By Prince Sekat, Jos

The Chief of Policy and Plans (Army) Major General Anthony Omozoje has commended the General Officer Commanding (GOC)3 Division Nigerian Army (NA) and Commander Operation SAFE HAVEN (OPSH) Maj Gen Ibrahim Ali for undertaking several projects that has improved the outlook of Maxwell Khobe Cantonment, Jos. Maj Gen Omozoje made the commendation when he paid a courtesy visit on the GOC in the cantonment.

General Omozoje said, he was in Jos to deliver a lecture to participants of Senior Executive Course 44 of the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru on behalf of the
Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Faruk Yahaya.

While inspecting other ongoing projects in the Cantonment, the Chief of Policy and Plans expressed satisfaction with the laudable initiatives aimed at improving the welfare of troops and their dependents. He commended the GOC and his officers for the strides.

He said in spite of many challenges, the NA is making tremendous efforts to improve the capacity of troops to discharge their duties professionally.

In his remarks, the GOC and Commander OPSH, Maj Gen Ibrahim Ali described the visit as a morale booster to the officers and soldiers of the Division. He noted that the projects at the Cantonment were successfully executed with the tremendous support received from the COAS, Lieutenant General Faruk Yahaya. He assured General Omozoje that the facilities would be maintained.

During the visit, Maj Gen Omozoje inspected the remodelled Maxwell Khobe Cantonment Main Entrance Gate, Quarter Guard, solar powered street lights and the ongoing construction of Nigerian Army Officers Wives Association (NAOWA) 3 Division Chapter Secretariat. General Omozoje also inspected the ongoing renovation of soldiers accommodation as well as the ongoing construction of the 3 Division Gymnasium Center and the Swimming Pool.

You are please requested to disseminate this information through your medium. Thank you for your usual cooperation

*ISHAKU TAKWA*
Major
Acting Deputy Director Army Public Relations

NORTHERN GOVERNORS CELEBRATE BISHOP KUKAH @ 70

The Northern Governors Forum has felicitated with prominent clergyman and Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Mathew Hassan Kukah on his 70th birthday.

Chairman of the Forum and Governor of Plateau State Simon Bako Lalong in a message described Bishop Kukah as a man of God who has remained devoted to his calling as a servant in the Lord’s vineyard and the society at large.

Lalong said Bishop Kukah has distinguished himself as a selfless, courageous, honest and kind clergyman who has always been driven by the passion to speak against injustice, oppression and other actions that negate principles of God and his love to humanity.

He said the Northern Governors acknowledge his sincere contributions to the efforts in addressing Nigeria’s challenges in education, justice administration, poverty eradication, peaceful coexistence, youth empowerment, and national unity through his consistent advocacy at various fora.

The Governor specifically commended the role Bishop Kukah has played in advancing Nigeria’s democracy and promoting credible, violence-free and acceptable elections as Convener of the National Peace Committee headed by Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, as well as steering national discourse and engagement through his foundation, The Kukah Centre.

Lalong said the passion and determination of Bishop Kukah to reach out to the youths and speak to them about their role as future leaders of the country has inspired many of them to look beyond the current challenges and work towards building a better nation.

While wishing him many more years of God’s blessings, good health and protection, Lalong said the Northern Governors and Nigeria at large shall continue to benefit from his wealth of knowledge, experience and wise counsel, urging him never to relent in speaking truth to power whenever the situation arises.

Dr. Makut Simon Macham
Director of Press and Public Affairs to the Governor of Plateau State & Chairman, Northern Governors Forum.
31st August 2022.

GOVERNOR LALONG, APC PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE & APC GOVERNORS MEET FORMER PRESIDENT JONATHAN & STATE ASSEMBLY SPEAKERS

As consultations continue ahead of the campaigns for the 2023 General elections, APC Presidential Candidate Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, his running mate Kashim Shettima and the Director General of the APC Presidential Campaign Council Governor Simon Bako Lalong on Tuesday 30th August 2022 met with former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan at his residence in Maitama.

The meeting which held behind closed door was attended by some Governors of the APC who accompanied the Presidential Candidate and his team.

The details of the meeting were not disclosed.

Earlier, the Candidate, his running mate, the Director General Simon Bako Lalong and other progressive Governors had met at the Tinubu Campaign Headquarters where they held strategic discussions behind closed doors.

