GOVERNOR LALONG EXCITED OVER RELEASE OF REV. POLYCARB ZONGO

Plateau State Governor Simon Bako Lalong has expressed excitement over the release of Rev. Polycarb Zongo of the Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN) Wild Life Park, Jos who was abducted by insurgents last year October.

Lalong said the release of the clergyman and other abductees is an answer to the prayers of the Church and other people of goodwill which affirms that God does not abandon his people even at difficult moments.

Lalong praised all those who played various roles in facilitating the release of the clergyman, as well as thosea who showed concern to the family and the Church, saying this is the solidarity and humanity that is needed to overcome the insecurity and intolerance in the country.

Governor Lalong wishes Rev. Zango well as he recuperates from the emotional and physical trauma he has undergone. He also urges him to remain strong and use his ordeal to encourage and motivate the people towards trust in God and respect for humanity.

He also sends his special goodwill to the  family of Rev. Zongo, the COCIN family and its President, Rev. Dr. Dachollom Datiri, urging them to continue to pray for God’s intervention in the affairs of the nation and interceed for other people in similar circumstances as well as upholding the security agencies as they continue to battle the insurgents.

Dr. Makut Simon Macham
Director of Press & Public Affairs to the Governor of Plateau State.
16th June 2021.

Killings: PIDAN calls on   Govt  to put  up strong security measures to safeguard t Citizens of Plateau 

June 16,2021

By Golok Nanmwa ,Jos 

 Plateau Initiative for Development and Advancement of the Natives, PIDAN on Wednesday condemned in totality the systematic attacks on communities within the state, the recent of which took place in Sabo Line, Kuru, Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State, where 12 people were murdered in cool blood and 5 others seriously injured.

PIDAN in a statement signed by its President and Secretary General, Prof. Aboi Madaki and Comrade Nanle Gujor , respectively described the attack as “one of the highest acts of irresponsibility by the perpetrators”, and called on the various organs of Government to put up strong security measures to safeguard the citizens of the state.

While calling on government to fish out those behind the heinous acts, PIDAN appealed to communities within the state to rise up to the challenges by securing themselves through the various platforms provided by Government.

” This is not time to sleep, it is time to be awake and take responsibilities of our destinies. It is time to use the various organs provided by Government, like the Vigilante, Neighborhood Watch, Community policing, to protect ourselves”,  PIDAN said in the statement.

The umbrella body of all ethnic nationalities on the Plateau further called for extra vigilance from the people, and advised citizens of the state to collaborate with the various security agencies in their respective domains to appropriately report strange movements and strangers .

In would be recalled that some gunmen stormed Sabo Line settlement of Kuru, Jos South on Sunday June 13, 2021 and killed 12 people, leaving 5 others with various degrees of injuries.

Those killed in gruesome manners are: Mr. Darla Ayuba Rap, aka Faa; his younger brother, Mr. Stephen Ayuba Rap;  Mr. Ibrahim Monday Dong, aka IBB;:Mr. Feng Gyang Dalong, Mr. Davou Matthew,  Mrs Naomi Samuel Mwankon, Miss Kaneng Dung, Mr. Davou Pam. James Fom, aka Gang-Loh, a resident of Kuru from Rim, Mr. Gyang Juma; Mr. David Dalyop, a resident of Kuru from Rim and Chigwuze Emmanuel Paul, an Igbo Man and a resident of Kuru.

The 5 people who sustained severe injuries include: Miss Abigail Chuhwak, from Wat Kuru; Mrs Kangyang John, from Kushe Kuru; Mrs Joy Sallau, a resident of Kuru from Lantang; Mrs. Grace Dachung, from Kushe Kuru and Mr. Simon Mwangwong Jama from Kushe

GOVERNOR LALONG SWEARS IN ACTING PRESIDENT, CUSTOMARY COURT OF APPEAL

A new President of the Plateau State Customary Court of Appeal, Hon. Justice Blessing Lyop Dalyop has been sworn in by Governor Simon Bako Lalong with a charge for her to uphold the tenets of justice, good conscience and fairness.

