EMBRACE DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY FOR IMPROVED SECURITY – MAJ GEN IS ALI
The General Officer Commanding 3 Division Nigerian Army/ Commander Operation SAFE HAVEN Maj Gen Ibrahim Ali charged officers to embrace digital technology to improve security in the country.
Maj Gen Ali gave the charge today 13 Oct 21while delivering his opening remarks at the sensitisation lecture organised on the use of Digital Emergency Alert and Tracking Application at Headquarters 3 Division Nigerian Army Jos. The GOC noted that the current security challenges calls for the use of technology to overcome them.
During his presentation, the Resource Person, Mr Atai Akpan who is a digital transformation expert noted that the application would be useful against crimes such as kidnapping, banditry and other crimes.
The presentation featured interactive session and practical session, where the use of the application was demonstrated to the officers.
DAYYABU GARGA HOLDS MEETING WITH DIRECTORS,HARPS ON UNITY OF PURPOSE.
Two days after taking over affairs Executive Chairman of Kanam Local Government Council,Alhaji DR.Dayyabu Yusuf Garga has challenged Directors of the Local Government to ensure synergy in working to address the numerous challenges bedeviling the Local Government.
He stated this while meeting with the Directors towards familiarizing himself with them so as to kick the ground rolling in effective administration of the LGA.
Calling for a strong bond amongst them so as to ward off rumors and other unhealthy practices in the LGA,Garga said blockage of loopholes towards generating revenue for the LGA will be pursued vigorously saying gone were the days where the Local Administration will be deprived of what it should get by a few despite the numerous challenges faced.
“Honestly we can’t continue to rely on monthly federal allocation which of course is fast dwindling and think that we can make it out of the challenges of the day.We have a lot of areas ranging from health,education,water and infrastructure among others to address so it will not be business as usual”
The Chairman expressed shock over the current situation where departments and health staff working at the institutions are the ones funding the places to provide drugs and other essentials saying that will be addressed immediately.
He further assured of improvement in staff welfare and other related issues so as to get the best out of them.
Garga affirmed that further meetings will be held within days so as to also get to hear from staff of the council and have them key into his vision and mission.
Responding,DPM of Kanam LGA,Jibrin Mohammed welcomed the Chairman and assured him they will work with him as a team to actualize his dream for the LGA.
Earlier The Executive Chairman of Kanam Local Government Council,Alhaji DR.Dayyabu Yusuf Garga had paid visits to the palaces of the paramount rulers across the LGA and intimated them.of his arrival and taking over of affairs of the LGA promising to always seek their counsel when the need arises.
NORTHERN GOVERNORS FORUM MOURN AKU UKA, DR. SHEKARAU ANGYAU MASA IBI, KUVYO II.
The Northern Governors Forum has described as sad the demise of the Paramount and Supreme Ruler of the Jukun Race and Chairman, Taraba State Council of Traditional Rulers, His Majesty, Dr. Shekarau Angyu Masa Ibi, Kuvyo II CON who joined his ancestors at the age of 84.
Chairman of the Forum and Governor of Plateau State Simon Bako Lalong who described the death of the Aku Uka as painful, said the Royal Father was a man of integrity and a uniting factor having led the Kwararafa Race for 45 Years.
While condoling Governor Darius Ishaku and the entire people of Taraba State, Lalong said Dr. Shakarau did a lot to enhance the political, educational, social, economic and cultural lives of his people by initiating various programs and projects during his lifetime.
He also provided leadership to the sons and daughters of Jukun race at home and abroad and mobilised them for various accomplishments in their areas of endeavour which rubbed off positively on the kingdom.
Governor Lalong also praised the role played by the Royal Father in the affairs of the Northern Region and the nation where he contributed enormously within the Traditional System to advance solutions to many challenges of the region and the nation at large.
Governor Lalong said the Northern Governors Forum will miss his wise counsel and passion for peace, harmony and development which he consistently advocated during his reign.
He asked God to grant the Royal Father eternal rest and comfort the Jukun nation and the entire people of Taraba State.
