GOVERNOR LALONG CANVASSES SUPPORT FOR SMALL HOLDER FARMERS
Plateau State Governor Simon Bako Lalong has advocated for more funding and incentives for small holder-farmers who are the mainstay of Nigeria’s agricultural sustainability programme.
Governor Lalong said this while addressing the NEPAD Summit and technical roundtable discussion on strengthening small-holder farmer capabilities in the COVID-19 era at the Sheraton Hotel Abuja.
Lalong said these farmers need every support to build their capacity to embrace modern farming practices, harvest, store and add value to their produce as well as access better marketing channels for better earnings.
He commended NEPAD for the intiative which he said was in tandem with the priority of his administration which is anchored on using areas of comparative advantage for sustainable economic rebirth.
The Governor said “We welcome NEPAD’s initiative in Plateau State and ask you to take advantage of the Agriculture Microfinance Bank which is the first of its kind in Nigeria. We hope you can easliy connect and assist our farmers through this avenue and many others which we have been using to equip them with the relevant knowledge and skills”.
He also said the agricultural institutions in Plateau State, available land, manpower and its peculiar weather for production of exortic crops makes it a natural destination for programmes such as this.
Lalong assured that Plateau women will be carried along in the programme as most of them are hardworking and have also been trained by various agencies to take advantage of opportunities in agriculture.
The event was attended by Governors of Kebbi, Kwara, Niger as well as Deputy Governors of Adamawa and Nasarawa States.
Dr. Makut Simon Macham Director of Press & Public Affairs to the Governor of Plateau State. 9th December 2020.
Plateau South Senator-elect Prof. Nora Dadu’ut visited Governor Simon Lalong on Wednesday 9th December to express her appreciation to him, APC leadership in the State and the people of the zone for reposing their confidence in her to serve them at the red chambers. Dadu’ut who was in company of her husband and Prof. Garba Sharubutu, Executive Secretary, Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria, presented the certificate of return to Governor Lalong. She promised not to disapoint the people of the southern zone and the entire State during her time at the Senate. Governor Lalong again congratulated Prof. Nora for being the first woman to occupy the position of Senator in Plateau State saying his desire is to lift up more women and remove all barriers that make them not realise their dreams. He said with her acedemic and other contributions to society, he was optimistic that she will excell and make the people proud. He promised to continue to support her and all Federal legislators from the State as well as other appointees at the Federal Level in order to bring development to the State. Dr. Makut Simon Macham Director of Press & Public Affairs to the Governor of Plateau State. 9th December 2020. Photos; Josiah Jenv
ISWAP Captures Newly Inducted Nigerian Army Armoured Vehicle The Islamic State West Africa Province’s (ISWAP) Amaq news outlet, on Tuesday, shared pictures of vehicles captured and destroyed in an ambush of Nigerian troops advancing in the dreaded Alagarno forest – Timbuktu triangle area.
One of the vehicles in Nigerian Army camouflage pattern was a new Toyota Landcruiser (Buffalo) Guntruck and the other the newly inducted Kia KIA KLTV-181 military tactical-utility vehicle designed and manufactured by Kia Motors Corporation.
Calibre Obscura, an arms researcher, in a tweet on the incident said, “ISWA ambushed/repelled the NA in #Alagarno leading to multiple (7 claimed) killed and vehicles captured, including an up-gunned Kia KIA KLTV181 APC delivered only this year, and technical[ly] so new it has the emissions still on the window. HMGs/small arms likely captured too.”
The KIA KLTV-181 in the picture appears to have been upgraded by the Nigerian Army with a local armoured turret for the gunner, unlike previous pictures of the KIA KLTV-181 in use without a turret.
KIA KLTV KIA KLTV The first official confirmation of the vehicles’ induction into the Nigerian Army was by Chief of Army Staff Tukur Baratai during the opening of his combined first, second and third quarters conference in Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State.
Buratai, a lieutenant-general, said the Nigerian army recently took delivery of key platforms to reinvigorate its operations.
“These include the VT4 and FT1 tanks, the KIA light tactical vehicles as well as the SH2 and SH5 self,” he said.
In January 2019, the Army chief visited KIA Motors Corporation, where they were received and was briefed by Director Special Vehicle Global Sales Group, Il-Tae Kim.
The delegation was also conducted round the company’s manufacturing plants, particularly the KIA Light Tactical Vehicles manufacturing plants.
