GOVERNOR LALONG WARNS AGAINST VANDALISM OF PUBLIC PROPERTY

Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau State has warned against vandalising public property, as those who are engaged in such acts will be fished out and punished.

The Governor stated this on Saturday 10th April 2021 while on a spot inspection of a breached water pipe along Rayfield -Bukuru road.

The Governor who expressed anger over the waste of water due to the activities of persons cutting corners to tap from public water supply lines said such action was not only selfish and criminal, but capable of denying many citizens portable water.

The Governor directed the Commissioner of water resources and GM Water Board to immediately investigate those behind the pipe breach and ensure that they bear the cost of the repairs in addition to facing prosecution.

He urged all citizens to support Government by looking after the facilities within their domains and also report any act of vandalism to security agencies and relevant government agencies.

Dr. Makut Simon Macham
Director of Press & Public Affairs to the Governor of Plateau State.
10th April 2021.

By Josiah Habila, Abuja

No fewer than 10 troops of Nigerian Army and one military police officer have been found dead in Konshisha Local Government Area of Benue State.

The development generated tension in the community as the army authorities deployed troops to fish out the perpetrators of the dastardly act.

In a statement made available to journalists, Nigerian Army spokesman, Brig.-Gen. Mohammed Yerima, confirmed the killings of the troops by yet-to-be-identified individuals.

Yerima explained that the bodies of slain troops were immediately evacuated, adding that efforts are ongoing to track down those who perpetrated the crime in order to bring them to justice.

He said, ”Nigerian Army troops operating in Benue State came under attack while on routine operational task.

”The troops comprising one officer and ten soldiers were initially declared missing which prompted the deployment of a joint search and rescue team comprising NA troops and personnel of Operation Whirl Stroke.

”The search and rescue team unfortunately found all the missing troops dead in Konshisha LGA of Benue State.

”While the bodies of the slain troops were evacuated immediately, efforts are ongoing to track down the perpetrators of this heinous crime with a view to bringing them to Justice.”

The Nigerian Army, however, appealed to the public to volunteer useful information that will lead to the arrest of the perpetrators of the dastardly act.

Yerima maintained that Army remains determined to ensure that the unprovoked attack does not disrupt the general peace being enjoyed by the local inhabitants.

According to him, the COAS has directed commanders on the ground to ensure sustained efforts in order to fish out and deal decisively with these bad elements who are threatening the peace in the area.

Freelance Reporters reports that Benue, which has been a hotbed of clashes, has been enjoying relative peace in recent times.

By Josiah Habila,Abuja

A soldier has refuted the claim that the military killed over 70 innocent persons in Benue State.

At a press conference on Friday, the people of Mbator in Shangev-Tiev of Konshisha Local Government Area of Benue State, said while more than 70 innocent persons were killed, 100 got missing during aerial and ground bombardments by troops.

The villagers appealed to the Federal Government to order the military to halt the killings, saying they are planning to storm more villages.

Freelance Reporters had reported how the military invaded the communities after 11 soldiers were killed in an ambush.

Contacted to comment on the villagers’ allegation, Major General Adeyemi Yekini, Force Commander of Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS), referred our correspondent to the Media unit of the Defence Headquarters in Abuja.

But a soldier, who pleaded anonymity, dismissed the claim of the villagers, challenging them to substantiate the claim.

He told our correspondent that the soldiers killed belonged to the 72 battalion, Special Forces of the Nigerian Army.

The soldier said apart from 12 militia “neutralised on Wednesday”, no one else has been killed”.

He said rifles of the deceased soldiers were recovered from the suspects who were shot dead.

“Those claiming that 70 persons were killed by the soldiers should prove it with the dead bodies or show us the graves where they were buried. Where are the dead bodies.”

Governor Samuel Ortom has asked the villagers who seized the weapons of the military to return them.

Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State on Friday directed leaders of Konshisha community to prevail those who took away military weapons to return them without further delay.

In a statement made available to newsmen in Makurdi, the state capital, on Friday, Ortom called on the military as well as other parties to the ongoing crisis in the area to restrain themselves.

“Following the crisis between communities in Konshisha and Oju Local Government Areas resulting in the current military operation in some communities, I, on behalf of Benue State Government, call for restraint on all sides including the military.

