DVD MOVEMENT MOURNS THE PASSING ON OF NDE DAVID DESHI DIMKA
The DVD movement regrets to announce the sudden demise of the father of its leader, Nde Victor David Dimka who passed on on Friday, January 29,2021. Born on Sept. 1932, the late Nde David Deshi Dimka was a teacher between 1952-1958 before he was elected as Member of Parliament Lagos from 1959-194 and later become a Member Federal House Of Representatives (Shadow Minister, Ministry of Mines and Power 1965-1966), First Chairman, Benue-Plateau Television (Now NTA Jos) 1974-1975
Until his demise, Nde David Deshi Dimka was the first Executive Chairman, Kanke LGA between 1997-1999.
While commiserating with its leader, Nde Victor David Dimka and members of the Dimka family, The DVD movement said it will miss the wise counsel and fatherly advice of Baba, Nde David Deshi Dimka.
The movement therefore wish its leader, Nde Victor David Dimka and members of the family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.
Sign:Mr Boniface Kassam Head of Media, DVD Movement
GOVERNOR LALONG VOWS TO SIGN DEATH WARRANT FOR CONVICTED KIDNAPPERS AS HE SWEARS IN PRESIDENT, CUSTOMARY COURT OF APPEAL & 5 JUDGES.
Plateau State Governor Simon Bako Lalong has vowed to sign the death warrant for anyone convicted for kidnapping in the State. Governor Lalong stated this on Friday 29th January 2021 when he swore in the substantive President of the Customary Court of Appeal Bar. Sati Patrick Dapit and five judges of the State high court and Customary Court of Appeal at the Government House Rayfield Jos. At the event witnessed by the President Court of Appeal Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, Lalong who described as worrisome the incidences of kidnapping and other violent crimes in the State frowned at the situation where suspected kidnappers who are arrested are not prosecuted as and when due and in some cases released without charge. He said “This situation perhaps emboldens the continuous onslaught on the citizens by kidnappers. While we are addressing the issue with the police relating to arrest, investigation and prosecution, I want to appeal to our Judges to be very firm in trying such Cases when brought before them as Kidnapping is fast becoming an Industry with no one immune from the menace. As Governor, I have promised to sign the Death Warrant in respect of anyone convicted of kidnapping which is giving our people sleepless nights, driving away prospective Investors and further impoverishing our people. Many of them are forced to pay ransoms to secure the release of loved ones which is making people afraid to pursue their legitimate businesses including farming”. To the new Judges, the Governor charged them to be faithful to their oath of office and consider their appointments as a call to serve God and humanity which should make them work faithfully and diligently. “I advise you to be mindful of the attempts to compromise your integrity and impartiality by people who will approach you with tempting proposals of all sorts. As those who have the rare privilege to determine the fate of people that appear before you, be careful not to abuse this precious trust. In as much as you have this privilege, you should also realise that you are not above reproach and can be held responsible for your actions by both man and God. Therefore, I advise you to strive to write your name in Gold by abiding to the ethos of your professional calling at all times during your career” he said. Lalong also used the opportunity to debunk the insinuation that his administration is not paying attention to the judiciary, a claim that he said is unfounded as his government has done so much for the judicial arm since coming to office despite the paucity of funds. Lalong listed some of the interventions to the judiciary to include: Construction of the new High Court Headquarters Complex; settlement of inherited 2 years arrears of Judge’s entitlements for 2013 and 2014; approval for training of Judicial Officers, particularly Judges within and outside the Country; approval for the Judiciary to recruit over 200 Staff including relevant support Staff; establishment of the State Account Allocation Committee (SAAC) which lays the ground work for the implementation of financial autonomy; as well as payment of all accrued arrears of housing allowances of superior Court Judges, on account of which some Judges took the State Government to court among others. This he said vindicates him and as such, the insinuations out there suggesting that he does not care about the welfare of Judges or is denying them their entitlements are incorrect and should be discountenanced. As a member of the revered Legal Profession, the Governor re-assured the judiciary of his personal commitment to the welfare and well-being of Judges and all Judicial Staff despite the major challenge of lean financial resources of the State worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic and the economic recession. Responding on behalf of the new judges sworn in, the President, Customary Court of appeal Justice Sati Patrick Dapit said they will do their best to live up to the oath of their office and the ethics of the legal profession for the interest of the society. The judges were later presented with their official cars. The new judges sworn in are the new Judges namely, Hon. Justices Naankwat Dawat Shaseet; Buetnaan Mandy Dongban Bassi, (Plateau State High Court) Pauline Nanlep Njar, Edwin Sati Munlang, and Georgina Dashe (Customary Court of Appeal).