Dr. Makut Simon Macham Director of Press & Public Affairs to the Governor of Plateau State. 13th October 2021.
OF THE SACRED COW AND THE SCAPEGOAT (Shabul Mazadu) Since the advent of the Fourth Republic and its key actors, one stands out as a sacred cow while others as scapegoats. Every error of the sacred cow, there is a backup of formidable propagandists that launder it into correctness, while the others, their righteousness is deformed and dwarfed into errors or wrongs. In 2001 when one Muktar was made Jos North Chairman of the National Poverty Alleviation Programme, NAPEP, there was massive opposition from the indigenes and massive counter from the Hausa Community in Jos that eventually snowballed into the September 7, 2001 ethno-religious crises. The Governor, Chief Joshua Dariye and Senator Ibrahim Mantu were blamed for the appointment and seen as villains. Coming to 2003 political dispensation, Retired Air Commodore Jonah David Jang, cross carpeted from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to the All Nigerian Peoples Party, ANPP, and became the gubernatorial candidate. In the same party, Alhaji Saleh Hassan became the candidate for the Federal House of Representatives, Jos North/Bassa Federal Constituency while that of the PDP was Hon. Lumumba Daade who was already in the House. Nobody raised an eyebrow over the candidacy of Saleh Hassan being a Muslim and Hausa because he got the blessing of the sacred cow. There was massive outcry and campaign for the ANPP. Everywhere you went was masara, masara (maize) which was the ANPP symbol. Eventually Saleh Hassan won, and nobody protested instead it was a jubilation galore for the followers of the Sacred Cow, saying he will defeat the “villains” in power. At that time, there wasn’t any complain or campaign against then ANPP presidential candidate, Muhammadu Buhari, because the Sacred Cow was with him. The PDP embarked on religious campaign against the ANPP, saying it was a Muslim party, but most of the pastors and evangelists denied and refuted the claim most especially when the Sacred Cow granted an interview to The Messenger April 2003 edition lambasting those championing the religious campaign. He was asked, “There is a general notion on the Plateau that ANPP is a Hausa Muslim political party. But here you are a theologian of Berom extraction contesting the governorship of the state on the platform of this party. How do you intend to disabuse people’s mind here and convince them to elect you? He answered, ” The fact is ANPP is not a Muslim Party. It is not a Hausa Fulani or Islamic party. The constitution of Nigeria itself does not recognize a religious party. Secondly, how do they come about that notion that ANPP is a Muslim party? Lt. General Jeremiah Useni has been the brain behind ANPP in Plateau State. Is he a Muslim? Since the creation of ANPP in Plateau State, no chairman of that party has been a Muslim. PDP has Alhaji Habu Shindai, a Muslim as its chairman today. Does that make the PDP a Muslim party? What makes PDP a non Muslim party or a Christian party? “Now let’s go to the national level. PDP in the Northern states has Muslims as governors. The governor of Bauchi is a Muslim and he is practicing Sharia. Nasarawa State governor is a Muslim. Thank God he has never declared Sharia. Niger state governor is a Muslim. He has declared Sharia. Kaduna state governor is a Muslim. He has declared Sharia. Katsina state governor is a Muslim. He has declared Sharia. Now for goodness sake, tell me what makes PDP more Christian than ANPP?” During and after the 2001 crises in Jos and its environs, and later moved down to the Southern Zone until 2004 when the emergency rule was imposed, the Sacred Cow and his followers blamed then governor, Dariye for the crises saying his bad leadership led to the crises. The Sacred Cow said, “We are faced with security problems in the state. Since the creation of Plateau State, it has been known as the Home of Peace and Tourism. The home is no more there. People are refugees in their own state. Peace has eluded the state. The governor doesn’t seem to have an answer to the security problems in the state. I don’t know who is training Fulani in the bush. These are people whom we have lived with here for many years. Today, they are Militias. They can shoot guns. They have sophisticated guns. Killing, burning villages. And all the governor is doing is asking people to come and tell him how to get peace in