GOVERNOR LALONG CONGRATULATES HON. DAN MANJANG @ 60
Governor Simon Lalong has felicitated with his Commissioner for Information and Communication Hon. Dan Manjang for attaining the landmark age of 60 years.
The Governor described Dan Manjang as a committed member of the Rescue Mission who has given his best in communicating the programmes and projects of the Government and also sanitizing the citizens towards greater participation in governance.
Lalong said Manjang is a media professional who has brought his experience, knowledge and versatility to bear in the service of Plateau State and Nigeria even at the face of challenges.
He urged him to continue to serve the State with more zeal, resilience and commitment particularly in engaging members of the public towards understanding and supporting the government to consolidate on peace, building, infrastructural development and sustainable economic rebirth.
He also wished him many more years of good health, peace and God’s protection.
Dr. Makut Simon Macham Director of Press & Public Affairs to the Governor of Plateau State. 10th January 2021.
GOVERNOR LALONG ATTENDS THANKSGIVING MASS FOR SENATOR NORA DADU’UT IN QUANPAN
Plateau State Governor Simon Bako Lalong together with his wife Mrs. Regina Lalong were among hundreds of guests that converged on St. Brendan Catholic Church Kwa in Quanpan Local Government Area for the Thanksgiving Mass in honour of Senator Nora Dadu’ut.
Governor Lalong described the election of Senator Nora as the will of God, urging her to do her best to impact the lives of the people of the zone particularly women and youths.
He said the State will give her every support to ensure that she succeeds at the red chambers. He called for unity among the constituents and the elected representatives of the State for the interest of the people.
Catholic Bishop of Bauchi Hilary Dachelem said the the emergence of Senator Dadu’ut was for the benefit of all people of the zone irrespective of their backgrounds, hence the need to support her.
He commended Governor Lalong for embracing all citizens of the State and urged him to do more in consolidating on completion of inherited projects and those initiated by him.
DG ITF Sir. Joseph Ari appreciated the people of electorate for reposing their confidence in Prof. Nora saying she will represent all irrespective of differences.
Prof. Dadu’ut appreciated Governor Lalong and the Plateau APC family for making her election possible promising to work for the interest of all.
Dr. Makut Simon Macham Director of Press & Public Affairs to the Governor of Plateau State. 9th December 2021
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) says it has released the list of successful applicants in its ongoing recruitment exercise.
NDLEA spokesman, Deputy Commander of Narcotics (DCN) Jonah Achema, announced this in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Abuja.
Achema urged successful candidates to visit the agency’s website http://www.ndlea.gov.org for the list adding that those shortlisted had also been contacted via E-mail and SMS.
According to him, the candidates had applied for different vacancies, some of which were invited for job competency test.
“The affected candidates, numbering 5, 000, are to appear at the Agency’s Academy, Citadel Counter-Narcotics Nigeria, (CCNN), Katton-Rikkos, Jos, Plateau State for the screening and documentation exercise between January 10 and 23, 2021 at 0900 hours daily.
“The candidates are divided into four different groups for the screening, in adherence to the COVID-19 pandemic protocol.
“The order and schedule for the exercise according to the group into which the candidates fall are also indicated. They are expected to arrive a day ahead of their screening period,” said Achema.
He added that successful candidates were expected to be issued letters of appointment and documented immediately upon successful screening.
“Candidates are, therefore, to report for the screening exercise with their guarantors’ forms, originals and duplicates of academic credentials, birth certificate or age declaration and indigene certificates.
“They are also expected to come along with certificate of medical fitness from a government hospital as well as a pair of shorts, T-shirts, canvass and stockings,” the NDLEA spokesman said.
NAN reports that President Muhammadu Buhari had approved the recruitment of 5,000 Personnel for the agency to boost its manpower in July 2019.
The process began in August 2019, while the aptitude test was conducted in December 2019 and January 2020.
PROTESTS BY LOCAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES: PUTTING THE RECORDS STRAIGHT.
For over a month now, employees of Local Governments in Plateau State have embarked on protests, barricading the entrance of the Joseph Gomwalk Secretariat, blocking roads and causing untold hardship to the public as well as harassing Government officials by calling them names, threatening them and their families.
All this has been under the guise that the State Government has not implemented the N30,000 minimum wage negotiated and passed into law the Federal Government. This is totally incorrect as the State Government has since October 2020, commenced the implementation of the 30 thousand new minimum wage to its employees. Local Government employees on the other hand are yet to reach an agreement with their employers (Local Government Councils).