The loss of equipment through capture and destruction by insurgents is widely believed to be a major contributor to the prolonged war in the Northeast. Similarly, the use of insufficient or inefficient protected mobility exposures troops to ambush, Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), and leads to loss of equipment.
In 2019, Tomasz Rolbiecki, an independent open-source analyst, shared a picture released by ISWAP showing newly inducted Innoson gun trucks behind fighters.
The recent incident and drawback in Alagarno is part of a series of setbacks faced by the military in the area.
In March, dozens of Nigerian soldiers were killed and injured in an ambush in Timbuktu triangle-Alagarno forest. The incident led to a chain of events including the replacement of the then Theatre Commander Olusegun Adeniyi and his recent court marshall, following the leaking of a video where he highlighted the challenges faced by his troops.
The area has remained under the control of the ISWAP fighters despite sustained military offensives to retake it, to clear suspected ISWAP positions.
Attempts by soldiers to advance met with stiff resistance and challenges from ambushes and IEDs.
In September, the commander of 25 Task Force Brigade based in the Army Super Camp 2 in Damboa was ambushed alongside his troops. He died after undergoing a medical procedure.
The 25 Task Force Brigade is part of Army Super Camp 2 in Damboa Local Government Area, Southwest of Maiduguri. Some of the command’s battle areas are the dreaded Alagarno and Sambisa forests.
In October, days after the launch of Operation Fireball, dozens of casualties were recorded and a Major was killed in Doksa, Damboa Local Government Area of Borno.
Several military pieces of equipment were lost to the insurgents.
NORTHERN GOVERNORS CELEBRATE GEN. T.Y. DANJUMA @83
The Northern Governors Forum has congratulated Former Minister of Defence Gen. T.Y. Danjuma as he marks his 83rd birthday.
Chairman of the Forum and Governor of Plateau State Simon Bako Lalong in a message described Gen. Danjuma as one of Nigeria’s finest soldier, philanthropist and statesman who has done a lot to promote the unity, peace and development of Nigeria.
He said Gen. Theophilus Danjuma throughout his military career demonstrated professionalism, gallantry and patriotism in defending Nigeria’s territorial integrity in the various responsibilities he handled.
The Governor also said the celebrant has impacted the lives of many citizens through his business mentoring initiatives and philanthropy that has enabled many younger people to start businesses and acquire education which has helped them to stand on their own.
Lalong also commended Gen. Danjuma for his unwavering faith in Nigeria and his consistency in offering wise counsel to various levels of governance and his support to organizations and institutions towards building a united, prosperous and peaceful country.
While wishing him more years of good health and God’s protection, the Governor said the Northern Governors Forum will continue to draw from his wealth of experience in areas including security and human development to address the challenges of the region.
Dr. Makut Simon Macham Director of Press & Public Affairs to the Governor of Plateau State & Chairman, Northern Governors Forum 9th December, 2020.
CONDOLENCES TO THE JAHR NATION, KANAM TRADITIONAL COUNCIL, KYARAM AND THE ENTIRE PEOPLE OF KANAM LGA
The Member Representing Pankshin/Kanke/Kanam Federal Constituency and Chairman House Committee on Navy Rt. Hon. Yusuf Adamu Gagdi sends heartfelt condolences to the immediate family, people of kyaram, the Jahr nation, kanam traditional council, friends and the entire people of Kanam over the loss of one of the oldest traditional ruler in the Local Government Alh Salisu Adamu, the village head of Kyaram in Garga District, affirming that the entire State will sorely miss the sterling qualities of the great leader..
Alhaji Salisu Adamu, a father, traditional ruler and Community leader, passed on early hours of Wednesday, after an illness.
The Danmajen Jhar notes, with commendation, the unique role the village head played in ensuring good governance, maintaining peaceful coexistence and unity of people under his watch and the entire Kanam Local Government Area and will always be remembered and appreciated by posterity. .
While commiserating with members of his immediate family, Kanam Traditional Council and good people of Kanam over the loss, the lawmaker urged them to be strong at this difficult time and take solace in the fact that he lived a productive life and served the people with love and humility during his reigns.
Gagdi prayed that may Almighty Allah forgive his shortcomings and grant him Jannatul Firdausi.
