GOVERNOR LALONG GREETS DEPUTY GOVERNOR SONNI TYODEN AT 72
Plateau State Governor Simon Bako Lalong has congratulated his Deputy, Prof. Sonni Gwanle Tyoden on his 72nd birthday.
Governor Lalong in a congratulatory message described Prof. Tyoden as an accomplished academician, politician, administrator and person of integrity, honour and reliability.
Lalong said Prof. Tyoden has spent many years teaching and mentoring the younger generation in various areas with many of them successfully taking on roles in the academia, politics, business, public and private service among others.
He said Prof. Tyoden has proven his loyalty and faith in the Rescue Administration by his constant commitment to the actualization of its vision, projects and programmes.
The Governor acknowledged the role that Prof. Tyoden has played in advancing solutions and wise counsel towards addressing very critical issues that the administration has had to confront in the last seven years.
While wishing him the best in the years ahead, Governor Lalong prayed for good health, wisdom and protection for the erudite scholar, administrator and polician.
Dr. Makut Simon Macham Director of Press and Public Affairs to the Governor of Plateau State. 22nd September 2022.
GOVERNOR LALONG CONGRATULATES WIFE OF APC PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE SEN. OLUREMI TINUBU @ 62
Plateau State Governor and Director General of the APC Presidential Campaign Council Simon Bako Lalong has congratulated Senator Oluremi Tinubu, wife of the APC Presidential Candidate Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and Senator representing Lagos Central District on the occasion of her 62nd birthday.
Governor Lalong while felicitating with the lawmaker and former First Lady of Lagos State described her as a woman of substance who has touched the lives of many people across the country and also distinguished herself as an excellent woman that can hold her own in every duty.
He said Senator Oluremi Tinubu apart from accomplishing so much in her politcal career, also maintains a high reputation for being a worthy partner and support base of the APC Presidential Candidate Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu who over the years has contributed enormously to the growth of democracy in Nigeria.
Lalong is happy that the distinguished Senator who has a track record of mobilising, mentoring and working with women from all walks of life is already galvanising Nigerian women from all parts of the country towards ensuring that the APC Presidential Candidate Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and other candidates of the party emerge successful in the forthcoming general elections.
The Director General of the Tinubu/Shettima Campaign Council is also optimistic that Senator Oluremi Tinubu will use her goodwill, experience, kind heartedness and passion for women, youth, and children to canvass for their welfare when her husband becomes President of Nigeria.
While wishing her more years of good health, wisdom and protection, Lalong urged her to sustain her godly disposition and continue to embrace people from all religious, ethnic, social and political backgrounds as she has done over the years.
Dr. Makut Simon Macham Director of Press and Public Affairs to the Governor of Plateau State and Director General, APC Presidential Campaign Council. 21st September 2022.
A Federal High Court sitting in Jalingo, the Taraba State capital, has sacked the All Progressives Congress governorship candidate in the state, Emmanuel Bwacha.
Bwacha’s sacking comes after a petition by one of the aspirants, David Sabo Kente.
Relying on the evidence before the court that no governorship primary was held in Taraba, Justice Simon Amobeda ordered a fresh primary within 14 days.
The judge also ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission to stop forthwith the recognition of Emmanuel Bwacha as the candidate of the party and that the current senator representing Taraba South in turn should desist from parading himself as the governorship candidate of the APC.
He argued that it is not possible for all the primary results to have the same handwriting while the returning officer declared that no primary was held in the state at the police headquarters due to security threats.
Justice Amobeda described as inappropriate, the alleged false declaration of results at the Danbaba Suntai Airport Jalingo before jetting out of the state via a private jet by the returning officer.
Reacting to the judgment, counsels for the APC and sacked candidate stated that they will study the judgment before either proceeding to the Appeal Court or submitting to a fresh primary.
Vows to revive Operation Rainbow , establish other agencies to tackle insecurity
By Golok Nanmwa,Jos
Governorship Candidate of the All Progressive Congress APC in the forthcoming 2023 elections Dr Yilwatda Nentawe Yilwatda Goshwe ,has promised to ensure justice and fairness to all citizens of the state irrespective of religion and tribes if elected the Governor of the State.
