One of the finest souls on the Plateau is Chief Burki Gufwan. He has touched more less privileged people across Nigeria than other living being on the Plateau.

Through his Beautiful Gates Foundation, he has skilled and employed many people living with disabilities in the workshops. They construct tricycle for the handicaps, making hostel beds, gates, doors and many other items. He is the highest employer of people with disabilities on the Plateau.

He has raised funds to make thousands of tricycle through his foundation. These tricycles are shared to people living with disabilities across most states of the federation. No single individual has touched lives across Northern Nigeria were polio has ravaged many a person more Burki.

He has targeted women and people living with disabilities to support them with fertilizer during farming seasons.
He is touching these many lives across the Northern states without noise and funfare as many will do.

Today I celebrate you as you turn 49. Happy birthday my inlaw and may God bless and reward your many labour of love to humanity. Congratulations Chief Burki Gufwan.

Keep doing good always.

Plateau State Chairman, Association of Local Government of Nigeria ALGON, on Wednesday said that all Council chairmen in the 17 local governments have unanimously agreed to independently handle the payments of their respective workers in their council .

Mr. Ezekiel Pabuet Vuelgap ALGON
Chairman Plateau state, made this known while speaking with newsmen after a crucial meeting held between Council chairmen and Labor union leaders in the 17 LGA’s .

He said that the resolution came following the delay in the payment of salaries by council chairmen in the past two months occasioned by the minimum wage increment as well as the dwindling Federal allocations to states .

In his words ” Arising from our meeting with the Labor union leaders with representatives from ministries on the issues of salaries ,you are aware that last year ALGON and labor union as well as workers in Plateau agreed on the implementation of the 30 thousand Naira minimum wage .

“We have commenced the implementation since the agreement was signed ,Your are aware that in the Month of January and February salaries of workers in the LGA are yet to be paid .

He further added that “This is not deliberate ,it is because of the challenges of the inflow which we are receiving , do you know that 99.9 of our revenue comes from the Federation allocation account , as such what is been generated internally is insignificant .

He lamented that what is coming in is insufficient to pay the council workers salaries as at when due hence the delay .

Hon Alex Naantuam the chairman of Shendam local government council who spoke to our correspondent expressed his desires to pay the LG workers the 30 thousand naira minimum wage .

GAGDI COMMISERATES WITH GOGWIM FAMILY OVER SENATOR SATTY’S DEMISE

I received with a devastating blow, the tragic reality of the passing unto eternal glory of Sen. Satty Davies Gogwim, a retired soldier, accomplished businesses mogul, consummate politician and legal luminary of inestimable credentials.

On behalf of my family and the entire good people of Pankshin/Kanke/Kanam Federal Constituency, I extend my sincerest condolences to the Gogwim family, the entire Ngas Nation and Nigerians at large over this irreparable loss.

The deceased had paid his dues and excelled in different spheres of human endeavors, leaving indelible footprints in the sand of history as a Jack of many trades and the master of all.

Your successors shall live to benefit from the avelenche of goodwill you have established while your sojourn on the planet earth lasted.

You came, you saw and you conquered; may Heaven smile at you, and grant your soul eternal rest, amen!

Signed:
Rt Hon. Yusuf Adamu Gagdi,
(Dan Malikin Kanam),
Member Representing Pankshin/Kanke/Kanam Federal Constituency and Chairman House Committee on Navy.

GOVERNOR LALONG MOURNS SENATOR SATI GOGWIM

Plateau State Governor Simon Bako Lalong has expressed sadness over the death of Senator Sati Davies Gogwim who died at the age of 71.

Governor Lalong described the death of the Senator Gogwim who represented Plateau Central in the Senate between 2007-2011 as a patriotic Nigerian who gave the nation and Plateau State his very best at all times.

He said the Senator who retired from the army with records of achievements, further proved his dexterity and diligence in politics, business, community service and philanthropy.

Lalong said the State will miss his consistent contributions to the growth and development of Plateau State particularly during its challenging moments where he offered counsel, facilitated engagements and resolutions that helped in mitigating such problems.