While swearing in Hon. Justice Blessing Lyop Dalyop at the Victoria Gowon Auditorium, New Government House Rayfield Jos, the Governor said the task before the acting President of the Customary Court of appeal is enormous but he is optimistic that she has the experience and capacity to discharge the assignment effectively.

Lalong said with the benefit of his experience as a Lawyer, one time law maker and by the Grace of God now Governor, he has great appreciation of the strategic position that judges play in moderating interactions between individuals, Government and organisations in the society.

He drew the attention of Justice Blessing Dalyop and the Judiciary to the need to expeditiously deal with cases involving suspects who are arrested for crimes such as attacks on innocent citizens, kidnapping and cultism among others.

Making reference to the Sunday night horrendous attacks in Sabon Layi, Kuru where criminals killed and injured innocent people going about their lawful businesses, the Governor said, “these attacks are getting prevalent and worrisome. This requires us to fully apply the provisions of the law in bringing the perpetrators to justice and creating deterrence. Our people must be protected and made to feel safe as we consolidate on the peace and security of our State. We are tired of hearing unknown gunmen. Are they spirits? I am expecting the IGP to come and commission the patrol vehicles and special security motorcycles we have acquired which we believe will enable the police fish out criminals”.

He told the Acting President of the Customary Court that, “you are coming into this office at a time when the Judiciary in Plateau State is being ushered into the era of the long anticipated Autonomy which in the last months has been on the front burner in the country. We hope this will make your job easier as you deliver inspiring and accountable leadership to the Court. The implementation of full autonomy does not in any way translate to an automatic resolution of all the challenges that the judiciary faces”.

Justice Blessing Dalyop appreciated God, the Judiciary and the Governor for her appointment and assured that she will put in her best to lead the Customary Court of Appeal in delivering justice to the people.

Justice Blessing Dalyop is sworn in to replace the former President of the Court, late Justice Sati Patrick Dapit who died in April 2021.

Dr. Makut Simon Macham
Director of Press & Public Affairs to the Governor of Plateau State.
15th June 2021

GOVERNOR LALONG FELICITATES WITH SAM OMATSEYE AT 60
Plateau State Governor and Chairman, Northern States Governors Forum Simon Bako Lalong has felicitated with veteran journalist and Chairman of the Editorial Board of The Nation Newspapers, Mr. Sam Omatseye, on the occasion of his 60th birthday.
Governor Lalong in a congratulatory message described Sam Omatseye as a strong voice in the Nigerian Media landscape who has used his talent of writing and enquiry to contribute to national discourse and project fresh perspectives on many issues.
Lalong said Sam Omatseye has also demonstrated enormous capacity for critical thinking and engaging various segments of society using his journalistic instincts and contributing in holding the government accountable to the people.
He said Omatseye’s versatility has also given his the latitude to get involved in fighting corruption, advocating for good governance, press freedom and other efforts towards building a better Nigeria and also strengthening the nation’s democratic culture.
Lalong while wishing him many more years of God’s protection and favour, advised him to continue to mentor younger media professionals and training them to be patriotic, fearless, resilient, honest and responsible in carrying out their assignment of being the conscience of society at all times.
Dr. Makut Simon Macham
Director of Press & Public Affairs to the Governor of Plateau State
14th June 2021