Management of Plateau United Football Club of Jos has appealed to the Confederation of African Football CAF to sanction Simba Sports Club of Tanzania over its unsportsmanlike conduct during last Saturday’s return leg of the first round preliminary fixture of the competition played in Dar Es Salaam.
A statement from the Media Officer of the Club, Albert Dakup, made available to newsmen in Jos on Wednesday regretted that in this jet age, Simba regard football as a do or die affair which explains why the indulged in the underhand dealings to win the match at all cost which failed to materialised.
Dakup explained that in a quest to win at all cost , Simba maltreated the team right from the Julius Nyerere International Airport when they deliberately delayed the accreditation process of the contingent at the immigration section of the airport.
He lamented that the team top striker, Sunday Adetunji who only joined the team three months ago was denied passage out of the airport under the guise that his international passport is not duely signed by the relevant authorities in Nigeria.
It took the timely intervention of a Nigerian Immigration official, Assistant Comptroller of Immigration , Austin Wuyep to have the matter resolved amicably after heated exchange of words by the officials and the Tanzanian Immigration authorities and Plateau United delegation.
“Unlike when Simba visited Jos for the first leg when 5 buses including two coaster where provided to convey them from the Heipang Airport to their hotel in Jos, not any single Simba official was at the Airport to receive the team
“When the team finally got to the Blue Sapphire hotel, it was another mild drama as the Tanzanian authorities insisted that the contingent must take the mandatory Covid-19 test before allowing the team walk out at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium.
“But after the intervention of the team’s doctor, William Golit, it was finally agreed that the players be allowed to train first, before taking the test later. But the officials were asked to go for the test instead .
On the day of the match , it was another big issue as the Tanzanian Football Federation in collaboration with the security at the stadium, tried to stop the management of the team including the head of delegation and NFF executive committee member, Mohammed Alkali from entering the team dressing room.
The heated debate resulted in fisticuffs and the General Manager of the Club , Pius Henwan had his phone stolen in the process before the timely intervention of the match commissioner, brought the situation under control.
As if that was not enough , two players who tormented Simba in Jos, Ibrahim Abubakar and Sunday Adetunji were suspiciously tested positive to Covid-19 , when it was obvious the results has not reached the mandatory 24 hours.
The plot which was also to have coach Abdu Maikaba barred from the bench under the pretext of been tested positive to Covid-19 however failed as the Simba officials failed to distinguish between a head coach and a chief coach..
That development forced the technical crew to draft in Abdulrahman Bashir and Wasiu Jimoh to replace the duo who were disgusted with the result of the test.
Not satisfied with the results of the test conducted by the Tanzanian Football Authorities, the team underwent another round of test of the two players and three officials including the General Manager of the club in another Laboratory to ascertain the validity of the first test and surprisingly, all the result returned negative.
Interestingly, before the team left for Tanzania Wednesday, the did two tests within five days and the result came out negative, so one wonders what kind of test did the Tanzanian authorities subjected the team to that came out negative.
It is on this premise that the management of the club is calling in the CAF to do the needful by sanctioning Simba for the unsportsmanlike behaviour stressing that there should be no place for such conduct in modern day football.
The team urged the continental soccer ruling body to come down heavily on Simba in order to serve as deterrent to others who may like to toe the same ignoble path.
National Union of Road Transport workers in Plateau state on Tuesday said it is sadden by the blocking of some major roads in the state by protesting local government workers in the state .
Alhaji Yusha’u Mohammed the state chairman of the NURTW made this known while presenting their letter of complain to the state Government in Jos the state capital .
Our correspondent reports that the National Union of Road Transport Workers is an independent Nigerian trade union that serves the interests of transport workers in the road transport sector, by calling for collective obtaining and pushing for social stability for all workers in the transport sector as defined in its constitution .
He said that “Here on the Plateau , we have played significant role in providing employment to over 24,000 young people and adults .
In his words “As a responsible privately driven organisation ,we are saddened by the recent development in the state as well respected unions like the NUT ,NULGE and NANNM would take the law into their hands by blocking major roads in the state ,disrupting vehicular movement in the name of labor demand.
They further said that we are not in government or their employers, but our members including our passengers have suffered series of molestations in the hands of Labor members who are supposed to be our partners .
He also said that while we respect and support the right to protest and demonstrate ,we condemn the molestation of innocent citizens ,who are equally bestowed with similar right to free movement .
