Prince Sekat, Jos

The Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), has rejected the ongoing review of the 1999 Constitution as Amended and demands a new Constitution that will reflect the yearnings and aspirations of the people.

Submitting a Memorandum of the PFN to the Senate Committee on the 1999 Constitution Review for Benue, Nasarawa and Plateau States in Jos, the Vice President, North Central of the organization, Prophet Isa El-buba declared their position that the present Constitution is not a peoples’ constitution and does not, in anyway, reflect the aspirations and yearnings of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) and the people of Nigeria.

“The Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) is firmly of the view that the review process by amending a segment of the constitution might just be an exercise in futility that cannot meet the expectations of the people.

“We stand with the different groups and people across the length and breadth of Nigeria in rejecting the 1999 Constitution, and maintaining that it cannot deliver a framework for good governance.

“We do not see the on-going process of proposed alteration to the provision of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 achieving the objectives of restructuring Nigeria, as desired and canvassed by millions of Nigerians and the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN)” they added.

The memorandum by the PFN was signed by it’s National President, Bishop Francis Wale Oke, National Secretary, Rev. Dr. Cosmas Ilechukwu and National Legal Adviser Funmi Quadri, SAN.

Reading the address of the Chairman Senate Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution and the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, the Committee Chairman for the Zone, Senator Abdullahi Adamu had earlier said the Senate decided to adopt a bottom-top approach by first listening to Nigerians at the geopolitical level before the National Public hearing.

The two days public hearing on the review of the 1999 Constitution which is ongoing simultaneusly across the six geopolitical zones of the country, is a platform for all stakeholders to contribute to the realization of a Constitution that will reflect the minds of all Nigerians.

Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau State in a good will message hoped that the exercise will reflect the yearnings of the citizens to strengthen democracy and foster peace and unity of the country especially in the face of economic and security challenges.

While urging the committee to be fair in addressing some grey areas in the Constitution, he supported the need for the Constitution to guaranty the full autonomy of all sectors.

Lalong also stressed the need for State and Community Policing in the Constitution review in order to curtail the incessant attacks on defenceless citizens.

All the three States’ government and Houses of Assemblies submitted their Memos to the committee as well as civil society organization, ethnic groups, religious body and individuals

PRESS RELEASE

PRESIDENT BUHARI APPOINTS NEW CHIEF OF ARMY STAFF

The Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Mohammadu Buhari has appointed Major General Farouk Yahaya as the new Chief of Army Staff.

Prior to his appointment Major General Yahaya was the General Officer Commanding 1 Division of the Nigerian Army and the incumbent Theatre Commander of the Counter terrorism Counter Insurgency military outfit in the North East code named Operation HADIN KAI.

Please disseminate this information to the general public through your news medium.
Thank you for your cooperation.

ONYEMA NWACHUKWU
Brigadier General
Acting Director Defence Information
27 May 2021

NDE VICTOR DAVID DIMKA fsi FELICITATES WITH NIGERIAN CHILDREN

The Leader of the DVD movement, Nde Victor David Dimka fsi felicitates with children in Plateau State and Nigeria at large as they celebrate Children’s Day today.

“Our Children are special gifts to us and we must do everything humanly possible to nurture them to be good citizens that can contribute their quota to the development of the State and Nigeria as a whole”, he said .

While acknowledging that children are the future of any given society, he added that this celebration is a very important one not only to our children but all of us because our lives cannot be complete without these precious gifts from God.

“It is therefore incumbent upon us and government at all levels to ensure the protection of the rights of Children in all areas”.

“It is part of my vision to provide an enabling environment that will guarantee the rights of children to become leaders of tomorrow”, he added.

He therefore joins millions of other parents in Plateau and beyond on this special day.

DVD Media Team

GOVERNOR LALONG HARPS ON PEACE BUILDING AS HE ENGAGES SAVANNAH CENTRE FOR DIPLOMACY, DEVELOPMENT AND DEMOCRACY.

Governor Simon Bako Lalong has called on civil society organisations to continue to partner Government in building and sustaining peace in the country.