NORTHERN GOVERNORS SALUTE GEN. ABDULSALAMI ABUBAKAR AT 79
The Northern Governors’ Forum has sent warm felicitations to former Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, on his 79th birthday, describing him as a patriotic Nigerian who continues to work for the unity, peace and progress of the country.
In a statement, Chairman of the Forum and Governor of Plateau State Rt. Hon. Simon Bako Lalong said General Abdulsalami apart from serving the nation meritoriously during his military career, edged his name in gold by setting the country on the path of democracy when he handed over power to an elected President, ending the long years of military rule.
Lalong said the former Head of State has also continued to take keen interest in the growth of democracy and the entrenchment of good governance through his interventions, advocacy and wise counsel.
He said General Abdulsalami’s passionate pursuit of peace and the fight against insecurity is commendable as he has always made himself available whenever called upon to offer his knowledge and experience to leaders at various levels in tackling challenges.
While wishing him more years of God’s protection, good health and more wisdom, Lalong urged the former head of State not to relent in his determination to ensuring the conduct of free, fair and credible elections in Nigeria, devoid of violence, acrimony and desperation.
He said the Northern Governors Forum will continue to leverage on his advice, leadership qualities, and maturity in addressing the challenges facing the region and its peoples.

Dr. Makut Simon Macham
Director of Press & Public Affairs to the Governor of Plateau State
14th June 2021

KURU KILLINGS: LALONG WARNS AGAINST ATTACKS ON INNOCENT CITIZENS, BEGS COMMUNITIES TO INCREASE SURVEILLANCE

Distressed by the killing of innocent citizens in Sabon Layi, Kuru in Jos South Local Government Area, Governor Simon Lalong has appealed to citizens to increase surveillance and intelligence gathering as well as collaborate with security agencies to foil such attacks which are carried out in a hit and run fashion by criminals who are bent on disturbing the peace of the State.

Governor Simon Lalong who expressed disgust over the murderous incident which occurred on Sunday night in Sabon Layi Kuru, in Jos South Local Government and left 12 people dead and 5 critically injured, said these unprovoked and isolated attacks on soft targets must be stopped at all cost, as the Government will never allow few criminal elements to create fear in the hearts of the citizens.

During a visit to the scene to commiserate with the families of the victims and the Kuru community, the Governor who was represented by the Secretary to the Government of the State Prof. Danladi Atu condemned the attack describing those behind it as cowards who have no courage to face their victims for whatever grievances they might harbour against them.

He said irrespective of the motives behind the killings, the Government is treating it as a purely criminal activity and has directed security agencies to swiftly investigate, pursue, and arrest the perpetrators who must face justice.

Atu who announced a donation by the Government for the treatment of those injured and the burial of the deceased, said the Government is injecting more equipment into the security apparatus to enhance their rapid response in crime prevention and investigation.

The Secretary to the Government thereafter held a meeting with the Gwom Rwei Kuru District, Da Patrick Mandung, community and youth leaders as well as the Management Committee Chairman, Jos South Local Government Area Hon. Gideon Dandereng who all appreciated the Government for its quick intervention and visit, promising to intensify intelligence gathering and fully cooperate with security agencies in unraveling those behind the killings.

They said despite the ugly incident, the spirit of the people will never be broken and their hospitality and tolerance will not change as they remain a peaceful community who embrace all people irrespective of their backgrounds and harbour no grudge against anyone.

Dr. Makut Simon Macham
Director of Press & Public Affairs to the Governor of Plateau State
14th June 2021

Agroup known as Plateau State Grass Root Youth for Justice through the state chairman Davwab Zachariah calls for immediate independent investigation over the step aside order issued to the Caretaker APC chairman Hon. Chief Letep Dabang. the group claims to be non-participant but any interested in issues that will affect the peace and justice of plateau at home and in the diaspora. see details of the news below as available to our news desk:   

PLATEAU STATE GRASSROOTS YOUTH FOR JUSTICE  

PRESS RELEASE 

Preamble  

The Plateau State Grass Root Youth for Justice is a non-partisan, Non-Ethnic, Non-Religious group but monitors and checks the activities of political parties and exists to encourage justice, fairness, peace, and order at all levels of engagement, advocating for the rights of Plateau citizens at home and in the diaspora. 

