PLATEAU STATE TO PARTNER NAPTIP IN FIGHTING HUMAN TRAFFICKING AS GOVERNOR LALONG MEETS NEW NAPTIP BOSS
Director General of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim says the agency is opening up new visters of partnership that will embrace more institutions and donors towards tackling the crimes of trafficking in human beings which is on the rise.
The DG stated this when she met with Governor Simon Lalong in Abuja to seek ways of collaboration in her new task.
She said the Agency has commenced a wider consultation with State governments and other critical stakeholders in building a solid platform for preventive approach to the fight against trafficking. This she said was the best way to go because the situation where victims are traumatised and negatively affected before rehabilitation is reactive and does not go far.
The NAPTIP boss said it was cheaper and more profitable for human trafficking rings to be identified and disrupted while the victims are protected rather than allowed to undergo harrowing experiences with some of them losing their lives.
She commended Governor Lalong for being one of the first in the country to sign into law the VAAP Act and Child’s Rights Law which are major instruments for the fight against human trafficking and other violent crimes against children and other persons.
Governor Lalong who congratulated the NAPTIP boss over her appointment said the issue of human trafficking has taken many dimensions with various individuals and organised groups participating to make profit from the misfortune of others.
He said the situation is made worse by poverty, ignorance and greed where even some parents abdicate their responsibilities by putting their children in harm’s way in a bid to make money.
Governor Lalong assured the NAPTIP DG that he will not only support her efforts in Plateau State, but will use his position as the Chairman, Northern Governor’s Forum to mobilise his colleagues towards enhancing the work of the Agency.
Dr. Makut Simon Macham Director of Press & Public Affairs to the Governor of Plateau State. 17th February 2021.
MINISTRY OF WORKS CONDOLES WITH THE HYAT FAMILY. The Plateau State Commissioner of Works, Hon. Pam Bot-Mang led the Management and Staff of the Ministry to condole with the Hyat family of Ganawuri, Riyom LGA over the demise of late Engr. Ishaku Mantu Hyat,the Secretary of Riyom LGC, whom the Commissioner said has served Plateau State in different capacity very well. Pam Bot-Mang made the statement during the condolence visit by the Ministry at the residence of Engr. Sunday C. Hyat,the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Works, who is the younger brother of the deceased at Ganawuri, Riyom LGA of Plateau State. Condoling the family of the deceased, Pam Bot-Mang disclosed that as a Politician he had personal relationship with Ishaku, describing late Ishaku Mantu Hyat as friend of the Ministry and a good administrator. The Honourable Commissioner prayed God to continue to comfort the immediate family, Ganawuri Chiefdom,the entire people and staff of Riyom LGA as well as the nation at large. Responding on behalf of the Hyat family, Engr. Sunday Hyat appreciated the Management and Staff of the Ministry for the visit,noting that the family is indeed comforted by the demonstration of love and concern shown to the family of the deceased. He added that it shows that the deceased has had a good relationship with people in the Ministry and also Riyom LGA,where he once served as Director of works till his retirement. Engr Sunday Hyat equally thanked all those who identified and sympathised with the Hyat family through phones and personal visits.
