OPEN LETTER TO GOVERNOR SIMON LALONG ON THE NEED  TO ESTABLISH PLATEAU STATE TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT AGENCY ( PLASTMA).


Your Excellency, I must commend your efforts in completing the Dogon Karfe to secretariat junction road. It is my earnest prayers that you will continue with the original plan of dualizing the road down to Bauchi road with a flyover bridge at the British/ American junction.


Your Excellency sir, please permit me to bring to your attention the shameful & selective activities of men of the Nigeria Road Safty core in the city of jos.


Sir, I understand policies & rules of government are meant to be binding on all citizens wherever they may be.

However, I am deeply saddened by the corrupt activities of Road safety officers who select very peculiar neighborhoods to mount checkpoints. These officers are making good business collecting money from traffic offenders & diverting the same to their pockets ( i was once a victim). It’s disheartening how hard-hearted some of them have become turning deaf ears to pleas from even citizens with honest excuse & forcing them to part with some money or risk having their vehicles impounded.



Sir the road safety officers are notorious for mounting morning & evening checkpoints around the new dogon Karfe roundabout to the former civil defense office at Millionaire’s quarters down to lamingo junction near the NIMC office Rikkos to Stanel service station.

Other roads include fwavwei junction Rayfield, Yingi, Hwolshe down to the State Headquarters of the Nigeria police through to polo roundabout, just to mention a few.


Whereas, areas like Gangare, Dilimi, ungwan Rogo & Zololo junctions are completely left out of Road Safety officer’s route checks. This leaves some of us wondering if these are the only areas with traffic offenders.


Sir it will interest you to know that these are the same areas with the highest number of motorcycle operators still conducting business even with the ban on motorcycle operations still in force.


Sir gave this, I strongly advise that the Plateau State Government should create a Plateau State Traffic Management Agency  ( PLASTMA) to take charge of roads within the state including Jos & Bukuru Metropolis. PLASTMA among others should be charged with the responsibility of checking vehicle papers as well as drivers’ licenses & defaulters should be charged with payments of fines which will help boost revenue generation to the State Government coffers as well as help create employment for the state unemployed youths.


Sir, may I bring to your remembrance that states like Lagos, Enugu & recently Kaduna have all created such agencies & revenues generated are sent straight to the state government accounts while officers of said agencies are recruited from the states.


Sir, I pray this gets to you for possible consideration.



Dogo Nanzing

( Sarkin Yakin Plateau).

By Editor-in-chief

Staff and students of the University Of Jos, Unijos were left stranded outside the main Campus gate and the permanent site gate as a result of an ongoing protest, which started in the early hours of Monday .



Our correspondent reports that all gates were locked, with students holding various placards with inscription “Say no to external interference”.



It was also gathered that the protests is purported to be about an alleged plan to bring in an Executive Secretary after the expiration of the tenure of the Vice Chancellor, Pending the appointment of a substantive Vice Chancellor.



However the Students Union Government SUG have called for calm in an earlier press release in which it said “the Students Union Government is not calling for any protest but is only attending a press conference today, as such every call for a protest from whatever angle should be disregarded”.



As of the time of filling this report, no one is being allowed to go into the school premises as Security Men are saying “Go Back home, till further notice”.

PLATEAU STATE GOVERNMENT COMMENCES ROLL OUT OF NIN REGISTRATION CENTRES
Following the approval by the Federal Government for Plateau State to participate in the ongoing National Identity Management System (NIMS) which is implemented by the National Identity Management Commission under the Digital Identity Ecosystem project, the State Government has rolled out its first NIN Registration Centre in Jos.

The NIN Data Registration Centre located at the JD Gomwalk Secretariat Jos is the first of the State’s intervention to ensure that indigenes and residents of the State are enrolled into the National Identity Data Base (NIDB) for the issuance of the National Identity Number (NIN) with ease.

The roll out which is expected to gradually be extended to the 17 Local Governments, is being coordinated by the Plateau State Information, Communication and Technology Development Agency (PICTDA) and the Ministry of Science and Technology, who were directed by Governor Simon Bako Lalong to serve as implementing partners after the approval was secured.

Already, the agency with the collaboration of the NIMC has trained enrollment officers across the State to operate the enrollment exercise. NIMC officials are also providing support throughout the process of registration and roll out of Centres to ensure the exercise is smooth.

Citizens and residents are therefore advised to approach the Plateau State Secretariat Enrollment Centre situated at the Maintenance Building after the main entrance to the J.D. Gomwalk Secretariat with relevant documents to be captured.

