ENOUGH OF THE ABUSE OF POWER FROM THE SPEAKER PLATEAU STATE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY , RT . HON . AYUBA ABOK.
Pankshin Local Government Legislative Arm has been under undue pressured by the RT. Hon. Ayuba Abok to remove its Majority Leader for no justifiable reason. This needless meddling started sequel after the impeachment of the former Leader of Pankshin Local Government Legislative Arm,having seen that impeachment was eminent. The moves to impeached him was predicated on his inability and incompetency to lead the legislature as expected.
However, not long after the impeachment of the former Leader last year, Hon. Ayuba Abok with some few House of Assembly Members went beyond their jurisdiction of operation arrogantly, unethically and dishonourably asking the Legislative Arm of the Local Government to remove its Majority Leader who is currently giving his best to the party and the legislature.
We seek to know whether the speaker has any constitutional responsibility to determine who becomes the Majority Leader of any Local Government’s Legislative Arm ?
It is a common knowledge that the Speaker of House of Assembly is one among equals, whose primary function is to preside over the House in accordance with the house procedures and ethics. But it seems he got intoxicated by the siren provided to aid his movements. This siren accompanied by his limited knowledge about the role of a Speaker is making him to drag the entire Members of Plateau State House of Assembly to the abyss of shame. Because the Majority Leader of a Local Government Legislative Arm has no connection with the House of Assembly and only opportunist who found themselves within the corridor of power unprepared and ill informed that can take this path disrepute. It is unfortunate that the Speaker is bowing to some unscrupulous elements who have lost popularity in their domain. They should know that removing the Majority Leader innocently cannot resuscitate their stunted popularity, rather it will further deepen. The Speaker of House of Representative couldn’t force the Edo State House of Assembly to swear in those 14 House Members not because he was afraid, but because he recognises the independence of any Legislative Arm anywhere as an informed person.
After countless sitting with the Legislators of the Local Government threatening them to remove the Majority Leader and they couldn’t bow to his threat. He has written a letter inviting them through the Clerk of the House of Assembly to hold a meeting in his office with the aim to accomplish the bidding of those with the spilled popularity.
We choose to speak out now because we have an evidence, which is the letter.
The public should educate the Speaker that his role as an individual is to preside over Legislative matters.
Collectively, he can participate in oversight functions over the executive.He should know that the people of Pankshin can resist any undue pressure that is aim at massaging the ego of an individual at the expense of the collective progress of the people.
Plateau people are highly respected anywhere, therefore his ill informed action should not robbed on the entire State.
Finally, the youths and the stakeholders of the Local Government are patiently waiting to hear what will come out from the discussion between the Speaker Plateau State House of Assembly, Leader and Deputy Pankshin Legislative Arm, which is coming up on Tuesday, 2 March 2021.

HOW SEN SULEMAN ADOKWE LED 24HRS PDP CARETAKER COMMITTE EMBEZZLED 10MILLION NAIRA BELONGING TO PLATEAU AND THREW THE STATE INTO DEEPER CRISES

It was a huge dramatic maneuver and the biggest fraud orchestrated against innocent members of the Plateau State chapter of the PDP.

A committee constituted with a marching order to reconcile members of the plateau state chapter before scheduling a State Congress, spent less than twenty four hours and organized a purpoted Congresses which has since been nullified by courts of law.

In Plateau State, ward Congresses were actually conducted amidst allegations of fraud, multilation of fake results sheets and handwritten of wards executives in several areas across the state by some powerful forces and submitted to the already arranged and compromised State Congress Committe Secretary Amb Bala Aboki, who was hired to be part of the Plateau Congresses for hatchet jobs as alleged.

To make matters worst, ward appeal committe never sad to attend to the numerous appeals arising from ward Congresses.

The next episode was the raveging covid 19 pandemic which paralyzed activities across the country forcing the State Congress Committe Chairman, Prof Maxwell Gidado who stood for Adamawa State Governor, HE Adamu Fintiri, into suspending the LGA Congresses across Plateau State.
While the Congress Committe Chairman suspended the Congresses and reported back to Abuja,
his then Secretary, Amb Balla Aboki, in connivance with some forces issued a statement through one Emma Tuang directing for the conduct of LGA Congresses in violation of party Congresses and 2020 guidelines, in the suprise absence of the State Congress committe Chairman Prof Maxwell Gidado.

