The National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) has granted approval for the commencement of National Diploma (ND) and Higher National Diploma (HND)in Nursing Training at the Plateau State College of Nursing and Widwifery Vom.
The main goal of the ND/HND Nursing programme is to prepare competent, skilled, polyvalent Nurse practitioners, versatile midwives and professionally knowledgeable public health Nurses who will use problem-solving skills in providing safe, acceptable, effective and affordable quality health services to meet the health needs of individuals, families and communities at all levels of care.
While reacting to the approval by the NBTE , The “DIGITAL” Provost of the College, Mr. Bako Danlami Sambo FWACN, who expressed gratitude for the feat recorded in the College, assured that his Management would ensure that Al the guidelines set for operations of the programme are followed. He enthused that the College is blessed with the the equipment and erudite personnel to operate the programme effectively. He commended the NBTE for its efforts to strengthen Vocational and Technical Education in Nigeria.
From College of Nursing and Widwifery Vom to College of Nursing Sciences Vom.
Audu Bappidak Sambo. Public Relations and Protocol Officer, College of Nursing Sciences Vom.
Former Governor of Plateau State and immediate past Chairman of the Northern Governors Forum Simon Bako Lalong has congratulated Senator George Akume on his appointment as Secretary to the Government of the Federation by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Similarly, the former Plateau State Governor has congratulated Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila on his appointment as the Chief of Staff to the President.
Lalong described the appointments as well deserved and expressed confidence that the appointees will bring to bear their experiences and dept of knowledge in assisting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu deliver on his Renewed Hope Mandate.
He said the track records of the appointees lends credence to the fact that they bring on board capacity and competence towards ensuring that the new administration meets the aspirations and yearnings of the people.
He wishes them well as they settle down to their new assignments.
Dr. Makut Simon Macham Media Aide to the Former Governor of Plateau State.
In a publication by opr.news on May 31, 2023 with a screaming headline: ‘Group Decries Plateau State’s Lack of Development, Questions Gomos’ Competence’, which trended on some new media platforms, if anything at all, it was laughable as it makes nonsense of their motives. While we do not question the rights of any group to interrogate the activities of any public officer, we hasten to state that the leadership of the group is a beer parlour concoction; even as their real identities are questionable as they are filled with bile to tarnish Nde Gomos’ reputation. If they thought they were stirring the hornet’s nest, they failed woefully without achieving their aim. Ordinarily, we would have ignored the statement of the faceless Concerned Plateau Citizens Group because we suspect that they were sponsored by people who are unfamiliar of the functions and operations of the Economic Advisory Council of Plateau State, or they are just a bunch of ignoramus or both. However, in order to put the records straight especially because the hard-earned reputation of Nde Ezekiel Gomos, OFR is being soiled in the public domain, we have taken time to educate them and their likes, on the basic issues regarding the economy of the Plateau State. To do this, we took our time to ask questions, seek answers, seek for information and even interviewed some members of the Plateau State Economic Advisory Council. a) First, it is important for the public to know that the Plateau State Economic Council was set up by Governor Simon Lalong in 2015 purely as an advisory body with about 13 members being drawn from the academia, the private sector and several commissioners including the Chairman of the Plateau State Internal Revenue Service, the DG PLASMIDA etc. As the name implies, it is purely an advisory body, and so DOES NOT HAVE ANY POWERS OR AUTHORITY TO EXECUTE OR IMPLEMENT its ideas, suggestions or recommendations. Like any advisory body, its recommendations can either be accepted, rejected or noted. b) Apart from the public sector members like Commissioners, all its members including Nde Ezekiel Gomos are NOT paid any salary by the Government of Plateau State but are given occasional honorarium as appreciation for their sacrifice, and we understand that even this honorarium was later stopped in 2021. c) The Council meets occasionally or as the situation demands, to deliberate on issues sent to it by the Governor of the State. In some months, its meetings can be very frequent depending on the issues at stake. At the end of its meetings, its recommendations are sent directly to the Governor who decides what to do with same. d) We understand that Nde Gomos, OFR was appointed to the Economic Advisory Council in February 2016 as a member but was made acting Chairman in June 2016 when the substantive Chairman was given a national assignment. He remained acting Chairman of this Council until the end of the Lalong government, though along the line, he was made an Honorary Economic Adviser to the Governor in December 2021 – a purely nominal and non-salaried position. Of course, all Honorary Advisers to the Governor do not have any offices and are appointed purely in recognition of the expertise, and the range of advice they may be called upon to provide, and do not have any structure or office to implement their recommendations.