PRESIDENT BUHARI GREETS LT. GEN. JEREMIAH USENI AT 78 President Muhammadu Buhari sends warm felicitations to former Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Lt. Gen. Jeremiah Useni on his 78th birthday, congratulating him on many years of service to the nation, particularly as a military officer who held strategic positions. The President joins family, friends and associates of the former Military Governor of defunct Bendel State in celebrating the auspicious moment, heralded by distinguished service as Minister of Transportation and Quarter-Master General of the Nigerian Army. As the former Minister turns 78, the President commends his courage for consistency in service to the nation and his people, including winning elections as a Senator, and championing issues that directly impact on development. The President prays for good health and longer life for the former minister. Garba Shehu Senior Special Assistant to the President (Media & Publicity) February 16, 2021
NORTHERN GOVERNORS INTENSIFY CONSULTATION FOR PEACE AND SECURITY In continuation of the efforts to de-escalate the security situation in the country, the Northern Governors Forum has met with heads of security agencies, traditonal rulers and other stakeholders. The Northern Governors led by its Chairman and Governor of Plateau State Simon Bako Lalong met with service Chiefs in Kaduna where they held a closed door meeting lasting hours. Although no detail was revealed after the meeting, sources say the meeting was in relation to the security challenges in the Northern region and the country as a whole. Later on Monday night a meeting between the Northern Elders Forum and Northern Governors Forum was held at the Plateau Governor’s Lodge Abuja. Governor Simon Lalong, Chairman Northern Governor’s Forum together with the Governor of Sokoto State Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, and Deputy Governor of Nasarawa State represented the Northern Governors Forum while Prof Ango Abdullahi led the Northern elders to the meeting. After the closed door meeting, Governor Lalong said the meeting discussed the need for all stakeholders across the country to take strong measures to calm down the State strained nerves. He said the Northern Governors Forum has already dispatched a team to go to the South West to interface with their colleagues from that area. Dr. Hakeem Baba Ahmed, spokesman for the Northern Elders Forum said they all agreed that all Nigerians must be protected wherever they reside and that criminals should be treated as criminals and not with any tribal, ethnic or religious coloration. Dr. Makut Simon Macham Director of Press & Public Affairs to the Governor of Plateau State. 16th February 2021
A BILL SPONSORED TO UPGRADE FCE PANKSHIN INTO FEDERAL UNIVERSITY OF EDUCATION PANKSHIN PASSES THROUGH SECOND READING TODAY AND RT. HON YUSUF ADAMU GAGDI LEADS THE DEBATE.
DETAILS OF THE PRESENTATION BY GAGDI:
BACKGROUND INFORMATION ON A BILL FOR AN ACT TO ESTABLISH THE FEDERAL UNIVERSITY OF EDUCATION, PANKSHIN
Rt. Hon. Yusuf Adamu Gagdi
Mr. Speaker, Honourable Colleagues, permit me to lead the debate on the general principles of A Bill for an Act to Establish the Federal University of Education, Pankshin. You would recall that this Bill was read for the first time in this hallowed Chamber.
My respected Colleagues, this is a very straight forward piece of legislation that seeks to repeal paragraph (k) of the first schedule to the Federal Colleges of Education Act Cap F8, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 and Enact the Federal University of Education, Pankshin to provide for the promotion and development of teacher education in Nigeria My respected Colleagues, for the attainment of its objectives as specified in section 1 (5), the University has powers to:
(a) offer courses of instruction, training and research in education and allied areas for the production of quality and skilled teachers required to teach at lower, middle and higher levels of education in Nigeria in particular and the world at large;
(b) establish such colleges, campuses, institutes, schools, departments and other teaching and research units within the University as may be deemed necessary or desirable subject to the approval of National Universities Commission;
(c) institute professorships, readerships, associate professorships, lectureships, and other posts and offices and to make appointments to those post and offices;
(d) institute and award fellowships, scholarships, exhibitions, bursaries, medals, prizes and other titles, distinctions, awards and forms of assistance;
(e) provide for the discipline and welfare of members of the University;
(f) hold examinations and grant degrees, diplomas, certificates and other distinctions to
persons who have pursued a course of study approved by the University and have satisfied such other requirements as the University may lay down;
(g) grant honorary degrees, fellowships or academic titles;
(h) demand and receive from any student or any other person attending the University for the purposes of instruction, such fees as the University may determine subject to the overall directives of the Minister;
(i) subject to section 20, acquire, hold, grant, charge or otherwise deal with or dispose of movable and immovable property wherever it is situate;
(j) accept gifts, legacies and donations, but without obligation to accept the same for a particular purpose unless it approves the terms and conditions attached;
(k) enter into contracts, establish trusts, act as trustee, solely or jointly with any other person, and employ or act through agents;
(l) erect, provide, equip and maintain libraries, laboratories, workshops, lecture halls, halls of residence, refectories, sports grounds, playing fields and other buildings or things necessary, suitable or convenient for any of the objects of the University;
(m) hold public lectures and to undertake printing, publishing and book selling;
(n) subject to any limitation or condition imposed by the Statute, to invest money appertaining to the University by way of endowment, not being immediately required for current expenditure in any investment or security or in the purchase or improvement of land, with power, from time to time, to vary such investments and deposit any money for the time being not invested with any bank in a deposit or current account;
(o) borrow, whether on interest or not and if need be upon the security of any or all of the property, movable or immovable, of the University, such money as the Council may find necessary or expedient to borrow or to guarantee any loan, advances or credit facilities;
(p) make gifts for any charitable purpose;
(q) do anything which it is authorised or required by this Act or any Statute to do; and
(r) do all such acts or things, whether or not incidental to these powers, as may advance the objects of the University.