We are inundated by the recently staged suspension of the chairperson of the All-Progressives Congress (APC) Hon. Chief. Letep Dabang. As youths whose mandate is to encourage fair play and justice for all and various levels, we rise to the occasion as a wakeup call for caution against the peace we have enjoyed as a state for some time. We are forced therefore, to lend our voices knowing fully well that to safeguard our peace is a collective responsibility. However, we must call a spade by its name. 

The suspension of the chairperson on the ground of Anti-Party activities is to say the least unreasonable, callous, uncharitable, and unjustifiable and lacks merit to the reasonable mind. We see this scenario as a calculated attempt to hijack the party by some cabals whom we see as selfish and might not mean well for the continuous growth of the party and our dear state at large. For the records, we are fully aware of the activities and pedigree of the suspended chairperson, first, as a founding member of the party whose wealth of political experience catapulted the party to where it is today. 

We are fully aware of the Modus-operandi of the APC which is contained in its good books. Again, we appreciate the role of the grassroots through the ward level, a situation we conspicuously found lacking in the allegation therefore begging the question; who is responsible for this staged act? And to whose interest? We therefore pray that this action will not raise dust at the ward, LG and state levels or worst-case scenario distort the peace we have enjoyed for the past years. We therefore call for serious caution, to whom it may concern.  

We encourage that political parties should be instruments of mobilization rather than polarization of the people knowing the role Hon. Chief Letep Dabang played in the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) in the state, a role we believed not only stabilized the parties in the state but also consolidate on the peace in the state. 

In conclusion, we wish to call on the national leadership of the APC to immediately rescind its decision by setting up an independent and transparent committee that will guarantee justice and fairness to all before the LG polls and other elections in order not to truncate the peace of the state.  

Sign 

Davwab Zachariah                                                         

  Chairman        

“GO AND MAKE GOD AND PLATEAU PROUD”, GOVERNOR LALONG TELLS LAFIA CATHOLIC BISHOP-ELECT, MSGNR. DAVID AJANG.

Governor Simon Bako Lalong has charged the Catholic Bishop-elect of Lafia Diocese Msgnr David Ajang to continue to serve God and declare His salvation to the world without fear or hesitation.

Governor Lalong was speaking at a send forth Mass organised for the Bishop-elect by his Parish, the Church of Immaculate Conception, Zarmaganda Jos.

Lalong said “His commitment to the Catholic Church and the propagation of the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ here on the Plateau and elsewhere is very much acknowledged and appreciated. Having worked closely with him as the Chaplain of the Government House Chapel for the past six years, I can testify about his deep passion to the salvation of the souls of men. We therefore have to release him and pray for him as he takes on this new responsibility. My Lord Bishop-elect, as you leave us for what could be referred to in other quarters as the Next Level, we urge you to go and make us proud just like you have done over the years by providing spiritual cover for the Government and people of Plateau State”.

Lalong said at the time when the nation is going through many challenges, the Church remains the beacon of hope and a place of refuge, urging the Bishop-elect not not to depend on human wisdom, power or might, but the Spirit of God and His grace.

The Bishop-elect who took his Homily, read from 2 Corinthians 5:6-10 and Mark 4:26-34 said growth, both physical and spiritual, requires deliberate efforts and choices by those involved as God blesses their good efforts.

He urged the congregation to always choose how they spend their time and with whom they keep company as it eventually defines the level of progress they attain.

He thanked the parishioners of CIC Zarmaganda for their love and support which enabled him perfom his priestly duties, urging them to pray for him as he takes om his new assignment.

He also thanked Governor Lalong for giving him the opportunity to serve as the Chaplain of the Plateau State Government House Chapel, describing the experience as worthwhile and rewarding.

There was thanksgiving and songs of praise to God in marking the event.

Dr. Makut Simon Macham
Director of Press & Public Affairs to the
Executive Governor, Plateau State
13th June 2021

PLATEAU TO IMPLEMENT FULL AUTONOMY AS EXECUTIVE, LEGISLATURE & JUDICIARY REACH AGREEMENT

The dust over the implementation of autonomy for the Judicial and Legislative Arms of Government across the country has been settled in Plateau State, with the three arms of Government reaching an agreement after series of negotiations on modalities for its operations.