“I have already directed leaders of the affected areas to ensure that the weapons the bandits took away from the military personnel deployed to bring peace between the warring communities are retuned without delay.

“I further urge members of those communities to expose perpetrators of the unprovoked attacks on the military as such an act is condemnable and also capable of jeopardizing the efforts Government has made to guarantee the return of peace to the area.

“I however urge the military to avoid civilian casualties and protect law abiding people while efforts are on to recover their missing weapons,” the governor said.

Affected residents had said more than 70 innocent persons were killed during an invasion by the military.

The Duke of Edinburgh, the Queen’s “strength and stay” for 73 years, has died aged 99.

Flags on landmark buildings in Britain were being lowered to half-mast as a period of mourning was announced.

The Guardian UK reported that Prince Philip’s health had been slowly deteriorating for some time. He announced he was stepping down from royal engagements in May 2017, joking that he could no longer stand up. He made a final official public appearance later that year during a Royal Marines parade on the forecourt of Buckingham Palace.

Here is a statement from Buckingham Palace on Friday announcing Prince Philip’s death.

“It is with deep sorrow that Her Majesty The Queen announces the death of her beloved husband, His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.

“His Royal Highness passed away peacefully this morning at Windsor Castle.

“Further announcements will be made in due course.

“The Royal Family join with people around the world in mourning his loss,” the statement said.

Josiah Habila, Abuja

The Army Headquarters in Abuja has confirmed the killing of eleven of its soldiers of Operation Whirl Stroke in Konshisha Local Government Area(LGA) of Benue State.
The personnel comprising one officer and ten soldiers who were on a security duty in the area were found dead following a rescue operations embarked upon by troops after the soldiers went missing.
Director Army Public Relations
Brigadier General Mohammed Yerima, who made this known in a statement said “Nigerian Army (NA) troops operating in Benue State came under attack while on routine operational task. The troops comprising one officer and ten soldiers were initially declared missing which prompted the deployment of a joint search and rescue team comprising NA troops and personnel of Operation Whirl Stroke. “The search and rescue team unfortunately found all the missing troops dead in Konshisha LGA of Benue State. While the bodies of the slain troops were evacuated immediately, efforts are ongoing to track down the perpetrators of this heinous crime with a view to bringing them to Justice. The NA under the leadership of the COAS Lt Gen Ibrahim Attahiru remains resolute in ensuring stability in Benue State as well as other parts of the country that are affected by the activities of criminal gangs. The NA remains determined to ensure that this unprovoked attack does not disrupt the general peace being enjoyed by the local inhabitants. “The COAS has therefore directed commanders on the ground to ensure sustained efforts in order to fish out and deal decisively with these bad elements who are threatening the peace in the area.
“It may be recalled that Benue State which was a hot bed for violent clashes has been enjoying relative peace following the successes achieved by the various security agencies who have been working tirelessly to safeguard law abiding citizens and ensure they go about their legitimate business without fear of harassment by criminals. The NA appeal to the public to volunteer useful information that will lead to the arrest of the perpetrators of this dastardly act”.

PRESS STATEMENT

WASE EQUITY PROJECT HEARTILY CONGRATULATES DR MUNKAILA ZAKARI YA’U ON HIS APPOINTMENT AS PIONEER RECTOR FEDERAL POLYTECHNIC SHENDAM

08/04/2021

Wase Equity project heartily joined its leader,Rt Hon Ahmed Idris Wase, the Deputy Speaker House of Representatives to congratulate Dr.Munkaila Zakari Ya’u on his appointment as pioneer rector federal polytechnic Shendam.

May this appointment bring forth, positive developments to the educational sector of Nigeria, Plateau State, southern zone and Wase constituency in particular.

We wish him good health,God’s Guidance and Protection, Long life and Prosperity as he assume office to serve the people.

We in Wase equity project wish to use this opportunity to reiterate our support to the federal, state and local government authorities.

Once more,accept our congratulations,Dr. Munkaila Zakari Ya’u, while wishing you a successful tenure in office.

Hon Abubakar Muhammad Badu
Publicity Secretary.

*’Chief Hon.* *Ayuba Burki* *Gufwan, a* *Blessing* *to* *Humanity’* , *Victor* *David* *Dimka* *fsi* .