Supporting document for Enrolment include:
1. Birth Certificate
2. International Passport
3. Driver’s license
4. Voters card
5. Private/governmental ID Card.
6. Indigene certificate.

The Plateau State Government is hopeful that the roll out of the Registration Centres will further enhance service delivery in payroll and tax verifications, payments, scholarship awards, enrolment in schools, provision of health care especially as related to the PLASCHEMA, land administration, agricultural support and other related services performed by the different Ministries Departments and Agencies in the State.

Dr. Makut Simon Macham
Director of Press & Public Affairs to the Governor of Plateau State.
19th April 2021

The Federal Government has approved the issuance and registration of new SIMs from Monday.

Other suspended activities like old SIM replacement will also resume on the same date, as long as verification is done and the guidelines are fully adhered to, the federal government said.

A statement by a technical assistant to the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Femi Adeluyi, on Thursday, said the minister, Dr Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, said the activation of a new SIM registration with National Identity Number (NIN) process which gives provision for ‘Telecoms Master’ for phone numbers belonging to corporate companies had also been approved.

“An earlier policy was approved on the 4th of February 2020, while the Revised Policy was developed in early March 2021.

“The final amendments to the revised policy based on the directives of Mr President to make the use of NIN mandatory for all SIM registration were completed yesterday, 14th of April, 2021,” Adeluyi said in the statement.

According to him, the implementation of the policy will commence on Monday, 19th of April 2021.

The issuance of new SIMs and other suspended activities will also resume on the same date, as long as verification is done and the guidelines are fully adhered to, he said.

He said the key aspects of the draft policy had been presented to the stakeholders at the 4th Review Meeting of the Ministerial Task Force (MTF) on the NIN-SIM registration which held on Friday, 26th of February, 2021.

He said: “The Policy includes Guidelines on New SIM Acquisition and Activation, SIM Replacement, New SIM Activation for Corporates and Internet-of-Things/Machine-to-Machine (IoT/M2M), amongst others.

“The possession of a National Identity Number will be a prerequisite for each of these categories.

“For the Corporate registration, institutions will be required to appoint a Telecoms Master (at the minimum of an Executive Management level) to provide the operational Primary NIN representation.

“The Telecoms Master will also be responsible for ensuring that the users provide their NINs to serve as a Secondary NIN.”

For IoT/M2M activations, SIM security protocols would be implemented on the SIM profile to ensure that SIMs can only be used for point to point data services specific to the URL they are working with.

All other services will be barred, he said.

In the event that a data-only service is particular to individual use (eg home car tracking, WiFi, MiFi services, etc), the standard NIN registration process will be followed.

A Telecoms Master will also be required for Corporates requiring IoT/M2M activations.

According to the FG, the full details of the requirements for each class of service will be made available in due course.

President Muhammadu Buhari has returned to the country from the United Kingdom, UK where he went for a private trip.
Buhari arrived at the Nnamdi Azikiwe international airport on Thursday evening.
More details to follow …….

Hon. Stephen Jings Appointed Spokesman Federal Character Commission, Abuja

April 15,2021

 The Federal Character Commission Headquarters Abuja has appointed a spokesman for the Commission.

The Commission’s new spokesman is Mr Stephen Jings,the Commissioner Representing Plateau State at the at the Commission.

Jings was appointed during an Executive Session of the Commission at its Board Room.

Members observed that activities of the Commission were not adequately given the desired publicity hence the need to appoint one of the Commissioners as a spokesperson.

Accordingly members unanimously resolved that given the experience of Mr Jings in the media he should be given the responsibility.

In a remark, Executive Chairman of the Federal Character Commission, Dr.Muheeba Farida Dankaka called on the new spokesman to deploy his expertise in the assignment in other to give the Commission the necessary publicity.

Responding,the new spokesman of the Federal Character Commission Abuja, Stephen Jings said he will do his best to ensure the Commission is heard and effectively synergize with media and other relevant stakeholders in adequately disseminating information on activities of the Commission.

The newly installed 27th Long Kwo of Kwo Chiefdom in Kwande District of Qua’anpan Local Government Council of Plateau State Colonel Fidelis Attahiru Longtoe 1 has officially resumed in his Palace in Kwo Chiefdom yesterday.



Thousands of people include Gamai’s Masquerades lined up the road in their traditional attires carrying fresh leaves to welcome the traditional ruler in what observers described as a triumphant entry into Kwo.



Prior to the arrival of Miskoom Fidelis Attahiru Longtoe 1 from Jos to Kwo, traditional preparation and rites of passage was concluded before his home coming as he was ushered into the palace .