(2) Subject to the provisions of this Act and of the Statutes and without prejudice to section 7 (2), the powers conferred on the University under subsection (1) is exercisable on behalf of the University by the Council, Senate or in any other manner which may be authorised by the Statute.
The power of the University to establish additional campuses and colleges within the University shall be exercised in accordance with the Statute.
My respected Colleagues may recall that the 9th House of Representatives passed a similar Bill that repealed paragraph (i) of the first schedule to the Federal Colleges of Education Act and Enact the Adeyemi University of Education in line with the Government policy on Education In conclusion, Mr. Speaker, my respected Colleagues, In view of the efforts currently being made by the Federal Government of Nigeria to diversify the Nigerian economy, the need to encourage teachers education cannot be overemphasized, hence the much needed move to upgrade the Federal College of Education Pankshin to a full University status (Federal University of Education, Pankshin) in line with the Federal Government policy on education. I therefore urge my respected colleagues to support that the bill be read for the second time and referred to the relevant committee for further legislative action.
NORTHERN GOVERNORS REJOICE WITH GOVERNOR EL-RUFAI @ 61.
The Northern Governors Forum has fellicitated with Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir Ahmad elrufai on the occasion of his 61st birthday.
Chairman of the Forum and Governor of Plateau State Simon Bako Lalong in a message described Governor El-rufai as resourceful, patriotic and passionate leader who is committed to the development of not only Kaduna State, the Northern Region, but Nigeria as a whole.
Lalong said the Governor has remained consistent in his advocacy and action for a paradigm shift to adopting practical approach to sustainable and people- oriented change. This he said could be seen from the many assignments he has handled at various times including his present stewardship of Kaduna State.
Governor Lalong described Mallam Elrufai’s contributions to the Northern Governors Forum as impactful as he has also played a significant role in the implementation of various programmes of the forum aimed at improving the lives of the people of the region.
While wishing him many more years of God’s guidance and divine protection, the Northern Governors Forum Chairman also commended Governor Elrufai for providing the right environment for the Forum to operate seamlessly at its Headquarters located in Kaduna.
Lalong assured the Governor that the Northern Governors Forum will continue to benefit from his reservoir of knowledge and experience in finding solutions to the many challenges of the region and the nation at large.
Dr. Makut Simon Macham Director of Press & Public Affairs to the Governor of Plateau State and Chairman, Northern Governors Forum. 16th February 2021.
President Muhammadu Buhari has appointed Mr Abdulrasheed Bawa as substantive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Mr Femi Adesina, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, announced this in a statement on Tuesday.
Adesina said the appointment is subjected to the confirmation of the Senate.
“President Muhammadu Buhari has asked the Senate to confirm Mr Abdulrasheed Bawa as substantive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).”
“In a letter to President of the Senate, Ahmad Ibrahim Lawan, the President said he was acting in accordance with Paragraph 2(3) of Part1, CAP E1 of EFCC Act 2004.
