The National Executive Committee of Ngas Youth Movement headed by Comr. Nensok Luka Gonet regrets to notify Ngas Youths worldwide of the postponement of the highly anticipated maiden edition of “Kit khi Yii Festival” scheduled to hold on Thursday the 31st of December, 2020 at Nefur Arena Pankshin. This postponement is made in obedience to the directive given by the Presidential Task force on Covid19 backed by Plateau State Government, banning of all cultural festivals and other events; and the order on physical and social distancing due to another daring phase of the deadly Corona Virus.
Despite the enthusiasm, excitement and level of expectations that has been drawn to the event, we regret to announce that as a law abiding youth movement with our desire to partner with the government to fight the pandemic, Khit khi Yii Festival 2020 stands postponed.
We urge members to thankfully reflect and observe “Khit khi yii” in appreciation to God for his protection over our lives and our nation.
We wish to appreciate the Chief Organiser of the event, our own Com. Wumana Bako, our Acting National Director of Socials who despite the very short notice, was able to hit the ground running to put an event together. We also commend the sub-committees for being up and doing. And to ngas nation who within this short moment made tremendous financial contributions towards the anticipated Festival. We hope to channel the resources you contributed to the next Khit khi yii festival.
Lastly, as we all work together to build Ngasland, let’s obey laid down directives by government to avoid contracting Covid -19.
We wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy and Prosperous New Year
*Andrew Amos Gogwim (JP)* National Publicity Secretary
PLATEAU STATE APC CHAIRMAN, LETEP DABANG TESTS POSITIVE TO COVID-19.
Chairman of the All Progressives Congress in Plateau State,Hon Letep Dabang has tested positive to the corona virus.
Disclosing his status Letep Dabang said the results of the test he underwent a couple of days back returned yesterday and it is positive.
Though at an asymptomatic stage,the APC Chairman has already gone into self isolation while treatment has also commenced on him in line with all COVID-19 protocols.
A close family source said though the party Chairman looks healthy,there is the need to pray for his speedy recovery even as samples of his family members have also been carried and results expected.
Reports reaching this outfit has it that the gallant men of the Special Task Force code name ‘Operation Safe Haven’ have neutralized armed Fulani men suspected to be armed robbers who have been terrorizing mangu for a while.
This is coming hours after the Department of State Services raised alarm over security concerns especially around rural communities in Riyom, Barkin-Ladi and Mangu LGAs.
They were reported to be robbing opposite the NYSC Camp in Mangu when information got to the sector Commander In Mangu, he mobilized his men to the area in a private vehicle. They engaged the robbers in a shot out as a result, 3 of the robbers were neutralized. Some weapons were recovered, while the corpses are said to be with the Police
Jos South Legislator, Hon. Fom Gwottson Distributes Empowerment Items to Over 800 Constituents
In his bid to ensure the people are economically empowered and financially stable, the Member representing Jos South Constituency at the Plateau State House of Assembly, Hon. Fom Gwottson Dalyop “Banga by Nature” has distributed empowerment Items to his Constituents, mostly Women & Youths.
While handing over the empowerment tools which included Sewing Machines, Water Pumps, Dryers, Generators, Pumps for Artisan Miners, Grinding Machines and cash to 800 beneficiaries, Hon. Fom Gwottson hinted that the gesture is one of the empowerment projects for his people. The Lawmaker described empowerment as panacea to poverty and will continue to do his best to ensure his people are empowered in order to to financially stable and economically sound.
He said the gesture was to create serial entrepreneurs that would create employment opportunities for his constituents and provide them with reliable streams of incomes. He said the empowerment project is part of his campaign promises to better the lives of his Constituents.
“We looked at the times and how revenues of families are falling, the earning powers of families diminishing and the capacity of the families to make ends meet is in the decline, so we thought it wise to empower them” he said.
The Legislator said he is committed to providing quality and credible representation and attracting people-oriented projects to his Constituency. Hon. Gwottson posited that he will continue to do his best in fighting poverty through sound and beneficial empowerment programmes.
Those who spoke at the event and the officials of the Plateau State Microfinance Development Agency (PLASMIDA) commended the Lawmaker for the laudable empowerment initiative and for identifying with the less privileged and providing them with items that will sustain them financially. They described the Lawmaker as a Performer and a true Representative of the people. They charged the Beneficiaries not to sell the materials given them but put them to effective use to improve their present living condition.