Dr. Makut Simon Macham Director of Press & Public Affairs to the Governor of Plateau State. 29th January 2021
An opinion piece on Hon. Dan Manjang outing to Jay FM. By Dachung Musa
There has been so much talk and hullabaloo especially on the social media space about the interview on Jay FM’s morning show Let’s Talk. The Commissioner for Information and Communication, Hon. Dan Manjang was invited to discuss government’s programmes.
The commissioner confirmed attendance to the show but to his utter consternation, when he arrived the station, and was cut unaware that he’ll be on the show with a co-guest although the Station Manager had a chat with him (Commissioner) and it said that the commissioner said he was open to any question(s) the presenter would ask him.
The presenter who needs more education in broadcast journalism joined an attention seeker and News maker in a bid to rubbish the commissioner. Any way, that’s not the case here. The presenter showed how inexperienced she is and how the management of the station that doesn’t see any good the government is doing doesn’t pay attention to who they allow to use their mics. The presenter should have excused the attention seeker before the start of the show because his contention is that the governor who is Goemai should focus on working in the interest of Goemai people while forgetting that the governor is governor of Plateau State not just an ethnic group and bigot.
This just shows clearly that Jay FM played the script of the attention seeker rather than allowing and probing the Commissioner for Information on government’s programmes and projects. The presenter who needs more education in broadcasting should respect her guest(s) and allow them speak instead she interjects while they are talking; that doesn’t show basic human courtesy or the noble profession of broadcasting. The loquacious presenter who one may conclude that she has been gratified by the attention seeker was always interrupting the Commissioner for Information; she should not have invited the Commissioner if she knows what he’ll say when asked.
Jay FM needs to work and train it’s editorial team if at all they have one. Little wonder is the fact that the Station Manager is someone who knows nothing about journalism because he studied Linguistics at undergraduate level thus the gross neglect for ethical practices guiding the field and practice of journalism. Jay FM should employ professional journalists and presenters to anchor it’s programmes or it’ll soon set the state on fire with their unprofessional presenters who think broadcasting stops at speaking with an alien tongue.
Jay FM should train its staff on presenting and how to engage guests on their shows and most importantly, how a presenter should differentiate between an attention seeker and a news maker. Jay FM’s management needs to be reminded that hiring a broadcaster isn’t just about spoken English but rather depth and how well a presenter is grounded especially in working in a post-conflict society like Plateau State.
Instead of pursuing a path that will leave the State polarised, Jay FM should retrace its steps and chart a new cause by adopting professionalism taking into cognisance global best practices. Lastly, i admire the courage of the Hon. Dan Manjang for stating clearly his dismay at being ambushed by the presenters of the show and without mincing words he upheld the dignity of the person and good office of his Principal, exactly what any loyal lieutenant would do no matter whose ox is gored.
APC REGISTRATION: GOVERNOR LALONG WARNS AGAINST MANIPULATION AS STATE STAKEHOLDERS MEET TO STRATEGISE.
Ahead of the commencement of the APC registration exercise, Plateau State Governor Simon Bako Lalong has charged stakeholders of the party to mobilise members at all levels and ensure that new persons are attracted into the party.
Governor Lalong said this during a stakeholders meeting of the party held on Wednesday 27th January 2021 in Jos and presided over by the State Chairman Chief Letep Dabang.
Lalong charged the stakeholders to fully participate in the exercise by ensuring that existing members and new members are encouraged into the party so as to bolster the party’s position in the State.
He also warned against shutting out any existing or intending member from registering and the manipulation or hijack of the process by political interests, saying that this will only draw the party back and those who are found perpetrating such acts shall be made to face the party’s disciplinary procedures.
Lalong said the party needs to consolidate on the gains it has made over the years by drawing in more people during the exercise, and warned against allowing individual interests and ambitions to interfere with the process whose guidelines have been clearly set out by the national leadership of the party.
The Governor also urged the members to be wary of propaganda by the opposition who are bent on discrediting the good works and achievements of the party in order to discourage existing and new members from participating in the registration exercise.