Plateau State. The governor doesn’t know how to bring peace to Plateau State.” They all stood up and gave their full backing to the Emergency Rule imposed on May 18, 2004. They even wanted it extended until General Yakubu Gowon asked its lifting from President Olusegun Obasanjo as birthday gift during his 70th birthday. It was during the Emergency Rule that the Sacred cow returned to the PDP. When he assumed the mantle of the governorship of the state in May 2007, in 2008, ethno-religious crises broke out in Jos North, due to the fault of the Sacred Cow, but he was exonerated saying it was hatred for him that led to the crises. When President Good luck Ebele Jonathan wanted to imposed state of Emergency they said the governor must not be suspended like the case with Dariye or else their will be dire consequences. All through the crises witnessed under his administration until 2012 where he admitted he was helpless. He said at the 2012 Graduation ceremony of Theological College of Northern Nigeria, TCNN, on Friday May 11, 2012, “Everyday I keep wondering why God decided to make me governor at this time of the incessant killings. I keep wondering why God called me to be governor of Plateau now to come and face the crisis particularly the killings of my people. ” You can imagine what I’m going through every morning when I wake up not knowing the news that I will hear again.” With this and no strong measures taken by him to curb the crises, he is accorded the best governor to have ever defended his people and brought peace. When Governor Simon Lalong came, he brought in measures to restore peace such as setting up committees for reconciliation, Peace Building Agency, Air Force Barracks in Kerang, Early Warning Signal Tower in Dutse Uku, Mobile Police Barracks in Shendam and Gharshish, enacted Anti Land Grabbing Law and Anti Kidnapping Law and others. The state enjoyed relative peace for six years, until the recent compromise. After the attack on Yelwa Zangam, Lalong the Scapegoat, had his impeachment agitated. When Shehu Bala, Chairman Jos North got the APC chairmanship Ticket, they said the Scapegoat sold out Plateau, but when the Sacred Cow gave the Federal House of Reps ticket, they applauded him. The Sacred Cow in 2003 said PDP is not a Christian Party because he was in ANPP, today it had become a Christian Party because he is in it. Where is the justice we claim to talk of and righteousness we are agitating for? What future are we building with partiality and tribalism? We shield and defend our kin and church members despite their wrongs and elevate them, but degrade others despite their good intentions because they are not part of us, how can we move forward? Let’s think and act wisely!
Senate has finally bowed to pressure due to public outcry on electronic transmission of results, rescinding it’s earlier decision. The Senate had in July passed the Electoral Act Amendment bill with provisions which allowed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to transmit election results electronically after getting green light on network coverage from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and approval from the National Assembly. The bill, as passed by the House of Representatives, gives INEC the sole power to transmit results of elections by electronic means “where and when practicable”, after which the Senate rained in the eye of the storm. The Senate passed a new bill which amended some clauses in the Electoral bill, which included sections 52 and 87 on electronic transmission of results and nomination of candidates by political parties. The bill is titled: “ Recommittal of Amended Clauses of a Bill for an Act to repeal the Electoral Bill, 2021 and Enact the Electoral Act, 2021 ”. The controversial clause 52(3) is now amended to 52(2), which reads: “ Subject to section 63 of this Bill, voting at an election and transmission of results under this Bill shall be in accordance with the procedure determined by the Commission (INEC), which may include electronic voting. ” On nomination of candidates by political parties, the Senate had earlier passed clause 87(1), which gave political parties options to hold either direct or indirect method of conducting primaries. The clause is now amended to read: “ A political party seeking to nominate candidates for elections under this Bill shall hold direct primaries for aspirants to all elective positions, which shall be monitored by the Commission ”.