One of the Beneficiaries, Miss Mary Dung a Tailor from Gyel District, Jos South LGA who could not hide her joy commended the Lawmaker for considering the less privileged and putting smiles on their faces with the empowerment. She said this is the first time she is benefiting from such kind gesture and prayed God to open greater door to the Legislator so he can reach out to more people.
YULETIDE: PLATEAU STATE GOVERNMENT MEETS STAKEHOLDERS ON SECURITY/COVID-19
Plateau State Government has said that it does not intend to impose a lockdown in response to the second wave of COVID-19, but will ensure strict compliance to all protocols.
This was disclosed at a stakeholders meeting convened by Governor Simon Bako Lalong with Local Government Chairmen, traditonal rulers, religious leaders, community leaders and health experts to discuss how best to address the situation in line with the advisory of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19.
The meeting convened by Governor Simon Bako Lalong was presided over by Secretary to the Government of Plateau State Prof. Danladi Abok Atu who is the Coordinator of the State Taskforce on COVID-19.
During the meeting, Prof. Atu said the event was organised to draw the attention of the stakeholders to the urgency of the situation occasioned by the second wave of the pandemic particularly during the yuletide season.
He said the Governor has directed that strong measures must be taken to ensure that people are sensitised to observe all the COVID-19 protocols in order to curb the spread of the disease.
After exhaustive deliberations, the meeting adopted the following measures on COVID-19.
All public gatherings including places of worship should cut down attendance to 50 percent of their capacity.
All cultural festivals are banned
The use of facemasks should be enforced in all public places while social distancing, hand washing and other protocols are adhered to.
Covid-19 Testing should be enhanced in all Local Government areas while all sample collection Centres be publicised to encourage voluntary testing.
The stakeholders should hold similar sensitization engagements with their members at the grassroots
More sensitization should be carried out to avoid stigmatisation of those infected or suspected to have the disease.
All recreational centres are to be closed until further notice
On security, the Secretary to the Government Prof. Atu said security reports available to the Government indicate that some criminal elements are planning attacks on some communities in the State during the yuletide season.
He said the Governor mandated the meeting to foster a more community-driven response to intelligence and surveillance so as to assist security agencies with useful information to enable them respond to any threat of attack by criminals.
Atu said the State Government is working with the security agencies to be more proactive rather than reactive. He also said the State has strengthened Operation Rainbow to ensure that it compliments the security effort.
After the discussion, the meeting resolved the following on security:
Reinforce surveillance and intelligence gathering in all communities
All security threats should be reported immediately using the appropriate channels
Public transporters particularly commercial tricycle operators should be registered
Vigilante groups and community watch groups should be motivated
All suspects arrested for crimes such as kidnapping, murder should be thoroughly investigated
Motorcycles and tricycles are banned from operating on Friday 25th, Saturday 26th December 2020 and Friday1st January 2021 across the 17 Local Governments.
All boundary routes into the State and within the Local Government areas should be monitored and check-points mounted to monitor movements.
Communities are encouraged to work together and compare notes on happenings around them.
Dr. Makut Simon Macham Director of Press & Public Affairs to the Governor of Plateau State. 23rd December 2020.
GAGDI DISTRIBUTES 2,600 BAGS OF RICE WORTH #28 MILLION AND 21 COWS AS CHRISTMAS PACKAGE TO CHRISTIANS IN PANKSHIN/KANKE/KANAM (PKK).
The member representing Pankshin/Kanke/Kanam Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Rt Hon. Yusuf Adamu Gagdi, is set to distribute 2,600 bags of rice with 21 cows to Christian brethren within his constituency as package for the 2020 Christmas celebration.
The two-trailer load of rice consists of 50kg and 25kg set for distribution today, 23rd December, 2020 at Hon. Shuaibu Gyanggyang residence in Dogon Karfe, Jos by 2pm.
The distribution will be under the Chairmanship of Rev Father Polycap Lubo, CAN Chairman Plateau State, with Nde Paul Juryt, Elder John Gobak, Elder Nanle Gujor, Hon Iliya Datong and the Cordinators of GAGDI Campaign in PKK, who are to serve as Members.
The lawmaker maintains that the spirit of the yuletide entails sharing with loved ones, and the best way to reach out to his beloved constituents is to distribute food items to facilitate a joyous celebration.
The distribution list is a reflection of all Christian groups and political topnotch in the constituency, as well as pressure groups within the three local government areas that sum up the constituency.