State of the Plateau State Economy 2015-2023 Since the crux of the write up of this faceless hirelings is the “lamentable” state of the Plateau state economy in the period 2015 to date, it is only fair that we take another look at the state of the economy. Unfortunately, the writers did not tell us what criteria they used in assessing the performance of the State economy for them to arrive at their jaundiced conclusions. Neither did they provide any indices or statistics to back up their claims. In addition, they did not make any bench marking comparison to other states in terms of figures and data. All we have is sweeping pedestrian descriptions- these are hallmarks of hatched jobbers who have been paid by some envious and angry person, sitting in some beer joint and concocting how else to destroy Nde Gomos’ reputation since previous attempts have failed woefully. For Nde Gomos to be singled out of a 13-member purely Advisory Council and to be blamed for the lack of economic progress of the State when such a body has no power to implement its recommendations is laughable. Where in the world do advisers implement their inputs? Even if one is to question the quality of their advice, how did the so-called Concerned Group know if the recommendations of the Economic Advisory Council are not top notch, afterall its recommendations are never made public. Moreover, the Economic Advisory Council has never been heard in the media making claims as to what advice they have given to the Governor and on what issue. It is left for the receiver of the advice/recommendations to accept, reject or note and thereafter direct the next cause of action. He/She may not even acknowledge that the advice was received from the Economic Advisory Council. In taking a look at the state economy, it is necessary to state that since 2015, both at the national and subnational levels, the Nigerian economy has suffered seriously from various external and internal shocks. The country went through two severe recessions and bungled through the COVID19 pandemic which in turn seriously eroded growth prospects. Nigeria has not fully recovered from this scenario – with inflation @22% at its highest peak in 20 and unemployment especially youth unemployment, is at an all-time high of about 50%. This has been exacerbated by the widespread insecurity and dwindling revenue at all levels. No state in Nigeria was spared this economic headwinds and most were in deficit mode, and even states like Lagos and Rivers, who are the only states to have balanced their budget in this period, are not spared from the shocks of the global and national economic challenges. Unless these witless writers are telling us that Plateau State is an island that was shielded from these economic headwinds. Naturally the economic fortunes of the State, like most states was bound to stagnate. It is a fact that most states depend on the monthly FAAC since revenue growth equally faced revere challenges. This is a State that was collecting an average of N5bn every month from the FAAC in the period 2011-2014, suddenly found itself collecting on average, only about N3bn monthly. But let us look at some indices that will rubbish the pedestrian argument of the so-called Concerned Citizens Group Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) This remains one of the common methods to measure the performance of a state economy since payment of revenue is a reflection of the revenue generating activities of the economy and the seriousness of a state government in collecting same. The IGR of Plateau State grew by 209% from N6.9bn in 2015 per annum to N21.4bn in 2021 thus making Governor Lalong the 4th best performing among the outgone governors in Nigeria. El Rufai was the best performer while Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State was the last with 47%. This impressive growth may not be the optimum and while there is still room for improvement, but it is obvious that the Plateau State economy is not as hopeless as these writers have portrayed, and although we cannot divulge the role of the Economic Advisory Council in this growth, we must acknowledge that in terms of IGR, the state economy didn’t stagnate as claimed. Various initiatives and reforms are some of the factors responsible for this improvement. ii) Ease of Doing Business The ease of doing business in a state or a country has always been used by the World Bank and the Federal Government as a measure of the seriousness with which a government takes to attract new investments or to encourage existing investors to expand. This is done by rating all the 36 states in Nigeria including the FCT – the rating and evaluation used to be done by the World bank but is now being done by the Presidency through an agency called PEBEC. Using a set of criteria, the ranking is taken very seriously by all states in the Federation. In 2016, Plateau State was ranked as 26 out of 36 states and the FCT. In 2021, Plateau State moved up to 14 out of 36 States and the FCT. In 2023, Plateau was ranked 10 out of 36 states and the FCT. This remarkable improvement was made possible through a series of policy initiatives implemented by the Lalong administration which include setting up of the State One Stop Investment Center,( PS-OSIC) the Small Claims Court, Alternative Despite Resolution Center, the review of various land and tax policies etc that will make it easier for investors to come to Plateau. The impacts of such