An insider who confided to some leaders said,some forces transmutted one Mr Sunday Katung, a former member of the house of Reps in Southern Kaduna State, into the new LGA congress committe Chairman with same Balla Aboki as Secretary. What a big supprise.
Mr Sunday Katung was appointed as ward appeal panel committe Chairman, an assignment he abandoned to orchestrate a shaby LGA Congresses with intend to stage state Congresses in a later day as well.

The court nullified purported LGA congress of Jos South, which stood for other LGAs was boycotted by stakeholders across the state in compliance with Government directives but few people dramatically staged the nullified exercise in a hurry to achieve 2023 hidden agenda.

As if that wasn’t enough,while complains hit the National headquarters of PDP, the NWC remain mute over the incident which resulted in numerous court action by members of the party across the state.

No sooner than the cases started, the Benue State Governor on the instruction of the National Working Committe convenned a meeting of critical stakeholders in Abuja to resolve grey areas bedeviling the Plateau State chapter. The meeting unanimously agreed to ensure a caretaker committe was constituted to resolve all pending issues for Plateau State before scheduling any Congresses.That was an answered prayers by genuine lovers of the party.

A committee was later appointed headed by Sen Suleman Adokwe with members sourced locally to oversee the state chapter for a period of (3)three months and organise a State LG Congresses after corrections would have been effected on complains arising from Ward Congresses..

The committee arrived Jos the Plateau State capital on 27th, August 2020, stayed in a hotel around Plateau Hotel.
To the suprise and shock of party faithfuls, the committee again announced a date for state Congresses for 29th, August 2020, less than 24hts after their arrival to Jos. They shared the 10million Naira donation meant for logistics in resolving the lingering crises in the state chapter.
What a shock! what a supprise!

Infact, suggestions have reached an advanced stage to blacklist members of the dreaded Suleman Adokwe committe, who were locally sourced from participating in any form of party assignment around the state.
It was a betrayal of trust of the suffering good people of Plateau State who are yearning for a change.The multi million dollar questions one needs to ask here is that,
as a party in opposition wishing to take over Government, how will losers and winners be a topic in assembling party officials? Is this not expected to be resolved emicably and internally without much rancour to enable the party wax stronger with a united house?

Those leaders who rushed and stood by other ways of installing party leadership are the worst enemies of the party in Plateau State considered as home of PDP.

You must have a winning foundation before appointing party officials who are merely to run the party on it’s day to day activities.But financial emphasis and struggle to install stooges ahead of the party primaries was the main agenda by few myopic, greedy and self-centered minded leaders.

The numerous litigations ongoing at the moment if not properly managed will surely mark the end for the party ahead of the much talked winning the elections in the State in 2023.

“BRING INVESTMENT TO NIGERIA AND PLATEAU STATE”, GOVERNOR LALONG CHARGES NIGERIAN AMBASSADOR DESIGNATE TO RUSSIA, PROF. ABDULLAHI YIBAILKWAL SHEHU

Governor Simon Bako Lalong has charged the Nigerian Ambassador-designate to the Russian Federation with concurrent accreditation to Belarus, Prof. Abdullahi Shehu Yibaikwal to do his best in not only enhancing relations between Nigeria and his countries of posting, but also attract investment in areas of comparative advantage to the country and Plateau State.

Governor Lalong was speaking when he received a delegation from Kanam Local Government led by the Emir of Kanam, Alh. Muhammadu Muazu Muhammadu II who came to thank the Governor over the appointment of Prof. Shehu as ambassador by President Muhammadu Buhari.

He said Plateau State was proud to have an experienced scholar and technocrat like Prof. Shehu who was the pioneer DG of GIABA, the West African Anti-corruption agency having served variously in agencies fighting corruption and money laundering in Nigeria such as the EFCC.