Nentawe accompanied by his wife, running mate Hon. Pam BotMang amongst others stated this on Monday in Quaanpan, Mikang and Shendam Local Government Areas of the Southern Zone of the state when he visited various Communities for a thank you tour to appreciate the people for electing him a flag bearer of the party.
“We will give everybody equal opportunity in the state to maintain good governance in the State”
He added that he would bring development to the rural communities .
While Speaking on the challenges of insecurity in the state, the APC candidate pleged to replicate Amotekun a South West security outfit in Plateau State.
According to him, he will equip and revive Operation Rainbow to end the insecurity in the State.
The Governorship candidate also promised to take action on the roads linking various local governments of the state when elected.
The APC chairman in the State Hon. Rufus Bature on his part during the thank you tour and consultative meeting in the Southern Zone said the party will address all grievances before the campaigns kick start in a few days.
Bature expressed happiness that the response from the people of Quaanpan , Mikang and Shendam has confirmed that APC is a win-win come 2023 in Plateau State.
The ALGON chairman of Plateau State and also the Executive Chairman of Shendam Local Government Hon. Alex Naantuam while welcoming the Candidate at the APC Secretariat shendam assured all APC candidates of victory in the State come 2023.
He promised that the Southern Zone is the Centre of APC, and the people will vote massively for the APC candidates.
By Prince Sekat, Jos The Plateau State Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development has awarded three contracts for the production of a Master Plan for the Nyak-Shendam Community and the construction of road at West of Mine and another leading to the Headquarters of the Immigration Service in Jos the Plateau State capital. The three projects are expected to be completed and commissioned by Governor Simon Lalong before the expiration of his tenure 29 May 2023. Governor Simon Lalong through the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development Hon. Idris Gambo while signing the agreemen held t at the Ministry in Jos the Plateau State capital said the projects will engulfed the sum of N319 million naira. He said the Master Plan for the Nyak-Ajikamai area of Shendam LGA out at N100 million naira became necessary as it is meant to upgrade slums areas in the proposed Nyak-Ajikamai. The area is the site of the proposed Federal Polytechnic. The road projects located within the Jos Metropolitan city awarded at the cost of “N94 million naira for West of Mines” is to decongest the already busy city centres as alternative routes to traffic. While the for the road leading into Immigration Headquaters in the State is put at N125,” respectively. The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Daniel D. Lange charged the contractors to adhere strictly to specifications as contained in the contractual agreement. He cautioned them from engaging any third party, as correspondences must solely be directed to the Commissioner and in the event the Commissioner is not available the Permanent Secretary will always attend to any issues. The contractors handling the projects, Town Planner Stephen Hirse of Steel Consult handling the Nyak-Ajikamai Master Plan, and Ahmed Abdulrasheed of LATOKEM Nig Ltd handling the rehabilitation of West of Mines road project as well as Iyanda Alao of Centre Field Nig Ltd handling the road construction leading into Immigration Headquarters both assured of delivering quality work within the time Frame .
“WORK HARD TO DELIVER HIGHEST VOTES TO TINUBU/SHETTIMA”, GOVERNOR LALONG CHARGES NORTH CENTRAL APC LEADERSHIP.
Plateau State Governor and Director General APC Presidential Campaign Council Simon Bako Lalong is optimistic that the North Central Zone will give the Tinubu/Shettima ticket the highest number of votes in the forthcoming elections.
Governor Lalong expressed this optimism in Jos when he received the North Central Zonal Chairman and Members of his Committee on a curtesy visit to the Government House, Rayfield Jos.
He said the party is very strong in the North Central despite loosing Benue State one out of its six States after the Governor left for the opposition party.
He challenged the Zonal Chairman and his members to reach out to all organs of the party in the zone with a view to mobilising and sensitizing the electorate at the grassroots for the success of the party.
Lalong charged the party Zonal leadership to carry everyone along and deliver all the party’s candidates including the Presidential Candidate Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his running mate Senator Kashim Shettima.