The NURTW boss in Plateau further said that “On the 1st and 2nd of December 2020 the protesters who are staff of Local Government blocked the state and Federal Secretariats road ,their action was not only a breach of our fundamental rights as citizens but impacted negatively on our operations and commercial vehicles were left stranded and passengers frustrated ,yet on the 6th of December 2020 ,the protesters advanced to Old airport roundabout and blocked all the roads connecting to the roundabout ,which we equally suffered same fate .”
He also said that similar incidents were recorded in Riyom ,Mangu ,Pankshin and Shendam LGAs .
The union also threatened to hold the state Government accountable for allowing the comrades to attack and molest it’s members in the name of protest .
In his words “We shall take legal actions against government and Local government workers ,we see this as an affront on our members and we shall not take it any longer ,the demonstration has also affected businesses in Jos North and Jos South this is a bad development to the state .
” We have contained this situation taking into consideration the peace drive of Governor Simon Lalong ,we shall no longer stand this as we have incurred great losses .
“In view of this we are left with no option than to give the state government an ultimatum of 24 hours to address the issues or we also come out to protest on the infringement of our fundamental rights as citizens of the country .”
Receiving their letter of complain , the State Governor Simon Lalong said that the payment of the new minimum wage is sacrosanct.
Represented by his Secretary to the Government of the state, Prof Danladi Atu said Government is assuring its citizens, workers and non workers that it has their interest at heart and will not do anything deliberately to shortchange them in any way .
He said the state government is holding several meetings with the LGA workers to meet their demands .
The state Government has expressed it’s determination to pay the N30,000 minimum wage and would keep to its promise .
Commissioner of Police in Plateau state Mr Edward Egbuka who spoke earlier appealed to the LGA workers to embrace dialogue rather that resort to blocking of roads .
The tenure of the caretaker committee of the All Progressives Congress has been extended till June 2021.
The extension of the tenure of the committee is part of the decision taken at the virtual national executive committee of the All Progressives Congress held at the presidential villa Abuja with governors and others joining virtually.
The NEC also dissolved all the organs of the party from ward, State and Zonal executives with only caretaker national committee the only organ not affected by the dissolution.
The National Executive Committee (NEC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has approved waivers for new members.
This would allow them contest primaries ahead of the 2023 elections without having to wait for two years as required hitherto.
On Tuesday, President Muhammadu Buhari presided over the NEC meeting held at the State House, Abuja.
The gathering told the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to stop “politicizing” insecurity in Nigeria.
The APC body urged the opposition and all stakeholders to join hands with the federal government to end the challenge.
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo; Senate President, Ahmad Lawan; House of Representatives Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila; Chairman, Caretaker and Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee and Yobe Governor, Mai Mala Buni; governors and some party officials attended the parley.
However, all party structures at states, polling units, wards, local governments, and zones have been dissolved.
Also, the tenure Buni-led Caretaker Committee has been extended by six months.
The leadership of the Association of Luxury Bus Owners of Nigeria, Plateau State Chapter paid a courtesy visit to the Commander OPSH on Saturday 5th Dec, 2020.
The delegation led by the Chairman, Chief Chukwuemeka Okeke were at the Headquarter of the Outfit to commend Commander Operation Safe Haven and his men for the improved security in Plateau State since he took over command of the Task Force. They specifically appreciated the outfit for the level of security on the major roads in and out of Plateau State and some part of Kaduna where they cover.
They hinted that their vehicles now move safely even at night without inhibition and commuters now have more confidence traveling with buses. They urged OPSH to continue to do their best to sustain the tempo of their operations so that peace and security will be fully restored in the State.
The Commander OPSH in his response said the outfit will continue to perform its duties professionally to ensure security of law abiding citizens. He also stressed that the Association is a critical stakeholder in ensuring security of commuters particularly as we approach the Yuletide season.
He urged them to continue to provide information as well as report any suspicious persons in their parks. It is alleged that some gunrunners and drug peddlers use commercial buses to convey weapons and drugs in and out of Plateau State.
The Association pledged their support for OPSH and other security agencies to ensure the commuters enjoy safe trips to and from the Plateau during the Yuletide season.
Other members of the delegation are; Igbokwe Joseph, Christopher Umeh, Emeka Okeke, Gabriel Ugu, Engr Ekene Oha and James Okoro.
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