“Bawa, 40, is a trained EFCC investigator with vast experience in the investigation and prosecution of Advance Fee Fraud cases, official corruption, bank fraud, money laundering, and other economic crimes.
“He has undergone several specialized trainings in different parts of the world, and was one of the pioneer EFCC Cadet Officers in 2005. Bawa holds a B.Sc degree in Economics, and Masters in International Affairs and Diplomacy.”
The Kogi Women Network for Democratic Change and Good Governance (KWNDCGG) has condemned the perpetrators of the attack on the persons and image of the former Vice Chancellor Federal University Lokoj Professor Angela Freeman Miri as a collective attack on womenfolk which should be resisted. Some staff of the instituion had on last week Friday pasted mock obituary poster of the former Vice Chancellor in the campus as they marched carrying placard to mark the end of the vice chancellor’s tenure. In a press release signed by the National Coordinator of the Association Hajia Ramatu Muhammed and made available to Journalists in Lokoja on Monday berated the few individuals within the university community who came out shamelessly and childishly to embarrass the entire university community with their ill-motivated protest. The group lamented that those in the Ivory tower that should be cultured abandoned decency, decorum and civilized way of life and embark on shameful, disgraceful and degrading protest carried out last Saturday. This is as the Association has called on the law enforcement agencies to wade into the matter to unravel those behind the despicable act. The National Coordinator insisted that the few individuals have been behind all sorts of wicked publications mounted in the last three and half years to cause serious disaffection in the institution especially between the outgoing Vice-Chancellor, Prof. (Mrs.) Angela Freeman Miri and the rest of the staff. According to her, it should be noted that these few individuals had been the evil brain behind various skirmishes between the university community and the host communities in the past. ” They lied about and raised false alarms as well as sowed the seed of discord everywhere in order to create tension and chaos in the university. Prof. Miri, on several occasions was accused of financial recklessness, corruption, nepotism and embezzlement which they could not substantiate. ” They never had the audacity and the facts to prosecute her in a law court or any of the anti-corruption bodies. What did she embezzle? No funds came to her account. Most of the projects executed are TETfund funded projects which she worked hard to attract to the University and the contractors were not recruited by her. The work done are there for all to see. “These enemies of progress did everything within their power and imagination to pull her down, but God did not allow them to have their selfish way. The only thing they felt they could do was to place an obituary of the woman who is hale and hearty. Everyone that had input in the obituary saga has no fear of God as they wanted her dead, Haba! This is wicked of them and they have belittled themselves and made the university a laughing stock of the Nigerian society. ” They have done what ordinary illiterates wouldn’t have done. What a shame, and in Yoruba parlance, if people announce anyone dead when in actual sense he or she is alive, it simply means he or she will live long and in fact outlive his or her detractors. For Prof. Miri, it is a sign of long life for her.” She opined. Hajia Muhammed alleged that the reasons for her being treated like a leper was because she refused to share money as they were used to in the past and because she is just too thorough with her work adding that her feminism was used to derogate and launched all sorts of unprintable wars against her. The National Coordinator said just as the former VC stood against the marginalisation of women, her Association will continue the fight until the dignity and rights of women are respected. She lamented at Some individuals who were seen in the viral video was nothing more than a demonstration of hatred for women folks, which is condemnable adding that the hate speech promoted by section of the FUL community is being frown at by her group. In her words ” The president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria President Muhammadu Buhari should continue to recognise women as we stand for equity, justice and fairness in discharge of our duties. Kudos must be given to Governor Yahaya Bello for giving women prominent positions in the state in the area of appointments and empowerment. Students and over ninety percent of the staff will agree with this Association that Prof. Angela Miri did her very best for the institution in term of judicious funding of teaching, research, physical development and staff welfare within the limited resources made available to her by the government. “In her five years tenure in the university, Prof. Miri received over 35 awards and commendation letters within and outside the university in recognitions of her outstanding contributions towards the physical, academic and moral developments of the Federal University Lokoja. “Most of these awards were given to her at the tail end of her tenure in office; then, why this sudden rascality from a tiny group that has resorted to using thugs and criminals to protest on their behalf” she wondered. However, the Association said her consolation for Prof. Angela Freeman Miri is that she has done her very best for the university community, with several developmental strides to her credit , stressing that her reputation as a former commissioner for Health, and later Education in Plateau State, Chairperson of the Governing Council of Plateau State Polytechnic, Barkin Ladi, and member of some State Tertiary Institutions’ Visitation Panels could not be wished away. While welcoming new vice-chancellor Prof. Olayemi Durotimi Akinwumi to the university, counsel him to be wary of some people who have constituted themselves into a clog in the wheels of progress of the university. End.