On the level of consultations, mobilisation and engagement so far, the Governor informed the Zonal officials that the Presidential Campaign Council has continued to fine-tune the strategies that will ensure that members of the APC participate from the unit level to the national, rather than a situation where many prefer to look at the national level.
He said already, the Presidential Campaign Council and has engaged the National Working Committee and also proposed clear roles for women and youths in the forthcoming campaigns.
In his remarks, the APC North Central Zonal Chairman Alhaji Mu’azu Bawa Rijau said they were in the State to meet with party officials and stakeholders in line with the directive of the NWC for the Zonal leadership to embark on such tour to engage party faithful.
He congratulated the Governor over his appointment as Director General of the APC Presidential Campaign Council saying the entire zone was happy for the well deserved assignment which is a clear evidence that the zone can deliver for not only the Presidential Candidate, but the party as a whole.
He also thanked the Governor for his support during the party Primaries where the leadership of the zone emerged without any rancour.
Rijau assured the Governor that they will work hard to reconcile all aggrieved persons within the zone in order to ensure that the party enters the elections as a strong and united force.
Dr. Makut Simon Macham Director of Press and Public Affairs to the Governor of Plateau State. 16th September 2022.
The National Security Council, on Thursday, declared the National Task Force on the Prohibition of Illegal Importation/Smuggling of Arms, Ammunition, Light Weapons, Chemical and Pipeline Vandalism illegal.
The council, therefore, ordered the body to disband itself or face the wrath of the federal government.
It also passed a vote of confidence on security agencies for their efforts to quell the violence and attacks recorded nationwide.
Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, disclosed this to State House Correspondents after Thursday’s National Security Council meeting presided over by the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), at the Aso Rock Villa, Abuja.
Reports say the upper legislative chamber had in July passed into law a Bill establishing the National Commission for the Coordination and Control of the Proliferation of Small Arms and Light Weapons, with NATFORCE being one of its components.
The House of Representatives is expected to pass its version of the law upon resumption from recess later in September 2022.
However, security experts have rejected the Senate’s inclusion of NATFORCE in the new Act, urging the lawmakers to expunge NATFORCE from the Bill when harmonizing both versions.
The National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons currently domiciled in the Office of the National Security Adviser and headed by Maj-Gen. A. M Dikko (retd) is the only national coordination mechanism for the control and monitoring of the proliferation of small arms and light weapons in Nigeria.
According to the Minister of Police Affairs, Mohammed Dingyadi, who also spoke at the briefing, the Nigerian constitution protects freedom of association
However, matters of national security should be regulated by the Office of the National Security Adviser, he argued.
The Interior Minister, who said the council received reports from all service chiefs and Inspector-General of Police, said it is “very satisfied” with the performance of all security agencies and that the country is moving to the phase of consolidated security.
He said the council also commended the police for its performance in Ekiti, Osun and Anambra states where governorship elections were conducted recently.
Speaking on NATFORCE, Aregbesola said “Equally of concern is the presence of some illegal outfits that impersonate the legitimate security agencies. Of particular concern is a body called National Task Force on Illegal Importation of Goods, Small Arms and what have you, but the short name for it is NATFORCE.
“The Council declares that body an illegal organization, it should just simply disband itself, because the Council has ordered all security agencies to enforce the disbandment of that body and other such bodies that operate illegally without any force of law,” He said.
On the council’s outlook on the performance of security agencies, he said, “The Council has just concluded today’s meeting. It received briefings from all security chiefs and the Council is very satisfied with the performances of all our security chiefs; the military, the police and other security agencies. We are happy with their performance and the gains recorded so far.
“We are moving to the phase of consolidation of all those gains, such that by December, as ordered by the Chairman of the Council, the President, which he has said to all Nigerians before now, that we’ll put, essentially, most of the challenges of banditry particularly, insurgency, kidnapping for ransom, criminalities of that nature, far behind us.
“We are equally pleased with the performance of the Nigeria Police on the elections in Anambra, Ekiti and Osun, which elections have demonstrated our commitment to democracy and expression of the will of the people at the polls.”