He said “I have no doubt that you will make us proud because of your pedigree and experience. You have shown your worth in the past and that is why they have given you this huge assignment to represent the country in one of the super power nations. We hope you will not only bring investment to Nigeria, but also to Plateau State because of the potentials we have. We will be praying for you to succeed”.

Emir of Kanam, Alh. Muhammadu Muazu Muhammadu II said they decided to come and show appreciation to Governor Lalong for his commitment to equity and fairness in facilitating the appointment of sons and daughters of the area into State and Federal Institutions. He pledged the continued support of the people for the success of the Rescue Administration at all times.

Prof. Shehu in a remark said he was humbled by the confidence reposed in him by the Governor for nominating him and the President for considering him worthy of the appointment.

He assured that he will not let the nation and Plateau State down as he was going to encourage investment into Nigeria from Russia and also pursue exchanges in areas of technology, security and mineral development.

Dr. Makut Simon Macham
Director of Press & Public Affairs to the Governor of Plateau State.
1st March 2021.

GOODWILL MESSAGE BY H.E. RT. HON. (DR) SIMON BAKO LALONG, KSGG, EXECUTIVE GOVERNOR OF PLATEAU STATE AT THE INAUGURATION OF SENIOR EXECUTIVE COURSE 43 OF THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR POLICY AND STRATEGIC STUDIES KURU, PLATEAU STATE, 1ST MARCH 2021.
Protocols

1. It is a great honour for me to be here again for the inauguration of another set of Senior Executive Course Participants at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) Kuru. I welcome all the participants and resource persons to Plateau State, the Home of Peace and Tourism.
2. I also welcome His Excellency, the Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria Prof. Yemi Osinbajo who is officially inaugurating the Senior Executive Course 43 at this very important occasion. We also welcome other guests who are attending this event from various parts of the country.
3. For us, the establishment of the National Institute here in Plateau State and its steady progress since 1979 remains a great blessing for the State and the nation at large. This is because as the highest policy think tank of the country, so much valuable research and policy recommendations have emanated from this institute which has shaped policies of our nation.
4. I am therefore excited by the choice of the study theme for SEC 43 Executive Course which is “Getting Things Done: Strategies for Policy and Programme Implementation in Nigeria”. This is perhaps one of the crucial topics that the institute will focus on in recent times because of its importance to our national development.
5. It is an uncontestable fact that over the years in Nigeria, numerous brilliant policies have been formulated in different sectors and by different administrations. However, the paradox is that only a fraction of these numerous policies are implemented with many of them either jettisoned, abysmally carried out or left to gather dust in the shelf.
6. This has led to a lot of distortions in the process of nation-building where many policies have to be re-casted all over again, implemented half-way or entirely abandoned. In the process, the nation incurs enormous losses in terms of wasted resources, manpower and valuable time.
7. Corruption, lack of continuity in government policies, inadequate human and material resources, poor leadership programme, sectionalism and ethnic biases and lack of political will are some of the reasons attributed to the lack of effective policy implementation in Nigeria. Such reasons can by no means justify the enormous resources that are wasted and the attendant consequences to the nation.
8. Today, some of the challenges we face ranging from insecurity, poverty, illiteracy, climate change, poor transportation, inadequate infrastructure, abuse of power, mistrust and intolerance, lack of adherence to rule of law among others can be traced to the inability to implement policies enunciated at various times.
9. For example, in the 50s and 60s, there were policies to administer our forests and its resources where the regions had Ministries of Forestry solely devoted to managing these endowments. Along the line, we lost track and scrapped them such that today, we no longer have such Ministries to focus on many of our vast forests. The result is that they have become ungoverned spaces where criminals are using as hideouts to terrorize the people. The same story is replicated in various sectors of the economy.
10. For us to change this trajectory and get things done, we must make a radical shift where policies with timelines will be faithfully adhered to, no matter who is in charge. National aspirations should not be subjected to political, ethnic or religious biases that end up impoverishing all of us. We must look at the larger picture in implementing policies that impact the lives of our people today and in the future. Examples are all over the world for us to learn from.
11. For us in Plateau State, our Rescue Administration has deviated from the practices of successive administrations who jettisoned projects and programmes they inherited. We have decided to implement most of the projects that were abandoned because of the interest of the people and the huge investment of the State. Despite the fact that we took over from a different political party, we have not allowed sentiments to overcome our reasoning in the interest of the public. That is the way to go.
12. Today, we have completed projects such as the Riyom General Hospital which was started in 2005 and abandoned for over 8 years; the Mabudi General Hospital in Langtang South abandoned at foundation stage; the Kanke General Hospital in Kwall; the Mararaban Jama’a dual carriage road; the Secretariat Junction Flyover Bridge and roads, among many others. We are determined to complete others for the benefit of our people.
13. In addition to these, we have equally developed a 5 year strategic development plan that is being implemented in line with the aspirations of the State particularly as it relates to the development of its areas of comparative advantage which include agriculture, tourism and mining. We have equally set out a roadmap for sustainable peace by establishing the Peace Building Agency backed by law and the first of its kind in Nigeria.
14. Distinguished participants, I hope that you will devote your time to carry out deep research into how we can break away from this situation of policy summersault, waste of resources and under-development that is brought about by the lack of faithfulness in policy implementation. Our nation has lost a lot of time and resources which we need to redeem if we must make any progress in the face of many challenges we face today.
15. Be assured as always of the support of the Plateau State Government during the period of your stay here in our beautiful State. Our people are hospitable and willing to accommodate you long after you complete this course just like they have done to your predecessors. Apart from settling down in Plateau State, many of them have over the years enjoyed coming back to base to meet and relish in the spirit of reunion and thanking God for what NIPSS has imbibed in them.
16. As you settle down to business, I admonish you to give your best to justify your selection to this prestigious institute for special course. The nation is looking up to you and you should bear in mind that mere formulation of policies are not the major issues in Nigeria today. Rather their effective implementation with strategies and timelines are the only things that can bring about national development and cohesion.
17. I wish you a successful study tour.
18. God bless Plateau State and the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
19. Thank you.