Having tolerated this ugly situation and done everything possible to facilitate the resolution of the grievances of the Local Government employees and their employers (Local Government Councils), the State Government rather than receive praise for its intervention, has been inundated with unwarranted assault, propaganda and campaign of calumny aimed at tarnishing its image.
In the light of the above, it has become imperative for the Government to put the records straight and leave the matter before the court of public opinion.
In the first place, it is common knowledge that the administration of Rt. Hon. (Dr) Simon Bako Lalong, KSGG and by the special grace of God, the Chairman, 19 Northern States Governors’ Forum is labour friendly, especially when it comes to the payment of staff salaries, pension, gratuity and other emoluments. This has earned him the indelible name “GOVERNOR ALERT” bestowed on him by no other group than the entirety of Plateau State workers.
It is common knowledge that since he assumed office in 2015, salaries and pension in Plateau State have never been owed as they are paid as and when due. In fact, Plateau civil servants have become used to the sound of bank “alerts” from 23rd of every month.
Furthermore, time was before the life of this Government that the last administration could not pay salaries and pensions of civil servants for upward of eight months. However, all these were cleared by the administration of Governor Simon Bako Lalong without any fight. The same applied to “No Work, No Pay” arrears of salaries of about four months which was paid by this administration. As at today, the salaries of Plateau civil servants have been paid up to date despite the economic crunch and low earnings!
The Rescue Government of Simon Bako Lalong similarly showed magnanimity by recalling over 2,000 teachers who were sacked by the Jang administration after due consideration of their pleas. Not only that, Governor Lalong also ensured that the promotion and transfers of Local Government staff which was stagnant for about 2 decades was also carried out. Yet, these are the people today calling for the crucifixion of the Governor for no just cause.
As it stands today, the State Government does not have any dispute with its employees who patiently waited and negotiated for the implementation of the 30 thousand minimum wage which has commenced since October (even when some states have not even opened negotiations).
Therefore the conduct of Local Government employees who have embarked on a wild campaign of columny, mischief and misrepresentation of facts to the effect that the Governor is holding the implementation of its 30 thousand minimum wage is to say the least, most uncharitable and unfortunate.
It is common knowledge that Local Government employees are hired, disciplined, promoted and fired where necessary by Local Government Councils (their employers) and not the State Government. This is moreso when the implementation of Local Government autonomy has since commenced in Plateau State. The State Government which is a separate tier of Government has no responsibility for the implementation of the new minimum wage for Local Government staff and the Governor cannot force it down their throat. It is purely the business of Local Government Councils to negotiate with their employees based on their capacity to pay. This is exactly what happend between Federal Government and its employees as well as the States and its employees. If the Federal Government did not force the States to implement the new minimum wage, why do Local Government employees in Plateau State want the Governor to force the Local Government Councils to pay their employees when he has no control over their resources? Or should any State fail to pay the minimum wage to its workers, will they march to Abuja to seal off the Federal Secretariat?
For the Local Government employees to jettison this fact or pretend not to know but resort to blackmail, threatening and locking out State workers from the Secretariat for about a month, chanting political and war songs and other contemptuous behaviour is to say the least most unfortunate and regrettable.
Only they know what they stand to gain from locking down the State Secretariat and denying workers access to their offices as well as disrupting the economy of the State. They have been unreasonable to the extent that they forget that many citizens are just trying to recover from the COVID-19 lockdowns and curfews which impacted on their livelihoods. They are not on salaries but have to struggle to earn their living and also pay taxes that are appropriated to even pay Government workers including the protesters.
Moreover, the State Government took the civil path by approaching the National Industrial Court in Jos to ensure that the obstruction is stopped. An order was subsequently obtained wherein the Local Government employees were restrained from further protests and disrupting public peace.
Rather than the Local Government employees to obey a lawful court order, sheath their swords, or at least seek to vacate the order while the matter is being addressed by the joint committee mid-wived by the Governor which consists of their leadership and other union leaders, the Local Government employees escalated their agitation and further politicised it for reasons best known to them.
If they had gone to their respective Local Government Councils to protest or embark on labour actions such as withdrawing their services, many would have understood or even sympathised with them. But their action which is more political than a fight for their rights has become repulsive and devoid of public sympathy. Nobody will stop them if they have political ambitions and want to pursue it. However, they need to come out and embrace partisan politics rather than hide under minimum wage struggle only to disrupt the stability of the State.