an improvement, in concert with the diligent implement of other initiatives, will be felt more in the future and not immediately. The improvement in the state ease of doing business environment has led to the springing up may new businesses. A survey by State of States showed that enterprises of all types in the State grew from 788,694 in 2016 to 818, 578 in 2020 just before the COVID pandemic. A cursory drive around the city of Jos/ Bukuru will show that several new hotels and entertainment centers have been established between 2015 and 2022 ( e.g. Crispan Hotel, Jagogarand etc ) thus contributing to employment and revenue generation. Similarly, there have been new agro-allied projects like the Derby Farms Lamingo which is geared for the exports of flowers and exotic fruits from Jos, the massive expansion of the NASCO Group Cornflakes Factory into the biggest in Nigeria in 2022- all with significant multiplier effects on the state economy. Size of the State Economy- GDP There are several attempts to rank states in terms of GDP, which is a measure of the total economic activities in a state, but below is the GDP of some selected Nigerian States in 2021 (https://stateofstates.kingmakers.com.ng/GDP/Default.aspx) Benue $5.8bn Nasarawa $3.1bn Plateau $5bn Lagos $29bn Kaduna $9.2bn Kogi $4.6bn Bauchi $4.6bn Adamawa $3.75bn It is obvious that the severe challenges experienced by the global and the Nigerian economy will definitely affect all States and Plateau cannot be an exception. The Economic Advisory Council could offer recommendations on improving the state economy but it is very unfair to hold it responsible for the challenges being experienced by the State economy. Debt Management A state’s ability to manage its debt to the extent that it allows it sufficient headroom to undertake its obligations to the citizens, is one measure of economic performance. This is more valid if the debt is deployed properly. A check at the Federal DMO revealed that as at June 2015, Plateau State domestic debt was slightly under N100bn, and this climbed to N149bn in December 2022 an increase of less than N50bn in nearly 8 years. Compare this to the following states- Bauchi N59bn in 2015 to N145bn in 2022, Benue N31bn in 2015 to N149bn in 2022 or Kwara N31bn in 2015 to N109bn in 2022. This level of borrowing by Plateau State Government is considered a disciplined approach and should be commended especially considering the significant drop in the share of FAAC from average of N5bn per month to N3bn per month, against the backdrop of the need to pay backlog of salaries and pension arrears left behind by Dara Jang, resume/complete the many uncompleted projects like the Mararaban Jama’a -to Secretariat Road junction including its flyover, Little Rayfield – Bukuru Yelwa Club etc . An example of a strategic and creative debt management approach, which we must applaud the Government of Simon Lalong for, is the innovative financing loan-to-IGR model for the construction of the British-American junction flyover that was recently completed and commissioned. It is hoped that the new administration will study this case and adopt it for future project development like the Jos Main Market Redevelopment. Performance of the other sectors A careful study of the internet will reveal that the performance of the Plateau state economy within the period 2015 to 2023 is not significantly different from other Nigerian states. Apart from Kaduna and Ogun States that attracted massive new investments, and Lagos and Rivers which consistently balance their budgets, most of the other states had mixed stories. These cases are exceptions rather than the rule and require special case study which is not the aim of our write up. In Agriculture, the State Government in 2017 attracted a N3.3bn loan from the African Development Bank, 70% of was used to build 18 Community Markets, 12 Diffuse Light stores, 2 Processing facilities, 17 Spring Captures, 26 Water Harvesting Structures for Dry Season Irrigation as well as a 200km “Spot Road Improvement” across the 17 LGAs of the State. According to the then Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun, the fund would create 60,000 jobs, benefitting 100,000 families across the State’s 17 LGAs. -imagine the potential economic impact. With the support of GIZ, the State Government was able to offer technical and organizational training on group formation for 800 potato farmers and facilitated contracts between farmers and two supermarkets (Shoprite and Park’n’Shop) giving the Plateau potato farmers the opportunity to deliver 30 tons per month of Marabel potatoes. The State Small and Medium Enterprise Agency (PLASMIDA) created by Governor Lalong, was able to encourage the formalization and registration 100,000 businesses between 2015 and 2020, and during Covid-19, the agency disbursed MSME “survival fund” to over 38,000 business owners as Artisans/Transport grants, payroll support, Business formalization etc. With the support of GIZ, the agency trained over 60,000 businesses. To enable the state economy to navigate the COVID19 pandemic, the State Government keyed into the NG-CARES World Bank project in 2021where the state is benefiting from the N8bn World Bank grant to Nigerian states. The Plateau NG-CAREs project is expected benefit over 60,129 citizens of Plateau State. The State Government developed a policy to guide ICT development which has been identified by Governor Lalong as one of the