Rt. Hon. (Dr) Simon Bako Lalong, KSGG
Executive Governor, Plateau State
1st March 2021

LOOK UP TO GOD THROUGH CHRIST WITH HOPE, TRUST AND LOVE IN TIMES OF CRISIS
God is our refuge and strength, and ever present help in trouble times and situations. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth gives way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
Psalms 46:1‭-‬2
People of faith the Lord God Almighty has brought us to the end of the second month of the year 2021. The last two months had not been without challenges but certainly the grace of God has sustained us this far. May God forgive our failures, comfort the bereaved, bring back the abducted school children and end this shameful and disgraceful events that are tarnishing the name and image of our nation.
The emerging second wave of COVID-19 and many unabating reports threatening our security, educational system and creating anxieties and worries of the future, our wellbeing and sustainability of our democracy, and worst of all the church seems helpless, and the frightening rate of abductions in this month alone, call for absolute remembrance of God’s promise of being with us and healing our land if we humble ourselves, pray and seek His face.
The Bible is full of examples and stories about people of faith. Thus, facing crisis, uncertainty of the future, lack of food, temptation of idolatry and fighting against enemies are not peculiar to our time and generation. The children of Israel were all familiar with crises on their journey to possess the Promised Land, crossed the Red Sea, collected manna and in the New Testament witnessed Jesus Christ’s resurrection from death and the promised of his soon second and final return to reward both doers of evil and good.
What would be our story as people of faith?
As we have the opportunity and privilege to begin another journey of faith in the month of March, what would be our story and legacy as a people of faith, light and truth in this crooked and perverse society?
In this time of self isolation and new normal ways of serving God and one another, let us endure and go through the crisis as a means of purifying ourselves to be proven people of faith, not people of the buildings.
Those who cannot meet and worship in our church buildings, can use technology and Internet, phone calls, text messages and zoom in order to overcome isolation and loneliness with faith.
This reminds me that we can’t leave in isolation we need to help each other to look up to God and be a good support for one another. And that is what the church did very well for centuries! Do not be shy to call your friend or colleague to share your burdens and anxieties. Don’t hesitate to call someone just to ask how they are doing and pray with them.
From 2020, God gave us many opportunities and tools to build the church world wide
which we did not have in the past. We must use them well so that we can continue to grow as people of faith and encourage others to follow Jesus Christ.
Another opportunity in this time of crises is to have virtual churches for worship, Bible study, prayer, fellowship and preaching the good news of Jesus Christ. Many pastors can be invited to preach online in the church in another city or country. I can visit many churches online in my area and experience connectional aspect of their church. And even though online presence cannot replace physical presence, it is a wonderful opportunity that we as people of faith can use in such a time like this. 
As we face daily crisis let us be people of hope, faith, and trust with Christian character. No matter the challenges let us persevere and stay true to our Christian ideals. It is these ideals that set us apart from everyone else, in them we found our hope in Jesus Christ. That is what Apostle Paul wrote to the church in Rome: 
“Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.” (Romans 5:1-5 NIV).
May this month of March add blessing to your Hope, Faith and Trust in God through Christ and the leading of the Holy Spirit.
Rev Dr. Soja Bewarang
COCIN BoT Chairman