Thereafter, they met with APC Speakers of State Houses of Assembly to also startegise on efforts at galvanising the energy of the party across the country for the success of the party.

Governor Lalong had also joined the Progressive Governors to visit President Muhammadu Buhari at the State House where they also paid a visit to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.

Dr. Makut Simon Macham
Director of Press and Public Affairs to the Governor of Plateau State.
30th August 2022.

RT HON YUSUF ADAMU GAGDI: BORN OF A WOMAN, WILL ALWAYS PAY RESPECT TO WOMEN; THEY HAVE SUPPORTED THE COURSE OF THE STRUGGLE IN PKK

If you ever had time and or the opportunity to have listened to Rt Hon Yusuf Adamu Gagdi describe either his late father, Mallam Adamu Yusuf Gagdi and his surviving mother, you will understand the importance he attaches to both.

Over the years, his reverence for age wherever he goes has no second; he has given without faking. Therefore, knowing his background, he does not give less to those he comes in contact with.

On Saturday, August 27, 2022, after a glorious outing with the National Association of Plateau State Students (NAPSS), where he was given an award as the LEGISLATOR OF THE DECADE; he visited some mothers and sisters on invitation at their meeting venue at Zarmaganda.

During the visit, they gave him a pat on the back for his outstanding performance as the representative of the people of PKK since 2019.

The group, PKK Concerned Women for Rt Hon Gagdi headed by Mrs. Gloria Wuyep had complimented him on his achievements and contributions to democracy; but particularly in uplifting the lives of the people of the Federal Constituency.

Listening to him during the visit, you could hear him applauding the virtues of his mother, Mama Hauwa Adamu Gagdi, who, in the early days of his life, would bake kosai (bean cake) for sale to compliment the efforts of his father.

During the interaction with the women, he is reminded as always of the struggles women have made and added in value to various endeavours. Of particular note, he is not unmindful of the sacrifices women have continued to play in helping to shape his interventions in the Federal Constituency.

Repeatedly, he has paid tribute to men, women and the youth for their continued display of energy in deepening democracy and strengthening him to redefine representation in the constituency.

For Rt Hon Yusuf Adamu Gagdi, it is an area he will not sleep until people and communities in the constituency are transformed in ways not seen before his ascendancy. More of such unprecedented transformation, he has sworn, are in the pipeline, if they Vote Gagdi Again come 2023.

We have always trusted God to make it happen

GAGDI STRATEGIC MEDIA TEAM

August 30, 222

GOVERNOR LALONG RECEIVES YOUNG PLATEAU AGRI-PRENEUR LYOP MALO WHO EMERGED BEST IN WEST AFRICA

Plateau State Governor Simon Bako Lalong has reaffirmed his determination to empower youths through training and expansion of job opportunities accruing from entrepreneurship.

The Governor spoke when he received Miss Lyop Christopher Malo, a youth agri-preneur who emerged the participant with Best Business Plan in West Africa in the Liventis Foundation Business Competition at the Government House Rayfield Jos.

Lalong said he was delighted that the efforts of the Rescue Administration to shift away focus of youths from seeking white collar jobs to entrepreneurship and skills development particularly in agriculture is gradually yielding results with many youths from the State excelling in national and international competitions.

While congratulating Miss Lyop, Governor Lalong promised to ensure that she succeeds in actualizing her business plan and motivating other youths to embrace agriculture as a major source of income for themselves and their families.

He commended Liventis Foundation for its partnership with Plateau State which he said has existed for many decades where many jobs and competences have been built for the benefit of the citizens.

Chairman of Barkin Ladi Local Government Council Hon. Jock Alamba said the Government of Simon Bako Lalong has done so much in building the capacity of youths and creating institutions that have become pivotal for harnessing the potentials of the younger generation.

He said in appreciation of the performance of Miss Lyop Malo, Liventis Foundation has decided to establish an Agricultural Training School in Barkin Ladi.

The APC Chairman in Plateau State Hon. Rufus Bature was also at the event where he restated the determination of the APC to continue to focus on human capital development among other developmental strides.

Dr. Makut Simon Macham
Director of Press and Public Affairs to the Governor of Plateau State.
29th August 2022.

QUA’AN-PAN COUNCIL SYMPATHIZES WITH FLOOD VICTIMS, SEEKS INTERVENTION FROM NEMA, SEMA

August 28, 2022.