The Long Kwo also stopped over to pay homage to the Long Pan Nda Emmanuel Dabang and the Chairman of Qua’anpan LGC Hon. Abdulmalik Haruna at the council secreteriat in Baa’p .



Speaking at the palace of Long Pan and Qua’anpan local government council’s secreteriat the new Long Kwo Miskoom Fidelis Attahiru Longtoe 1 lamented the 33 years absence of leadership in Kwo chiefdom.



He further promised to build bridges of reconciliation and friendship with neighbouring communities with a view to ensure harmonious co-existence among the people adding that no meaningful development will take place in an atmosphere of bitterness and rancour .



The new Long Kwo also said he hold in trust the mandate that was given to him by the people stressing that he will continue to interface with relevant Government agencies to ensure that Kwo as a farming Chiefdom get farming implements and inputs so that they can engage their youth who have been made idle for the past 33 years to contribute their quota to the development of the Chiefdom, State and the Federal Government food security initiatives .



He assured that he will carry all Princes of the Chiefdom along in his quest to unite the people and develop the Chiefdom for the benefit of all.

Governor Simon Lalong on Thursday again advocated for tolerance and religious harmony as a catalyst for peace, security and good governance in Nigeria.



The Governor was speaking at the installation and reception of Pallium by the new Catholic Archbishop of Jos Most. Revd. Dr. Mathew Ishaya Audu held at the Divine Mercy Cathedral, Lamingo -Jos.





This was contained in a statement signed by Simon Macham ,his director of press and public affairs and made available to newsmen in Jos



Lalong while congratulating the Archbishop said within one year of assuming duties, His Grace Most. Rev

Mathew Audu has demonstrated that his calling is divine and that he is totally committed to ensuring that the will of God is implemented in Plateau State and the world at large through the Church.



Lalong said the Archbishop has given the Laity, religious and clergy the needed leadership to enable them carry out their duties in the service of God and humanity without any hindrance. He has made personal sacrifices to ensuring that all challenges are addressed to make the propagation of the gospel of Christ seamless.



The Governor said “While it is the duty of religious leaders to speak the truth to power and the public, you should also beware of, and shun rhetorics that promote hate, division, and distrust among the people. You should guard against politicians and other interests that are always desperate to exploit the pulpit for their selfish reasons. The people look up to you for guidance and motivation that guarantees a united, equitable and prosperous society where the rights and privileges of all are guaranteed. Be assured that my administration will continue to work with you as we build a better Plateau and Nigeria of our dream”.



Apostolic Nuncio to Nigeria Most. Revd. Anthonio Fillipazzi said the presentation of the Pallium to the Archbishop is a significant event that confers authority on the Archbishop to discharge his duties in line with the doctrine of the Catholic Church. He called for prayers for Archbishop Audu as he shepherds the Church within his jurisdiction even in difficult times.



Gbong Gwom Jos, Da Jacob Gyang Buba also congratulated the Archbishop and promised the support of the traditional Institution for the Church and the Government.



Archbishop Audu thanked God for bestowing on him this assignment which he intends to do his best to discharge. He thanked His Holiness Pope Francis for the installation and called for unity in the body of Christ in Plateau State, Nigeria and the world at large.



He also assured of his intention to continue to work for inter-faith harmony, tolerance and forgiveness in Plateau State and elsewhere just as his predecessor, Archbishop Ignatius Ayau Kaigama had done. Archbishop Ishaya Audu also marked his 20th Anniversary as Bishop.

THE NEED FOR UNITY AMONGST PLATEAU YOUTHS.

Unity is commonly defined as “the state of oneness of a people” suffice it to say, unity is the many people seen at once. For a society to progress and develop, philosophers believe that,” only when a unit performs a particular activity in unison, its possibility of making exploits as a whole is nearly impossible. In a unit where everyone takes a different part with different priorities, the unit is certainly going to be at the state of disarray. This is particularly, the case of plateau and its YOUTHS in recent times.

Youths being the most productive, reliable and efficient part of every society and nation, cannot be overruled in the committee of national value and needs. These in the society are the sets of people proven by science and arts to be the most active, strongest, enduring, critical, creative and sensible sets that are reliable to determining the growth, development and security of every nation when they of course, are priotised productively.

To come to terms with the true sense of unity amongst the youths of plateau State, reverse is the case.
Though amidst economic dwindling and financial bankruptcy, unemployment, poverty and limited opportunities that have become the order of the day, the youths are typically and grossly apart. There is serious jealousy, gossip, envy and hatred that have birthed sinistruos backbites, blackmails, treachery, dishonesty and unhealthy competition that have made our youths totally inhuman to themselves. There is no more an acord and respect for creativity in literature amongst the youths, no Honor in their manners and mannerism, no decency for culture and values, no modesty in the use of costumes as appropriated for their names in the society.