GOVERNOR LALONG DIRECTS SECURITY AGENCIES TO HALT KILLINGS IN BASSA VILLAGES.
Plateau State Governor Simon Lalong has frowned at recurring killings in some villages of Bassa Local Government Council, asking security agencies to do everything possible to put a stop to the situation.
Governor Lalong while reacting to the recent killing of 4 persons following attacks on some villages in Kwall District of the Local Government, said the development was worrisome and intolerable.
The Governor who had directed the Peace Building Agency to visit the area and get to the root of the killings, said the situation must be brought under control immediately to prevent further degeneration.
He said “I want all those involved in these crimes to be arrested and made to face the full weight of the law. While this is going on, the machinery for dialogue, reconciliation and confidence building should be vigorously pursued by the Peace Building Agency with the support of the newly constituted Inter-faith Council. We will not tolerate any act that takes us back to the dark days of violence and destruction.”
While commiserating with the families of those killed, the Governor said all citizens must be security conscious and avoid any conduct that will jeopardize peaceful coexistence of the area and the State.
Dr. Makut Simon Macham Director of Press &Public Affairs to the Governor of Plateau State. 15th February 2021
WITH THINGS HAPPENING, IS THE WORLD OUT OF GOD’S CONTROL ? The Lord Almighty has sworn, “Surely, as I have planned, so it will be, and as I have purposed, so it will happen. Isaiah 14:24 All through the ages the rulers of this world have thought they were in control and did not have to answer to anyone. How wrong they were and still are! The great king Nebuchadnezzar learned the hard way that God was in control. When he began to brag about his power, his might and all he had done, God took away his mental capacity and he became as an animal living in the fields. After his mind returned to him, he declared in humility that God is in control and he puts the one he chooses to rule over the kingdoms of the earth. It is still true today. There is no forever leader or anyone. While you and I may not be kings, presidents or rulers over nations, we are still under the control of the Almighty God. He has sworn; “Surely, as I have planned, so it will be, and as I have purposed, so it will happen.” We can either choose to submit to his will in Jesus Christ or we will answer for refusing to do so. Certainly he gives us free choice in our decisions but he can use our wrong decisions to carry out his will and to show his glory as he did on Pharaoh in the days of Moses. For a life of joy and peace, we need to submit to his will and live for him. Our lives are much easier, simpler and less dramatic when we serve him and allow him to live in us. Godliness leads to contentment because we have inner peace with God, with ourselves and with most people around us. People enjoy being with those who are loving, kind, compassionate and patient, especially in our homes. My prayer this week; “O Lord God, I am thankful that you have provided a new life in Jesus Christ. Thank you for showing me how to live in a way to get along with others. Help me to always do and say that which will honor you and bring glory to your name. Use me to help others materially, emotionally and especially spiritually. I want to be the best I can be and I need your help to achieve it. I want to do my best to teach your word faithfully and I need your constant help in this also. Give me wisdom to understand and courage to live the right example. I pray in Jesus name.” May you pray same and more in line with your felt need. Have a blessed week Rev Dr. Soja Bewarang Chairman COCIN BoT
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