The state Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria and his local government Chairmen from Pankshin, Kanke and Kanam, as well as COCIN PCC Kabwir Chairman with Anglican and Catholic Bishops of Pankshin are to take two bags of rice each for their personal Christmas celebration.
Meanwhile, CAN executives in Pankshin, Kanke and Kanam as well as youth and Women wing executives in the three local government areas will share 135, 120 and 110 bags of 25kg rice respectively.
Chairmen of COCIN Regional Church Councils and Catholic Parishes in Pankshin, Kanke and Kanam are given 95 bags of rice for onward distribution amongst themselves. State CAN exco will take 30 bags respectively.
Bible Schools within PKK are to receive 75 bags of the rice, while District Heads and other traditional rulers in the three local government areas will get 120 bags for their Christmas celebration.
Christian politicians, including Ward executives of the All Progressives Congress in Pankshin, Kanke and Kanam will get 247, 227 and 150 bags of 25kg rice in that order.
Pressure groups, comprising NUT, NULGE Health Workers NURTW, Persons with disabilities, retirees and APC online forum will be shared 335 bags of 25kg rice.
Security outfits operating within PKK, comprising the police, DSS, Vigilante STF NDLEA and other checkpoints will be shared 123 bags of 25kg rice.
Appointees of the lawmaker comprising Central Coordinators, LGA coordinators and Ward Coordinators will get 66 bags of 25kg rice, while party stakeholders in the constituency will be shared 90 bags.
The total bags of rice indicated above sums up to 2117 bags of both 50kg and 25kg to be shared later today, while the balance of 483 bags are shared to Christian relations and friends of the lawmaker with some getting 3, 2 and 1 bag, depending on the size of the family.
Meanwhile, 20 of the 21 cows will equally be shared today with the State Exco of CAN and CAN Chairman getting 1 each.
The COCIN President, Catholic and Anglican Arch Bishops of Jos as well as the Catholic and Anglican Bishops of Pankshin, with COCIN PCC Kabwir Chairman getting one cow each.
CAN exco in Pankshin, Kanke and Kanam are getting one cows each. The State APC Chairman is to get one cow, while party exco in PKK get one cow per local government.
Central Blue Print Committee and Local Government Committee, with Elder Gobak will get 1 cow each, while aides of the lawmaker will share one cow.
The Mishkom Mupun and Acting Chairman of Pankshin/Kanke Joint Traditional Council gets one cow, while District Heads.
Party Chaimen in the 3 local government areas will receive the package for politicians in their respective areas, while CAN Chairmen in the 3 local government areas will receive packages meant for Christian groups in their respective local government areas.
Logistics for onward distribution of the items from Jos to the three local government areas are borne by the lawmaker.
The 21 cows cost the lawmaker #3.5 Million. Summing up the cost of the rice, cows and transportation of the items to the people of PKK to over #30 million.
Similar amount was expended by Hon. Gagdi last year to provide Christmas packages to his constituents. We at Gagdi Media Team can only pray for our principal to sustain the gesture and pray for him to do even more in coming years.
Nde David Victor Dimka congratulates Tyoden’s @ 60 and 70
The Former Comptroller of Custom Nde. David Victor Dimka congratulates Prof. Sonni Gwanle Tyoden the Deputy Governor of Plateau State, and his wife Mrs Abigail Tyoden on the auspicious occasion of their 70th and 60th Birthday celebration.
Dimka who was accompanied by his wife Mrs Maureen congratulated the duo shortly after the Thanksgiving service which held at COCIN Headquarters Jos recently, describes the Deputy Governor as a distinctive teacher who impacted knowledge in the lives of many students all over the world He equally pray for God guidance, protection and good health upon the celebrants and he also wish them many more fruitful years ahead.
GOVERNOR LALONG CONGRATULATES ITF DG, SIR JOSEPH ARI AT 60
Governor Simon Lalong has felicitated with Director General of the Industrial Training Fund (ITF) Sir Joseph Ari on his 60th birthday.
Governor Lalong in a statement, described Sir. Joseph Ari as an achiever who has utilised every opportunity that God has offered him over the years to make positive impact in the lives of many.
Lalong said Joseph Ari has passed through the difficulties of life and patiently surmounted many challenges to rise to positions of leadership both in the Plateau State and the country.
He said “his performance as Director General of the ITF does not surprise us because he exhibited dexterity, diligence and loyalty during while he held various offices within the State structure before joining the ITF and eventually being appointed to head the institution. He has since turned around the fortunes of the organisation and repositioned it for higher job creation and manpower development”
Lalong said the Rescue Administration has continued to benefit from the partnership and collaboration with the ITF in fulfilling its mandate of economic empowerment through training thousands of youths and women in various vocations thereby reducing unemployment.