The Leader of DVD Movement on the Plateau, Compt.Victor David Dimka fsi rtd, has described Chief Ayuba Burki Gufwan as a special gift to Plateau State and humanity as a whole.

The distinguished public servant made this known when he received in audience some members of DVD Movement with Special needs in his office on Thursday, April 7th, 2021.

In his words, “nothing should discourage you from achieving your goals in life as there is ability in disability. For instance, Hon.Ayuba Burki Gufwan is doing a lot of marvelous activities through his organisation to assist and empower members of our communities with the necessities of life”.

He encourage them to aspire for higher heights in their chosen endeavours.

He further used the opportunity to congratulate Chief Gufwan for adding another year to his age.
“I am proud of him, and strongly believe that God will continue to bless and protect him”, he added.

Boniface Kassam
Media Head
DVD Movement.

By Prince Sekat, Jos

President Muhammadu Buhari approved the appointment of principal officers and members of the Governing Councils for the newly established Polytechnics and Colleges of Education.

Director Press and Public Relations, Ben Bem Goong who announced this in a statement on Thursday in Abuja said the Chairmen and members of the Council of the affected institutions shall be inaugurated by the Minister of Education Malam Adamu Adamu at a date to be announced.

According to him, Professor Dakas J Dakas was appointed as the Chairman of the Federal Polytechnic, Ayede, Oyo State governing council while Dr Taofeek Adekunle is the Rector.

Others are Federal Polytechnic, Ohodo, Enugu state, Chief Dr Sylvester Ameh, Chairman Governing Council, Prof Edwin Onyeneje, Rector, Federal Polytechnic, Ugep, Cross River, Prof Andrew Chukumeri, Chairman Governing Council and Prof Edward Ntui-Okay, Rector.

Federal Polytechnic, Shendam, Plateau state has Sixtus Abetianbe as Chairman and Dr Zakari Ya’u as Rector. At Federal Polytechnic, Monguno, Borno, Dr Umar Tambari is the Chairman while Prof Garba Mohammed is the Rector.

Similarly, Ibrahim Tukur is the Chairman Governing Council, Federal Polytechnic, Wannune, Benue state while Engineer Dr Terlumun Utser is the Rector. The Federal Polytechnic, Daura, Katsina has Chief Wasiu Olamide as Chairman while Federal Polytechnic, Kaltungo, Gombo has Micah Kamat as Chairman.

For the Federal College Education, Iwo, Osun state, Liadi Tella headed the Governing Council while Prof R Adebayo is the Provost, Federal College of Education (Technical), Ekhadolor, Edo has Prof Samuel Osato as Chairman and Dr Emmanuel Asagha as Provost.

Federal College of Education, Gidan Madi, Sokoto is chaired by Prof Okoro Nwanko and Faruk Zaki as Provost, College of Education, Odugbo, Benue, Sen Salisu Matori, Chairman, and Prof Joel Obo-Eriba as Provost, College of Education Jama’Are Bauchi, Hon Aminu Abdulfatah, Chairman, Prof Indo Jidda, Provost while College of Education (Tec), Isu, Ebonyi had Simon Shango as Chairman and Dr Okey Reuben Okechukwu as Provost respectively.

Former Minister of Information, Professor Jerry Gana, has alleged that there is no government in Nigeria.
Gana said this when he, alongside many of his supporters, returned the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) on Wednesday.

In March 2018, Gana, a member of the Board of Trustees of the PDP, had dumped the party for the Social Democratic Party.
But addressing the party members in Bida, Niger State, during a reception to mark his return to the party, Gana said the country is nosediving and needs urgent rescue.

Prof. Gana said, “Today is not a day for lecture. It is not a day for campaigns. We just want to rejoice that we are back together solidly; and we are going to work together solidly, that we are going to work together effectively, that we are going to campaign powerfully.
“I tell you, we are going to go around strategically, in such a way that the All Progressives Congress (APC) so called government, whether in Niger state; is there a Government in Niger State? Because many people are not aware, or at the Centre? At federal level, we don’t even have a Government.”
Earlier, Party leaders from across the three Senatorial zones assured the party faithful that the PDP is ready to take over Niger and salvage it from the “deflated state that it is under the ruling APC”.