The Plateau State Government would therefore, for the sake of clarity and emphasis, again state categorically as follows:
a. That the administration of Governor Simon Bako Lalong recognises that there are three tiers of Government in Nigeria, in this case, Local, State and Federal. The Governor is irrevocably committed to ensuring the that these tiers of Government particularly the Local Government enjoy their financial independence and other provisions of the autonomy.
b. That as far as the employment, discipline, promotion and payment of salaries and emoluments of Local Governments is concerned, the onus rests squarely on the shoulders of Chairmen and Management Committee Chairmen of the various Local Governments while the Governor has the responsibility of ensuring that State Civil Servants are paid as and when due. He has never failed!
C. That the Governor has done everything possible as a father to wade into the lingering crisis but the Local Government Staff have continued to stifle this effort, even when their Union officials have advised them to give them a chance to negotiate the matter. They rather prefer to play to the gallery and misinform the gullible while allowing clandestine interests to use them for pecuniary motives.
d. In view of the above, the Plateau State Government under the leadership of His Excellency Rt. Hon. (Dr) Simon Bako Lalong, KSGG hereby advises Local employees to redirect their grouse to the right channel which is the Local Government Councils. It is their sole responsibility to negotiate and implement not only the minimum wage, but other allowances they wish to offer them. This is moreso, that the allocation of Local Government is paid directly into the accounts of the Local Governments by the Federal Government and not warehoused with the State Government.
e. That the unwarranted attacks, misinformation and mischief of the Local Government employees aimed at tarnishing the good name of His Excellency, the amiable worker-friendly Governor Rt. Hon. (Dr) Simon Bako Lalong, a.k.a GOVERNOR ALERT, is unnecessary and a great act of treachery and ingratitude for all he has done to improve their conditions. Despite that, he has greatest respect for the workers which he has consistently demonstrated since he came into office and is committed to sustaining it.
f. That the State Government appeals again to the Local Government employees to show maturity and understanding by interfacing with their employers (Local Government Councils) as henceforth, no disruption of public peace or Government activities will be tolerated.
LET US ALWAYS THINK AND ACT PLATEAU
Signed:
DAN MANJANG, HONOURABLE COMMISSIONER, MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION
OFFICE OF THE DEPUTY SPEAKER, PLATEAU STATE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY, JOS.
S/PLHA/ADM/1/VOL.2
The Plateau State Deputy speaker, Rt Hon Saleh Shehu Yipmong have approved the appointment of fifteen (15) constituents to serve in the position of Special Assistants. This appointees are:-
Ya’u Zaranda – Special Assistant on Political Matters.
Muazu Adamu – special Assistant on Political Matters.
Alhassan Madugu(Lanty) – Special Assistant on community relations.
Salamatu Abdullahi (Kuntuka) – Special Assistant on women affairs.
Ahmady Musa – Special Assistance on General matters.
Abdullahi Kingyal – Special Assistance on culture & Traditional matters.
Saminu Maisamari – Special Assistant on Research & Documentation.
Husaini Yakubu (Adafa) – Special Assistant on Special Duties.
Ibrahim Buba – Special Assistant on community Relation.
Adamu Aliyu – Special Assistant on political matters.
Suleiman Pankwal – Special Assistant on Student Affairs.
Munkaila Mohammed altine Special Assistant on domestic affairs.
Husaini Adamu Umar special Assistant on youth affairs.
Adamu Gyara – Special assistant on inter party Affairs.
Siman Miri doma – Special Assistant on Culture & Traditional matters.
The appointment is political and terminate at the end of the tenure of this administration or at any time deemed fit.
Please accept my congratulations.
Sign Kwaltom Sadiq CNA L. A (Media and Information) To Rt Hon Deputy Speaker, Saleh Shehu Yipmong. (Surv).
SENATOR DIMKA FELICITATES WITH DAME PAULINE K TALLEN AT 62
The Senator representing Plateau Central Senatorial District, Senator Hezekiah A Dimka has felicitated with the Minister of Women Affairs Dame Pauline K Tallen on her 62nd birthday anniversary.
The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Drugs and Narcotics described Dame Pauline Tallen as one of Nigeria’s committed ambassadors in the fight to actualize women’s dream for a just society, but more importantly to prove the kindred spirit of the Plateau woman.
As a dogged fighter for the rights of women and children, and indeed of the less privileged has remained in the vanguard to actualize the same.
That she has been available to geneuinely serve in various capacities lends credence to why she is into politics. We cannot but wish her many more healthy years of productive service to the nation.