Governor Lalong said this when a delegation from the Savannah Center for Diplomacy, Democracy and Development led by its Chairman, Ambassador Aminu Wali paid him a courtesy visit. He advocated for periodic review of laws and policies in Nigeria, to ensure it meets the yearnings of its target population.

Aminu Wali told Governor Simon Lalong that the centre was established to conduct research, advocacy, training and policy analysis, in the area of conflict prevention, management , democracy and sustainable development in Nigeria.

He explained that research was critical to ensure that issues sorrounding policies and laws that are implemented or about to be implemented are addressed, to ensure its success.

“The essence is to look and see whether these policies and perspectives go in consonance with the requirements and need of the community that is being served, and amend them where required to suit the needs of the people,” he said.

Aliyu said the center was organising town hall meetings in Kaduna, Kano, Benue, Plateau, Kogi and Katsina states, in preparation for enacting policies and laws, to address the farmers and herders conflicts in across the country.

Responding, Governor Lalong said Plateau State Government has entrenched the policy of engaging affected stakeholders on issues, to ensure its policies and laws adresses their needs or concerns.

He said the state government engaged stakeholders of open grazing for three years, to ensure they understand its challenges and to facilitate smooth implementation of its law.

” I told the state assembly that they should not pass this law without public hearing which is the final stage. It would protect us from the farmers/ herdsmen clashes, ” he said.

The governor said engagement with stakeholders was to sensitise them on the hazards of open grazing, and the provisions of the law in adressing their health needs, education and other basic needs.

Dr. Makut Simon Macham
Director of Press & Public Affairs to the Governor of Plateau State.
26th May 2021.

GOVERNOR LALONG RECIEVES SENATE CONSTITUTION REVIEW

Members of the Senate Committee on Constitution Review for the North Central Zone holding in Jos Plateau State, today 26th May 2021 visited Governor Simon Bako Lalong at the Government House Little Rayfield Jos ahead of the Public hearing.

They were led by the Chairman of the Committee Senator Abdullahi Adamu who intimated the Governor that they were in the State to conduct the hearing in order to get the input of the people of the zone towards the review of the 1999 Constitution.

Governor Simon Lalong welcomed the committee and reminded them that this is another reunion of the old Benue-Plateau State. He said the people of the three States (Nasarawa, Benue and Plateau) remain eternal brothers and one people.

He expressed optimism that they will not only recieve issues that are common to people of the States, but also to the entire region.

He wished them well in the assignment and assured them of the support of the Plateau State Government.

Dr. Makut Simon Macham
Director of Press & Public Affairs to the Governor of Plateau State.
26th May 2021

Mary Adar Gar’s Demise- A colossal loss to Plateau State… Rep. Bagos

26th May, 2021

The Member Representing Jos South Jos East Federal Constituency at the National Assembly, Rep Dachung Bagos has expressed shock over the demise of Hon. Mary Adar Gar, who sadly lost her life in a motor accident returning from a PDP function in Shendam Local Government Area of Plateau State.

Until her sudden demise, Hon. Mary Adar Gar was serving as the Financial Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at the state level.

In a condolence message, Bagos said
” your death is indeed a shocking one, it came at a time the party at both the state and national levels needed your wealth of experience in mobilising the party to greater heights and tenable achievements.”

“On behalf of my immediate family and the good people of Jos South/ Jos East Federal Constituency, we commiserate with the Adar’s family, Jos East PDP, Afizere Nation and the entire PDP family on the Plateau over this irreplaceable loss”

It’s our prayer that the Lord Jesus Christ will comfort us all in his own special way.

Adieu Mrs Mary Adar Gar!!!

Danja Dafwam Yakubu
Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to Rep Dachung Bagos.

PLATEAU STATE TO BENEFIT FROM 8BILLION NAIRA WORLD BANK COVID-19 ECONOMIC STIMULUS FUND.

In preparation for the implementation of the World Bank funded COVID-19 Action Economic Stimulus Program for Result (NG-CARES), Plateau State Governor Simon Bako Lalong has inaugurated a Steering Committee that will supervise the implementation of the program in the State.