The YOUTHS are being seriously engolved into an ill wheeled competition in strive of what will hold the stomach to live. Friendship amongst the YOUTHS is about playing and drinking, as well laughing with their teeth at leisure but not about dreaming together and planning as much who know about the dreams and plans Will not sleep at night planning how to thwart the success of their friends. They vigorously sabotage themselves even to the the extent of Killing one another in the name of prejudicial hatred in competing on the scarce resources and chances our present situation has brought upon us. Instead of helping and supporting one another in this most unfortunate times, they youths have rebuilt what used to be called” the pull him down syndrome” to ” crush him best for our chance.” The chance which will still lead to the crushing of another repeatedly, such a dangerous phenomenon that makes us domant and dogmatic must be stopped.

However, plateau youths must deliberately Peru’s their paths to togetherness, through the display of true love to one another, patience, tolerance, honorability, mobility, sacrifice, fairness, patriotism and togetherness which makes every hard task simple.

As a point of duty, the government must step up practical measures to curtail the very serious level of unemployment and limited social chances which are some of the very serious reasons for the unhealthy competition of the youths, make up fundamental policies that can create better systematic and realistic spheres that will naturally get the YOUTHS occupied responsibly, engage the youths in governance as best as it can ever emmeasurably be seen, as well, expand the level of skill acquisitions and trainings for talents to thrive.

Religious bodies must also step up their faith and moral teachings in their places of worship to curtail the sinistruos characters that are reterdating the growth and successfulness of youths and the society, so that, the younger generation will have a better attitudinal character to inherit for a progressive society to be better birth.

Families as well must foster the normal African traditional culture to our youths through Parenthood and our traditional rulers where lies and blackmails are treated seriously and with quencequences through traditional rules, for, the way the trends in the likes of the ills are increasing by the day, the present youths on the PLATEAU may not be able to take on leadership from the fast fading parents and hand it over to the younger generation in good faith.

Lest we do something, the war deeped out of dop of our youths around the sparce resources and opportunities will soon consume us all, for casualties, we shall all be.

I humbly use the event of my birthday to most passionately and on behalf of all the well meaning youths on the PLATEAU to please, call on all plateau youths in skirts and truasas, to lay down their swords made out of whatever guise of hurt, betrayal, deprivation and worst things to mention, so we could have A BETTER US TOGETHER and a better YOUTH COUNCIL together, for the world itself does not exist out of unwarranted phenomenas. May we see reasons to sacrifice than to hold to what consumes us and the younger generation that are our responsibilities to breed.

I’m BB.GAKNUNG writing on my birthday.
#thatwemayrise
God is great!

The Caretaker/Extra-Ordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has distanced itself from a zoning arrangement list in circulation.

The zoning arrangement for major national elective offices and for positions in the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) allegedly released by the party went viral on social media.

The purported arrangement was titled: “BREAKING: APC announces zoning arrangement ahead of 2023 election year. APC 2023 presidential ticket zoning and National Working Committee.”

By the list the presidential ticket is zoned to South, Vice President – North, Senate President – South, Deputy Senate President – North while Speaker – North and Deputy Speaker – South.




For the National Working Committee zoning, the list showed that the north will produce the National Chairman, National Secretary – South, National Treasurer – South, Financial Secretary – North, Legal Officer – North and Welfare Officer – South.

The office of the Auditor is zoned to North, National Youth Leader – South, National Woman Leader – South, Publicity Secretary – South and Persons With Disability PWD Leader – South.

But the Secretary of the Caretaker Committee of the party, Senator John James Akpanudoedehe disowned the list.

He said: “Our people should disregard the list. It is not from the Caretaker Committee, it is not from the party.”


He maintained the party will required to make extensive consultations before such arrangement would be arrived at, adding zoning of offices is yet to be on the table of the Caretaker Committee.

“As far as I am concerned, the last Caretaker Committee meeting we had, we did not discussed that. That is not what we are concerned with now. What we are concerned with is data collection. How to collect data without making mistake.



“Let me say that zoning is not for the Caretaker Committee alone. It has to do with the President, it has to do with other major stakeholders, it has to do with a lot of people.



“I want to mute the speculation. The list is not from us ( Caretaker Committee). The President is not in town.

“There is no way such decision will be taken without consulting with the President, consult with the governors and other major stakeholders.”

He blamed the list on circulation on individuals interested in contesting for one office or the other in the party, insisting the Caretaker Committee cannot be pressurised into taking wrong decision.