SENATOR HEZEKIAH A DIMKA, Senator representing Plateau Central Senatorial District and Chairman, Senate Committee on Drugs and Narcotics
*DAVID VICTOR DIMKA fsi FELICITATES WITH DAME PAULINE TALLEN ON HER 62ND BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION*
Nde Victor David Dimka fsi, on behalf of the DVD Movement has described the Honourable Minister of Women Affairs, Dame Pauline Tallen as a true daughter of Plateau State who has contributed immensely to the socio-economic and political development of the State. In a Press statement issued in Jos on Thursday, January 7th, 20201, he congratulated her on the celebration of her 62nd birthday. According to him, the Honourable Minister has over the years demonstrated extreme patriotism as a daughter of Plateau State, adding that her steady rise and acceptance within the political landscape of Nigeria is testimonial to this fact. He further described her as an astute women mobiliser who has placed herself as a gender advocate, with undying interests in the areas of ensuring equality between men and women, protecting the rights of women and children and above all, improving the livelihoods of the less privileged in the society. While wishing her many more fruitful years ahead, he expressed confidence that she will continue to uphold the virtues of a good leader and women advocate while serving her fatherland.
Plateau State Governor Simon Bako Lalong has congratulated the Minister of Women Affairs Dame Pauline Tallen as she marks her 62nd Birthday.
Governor Lalong in a congratulatory message described Dame Pauline Tallen as a patriotic and passionate daughter of Plateau State who has contributed enormously to the development of the State and Nigeria at large.
He said Dame Tallen is an accomplished politician, women emancipator and child rights advocate who does not tolerate any kind of abuse of the rights of women and children.
He commended her for making herself to the service of the people throughout her political career having occupied several offices including the post of a Minister she currently occupies.
Lalong said her passion for gender equality and disdain for violence against women particularly, rape stands her out as a woman of substance who is always out to promote human dignity, progress and equality.
While wishing her many more years of peace and God’s love, the Governor urged her to continue to play an active role in serving the nation and pursuing the cause of Plateau State as well intervening in the lives of the less privileged in society.
Dr. Makut Simon Macham Director of Press & Public Affairs to the Governor of Plateau State. 8th January 2020.
GAGDI ON FOREIGN OVERSIGHT DUTY, INSPECTS LST 100 WARSHIP OF THE NIGERIAN NAVY IN AJMAN STATE OF THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATE.
In pursuance of his legislative function to oversee activities of the Nigerian Navy, and his innate desire for a robust Navy and improved security of Nigerian waterways, the Chairman House of Representatives Committee on Navy, Rt Hon. Yusuf Adamu Gagdi was in Ajman State of United Arab Emirate to inspect a Warship of the Nigerian Navy under construction by Albwarsdy Damen, a reputable warship Construction Company in the UAE.
The lawmaker, who inspected the multimillion dollar project, was taken round the facilities of the company in order to further appreciate the technical competence of the company to deliver the project.
Tagged LST 100 Warship, the project is expected to be completed on the 18th May, 2021 and be delivered to the Nigerian Navy on 9th March, 2022. The project was at 75 percent completion when the parliamentarian inspected the Warship. Meanwhile, the company has assured of a timely delivery of the Warship in accordance with the terms of the contract without let or hindrance of any kind.
The essence of the foreign oversight inspection of the facility was to ensure finances appropriated for the Nigerian Navy are expended as provided in the budgetary allocation of the armed force.
Expressing delight with the quality of the project, the lawmaker maintains that Nigerian Navy has been one of the most vibrant armed forces in Nigeria, with a near excellent performance record; hence the need to encourage them with the required facilities for optimal discharge of their responsibilities.
The lawmaker had earlier in 2020, led his committee members to oversight visit of all Naval formations across Nigeria in order to be fully abreast with the successes, challenges and future projections of the Nigerian Navy, thereby capping the oversight duty with visits to various ongoing projects of the armed force outside the shores of Nigeria.
Foreign oversight visits to other projects of the Nigerian Navy in the US, Germany, South Africa and UK are in the offing.
Gagdi is expected back in the country on Friday, 8th January 2021.
NDE DAVID VICTOR DIMKA fsi,CONDOLES WITH THE FAMILY OF AMB. ALH. DANLADI PASHIR
Nde David Victor Dimka received with shocked the news of the sudden demised of Amb. Alh. Danladi Pashir, who until his journey to the Great beyond was an elder statesman and a stakeholder in Jos North and a PDP faithful, a dedicated party man who is known for his uprightness and foresight, Nde David Victor Dimka describes his death as a great loss not only to his immediate family, Hausa/Fulani community, but the entire state saying that he was a bridge builder and a man who believes in what he stands for.
Nde David Victor Dimka urged the family, Jos North community, the People’s Democratic Party, friends and associates to take solace in Almighty Allah who is the author and finisher of our lives.
May his soul and the souls of all departed rest in janatul Firdaus Amin.
Freelance Reporters 