While commiserating with his family, friends and associates, Governor Lalong urged them to take comfort in the legacies he left behind and build on it to honour his memory.

Dr. Makut Simon Macham
Director of Press & Public Affairs to the Governor of Plateau State.
7th April 2021

“I WILL NOT INTERFERE WITH SELECTION OF TRADITIONAL RULERS”, GOVERNOR LALONG ASSURES, AS LATE UJAH OF ANAGUTA IS BURIED.

Plateau State Governor Simon Bako Lalong says his Government will continue to remain neutral and allow king makers play their roles in the selection of traditional rulers in all the vacant stools of the State.

Governor Lalong was speaking during the burial Church service for the late Ujah of Anaguta, HRH Pozoh Magaji Jauro, First Class traditional ruler of the Anaguta Chiefdom in Jos North Local Government Area.

During the service held at the Rwang Pam stadium Jos, the Governor said the death of the royal father though painful, should be accepted as the will of God considering his long battle with ill health which took him even outside the country seeking for help.

He said the deceased was loved by his people and many others for his humility, humanity and peaceful nature. This he said was reflected in how he assisted the Rescue Government to facilitate reconciliation, forgiveness and tolerance within his chiefdom.

On the selection of new Ujah of Anaguta, the Governor reiterated that his administration will continue to avoid interfering with the process.

He said “since I came into office, we have installed more than 11 traditional rulers in various Chiefdoms. There is no place that we interfered with the selection. That is why there has not been any court case against the government so far. I will continue to maintain this stance beacuse interference is one of the causes of crisis which we must avoid to ensure peace”.

However, he maintained that he has a duty under the law to remove any traditional ruler who fails to perform his duties or goes about instigating ethnic, religious, political and other forms of discrimination.

Gbong Gwom Jos Da. Jacob Gyang Buba also said the late Ujah of Anaguta was a key member of the Plateau State Council of Chiefs and Emirs and always made vital contributions to the development of the State.

ECWA President Rev. Dr. Stephen Panya Baba, widow of the late monarch, and other speakers showered praises on Governor Lalong for his determination towards ensuring unity, progress and equity for all ethnic groups particularly the Anaguta nation which he upgraded to first class chieftancy status.

Dr. Makut Simon Macham
Director of Press & Public Affairs to the Governor of Plateau State.
6th April 2021.

By Danjuma Modibo, Kano

President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday appointed Usman Alkali Baba as the acting Inspector-General of Police.

Baba replaced Mohammed Adamu whose tenure was extended by three months in February.

Until his appointment, Baba was a Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Force Criminal Investigation Department, Force Headquarters

Here are some things you should know about the new Police Boss.

• Alkali Baba was born in Giedam, Yobe State on 1^st of March 1963
• He bagged a BA (ED) in Political Science from Bayero University, Kano, in 1985
• He has a Master’s Degree in Public Administration (MPA) from University of Maiduguri, in 1997
• He’s a fellow of the National Defence College and a member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police
• The Yobe born Police Officer has held several strategic positions in the past including: Acting DIG, Finance and Administration, Assistant Inspector-General of Police in-charge of Zone-5 Benin, Zone-4 Makurdi, Zone-7 Abuja, Commissioner of Police FCT and Delta Commands.
• He has also held the position of the Force Secretary

 Service Commendations and Awards

The new Police Boss has been recognised for many feats in the line of duty and one of such was the award for the Best Anti-Crime Security Chief in 2016 while serving as the Commissioner of Police in Delta State.

The award, given by Security Watch Africa was in recognition of his”motivational leadership demonstrated and novel/effective anti-crime. Strategies emplaced towards restoring public confidence and addressing the challenge of high-level organised crimes as Commissioner of Police in Delta State.”

In 2015, Baba also received the Inspector-General of Police’s Letter Of Commendation (for initiatives, exceptional, leadership, Problem-solving competency, and Landmark Operational Strides as Commissioner of Police in Delta State.

He had also won award for Humanitarian Work, Religious Harmony Initiatives as well as the  Commissioner of Police Commendation for diligence and excellence in administrative and operational duties.