While inaugurating the Steering Committee at the Government House Rayfield Jos, the Governor said Plateau State is fully ready to participate in the implementation of the Program which is financed by the World Bank and has fulfilled the requirements to access to $20 million dollars (over 8 billion naira) from the $750 million dollars granted to the Federal Government to address the negative consequences of Covid-19 on our economy.

He said “we are all witnesses to the fact that Covid-19 has severely affected the lives of our citizens and that of the State in General. This has exposed poor and vulnerable households to challenges in multiple fronts. These include job losses; losses in business incomes; food insecurity; and general inability to obtain basic services for day to day living. This is even worsened by the drastic fall in Government revenues”.

Lalong said the programme is commendable as it will assist the State to mitigate the impact of the pandemic. In ensuring that our people benefit, Plateau State opted to implement all the three Result Areas of the programme because of their expected social intervention impacts on the economy.

The Governor said over 60,129 citizens of Plateau State are expected to benefit from the project which has the potential of transforming the landscape of the State economy.

Among other things, the State CARES Steering Committee (SCSC) will be responsible for providing oversight direction to the implementing agencies; approving their work plans and budgets; ensuring that funds are released to delivery platforms in accordance with the funds flow agreement; as well as ensuring that there is full compliance with the Program Appraisal Document.

Lalong also warned that his administration will not tolerate failure “I shall be personally monitoring your activities to ensure that the State gets maximum benefit from its participation. Any act of non-performance or willful sabotage will not be tolerated in this program. Since this is an emergency operation with clearly spelled out guidelines, each platform should work within the confine of its responsibilities to avoid task conflict which could affect performance” he said.

He thanked the World Bank Task Team leader Prof. Folosho Okunmodewa and the National Coordinator for NG-CARES Dr. Abubakar Obaje for their commitment and support for the takeoff of the project.

Chairman of the Committee and Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning Mr. Sylvester Wallangko while responding on behalf of other members said they will put in their best to achieve the objectives of the programme. He said it is a golden opportunity for the Lalong Rescue Administration to further push forward its vision for Economic Rebirth by promoting entrepreneurship and job creation.

Members of the Plateau State CARES  Steering Committee are:

1.MR SYLVESTER WALLANGKOHON COMMISSIONER, MINISTRY OF BUDGET AND ECONOMIC PLANNING(CHAIRMAN)

2.DR (MRS) REGINA SOEMLATHON COMMISSIONER, MINISTRY OF FINANCE(MEMBER)
3.DR ISTIFANUS FINANGWAIHON COMMISSIONER, MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE(MEMBER)
4.MR JOSEPH ABE AKUHON COMMISSIONER MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRIES(MEMBER)
5.DR (MRS) SUMAYE HAMZAEXECUTIVE ASSISTANT/FOCAL PERSON SOCIAL INVESTMENT PROGRAMME(MEMBER)
6.SUNDAY BIGGSPERMANENT SECRETARY GOVERNMENT HOUSE(MEMBER)
7.DR AMOS AKIMSBOARD CHAIRMAN CSDA(MEMBER)
8.MR DAVID DASERDIRECTOR GENERAL PLATEAU INFORMATION  TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT AGENCY(MEMBER)
9.MR HAGGAI HARUNA GUTAPHEAD, STATE CARES COORDINATING UNIT(SECRETARY)
10.SAMUEL DAMLACOORDINATOR, SDGs, PLATEAU STATE (MEMBER)

The State CARES Coordinating Committee (SCCU) and Technical Implementation Team (TIT) will soon be constituted.

Dr. Makut Simon Macham
Director of Press & Public Affairs to the Governor of Plateau State.
25th May 2021.

“EDUCATION REMAINS OUR TOP PRIORITY” GOVERNOR LALONG TELLS VISITATION PANEL TO FCE PANKSHIN

Governor Simon Bako Lalong has said that education remains a priority of his administration as he believes that the solution to the problems of poverty, under development and insecurity can only be overcome through an enlightened citizenry.