Fielding questions on the remaining passengers kidnapped in the March 28 attack on a Kaduna-bound train who are still in the terrorists’ den, the Minister of Police Affairs, Dingiyadi, said no effort will be spared to rescue them alive.
He said that the arrest of the key negotiator, Tukur Mamu, will not hinder negotiations as there are other bodies negotiating to ensure their safe release.
“We are not sparing efforts to release our brothers and sisters who are in captivity,” he said
GOVERNOR LALONG WOOS INVESTORS AS 45TH REGULAR MEETING OF THE NATIONAL COUNCIL ON AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT OPENS IN JOS
Plateau State Governor Simon Bako Lalong has said that investors ready to do business in the State particularly in agriculture, manufacturing and industry are assured of access to land and other incentives to support their endeavours.
Governor Lalong was speaking while declaring open the 45th Regular Meeting of the National Council on Agriculture and Rural Development holding in Jos, Plateau State.
Lalong said the meeting with the theme “Strengthening Agricultural Value Chains Development Processes for Food Security and Economic Development” addresses a very important aspect of the Nigerian economy and also touches on the challenge of turning agricultural products into real economic derivatives.
He said “I dare say that there is no better place to hold this event because Plateau State is an agrarian State with potential to feed the nation and do so in style, using its exotic crops that are not grown in other parts of the country. There is no better time than now for stakeholders to convene a meeting to brainstorm on best strategies and policies to tackle hunger which is threatening the general well-being of Nigerians”.
The Governor said his Government has over the last seven years given enormous attention to agriculture by ensuring the provision of farm inputs such as tractors, fertilizers, chemicals, improved seedlings and many more towards ensuring that farmers benefit from the natural endowments of the State. Farmers he emphasised have been empowered through the Cooperative Societies and farmer associations in the production of many crops and assorted vegetables that are unique to Plateau environment.
“For those who are ready for commercial farming, Plateau State has one of the most friendly business environment with mouth-watering offers for land acquisition. Indeed our land charges and ground rents which have been discounted several times are meant to serve as incentives for investors. Many who have taken advantage of this situation are reaping the fruits of their investments and expanding their businesses” he said.
He expressed hope that with the designation of the Yakubu Gowon Airport Heipang as an International Cargo Airport, commercial farming of various crops, assorted fruits and flowers will expand in the state because of the possibility for direct export through the airport. The Government also recently bought over the Inland Container Terminal situated very close to the Heipang Airport which again compliments the evacuation of agricultural products from Plateau to other parts of Nigeria and abroad.
On the issue of value chain addition to agricultural products which is the theme of the meeting, Lalong said “I therefore challenge this Council to rise from this meeting with concrete and practical ways of ensuring that farmers add value to their products before selling them. This will not only boost the economic fortunes of the farmers, but also birth a chain of MSEs that will create jobs and usher in prosperity for our people. Many youths will be taken out of poverty and crime will fall because they will be engaged. As the Chairman of the Northern Governors Forum, I have also had interface with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and its Parastatals on the issue of Value Addition, Extension Services and education as well as provision of timely farming input to our farmers. These problems cut across the States and entire country and need to be resolved without delay. We have to strengthen our agricultural research institutions and also challenge our Polytechnics and Universities to come up with machineries that will enhance value-addition in the agricultural sector”.
Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Dr. Mohammad Mahmood Abubakar said the 45th Regular Meeting of the National Council of Agriculture and Rural Development provides an opportunity to address one of the major challenges faced by farmers relating to post harvest losses and inability of the farmers to benefit from the proceeds of their labour.
He said the Buhari administration has taken serious concern over diversifying the economy using agriculture and also ensuring that processing of farm products is given a boost. This he said has resulted in strengthening rice, cassava, yam and other food production and processing that have yielded positive outcomes. According to him, 10 rice processing Mills are about to be completed across the country.
Minister of State for Agriculture Mustapha Baba Shehuri also said the technical sessions at the Meeting have been robust and engaging with valid suggestions being made on how to address the challenges of agriculture in Nigeria.
In their goodwill messages, Senate Committee Chairman on Agriculture Senator Bima Mohammed and his House Counterpart Munir Baba Dan Abundi expressed the willingness of the National Assembly to support the execution of projects that are capable of turning around agriculture for economic growth.