While wishing him more years of God’s protection, divine health and favour, Lalong urged Joseph Ari to continue using every opportunity to reach out to persons in need as he has done through the years.
Dr. Makut Simon Macham Director of Press & Public Affairs to the Governor of Plateau State. 21st December 2020.
Many Christians are shocked when I tell them that neither Christ nor any of His twelve apostles were Christians. Christianity is a religion ABOUT Christ-and other things.null
The religion that Christ practised while He was on Earth is Judaism. In Christ’s Day, Judaism was practised under different sects, some of which include Pharisees, Sadducees and Essenes.
To be specific, Christ is the Founder of the sect of the Nazarenes, which is the fulfilment of Moses’s prophecy in Deuteronomy 18:15.
The name Christianity originates from Acts 11:26, and we do not even know who originated it. It is most likely to have been the town’s people of Antioch
The sect of the Nazarenes was a very different thing from what came out of Rome after Ancient Rome became a Christian nation. In fact, many blatant lies have been told to try to legitimise what came out and is still coming out of Rome.
One of those lies is the story that Peter was the first Pope. That is such an obvious lie, and it shows the power of religious indoctrination that in the year 2020, people can believe such a ridiculous story. Investigate it for yourself. You are intelligent enough to do so. This is not a spiritual claim that you have to pray over for Holy Spirit guidance. It is a historical claim. So, interrogate it and see if it can stand scrutiny.null
There is absolutely no Scriptural, historical or physical evidence that Peter (whose real name was Cephas) ever even visited Rome. And even if he did, which is most unlikely, he could not have been a Pope or Bishop of Rome, because Rome was not even Christian in the lifetime of Peter.
Rome was Christianised in 313 AD by Emperor Constantine’s Edict of Milan. Up until then, Christianity was fledgeling in Rome.
In the lifetime of Peter, the sect of the Nazarenes was illegal in Rome, and the Roman Emperor had ordered all Jews to leave Rome. We see this in Acts 18:2:null
“There he met a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had ordered all Jews to leave Rome. Paul went to see them.”
We know that Paul and Peter wrote each other or read each other’s letters because Scripture supports that in 2 Peter 3:16. Paul was physically in the capital of the Roman Empire, Rome, as a prisoner, who was allowed to live freely in his own rented house for two years (Acts 28:20), during the times it was claimed that Peter was in Rome. Yet, Paul never mentions Peter, or his presence in Rome, in his accounts of his time in the capital of Ancient Roman.
Those who have floated this story have done so to legitimise all they have done in Peter’s name, knowing that Christ had named him as more or less His successor on Earth in John 21:17. They want to falsely draw from the authority Christ gave Peter in Matthew 16:18:
“And I say also unto you, That you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hades shall not prevail against it.”null
It is very unwise to build your faith or form doctrines around claims that are not supported by Scripture.
Some people will say ‘how does this build faith?’ or ‘how does this edify (a favourite word they like to bandy about)?’
But is faith that is built on lies still faith? You can be sincere and still be sincerely wrong. That is why Christ said “you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”-John 8:32.
As long as you do not know the truth, you cannot be free, even if you are sincere. Take it from Christ. Not from me.
Acts 17:30 says “the times of this ignorance God overlooked; but now commands all men everywhere to repent.”
God winked at ignorance when Scripture was not widely available, and most people could not read. But now we have the Word and we can read. We no longer have the excuse of ignorance. We can not leave Scripture and follow men.
Everything you need to follow Christ is in Scripture. Read it. Understand it. Believe it. And obey it. Christ died for you to have DIRECT access to God. You do not need a pastor, a priest, or a church to act as your intermediary because “through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.”-Ephesians 2:18.
You have access to God. Please take advantage of it. Stop saying ‘I am confused’ when you read things that attempt to open your eyes. That is one of the most beloved phrase of religious people, and sadly, especially in Black Africa. Too often, Black Africans refuse to apply themselves. We love to say ‘I am confused’ at the slightest challenge of our belief system.
But let our brother, or neighbour, or friend offend us, and we will apply our brains so astutely and strategically to plotting our revenge. Yet, we refuse to direct such focus to “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.”-Philippians 2:12.