key enablers of the State Strategic future, and part of this is the actualisation of the Silicon Plateau initiative which is aimed at driving ICT growth in the state; consequently the State Government through PICDTA launched the CODE PLATEAU Project in January 2019, a training program for software development and digital marketing skills trainings. By January 2023, over 5000 young persons have been trained and about 300 have been obtained rewarding jobs/ventures. The multiplier effect of this on the state economy in the near future is definitely going to be massive. CONCLUSION All these listed above are just snippets of the some of the changes recorded in the state economy from 2015 to 2023. The writers have no way of knowing the role of the Economic Advisory Council in all this. We are not sure but may be the definition of economic development to the faceless writers is only the building of factories etc. It may interest them to know that the services sector is today is the biggest contributor to the Nigeria’s GDP growth and most of the activities in this sector are invisible like telecom etc. Plateau state economy may not have witnessed factories in the last eight years but when last did we see any factories built in Jos? The Jang era? No. The Dariye era? No. There is nothing wrong in moving in the direction of services sector like ICT where a lot of value can be created. A careful study of the celebrated Plateau State Development Strategy which was midwifed by Nde Ezekiel Gomos and the Economic Advisory Council in 2019 clearly advised on what specific steps and strategies the state should take to get it out of poverty. Clear implementation strategies were outlined in the Strategy. It was not the duty of the Council to implement the Strategy.
It is not the fault of Nde Ezekiel Gomos that he has been found to be relevant by successive governments since the time of Governor Fidelis Tapgun who is credited with bringing him to set up the PIPC which was adjudged to be the among the best state investment companies at its peak. If Governor Mana, Governor Shuaibu, Governor Joshua Dariye, Governor Jonah David Jang and Governor Simon Bako Lalong had found him suitable to contribute to the economic development of Plateau State, what is his fault? They must have found him with value . If the writers say he is a cat with nine lives, it is because he knows that if one has ideas; he can rule the world.
The so-called duo of Gofwen Amos Gofwen and Nengak Musa were probably not yet born when Nde Ezekiel Gomos used the power of the radio in the 90s to reach every nook and cranny of the state to inculcate simple entrepreneurship message under Business Foundation that made Plateau State a toast of investors through the PIPC, as well as ensuring that the government bought for itself and civil servants shares in blue chip corporations.
Today, like it or not, in more ways than one, the state has continued to reap from such investments; even as individuals who listened to him are today millionaires through the ownership of shares from different companies.
It was not Nde Ezekiel Gomos who created the sobriquet of Plateau State being a ‘civil service state’. Such people like the face less characters could be disciples of many who got laid back, only assuming that government work was all they needed without venturing into other sources to survive. Have they asked themselves why many non-indigenes arrived Jos from other parts of Nigeria with only a bagco bag filled with a few clothes and have since refused to return home as they found life attractive to do business here?
Today, such people are multi-millionaires and perhaps employing some of our brothers or sisters, who thought nothing good, could come out of Plateau State except white collar jobs, or be happy being called Concerned Citizens and be used as faceless hatched jobbers.
Final word – let the faceless writers be educated that by and large, the Economic Advisory Council headed by Nde Gomos can only make suggestions and recommendations to the state Chief Executive but does not have any authority to implement any of its advice.
The Federal Government has declared Monday May 29 work free to commemorate the inauguration of the 16th democratically elected President. Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, made the declaration in Abuja on Friday on behalf of the Government.
The Minister felicitated with all Nigerians on the momentous occasion, commending them for their faith in democracy as expressed in the nationwide elections that produced the President and his Deputy being inaugurated and indeed in all elections across the nation.
The Minister in a statement by the Permanent Secretary, Dr Shuaib Belgore enjoined Nigerians to continue to support and promote democracy through adherence to the rule of law and uphold all democratic institutions.
President open letter ”Democracy anywhere is an unfinished business and the only way it can keep developing and serve its end of being the vehicle to good governance and the welfare of all the people is by adhering to its tenets of rule of law, support for democratic institutions, promotion of free and responsible press and advancement of the frontiers of freedom for all the people,” the Minister said.
Aregbesola urged Nigerians also to continue to promote ideals of peaceful coexistence and love for our neighbours, noting that we can only practice democracy and enjoy its dividends in a peaceful environment.