Flood has caused havoc in Kwa, Doemak, Kwalla, Kwande and Namu Districts of Qua’an-Pan Local Government Area of Plateau State, where bridges and farmlands were washed away; streets flooded, as buildings collapsed and many areas submerged in water.

The flood which occurred during the unceasing heavy rains from August 15th to 28th, 2022; affected several communities within the Local Government Area.

The Executive Chairman, Hon. Ernest Abner Da’a, represented by the Secretary to the Council, Hon. Gideon Godenaan Dashe in company of the Supervisory Councilors for Works and WASH, took an on the spot assessment of some of the affected areas.

The team visited Doemak and Kwalla Districts, were they saw the two bridges linking the Commercial centre of Doemak town and the one linking Doemak – Bwall road were destroyed, leaving those communities in isolation.

The flood also ravaged farmlands, while dozens of homes have been submerged in water forcing some households to move to emergency accommodation in public buildings.

The Council Chairman, while commiserating with victims of the flood, expressed sadness, describing the disaster as a total set back to the victims and the entire local government.

The Chairman assured that government will do everything possible to to intervene and mobilize interventions from relevant stakeholders, and appealed on the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) to come to their rescue.

Mathias Yengoet Dajan
SSA Media, Publicityy and Protocol to the Executive Chairman Qua’an-Pan LGC.

28th August, 2022

AGILE PROJECT: QUA’AN-PAN COUNCIL COMMENDS GOVERNMENT, FUNDING PARTNERS

August 26, 2022.

As part of processes towards the implementation of the Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) Project, a team from the Plateau State Government on Friday August 26, 2022, undertook an assessment visit to benefitting schools Qua’an-Pan Local Government Area (LGA)

Playing host to the team before their visits to the targeted schools, the Executive Chairman Qua’an-Pan LGC of Plateau State, Hon. Ernest Abner Da’a, commended both the Federal and State Governments for the initiative, saying that the creation of AGILE would address the issues of gender gaps in school enrolments for girls and other children.

Speaking through the Deputy Chairman, Hon. Helen Henniet Wapmuk; who was flanked by the Secretary to the Council Hon. Gideon Godenaan Dashe; Hon. Da’a said the programme would restore hope to young girls in the state who had dropped out of school due to lack of either funds, cultural hindrances or inaccessibility of schools in their immediate communities.

The Council Boss expressed gratitude to the funding partners, especially the World Bank, for extending the project to Plateau State, and expressed happiness that Qua’an-Pan LGA shall be a beneficiary of the programme in the areas of scholarship and infrastructure expansion.

“The Benefitting students and schools must reciprocate this gesture by making their families and the government at all levels proud, which we believe will eventually encourage future interventions and improved standard of education in the Local Government,” he stated.

The Chairman assured that the stakeholders in the locality, will collaborate with the agency to project and guard against any act that will jeopardize the purpose of the implementation of the programme.

Earlier, the leader of the delegation, Barr. Cyrinus Naanmiap had informed their host that the goal of AGILE Project is to improve secondary education opportunities among girls in some targeted schools across the state, including Qua’an-Pan LGA.

Barr. Naanmiap noted that the adolescent girls face many constraints in accessing and completing secondary education, especially in Northern Nigeria

He acknowledged that in northern Nigeria, inadequate number of secondary schools, with about ten primary schools a secondary school, has significantly slowed down the level of girl child education.

He identified poor condition of infrastructure and a lack of portable water as some challenges noticeable in most of our schools, adding that the AGILE project is aimed at bridging these identified gaps.

Mathias Yengoet Dajan
SSA Media, Publicityy and Protocol to the Executive Chairman Qua’an-Pan LGC

26th August, 2022

IF YOU EVER KNEW THE ESSENTIAL RT HON YUSUF ADAMU GAGDI, YOU WILL ALWAYS LOVE HIM

Many of them had opinions about him: They tell you stories of how or who he (was) is and paint him in the most hateful colours; just so if they can hang him.

Those of them who had formed such opinions may never have known him, in fact; they gave and relied on the opinions some others had painted of him.

They told the world: If that is the Gagdi you want us to support, we would rather change the course of the movement. They have canvassed various positions but with desdain for Gagdi’s.

In fact, they formed an opinion of him as one who is brash, and largely impetuous to the point of regretting to have him represent them. They truly got it wrong!