By Josiah Habila, Abuja


Soldiers of Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) have begun a manhunt for suspected attackers who ambushed fellow soldiers in a rural community in Konshisha council area of Benue.

The attackers on Monday evening seized some soldiers deployed to maintain peace between two warring communities of Konshisha and Oju LGAs respectively.

It was learnt that the soldiers’ deployment to the area followed a fresh hostility that broke out between the Bonta community in Konshisha LGA and Ukpute-Ainu in Oju LGA over an age-long land dispute.

Both communities borders each other and have continued to engage themselves in a bitter rivalry, the latest, which took another dimension occasioned by the alleged attacks on the military personnel.

Local sources told Freelance Reporters by phone that the soldiers were said to be on routine patrol in parts of Konshisha and Oju LGAs at about 5:00 pm when the armed attackers seized them on account that they (soldiers) dismantled the illegal roadblocks mounted by the attackers.

The local sources added that at least eight soldiers were taken away by the attackers who opened gunfire on the troop, stressing that the remaining soldiers fought back until a backup was later sent to aid them.

At the time of this report, the local witnesses alleged that there were as many as over 15 trucks of troops sighted in the warring zone in search of their colleagues who were taken away.

Freelance Reporters has not been able to independently verify the exact number of soldiers abducted and whether they have been found as neither the police nor military confirmed the incident.

The spokesperson of the Benue Police Command, DSP Catherine Anene, said she was not aware of any missing soldiers and that the state has been peaceful since the weekend.

On his part, the OPWS Force Commander, Major General Adeyemi Yekini, declined comment.

YOUTHS ERECTED SIGNPOST TO PARAMOUNT RULER’S PALACE IN JOS.

By Prince Sekat, Jos

A Youth Group known as Action Youth Political Forum,has brought succour to the Palace of His Royal Highness,Ada Emmanuel Ajik(JP) Adagwom Jos Izere Chiefdom. The Jos Izere Chiefdom in Jo’s North Local Government is of second class status and is made up of eleven Districts.Speaking on behalf of the group,Comrade James Nenman said the group is an amalgamation of youths on the Plateau in support of the Afizere Youths particularly the Afukoh Youths, we join hands together to provide the signboard to give a direction where the Palace of the paramount Ruler that is the reason why we emback on this project is because we have not seen any bigger signpost erected here to give direction to the Palace hence the need for it,most times people got confused and loss whenever they are going to the palace,we are neither politically influenced nor financially buoyant but determined to transform our community through commitment and selflessness,we will reach to our fellow Youths at the grassroot and encourage them to acquire knowledge by enrolling in schools,Political awareness and participation by youths will be our next line of action.
Adagwom Jos Izere Chiefdom,Ada Emmanuel Ajik (JP) represented by the Acting District Head of Gwash,Adagwom Yakubu Samuel Atsen,commended the youths for the vision and the initiative they took to construct the signboard,He was flaked by other traditional rulers,women and youths from the various districts of Jos Izere chiefdom

NIGERIA’S FORMER PRESIDENT GEJ VISITS BAUCHI

His Excellency, the former President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has arrived at Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa International Airport Bauchi today on a one day working visit.

The former President was received at the airport by His Excellency the Executive Governor of Bauchi State, Senator Bala Abdulkadir Muhammad,Deputy Governor Senator Bala Tela, SSG Sabi’u Muhammed Baba, Chief of Staff Government House, Dr Ladan Salihu, State PDP Chairman, Alhaji Hamza Koshe Akuyam, thousands of supporters and top Government Officials.

President Jonathan is in Bauchi to honour the invitation of his former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Abuja and now the Governor of Bauchi State to commission some road project executed by his administration.

Lawal Muazu Bauchi
Special Assistant
(New Media) to Bauchi Governor
6th April, 2021.

Prince Sekat, Jos

President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the appointment of DIG Usman Alkali Baba as acting Inspector General of police.

He immediately replaces Mohammed Abubakar Adamu.

The Minister of Police Affairs, Maigari Dingyadi disclosed this to State House correspondents on Tuesday.

The president had on the 4th of February, extended the tenure of Mohammed Adamu as the Inspector General of Police for three months out of which the erstwhile police boss spent two months and three days.