The Minister commended all Nigerians for their strident efforts at achieving an unbroken civilian rule and successful change of governments since 1999.
He called on them to support and cooperate with the coming administration, arguing that the unbounded energy of the people is the nation’s greatest strength.
The Minister charged Nigerians to shun any form of violence and other untoward acts, saying all hands should be on the deck for the brightness of the future of Nigeria.
Plateau State Governor-Elect, Barr. Caleb Mutfwang has described as landmark, the ruling of the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Jos that dismissed the petition filed by Allied Peoples’ Movement (APM) seeking the cancellation of his election after the April 18, 2023 Governorship election.
Barr. Mutfwang in a statement on Friday, dedicated his victory to God and Plateau people who willingly entrusted him with their mandate during the polls.
He said the decision of the panel presided by Justice R. Irele-Ifijeh which dismissed the petition for lack of diligent prosecution shows how forthright and determined the tribunal is to dispense justice.
The Governor-elect noted that the petition which came up for pre-hearing, was said to have been abandoned, neither the Petitioner or their lawyers were in court inspite of hearing notice served on them.
However, Upon application by lawyers to INEC, Mufwang Caleb Manasseh and PDP who relied on paragraph 18 (1) (4)of the First Schedule of the Electoral Act 2022, the petition was dismiss and cost of One million naira only awarded against the petitioner in favor of each Respondents.
Barr. Mutfwang recalled that the Allied Peoples’ Movement (APM) had dragged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mutfwang Caleb Manasseh of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) in a petition filed by its counsel, Egwuaba Reuben Esq, challenging his declaration by INEC after the conduct of the 18 March, 2023 Governorship election in Plateau State.
He said as a firm believer in the rule of law, he is determined to strengthen the bonds of unity and friendship across Plateau communities for a progressive state.
Mutfwang said the time is now for citizens to deeply look inward and channel their energy towards productive ventures for the rebuilding and restoration of the lost glory of Plateau State.
Gyang Bere Special Assistant on Media to Plateau Governor-elect 26th May, 2023.
GOVERNOR LALONG COMMISSIONS PROJECTS IN SOUTHERN PLATEAU
After series of engagements in Abuja which include presiding over the election of his successor at the Northern Governors Forum as well as the official launch of his book “40 Days 40 Nights”, Plateau State Governor Simon Bako Lalong has resumed the commissioning of projects executed by his administration in the State.
Having done some commissionings in the Northern Zone last week, the Governor on Wednesday 24th May 2023 commenced the commissioning of projects in the Southern Zone at Mabudi Langtang South Local Government Area.
He commissioned the Mabudi General Hospital which he inherited as an abandoned project at foundation level but decided to compete it in line with his policy of continuity.
He described the project as a very significant milestone in health delivery in the State saying that quality and affordable secondary healthcare services will now be available for the people.
He also commissioned the Ajikamai internal road networks comprising of 9 completed roads.
He also inspected the bridge linking Ajikamai in Shendam and Gangnum in Langtang South which is still under construction. Four other roads within the Ajikamai area were also inspected.
The Governor also commissioned the Model Primary school Yelwa which is one of the Lalong Legacy Projects.
“These commissionings clearly show that our administration has done a lot in the last 8 years in a bid to fulfill its social contract with the people. We believe is spreading our projects and not concentrating in one area because no part of the State is more important to another. Many can testify that politics has not also influenced our citing of projects because even places where our party did not get votes have projects” he said.
The Governor had earlier performed the coronation and presentation of staff of office to His Royal Highnesses Ponzhi Byan, Chief Clappertun Durven who is now Upgraded to 2nd Class.
He said “The installation and presentation of staff of office to the Ponzhi Byan today is a good omen to the people of Langtang South as we bring more development to the people. Earlier on, we commissioned the General Hospital Mabudi which is one of the abandoned projects we took over at foundation level”. More projects are expected to be commissioned in the Southern Zone before the Governor moves to other zones.
Dr. Makut Simon Macham Director of Press and Public Affairs to the Governor of Plateau State. 24th May 2023.