These are opinions of those who may never have sat on the same table with him; worked together for a day; never have interacted with him nor understood the vision he carries for the people.

If they ever did, most of them would have since understood that his middle name is SIMPLICITY; a man who grew up in the best tradition that HUMILITY is the surest way to service.

If indeed he has succeeded in giving service so that PKK will be counted, it is because they have failed to understand his background and his commitment to the course of humanity.

They however have not accused him of being a failure or that he has abdicated in his legislative assignments. They know, but wouldn’t want to path him on the back for setting a record of being the first legislator; who in one legislative session, three bills he initiated have been passed and assented by Mr. President.

That Rt Hon Yusuf Adamu Gagdi is humility personified has been misrepresented. That he speaks without squinting, is not a mark of arrogance; rather, it is of a firm believer that truth is the hallmark of commitment to a course. For this and more, truth must be said always.

What more could there be to be said? The Federal Constituency is replete with all manners of interventions; constructions that are changing the course of the people and presenting them as the most prized item of his legislative business.

These are enough to tell all the doubting Thomases that PKK made the right choice. We make bold to add: Another opportunity presents itself in 2023; join in the struggle to get the BEST to represent you in the National Assembly.

The BEST, we must not beat about is the one has not made pretentions of what he has for the people of PKK; after all, would it not serve us better if we travel with the one who is conversant with the road?

We believe Rt Hon Yusuf Adamu Gagdi knows the ropes and can take us there. We trust in God always!

GAGDI STRATEGIC MEDIA TEAM

August 27, 2022

GOC 1 DIVISION RESCUES KIDNAP VICTIMS IN BIRNIN GWARI

The General Officer Commanding (GOC) 1 Division Nigerian Army Maj Gen Taoreed Lagbaja accompanied by a team of operational commanders and operatives have rescued three kidnap victims, while on an Operational cum inspection tour in Kaduna state on Thursday 25 August 2022.

The GOC and his team rescued the victims from a group of armed kidnappers in Manini village, along Pole Wire – Birnin Gwari road, Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna state.

The Kidnappers had abducted the victims and were taking off, when they were confronted by the GOC’s team.

The hot exchange of fire that followed subdued the kidnappers, compelling them to scamper in disarray with gunshot wounds into nearby forest, abandoning their abductees.

The rescued victims, comprising two adult males and an elderly woman have been conveyed to Kaduna, where they are currently receiving medical attention.

ONYEMA NWACHUKWU
Brigadier General
Director Army Public Relations
25 August 2022

There are fears that the crisis of confidence between former Governor Jonah Jang and Sen. Jeremiah Useni within the Plateau State chapter of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) may spoil the party’s chances in the next election.

A youth activist and spokesperson for the Useni group, Emmanuel Macham, raised the apprehension when he disclosed that Jang’s continued attacks on the presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, and national chairman, Dr. Iyorchia Ayu, would attract negative consequences for the party.

Macham accused Jang’s aides and supporters of hiding under the elder statesman’s integrity to technically launch themselves into the coffers of Rivers State.

He stated, yesterday: “The persistent media war credited to Jang against Atiku and Ayu has great negative implication and can escalate the crises into hostilities capable of crippling daily activities of the party in the state.

“Definitely, the formidable Useni group in Plateau detests injustice, which has recently attracted productive membership capable of undermining any political interest. Surprisingly, on what point and moral ground can they call for Ayu’s resignation, despite what Ayu did for them? Ayu refused to adhere to the constitution of our party in dissolving the state executive and even expressly ignored court judgments against them, which made them to continue to parade themselves as authentic PDP leaders in the state.

“The guerrilla attacks against the party and other respected Nigerians has the tendency of sharply widening the cracks in the state chapter into more interest groups, tribal and religious blocs against their anointed gubernatorial and other candidates across the state.”

While urging Jang to humbly withdraw further membership of Wike’s camp, no matter what benefits that accrues therefrom, Macham said the wider negative repercussions on the fortunes of PDP in Plateau could be far-reaching.

“There could be retaliations across Plateau in the coming days through the same media or through the ballot box, if the continuous attack against the national headquarters and Atiku persists,” he added.

Neither Jang nor his aides were prepared to respond to the claims by Macham, even as one of the former governor’s aides described Macham and his group as bad losers.