He said as members of the APC, it is their collective responsibility to project the achievements of the government wherever they find themselves.
“As we set out to revalidate and register more members into our party, we should realise that it is our works that will speak for us and that our opponents will naturally stage their propaganda to try to dissuade people from registering. The people of Plateau State know where we took over from the PDP and the difference we have made. There is substantial peace and more visitors and investors are coming into the State” he said.
Chairman of the party chief Letep Dabang said the stakeholders meeting was primarily to strategize on how to conduct a hitch free registration exercise in Plateau State. He said the party structures across the State have been put on alert as pre-sensitization had started even before the guidelines were issued from the national headquarters.
He read out the guidelines set by the national headquarters of the party and disclosed that the committees to conduct the exercise in the State is being drawn out with the participation of all stakeholders urging them to show good conduct and lead by example to deny opponents any window of distraction.
Stakeholders who attended the meeting included National and State Assembly members, State Working Committee members, Local Government Chairmen, Members of the State Executive Council, Local Government Party Chairmen, and Federal Appointees.
Dr. Makut Simon Macham Director of Press & Press Affairs to the Governor of Plateau State. 28th January 2021.
PLATEAU EXCO APPROVES 3 BILLION BOND FOR PROJECTS, MOVES TO CREATE COOPERATIVE SOCIETY AGENCY
The Plateau State Executive Council has approved the sourcing of a 3 billion naira bond from the capital market to finance some capital projects.
This was one of the decisions taken during its maiden meeting for 2021 presided over by Governor Simon Bako Lalong at the Exco chambers of the new Government House Little Rayfield Jos.
Commissioner for Information and Communication Mr. Dan Manjang, Commissioner for Finance Dr. Mrs. Regina Soemlat, and the Commissioner for Commerce and Industry Mr. Abe Aku gave highlights of the decisions taken at Council at a news briefing.
Commissioner for Information and communication Mr. Dan Manjang said Exco approved the bond as part of its drive to ensure that some of its ongoing projects are completed while other critical ones are introduced.
He said the shortfall in internally generated revenue and federal account allocation accruing to the State due to COVID-19 has necessitated the sourcing of alternative funds to execute critical projects.
Finance Commissioner Dr. Mrs. Regina Soemlat said the 3billion bond is part of the 30 billion naira earlier sourced for the Lalong Legacy projects which after rescoping stood at about 27 billion naira.
According to her, all funds needed to complete the legacy projects are available and work is going on in all the sites steadily.
Commissioner for Commerce and Industry Mr. Abe Aku said the Council approved the establishment of the Plateau State Cooperative Society Agency to register, regulate and monitor the operations of all cooperatives in the State and also strethen their contributions to economic development of the State.
He said a bill will be forwarded to the State House of Assembly which when passed will encourage people of the State to form coperatives to enable them access funds from various Federal Government interventions as well as international development and donor agencies.
On the Corona virus pandemic, the Commissioner for Information Dan Manjang said Council raised concerns over the increase in number of deaths which as at today stands at 53 and directed more testing and enforcement of protocols throughout the state.
The Council also frowned at the destruction of street lights in the capital city by motorists and directed that those who are involved should be arrested and made to pay for replacement.
Dr. Makut Simon Macham Director of Press & Public Affairs to the Governor of Plateau State. 27th January 2021.
Chief Ayuba Burki Bags Award of Excellence from Advocacy Group.
27th January, 2021.
By D’yong Mangut
Director of the Beautiful Gate Handicapped People Center, Chief Ayuba Burki Gufwan has bagged an award from Advocacy for the Empowerment of Nigerian Women and Children Initiative for his selfless service to humanity.
According to Aisha Sa’ad Abubakar, Leader of the delegation, the awardee was meriteriously selected in recognition of his immense contributions to the development and empowerment of women and youths in Nigeria.
Chief Burki appreciated the organization for finding him worthy to be a recipient of their award. He assured the group of his support for the empowerment of women and youths in the society, the inclusion of women, youths, those with special needs and other vulnerable groups in the society into leadership positions and in policy making.
High point of the occassion was the presentation of the award and medal to Chief Burki by the group.
The Chairman of the Northern states and Plateau State All Progressives Congress (APC) Chief Letep Dabang said, the party has concluded all the necessary arrangements to register new and old members.
He called on those who wish to join the party to seize this opportunity and register.