IRATE HUSBAND DIGS GRAVE TO BURY WIFE ALIVE
The least is yet to be heard of matrimonial scandals now a days, as it has been reported that Mr. Philip Tersso, a native of Yelwata Community in Toto Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, ran out of luck and got arrested before executing his plan of burying his wife in a 10ft grave he dug over allegations of infidelity with his friend, Aondowase Chiahemba, whom she is said to be carrying his three months child.
Reports have it that Tersso and his wife Mary have been married for ten years without a child and later he felt so sick which all hope of his recuperation was lost. While on his sick, Philip who later own recovered and testified said his wife told him that after his demise she will get married to Chiahemba his friend and that she was already pregnant for him. He then dug a grave in which he will cut her into pieces, put her body parts in a bag and bury them. But before executing his plan, he was arrested by the vigilante in Toto at the instance of his wife divulging his plan when she saw the grave he dug after telling her he will kill her.
Giving the reasons for his actions, Philip said his wife has ripped his heart with her infidelity with his friend, and has caused him great and unbearable pain, shame and disgrace, which the best way to recompense her is by sending her to death. He lamented that since their marriage, they didn’t have a child and he was doing everything possible to see to it that they have one as complaints were emanating from their families, but unfortunately he fell sick for a long time. And that while on sick bed his wife kept telling him she will marry after his death, and true to her words she was having sex with his friend which he never anticipated. According to him he was expecting sympathy from his wife and friend, but got none.
After his recovery he went on, he told his wife to abort the child, but she refused.
On her part, the wife said long before her husband fell ill he was denying her sex, and she was starving of it, and being human she was tempted to look for it elsewhere and to test her fertility. And she got it from his friend. She added that she is regretting of her action but she cannot abort the child because age is not on her side. And that she told her husband much earlier to prepare his mind that the pregnancy wasn’t his eventually if she gives birth. According to her, she had the premonition that it will hurt him badly after giving birth then he got to know that the baby wasn’t his.
As at now Mary is in her father’s house while Philip is in police custody. General speculation have it that his long time sickness has affected him mentality and was responsible of his planned murder of his wife.

By Prince Sekat, Jos

The report trending the media about a lecturer who poured hot water on his wife is a lie and one sided.

Mr. Happy Gubak is a lecturer with university of Jos. He got attracted to one of his students named Na’ar who later turned to be his lovely wedded wife of 8year with 3 children today. He has done a lot to her in life as a prove of love but she (his wife) have been insatiable. One faithful morning, they had a minor argument which the woman who seems to be compounded with some pending issues carried the water she was boiling and aimed at damaging his face, in self defence, he immediately stretched forth his left hand in self defence and the boiled water splashed on the both of them which got up with his chest, left hand and left chest.