Scripture is not hard or confusing. I have read it cover to cover multiple times, in numerous versions, and the original languages. It is a very straightforward book. What brings ‘I am confused’ is your religious indoctrination. Your dogma. Your programming.
Read Scripture as if your life depends on it, because it does. If you have read the complete works of Shakespeare, then you could have read Scripture cover to cover twice. If you have read all the Harry Potter books, then you could have read Scripture, cover to cover one and a half times.
Put in the effort. Reading Scripture by yourself will open your eyes. It will make your hate dogma and love God. Found your faith on the truth. On Scripture. Not on church traditions. Does it make sense to have abandoned your traditional religions only to adopt church traditions? Then why did you leave your traditions?
The sect of the Nazarenes later came to accept Gentiles after first Peter and later Paul preached and Gentiles accepted their doctrine.
However, here is the curious thing. The Peter, who some are falsely claiming was the first Pope, and in whose name they have promulgated all sorts of extra Scriptural practices, gave a judgment that Gentile believers, in addition to believing in Christ, were to keep only four practices:
“It is my judgment, therefore, that we should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God. Instead we should write to them, telling them to abstain from food polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from the meat of strangled animals and from blood. For the law of Moses has been preached in every city from the earliest times and is read in the synagogues on every Sabbath.”-Acts 15:19-21
Notice that Peter gave a judgment that Gentiles should only abstain from food polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from strangled meat and from blood.
Why did Peter do this? Because he wanted to make it easy for Gentiles to turn to God.
Now, ask yourself why those who have falsely appropriated his name have given you such a long list of dos and don’ts? Because they want to make it difficult for you to come to God. They want you to go through them.
Listen my brethren, the way of God is very simple. It is the way of satan and man that is complicated.
The things of God are simple but require discipline. The things of satan and man are complicated but require little discipline.
Peter gave a judgment to Gentiles. He did not mention tithes. He did not mention circumcision. He did not mention festivals. He just kept it simple. So, why have you allowed others to make it difficult?
Obviously, both Peter and Paul went on to give other counsel to the Gentile believers, including:
“Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as you see the day approaching.”-Hebrews 10:25.
“Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”-2 Corinthians 9:7.
“Wives, in the same way, submit yourselves to your husbands, so that even if they refuse to believe the word, they will be won over without words by the behavior of their wives, when they see your pure and reverent demeanor.”-1 Peter 3:1-2.
“Husbands, in the same way, treat your wives with consideration as a delicate vessel, and with honor as fellow heirs of the gracious gift of life, so that your prayers will not be hindered.”-1 Peter 3:7.
And finally, we must understand the way predators work. Take those who abduct children, for example.
They hardly approach the children and snatch them. Rather, they approach them and lie to them that they are friends to their parents and that their parents, or the government, sent them to pick the child from school. And children are very impressionable, so they believe the lies and follow the abductor.
This is the strategy used with the Chibok Girls, the Dapchi Girls and most recently with the Kankara Boys in Nigeria. This is the strategy used by many abductors in the United States.
And it is the same strategy used today by satan and his human agents. They come and tell you that they are from your Father in heaven and that He sent them to get you, and that you should listen to them and not Scripture.
But remember the warning from Scripture?
“But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let them be under God’s curse!”-Galatians 1:8.
GOVERNOR LALONG SHOCKED OVER DEATH OF DG NIPSS PROF. GALADIMA
Plateau State Governor Simon Bako Lalong says he recieved with shock the death of Director General of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) Prof. Habu Galadima.
Governor Lalong in a statement said the death of Prof. Galadima is a great loss to his immediate family, NIPSS, Plateau and Nasarawa States, the Nigerian academic community and the entire country.
He described the late Prof. Galadima as an astute scholar of international repute, administrator and professional who demonstrated uncommon commitment in carrying out every responsibility he was assigned.
Lalong said “since assuming office over one year ago, Prof. Galadima has injected a fresh impetus in the management of the nation’s apex policy and strategic institution by introducing new concepts that made research seamless even under the current COVID-19 pandemic. He also did a lot to improve the physical infrastructure of the institution while strengthening the academic experience for all course participants. He will be greatly missed”.
He said Prof. Galadima over the years contributed a lot to the educational development of Plateau State having studied and taught at the University of Jos for many years before his appointment as the DG of NIPSS.
Governor Lalong prayed God to grant his soul eternal rest and comfort his family.
Dr. Makut Simon Macham Director of Press & Public Affairs to the Governor of Plateau State. 20th December 2020.
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