The Governor stated this when he received the Federal Government Visitation Panel to the College of Education Pankshin, Plateau State.

Governor Lalong said the Institution has been very successful in training teachers for the nation with many of them from Plateau State who have contributed to the development of the State and the nation.

He said the setting up of the Panel has become very important in order to assess the progress of the school and look at its challenges.

Lalong urged the team to do a thorough work which is expected to set the school on a higher footing to deliver on its mandate particularly in the era where education is driven by ICT.

Chairman of the Visitation Panel Prof. Frances Obafemi said the team has been carefully selected based on the experiences of the members who have distinguished themselves in their various careers.

She commended the Plateau State Government for supporting the school over the years and urged for continuous collaboration.

Dr. Makut Simon Macham
Director of Press & Public Affairs to the Governor of Plateau State.
24th May 2021.

NIPSS STUDY GROUP TOURS PLATEAU STATE,  MEETS GOVERNOR LALONG

Members of Study Group 5, Course 43 of the Senior Executive Course at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) Kuru, are on a local tour of Plateau State as part of their studies.

Led by the Director of Studies at the Institute, Prof. Funmi Para-Mallam, the group met with Governor Simon Bako Lalong at the new Government House, Little Rayfield Jos where they interacted with him on the programmes of his administration.

Prof. Mallam said the team which will be in the State for a week is looking at how the Rescue Administration is getting things done within its policy framework and vision statement within the context of the theme for Set 43 which is “Getting Things Done: Strategies for Policy and Programme Implementation in Nigeria”.

She said having received a general overview from the Plateau State Director General, Research and Documentation Prof. John Wade, the team is looking forward to digging deep into the strategies that the Government has adopted in translating its plans into action for project continuity, peace and security and human development.

Governor Lalong told the study group that his administration has been focused in doing its best towards delivering on its campaign promises with tremendous successes in the face of challenges.

He urged them to be thorough in their research as they focus on unravelling the reasons behind the inability to get things done by Government agencies at various levels.

Lalong reminded them that their observations and criticisms during the tour will be highly appreciated as they will enable the government to address other areas where it is lagging behind.

Dr. Makut Simon Macham
Director of Press & Public Affairs to the Governor of Plateau State.
24th May 2021.

PLATEAU STATE GOVERNMENT FROWNS AT KILLINGS IN JOS NORTH AND RIYOM LGAs, MANDATES SECURITY AGENCIES TO BRING PERPETRATORS TO JUSTICE

The Plateau State Government says it is deeply saddened by the reoccurrence of violence in parts of  Dong Kasa in Jos North Local Government Area and Kwi in Riyom on Sunday night where innocent citizens including children and women were murdered in cold blood.

State Commissioner of Information and Communication Dan Manjang in a statement described the act as barbaric, callous and a desparate attempt to rupture the peace and security of the State.

While commiserating with families that lost loved ones and valuables in the two separate attacks, Manjang said the Governor Simon Lalong is deeply distressed by the incident and has vowed to ensure that the cherished values of peace and security and the sanctity of lives remains sacrosanct in the State.

Manjang therefore said the Administration would continue to take measures and work hand in hand with security agencies for the protection of lives and property of citizens.

He said said as soon as the Government was alerted about the attack, it quickly reached out to security agencies who responded immediately and have been in pursuit of the attackers with a view to apprehending them and bringing them to justice.

The Commissioner reiterated that the capacity of the security agencies for rapid response and intervention will be boosted once the approved 50 patrol vehicles and 200 security motorcycles are supplied.

Manjang assures the citizens that the Rescue Administration through the Plateau Peace Building Agency, State Inter Religious Council and other non State actors will continue to strengthen the peace and cohesion of people of the state while criminals are fished out and dealt with according to the law.

He also encourages citizens to continue to provide useful information that will lead to the prevention of crime and arrest of criminals, assuring the Government is resolved not allow anyone or group to return the state to the dark days of sorrow, tears and blood.

Dan Manjang
Commissioner for Information and Communication.
24th May 2021