Letep stated this in his welcome address when the Chairmen of the Northern states APC met in Jos to deliberate on how best to handle the registration exercise and to move the party forward.
Letep affirmed that the Party is poised for authentic membership data base that would enhance its victory in 2023.
“This assignment has been given to us so that an approved data of party members is enhanced, adding that this task is a serious affair in which we the leadership of the party have to ensure that members are properly mobilize and registered in their various locality and wards.”
He called on his fellow APC chairman to braced up and confront all challenges that might come their way with wisdom and tact because, the task before them is an enormous one, “if we handle it well, the party would stay well, but if we handle it wrongly, we might have ourselves to blame, he added
“Our party is set to welcome new members into our growing fold and this exercise will be done at the various poling units across the states,” he said
“All modalities have been put in place to ensure the registration exercise is hitch free.”
He reiterated that Nigerians have embraced the party and are always willing to support the party at all times, noting that there is a rising clamoring by Nigerians to join the party which necessitated the recent membership registration exercise to help coordinate the party properly before the party primaries next year.
Letep called on APC stakeholders and members to zealously help monitor the exercise to avoid the hijack of the process by enemies of the party for their selfish interest.
NORTHERN GOVERNORS WELCOME APPOINTMENT OF NEW SERVICE CHIEFS
The Northern Governors Forum has welcomed the appointment of new Service Chiefs by President Muhammadu Buhari and also commended the outgone Service Chiefs for giving their best in the service of the nation.
Chairman of the Forum and Governor of Plateau State Simon Bako Lalong in a statement commended the President for taking the decision and asked the new Service Chiefs to put in their best not only to meet the expectations of the Commander-in-Chief, but also that of Nigerians who have high expectations for enhanced security and safety of lives and properties.
He charged them to build on the successes of their predecessors and also learn from their challenges in order to address the lingering problems of terrorism, insurgency, banditry, kidnapping and other violent crimes that the nation has been battling to contain.
Lalong assured the Service Chiefs of the support and collaboration of the Northern Governors Forum in addressing insecurity in the region and the nation as a whole in order to enable the citizens pursue their legitimate businesses without any hindrance.
He appealed to Nigerians to support and pray for the new Service Chiefs as they provide leadership for the patriotic officers and men of the Armed Forces to put up a final onslaught against protracted security challenges.
Governor Lalong also thanked the former Service Chiefs for their courage, sacrifices and commitment to protecting Nigeria’s territotial integrity and dealing with internal threats during their stewardship, and wished them well in their future endeavours.
Dr. Makut Simon Macham Director of Press & Public Affairs to the Governor of Plateau State and Chairman Northern Governor’s Forum. 27th January 2020.
President Muhammadu Buhari has accepted the immediate resignation of the Service Chiefs, and their retirement from service. Those involved are the Chief of Defence Staff, General Abayomi Olonisakin; Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen. Tukur Buratai; Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok Ekwe Ibas; and Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar. President Buhari thanks the outgoing Service Chiefs for what he calls their “overwhelming achievements in our efforts at bringing enduring peace to our dear country,” wishing them well in their future endeavours. The new Service Chiefs are: Major-General Leo Irabor, Chief of Defence Staff; Major-General I. Attahiru, Chief of Army Staff; Rear Admiral A.Z Gambo, Chief of Naval Staff; and Air-Vice Marshal I.O Amao, Chief of Air Staff. The President congratulates the new Service Chiefs, and urges them to be loyal and dedicated in the discharge of their responsibilities.
Femi Adesina Special Adviser to the President (Media and Publicity) January 26, 2021
President Muhammadu Buhari has accepted the immediate resignation of the Service Chiefs, and their retirement from service. Those involved are the Chief of Defence Staff, General Abayomi Olonisakin; Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen. Tukur Buratai; Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok Ekwe Ibas; and Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar.
The President thanked the outgoing Service Chiefs for what he calls their “overwhelming achievements in our efforts at bringing enduring peace to our dear country,” wishing them well in their future endeavours. The new Service Chiefs are: Major-General Leo Irabor, Chief of Defence Staff; Major-General I. Attahiru, Chief of Army Staff; Rear Admiral A.Z Gambo, Chief of Naval Staff; and Air-Vice Marshal I.O Amao, Chief of Air Staff.
In a statement signed by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, the President congratulates the new Service Chiefs, and urges them to be loyal and dedicated in the discharge of their responsibilities.
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