ngamo of Fika division, the Kanakuru and Bura of Shani. He also served in Bekaji, Jimeta/Yola, as well as Jos, Lagos and Mararabar Ngurku, outside Abuja. Untill his death, he was a priest of the Jos Diocese.
Dr. Makut Simon Macham Director of Press & Public Affairs to the Governor of Plateau State 12th July 2021
Disgruntled by rumours making the rounds on a preposterous claim, alluding an instruction by the office of the Deputy Governor through His cheif of staff to extirpate traditions and impose a PYC Chairman on the youths of Mangu LGA, it has become highly germane for us to debunk this hideous deceit, throw clarity, affirm our stand and put the records straight as the case may be. Notwithstanding, we’re not unwitting of the fact that this move is only orchestrated by desperate individuals, coveting to use and reduce the office of the Deputy and the office of deputy chief of staff to mere tools of intimidation and confusion in the land.
It would be recalled that a meeting held at the people’s house ably chaired by CMR. YIRVOMS, under the joint leadership of the outgoing LG PYC exco, the immediate past MYM exco and the entire LG veterans sat and unanimously zoned the PYC LG Chairmanship seat to Tim zone, where it was instantaneously on same day re-zoned to Ampang zone by a collective voice from Tim. In wisdom, compliance with the principle of equal representation of the council and taking cognizance of the fact that Ampang as a district has zones within as well, the stakeholders and Congress sat and zoned all positions allocated to Ampang zone, from the State, LG and District; there again, the LG seat was micro zoned to Pishik, reasons being that Pishik occupied the least position in the outgoing leadership while Bwonpe occupied the highest positions which includes, the seats of the current District Chairman and the State CWC. The zoning process was credibly conducted based on the existing PYC template for rotation within zones or units which clearly mandates that the previous least occupants of possitions takes the big seat while the previous big seat occupants takes the least, thence the decision in Ampang was affirmed. And thank God for the resilience of the likes of CMR. GAIUS, HON. PWASPO and some other reasonable Veterans in Ampang who saw the need to broker peace between the two aspirants from Pishik zone, which now leaves one consensus candidate from there as it is. This is not just commendable but worthy of emulation even amongst our elders.
Be that as it may, we wish to stake our confidence on the wisdom of the Deputy Governor and the commissioner, trusting they’ll not condescend to allowing themselves to be used as straitjackets to cause dishamony amongst the youths by political jobbers. And incase the perpetrators of this confusion are acting only in ignorance and are totally oblivious of the aforementioned facts or traditions of the Council, we make bold to state to whom it may concern in unambiguous terms that, ZONING IS SACROSANCT IN PYC; this arrangements and understandings only goes to promote cohabitation, opportunities for equal participation and leadership development cut across all sub-units and sub-zones of the entire State.
It is indeed very worrisome and abhorrent that for the Mangu man, who’s biggest albatross in times of any contest (even as seen in the 2023 Gubernatorial race) is reaching an in-house consensus, we thought by now, we would begin to educate the Youths and Elders on the need to uphold processes that will enhancing more cohesion rather than acting as seeds of discords or agents of deeper confusion but the reverse seems to be the unfortunate case. So, how do we intend to lead the State in little Rayfield if we can’t even reach simple consensus on very piffling issues as this? Why should anyone put his or her interest above the interests of the common good of the land? Honestly, this nonsense ‘tsoghot’nder’pal’ must be discouraged and heavily resisted by all. This calls for deep and personal introspection and re-evaluation of our devotion to Unity and the progress of our dear land.
Finally, we call on the attention of the office of the Deputy Governor and the Hon. Commissioner on this matter and advise that, they as in the interest of Unity issue out strong warnings refuting such costly rumours which possess as greater threat to the Unity of our people. We call on the general public to be weary of mischievous elements who’s stock-in-trade is causing disharmony and promoting hate amongst the citizenry. We must know that the Mangu house does not have the leverage of engaging itself in needless fights against each other when the task ahead is clearly more rigorous and enormous. May God expose and disgrace the agents of separatism in Mangu Land.
We remain faithfully committed to the Mangu project and to all that concerns Unity and Progress.
NORTHERN GOVERNORS SHOCKED OVER DEATH OF FORMER KADUNA DEPUTY GOVERNOR, BALA BANTEX
The Northern State’s Governors’ Forum has expressed deep sorrow over the death of former Deputy Governor of Kaduna State Architect Barnabas Yusuf Bala fondly referred to as Bantex.
Chairman of the Forum and Governor of Plateau State Simon Bako Lalong in a statement commiserated with his immediate family, the Governor and people of Kaduna State over the sad incident.
Lalong described the late Deputy Governor as an accomplished professional Architect, politician of high repute and integrity, who served his community, State and Nigeria with passion, honesty and patriotism.
He said “our brother and friend was a man whose primary concern was on how to ensure that justice, peace and progress prevails among people of various religious and ethnic backgrounds as well as build common ground for peaceful coexistence. This was clearly demonstrated in the way he conducted himself as pioneer Secretary General of the Southern Kaduna People’s Union (SOKAPU); Chairman, Kaura Local Government; Member Representing Kaura Federal Constituency at the National Assembly; Deputy Governor of Kaduna State between 2015 and 2019; as well as several other responsibilities he was assigned throughout his life time”.
Lalong said apart from his passion for the development of the country, the late Bantex was always desirous of the rapid development and unity of the North as he worked with the Forum vigorously towards adressing insecurity, poverty, disease, illiteracy and misunderstandings exacerbated by ethno-religious sentiments.
While praying God to grant his soul eternal rest and comfort his family, Governor Lalong said his legacies will continue to be remembered for a very long time.
Dr. Makut Simon Macham Director of Press & Public Affairs to the Governor of Plateau State. 11th July 2021.
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