Plateau State University Bokkos Vice Chancellor, Professor Malau Matur Bernard has assured the National Executive Committee of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) of his determination to bring to par the payment of arrears of earned allowances owed SSANU members with other staff unions in the University when funds are available. Professor Matur made the promise when he received the National Executive Committee of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities led by the National President,Comrade Mohammed H.Ibrahim in his office. According to Professor Matur, the delay in the payment of the earned allowances and the remittance of third party deductions was as a result of shortfalls in the remittance of funds to the University. While promising to operate an open door policy as a way of addressing rumours on the campus, Professor Matur assured the National officials that the issue of stagnating administrative staff on Level 14 will be addressed during his tenure in addition to other welfare issues of clinic staff and the administration of gratuity funds of the University. Speaking earlier, National President, Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities,Comrade Mohammed H.Ibrahim while congratulating Professor Matur on his appointment, appealed to him to address the prevailing stagnation of senior non teaching staff on contiss 14 which he says breeds discontentment amongst staff and appealed urgent steps to address this and the constitution of a committee to administer Gratuity Funds of staff of the University. He also called on the Vice Chancellor to consider paying members of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities owed arrears of earned allowances to be at par with their counterparts in other staff unions and to also ensure the prompt release of check off dues to the association to enable it meet its obligations.
There is disquiet at the Plateau state PDP Secretariat opposite NTA Jos.
This is probably as a result of the supreme court decision, where the PDP application for the relisting of its appeal was dismissed this afternoon.
While some of the PDP supporters were dancing naked in the streets, in the pretext of celebrating victory at the supreme court, their bigwigs are now in a mourning mood pondering on the calamity that has befallen them .
According to reports, the party bigwigs are looking dazed and confused as to what to do in the present circumstance.
Rather than telling their unsuspecting supporters the truth about what transpired at the supreme court,some of them chose to mischievously mislead them into believing that the APC appeal was dismissed, which in actual case the APC has nothing before the Supreme court.
On commencement of sitting, lawyer to the PDP, Pius Akubo SAN, hinted the court that the PDP motion for relisting the appeal was slated for the 11th of September but was suprise that it was brought back to today.
At that point, Counsel to APC Prince Lateef Fagbemi told the court that he applied to the Chief Justice of Nigeria on the need to hear the PDP application, since it bothers on issues that were raised at election petition tribunals.
The Supreme Court then urged Fagbemi to withdraw his application and it was subsequently struck out.
Having done that, the Court then pointed out that, since it has come to that stage, there was no need to wait until the 11th September to hear the PDP motion for relisting of its appeal.
The Court then turned to the PDP lawyer Akubo,asking if he felt there was merit in his application.
Akubo taking that as a hint decided to withdraw his application, and the court subsequently dismissed his application, with a further ruling that it stands by its December 7th judgement, where it summarily dismissed the PDP appeal against the decision of the court of Appeal.
It is now settled that the judgements of Justice Kunda of the Jos High court and that of the Court of Appeal that PDP has no candidate in the state are upheld by the supreme Court.
Q . E. D.
Sign
Shittu Bamaiyi Spokesman Generation Next Campaign Council.
MATUR LAUDS NUC FOR CONSTITUTING PILOT VISITS TO SIWES, ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND ADVANCEMENT AND LINKAGES OFFICES IN SELECTED NIGERIAN UNI
The National Universities Commission (NUC) has been commended for initiating a pilot visitation programme to SIWES, Entrepreneurship Centres and Advancement and Linkages offices in some selected Nigerian Universities for the purpose of peer reviewing the functions and activities of these offices. The Vice Chancellor, Plateau State University Bokkos Professor Matur Malau Bernard made the commendation when a three man committee of the National Universities Commission under the leadership of former Vice of Federal University,Kashere , Professor Alhassan Gani paid him a courtesy call to intimate him on the assignment given them to appraise the activities of the three offices of the University. Professor Matur who described the National Universities Commission as a compass that directs the activities of universities nationwide said the visit will widen the scope of thinking of universities to initiate,train and graduate students who will translate their skills into practical products that will earn them a living by being self employed. He said the initiative by the National Universities Commission will lead to the development of a new culture and attitude of students who will use both their brains, hands and environment for the attainment of self sustenance. Speaking earlier,leader of the NUC pilot visitation team, Professor Alhassan Gani said the essence of the pilot visit was to stimulate and encourage universities to develop the skills of their undergraduates in