Goodwill messages from development partners also highlighted the need for the 45th Council Meeting to generate outcomes that will increase the efficiency of the agricultural sector in the country.
The Governor later inspected the pavilions displaying various agricultural products and inputs.
Dr. Makut Simon Macham Director of Press and Public Affairs to the Executive Governor of Plateau State. 15th September, 2022.
DG APC PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN COUNCIL MEETS SEN. OLUREMI TINUBU AND HAJIYA NANA SHETTIMA
Director General of the APC Presidential Campaign Council and Governor of Plateau State Rt. Hon. Simon Bako Lalong on Wednesday 14th September 2022 received Senator Oluremi Tinubu, wife of the APC Presidential Candidate Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and Hajiya Nana Kashim Shettima, wife of his running mate at the Tinubu Campaign Headquarters in Abuja.
The DG who met with the wife of the Presidential Candidate and his running behind closed doors in company of the Secretary of the APC Presidential Campaign Council Hon. James Faleke, Assistant Secretary Christopher Tarfa and Chief of Staff to the DG Hon. Yakubu Dati said the visit is part of the engagement and consultations towards a successful campaign for the victory of APC in the 2023 General elections.
Sen. Oluremi Tinubu informed the Director General that they were at the Headquarters to strategise on the participation of women in the forthcoming campaigns in line with the decision of the APC to carry all women along by ensuring that they play a greater role in delivering the Presidential candidate and other candidates of the party.
She also intimated Governor Lalong of the ongoing mobilisation of various women support groups for Tinubu/Shettima as well as engagement particularly at the grassroots which will prove very crucial to the victory of the APC during the elections.
The wife of the APC Presidential Candidate and wife of his running mate Nana Shettima had paid a similar visit to the National Secretariat of the APC where they held engagements with the National Chairman Sen. Abdullahi Adamu.
Governor Lalong who welcomed them to the Tinubu/Shettima Campaign Headquarters and assured them that the APC Presidential Campaign Council working with the Candidate Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, have put in place a plan for a robust campaign that will deeply involve women and youths.
He noted that women constitute a large voting force in Nigeria and many of them are passionate about the APC and its Presidential Candidate Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his running mate Senator Kashim Shettima who have over the years invested so much resources, time and programmes to empower women.
Lalong promised them that the Campaign Council will give them all the support to enable them mobilise women in all parts of the country particularly at the grassroots for the success of the Tinubu/Shettima ticket and the APC in general.
The Director General and his guests also went round the Campaign Office to see ongoing work at the Headquarters.
Dr. Makut Simon Macham Director of Press and Public Affairs to the Governor of Plateau State and DG, APC Presidential Campaign Council. 14th September 2022.
KANAM APC REMAINS A REFERENCE POINT IN MOBILIZATION, AS VOGA REMAINS A STRATEGIC MOVEMENT
The meeting of stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress, APC in Kanam on September 12, 2022, remains, for many reasons, one that should wake up other chapters in the state.
Those who know are quick to point out that politics is not war, it should not be used for enmity; and for this reason, the actors who genuinely want to serve the people have no reason to be divided.
In the recent past, it was difficult to bring major Kanam stakeholders under one roof, as they had different persuasions and camps; even though they belong to the same political party.
Collectively, they have since understood that Kanam, for long, has remained progressive and contributed in no small measure to the development of the political landscape called Plateau State. They can not be neglected in the political calculations of any election, state or national.
One of their sons, Rt Hon Yusuf Adamu Gagdi, who represents Pankshin/Kanke/Kanam in the House of Representatives remains, in the estimation of his constituents, and even those outside, a shining example. He has a lot to contribute.
He has in the last three years displayed stellar performance deserving of the commitment he went to the National Assembly with. Little wonder, he has been rewarded with another chance to return in 2023.
Nothing can be more rewarding to PKK than the continuation of empowerment, contructions, interventions, employment slots and many more to the Federal Constituency. I bet you, there are numerous others on the way.
These are done because it is in God that we trust.
Freelance Reporters 