Governor Simon Bako Lalong disclosed this at a dinner and lecture to mark Democracy Day 2021 at the Banquet Hall of the New Government House, Little Rayfield Jos on Saturday June 12th.

Lalong said prior to the clamour for implementation of autonomy across the nation, his administration had put in place structures for autonomy and even implemented some aspects. This include establishing the Judicial Service Commission and the House of Assembly Service Commission which are the administrative fulcrums of the two arms of Government among others.

He said with the agreement reached on modalities for implementation, he has directed that all funds accruing to the two arms of Government should immediately be transferred to them. This he said will continue to be the practice henceforth.

Based on the arrangement, after every FAAC monthly allocations are recieved and Internally Generated Revenues ascertained, statutory charges and liabilities will be deducted before each arm of Government are given what belongs to them.

The Governor who thanked the Speaker of the House of the Assembly and the Chief Judge for their understanding and cooperation throughout the negotiations, said there is no winner no vanquished. He then called on Judiciary and Legislative workers unions to ensure they get back to work immediately as anything short will amount to absence from duty which attracts “no work no pay”.

The Governor also recieved the report of the Judicial Panel of Enquiry on Police Brutality from the Chairman, Retired Justice Philomina Lot who said they recieved over a hundred petitions and struck out a few, but had many petitioners appear to make their cases.

The Governor assured that the State will implement all the recommendations relating to it and forward those concerning the Federal Government and its agencies appropriately.

Guest Lecturer Prof. Andrew Zamani, DG ITF Sir Joseph Ari, and acting DG NIPSS Gen. Udaya rtd  all commended Governor Lalong for pursuing peace and tackling insecurity which has brought about investment and development in the State.

Deputy Governor Prof. Sonny Tyoden and Secretary to the Government of the State, Prof. Danladi Abok Atu used the commemoration of the two years of the second tenure to reaffirm the commitment of the Lalong Rescue Administration to implement all it projects and fulfil its campaign promises.

Dr. Makut Simon Macham
Director of Press & Public Affairs to the Governor of Plateau State.
13th June 2021

Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau State has confirmed the removal of Chief Letep Dabang as the chairman of the All Progressives Congress in the state.

The Governor made the announcement on Saturday night during a lecture and dinner organised for stakeholders as part of the activities to mark the June 12 Democracy Day which held at the Rayfield Government House in Jos.

Lalong who stopped mid-way in his speech to introduce the new State Chairman of the APC said, “We have a new APC chairman in Plateau. He is here with us. I saw him trying to send a text message using his phone and I said, let me stop here and recognise him before he will suspend me.”

Although the Governor did not speak further on the matter, it was gathered that the former APC chairman who was replaced by his Deputy, Enough Fanmak, was accused of anti-party activities which led to his suspension.

Dabang’s suspension was contained in a letter written to him by the party’s National Secretary, Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee, Sen. John Akpanudoedehe.

The letter dated June 11, 2021, read in part, “The Party is in receipt of a correspondence suspending you from office as the State Caretaker Chairman of Plateau chapter of our party, over anti-party activities.

“The information of your suspension contained in a document endorsed by a good number of members of the State Executive Committee, of which the Executive Governor of your state equally serves as a member, cannot be ignored.

“Therefore, in line with the posture of transparency of the Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC), the National Chairman H.E. (Hon) Mal Mala Buni, has authorized the constitution of a 3-Man Fact Finding Committee.

“The committee is to look into the allegations as averred, with a view to determining the veracity or otherwise of the claims.

“In the circumstance, you are to step aside from your position as state caretaker chairman while the Deputy State Caretaker Chairman will act in your stead, pending the conclusion of the findings of the committee,”

The letter urged the suspended party chairman to “count on the fairness and good conscience of the CECPC on this endeavor”