I got the one sided news “a lecturer poured hot water on his wife” and I was also as angry as anyone but on getting the real narration today from witnesses which little did I know that it’s my neighbor (though a bit distanced) in Jos, together with my good friends we immediately rushed back to Jos

On arriving his house, we first interacted with his tenants and close neighbours who gave us the balanced information of the whole saga after which we made with him (Mr. Happy Gubak) for more detail.

The information going round was a fabricated one as Mr. Happy Gubak was only on a mission of self defence from a wife that targeted at damaging his face and the entire body.

Happy Gobak is a peace loving and hard working man as attested by his neighbours and his tenants.
This is the balanced story as a disclaimer to that unbalanced, information that stated thus; “a lecturer poured hot water on his wife” because the wife attempted damaging him before both of them becomes the victims after his skilful and God ordained self defence.

By Prince Sekat, Jos

A lecturer with the University of Jos, has allegedly poured hot water on his wife after both of them had an argument. 

Mr. Happy Gubak Daniel, of the Department of Political Science, University Of Jos, was reported to have issues with his wife after which he took the hot water she was boiling to bath her children and poured it on her.

The incident has since been reported to the Nassarawa Gwong police division in Jos the Plateau state capital.

While accusations have been laid, reports say the Unijos lecturer, Mr Gubak Daniel, claimed that his wife wanted to pour the water on him.

While trying to block the water, it poured on her as he got burnt too even on his face, he claimed.

By Prince Sekat, Jos

Governor of Kano State, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje has relieved his SA on Media, Salihu Tanko Yakasai of his appointment over his continued unguarded comments and utterances which are deemed contrary to the stand of the (APC) government which he is serving.

The state commissioner for Information, Malam Muhammad Garba, who conveyed the governor’s directive in a statement Saturday, said the sack is with immediate effect.

He said the aide had failed to differentiate between personal opinion and official stand on matters of public

Recall that Yakasai was earlier suspended by Ganduje after his remark about Buhari during the #EndSARS protest but was reinstated weeks after.

Salihu had called on the President Muhammadu Buhari-led government to either deal with bandits in the country or resign.

Tanko-Yakasai spoke on Friday while reacting to students’ abduction at Government Girls Secondary School, Jangebe in Talata Mafara Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

A report then emerged on Saturday that he has been arrested by the Department of State Services which was however denied.

Shortly after his comments, Salihu Tanko Yakasai went under, and his whereabouts according to his friends could not be ascertained, resulting to many insinuating that the DSS must have whisked him away.

According to him, the fact that the development comes about a week after bandits also abducted some schoolboys in Kagara, Niger State, shows that the government has failed its primary responsibility.



He said the All Progressives Congress-led government had failed Nigerians, noting that it cannot continue to lament when tragedy occurs without taking any action to prevent a repeat.

He wrote on Twitter: “Clearly, we as APC government, at all levels, have failed Nigerians in the number 1 duty we were elected to do which is to secure lives & properties. Not a single day goes by without some insecurity in this land. This is a shame! Deal with terrorists decisively or resign.

“Each time another tragedy happens, we lament, condemn, create a hashtag, the govt pretends to do something, no concrete steps to prevent re-occurrence, and then we repeat the process. To what end? Where are those saddled with the responsibility?

“Just last week, it was #freekagaraboys, today we have a new hashtag, #RescueJangebeGirls; who knows tomorrow what hashtag we will come up with? Perhaps one for ourselves when we get caught up in one of these daring attacks. This is sad & heartbreaking; I feel helpless & hopeless.”

*CONGRATULATORY MESSAGE* !
On behalf of my husband and the family, I congratulate all our women of substance who are featured in this book of *Plateau* *Women* , *First* *Among* *Equals* . No doubt, the remarkable landmarks you made in your various fields of endeavours in Plateau State, the Northern region and the Country at large led to this enviable recognition.
You have not only made us proud as Plateau women, but also demonstrated that through determination, hard work and dedication the sky will always be the limit. Indeed, you will remain role models for our younger ones as this is a proof that as women, we have all it takes to contribute to nation building.
I am very proud of you all and may God continue to open more ways for you.
Once more, Congratulations!

Signed:

*Mrs. Maureen Victor Dimka