a manner that they will use their brains for creative thinking for the purpose of making innovations that will enable them become self employed when they graduate. He said the outcome of their findings will help stimulate the spirit of creative enterprise amongst students of Nigerian Universities who will rather than wait on government for white collar jobs become employers of labour themselves. The team later visited the SIWES Directorate where the Director,Dr. Nancy Dawam told them that among the organisations undergraduate students of the University are sent for students industrial work experience are the National Veterinary Research Institute,Vom,Jos University Teaching Hospital and NASCO Group of companies. At the Entrepreneurship Centre,Dr. Director,Dr. Nanteer Yonla Maklu told the team that amongst the skills taught are fashion design,tailoring, welding and fabrication, carpentry and bed making,tiling,fisheries, pomade, perfume and soap making,duvet and bedsheet making, photography, creative videography and graphic designs. He said the success story of the centre was inspiring thus encouraging them to teach more skills to the students. While at the Advancement, Partnership, Collaboration and Linkages office, the Director,Rev. Fr. Dr. Andrew Danjuma Dewan told the team that the office has brokered partnerships with the Universities of Johannesburg, Capetown in South Africa, Kenyatta University in Kenya and Makerere University in Uganda as well as the University of Cyprus where a number of the University academic staff have trained and obtained their Doctorate degrees. He said Plateau State University Bokkos also has collaboration with Globethics.net a Geneva based organisation where the mainstreaming of ethics in the University’s training curriculum will be made as a way of improving global best practice ethics in the undergraduates. He told the team that the University is also in the process of entering into an understanding with the University of Life Sciences in Czech Republic for the purpose of developing a pilot Irish potato Value Chain and the building of hostel accommodation for students of the University to address the shortfall in student accomodations on campus. He also revealed that some Alumni members of the University have done the University proud having participated in both national and international competitions in the areas of theatre arts,short documentary and computer science where they won laurels.
The Executive Director of Kazatsi Reconciliation Centre and Human Development (KARCENAHD), Mr. Daniel Ajang has raised an alarm over the plot by Governor Simon Lalong APC administration to influence the Supreme Court ruling against the swearing-in of Plateau State Governor-elect, Barr. Caleb Mutfwang.
Ajang in a press statement in Jos on Monday said the outgoing APC administration in the state which lost the 2023 elections to the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) is bent on using a matter in the supreme court that has no connection to the 20203 elections to solicit for court pronouncement that will halt the swearing-in of Barr. Mutfwang billed for 29 May, 2023.
He lamented that the appeal case which was filed by the PDP was adjourned to September 11, 2023, but some individuals with vested interest in the matter were said to have influenced the court registry to bring back the matter for tomorrow, Tuesday 23 May, 2023.
The statement reads in parts, “Our attention has been drawn to a desperate move, by the outgoing APC administration of Governor Simon Lalong in Plateau State who has resorted to unorthodox means of trying to stop Barrister Caleb Mutfwang of the PDP, the Governor Elect from being sworn-in on the 29th May 2023.
“It will be recalled that the PDP appealed to the Supreme Court against the Judgement of Justice Kunda of the Plateau State High Court which excluded the PDP from participating in the 2021 Local Government elections on the ground that it had not complied with an earlier Judgement of Justice S.P Gang also of the State High Court, supposedly directing it to conduct fresh state party exco elections. Upon being upheld by the Court of Appeal, the PDP lodged an appeal at the Supreme Court.
“It is worthy of note that while time for filing processes at the Supreme Court was still running for parties, the matter was erroneously brought up on the Cause List in December 2022 and was dismissed for want of diligent prosecution.
“The PDP upon discovering this unhealthy development, filed a motion to relist the matter. The APC caused PLASEIC to instruct its lawyers to oppose the motion for relisting. When the matter came up on the 9th May, 2023, the Supreme Court in its wisdom and in open Court adjourned the matter to September 11, 2023.
“Curiously the same matter has now been brought backward to Tuesday 23rd May, 2023 for a reason the members of the public wish to know. The question which begs for answers is who requested for this change of date and for what purpose? Is the Supreme Court Registry so disorganized that it can unilaterally issue a new date for a matter that was adjourned in open Court?”
He noted that it appears that someone within the court registry is trying to impugn the integrity of the Supreme Court by colluding with litigants to erode the confidence of the people on the highest Court of the land.
“We, therefore, call on the Chief Justice of Nigeria and the Hon. Justices of the Court to protect the integrity of this hallowed Chambers of Justice by preventing this pernicious mischief.
“We are a group that advocates for peace, unity and justice in Plateau and Nigeria and we will not keep quiet over issues that are capable of eroding peace in the state.” He stated.
Freelance Reporters 