The Senate has approved direct primaries for aspirants to all elective positions on Tuesday, THE PUNCH reports. This was just as it empowered the Independent National Electoral Commission to determine the procedure for the transmission of results during the general elections. The amendments were made on Tuesday by the Senate to some clauses of the Electoral Act (Repeal and Re-enactment) bill 2021, passed on July 15, 2021, according to a statement. The chamber approved Clause 87 to read “a political party seeking to nominate candidates for elections under this bill shall hold direct primaries for aspirants to all elective positions, which shall be monitored by the Commission.” The chamber explained that the decision to subject the amended clauses of the bill to re-committal was reached after critical examination by the Senate Committee on INEC. The chamber added that some fundamental issues which required fresh legislative action were observed by the Senator Kabiru Gaya-led Committee in the bill. Accordingly, the chamber in a motion for re-committal, re-amended certain aspects of the bill contained in Clauses 43, 52, 63 and 87, respectively. The upper chamber in Clause 52 of the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill passed almost three months ago, had approved that “the Commission (INEC) may consider the electronic transmission of results, provided the national coverage is adjudged to be adequate and secure by the National Communications Commission and approved by the National Assembly.” The Senate, however, on Tuesday amended the clause when the bill was subjected to re-committal to provide that, “subject to section 63 of this bill, voting at an election and transmission of results under this bill shall be in accordance with the procedure determined by the Commission.” Members of the Conference Committee on the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill 2021, are expected to meet with their counterparts in the House of Representatives to harmonise the two versions passed by both chambers.
GAGDI HELD CLOSED DOOR MEETING WITH LALONG, AS GOVERNOR ASSURES BETTER DEALS FOR PKK
In the spirit of collaborative representation and the pursuit of better living standard for the constituents of PKK, the member representing Pankshin/Kanke/Kanam Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Rt Hon. Yusuf Adamu Gagdi, had held a closed door meeting with the Executive Governor of Plateau State, His Excellency Rt Hon. Simon Bako Lalong in his office, minutes before the inauguration of the elefted 17 local government chairmen in the state yesterday.
Crux of the meeting was to seek His excellency’s assurance for the completion of ongoing state projects in the three local government areas where he represents, before the end of his administration in 2023, and to appreciate the governor for achieving the uncommon feat of democratic succession in the administration of the local government in the state.
The governor who assured the lawmaker that all projects initiated by his administration across the state shall witness accelerated execution and be commissioned before he hands over the reigns of power in 2023, also indicated his willingness to ensure the newly sworn in councils in the state receive his unmitigated attention, in order to bring development to the grassroots.
The lawmaker had also appreciated the governor for a successful ward and LGA congresses of the APC in the state, and eulogized his sense of justice by ensuring all citizens of the state receive equal treatment and attention, regardless of ethnicity and religious differences.
Gagdi said leaders with such humane disposition towards their citizens are rare to come by in this era of sharp ethnic and religious divides in the art of governance. He encouraged the governor to give no heed to the rantings of sectional and sentimental citizens, whose idea of development and good governance hinge on their ethnic and religious biases.
HOW DABANG BETRAYED GOV LALONG (Shabul Mazadu) So many people are having the picture that the former Plateau State All Progressives Congress’ chairman, Hon. Letep Dabang, was betrayed by Plateau State Governor, Rt. Hon. Simon Lalong, and have started sympathizing with him over his sack from the chairmanship position. The picture came into being via the propaganda machine rolled out in motion by the footsoldiers of Dabang whom he captains, projecting him as the APC skeleton and brain that led it to its victory whereas it was a mere hoax and campaign of Calumny against the Governor to accord kingpin status to the Masquerade like the old tale of the lonely jackal, Ahmir Tahir, in Straight for English Course 5. Someone once said If you come into your bedroom and found Letep Dabang on your wife, and you allow him to explain, you will thank him greatly at the end. The Masquerade has been making bogus claims that he made Lalong the Governor of Plateau State, but that was nothing but a farce. Politically if you compare Governor Lalong’s pedigree, and that of Dabang, you will clearly see that the governor is the help the Masquerade needed and not the other way round. Dabang has never won any elective position save for the chairmanship of political parties in Plateau. He contested for the Pankshin/Kanke/ Kanam Federal Constituency in 2007 on the platform of the Democratic Peoples Party, DPP, but lost. In 2014, he contested for the Chairmanship of Pankshin Local Government, on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, APC, but lost. While Lalong in 1999 contested for the House of Assembly, Shendam Constituency and won. In 2000, then Speaker, Rt. Hon. George Daika, member representing Mikang Constituency was impeached and Lalong was elected Speaker. He was the Speaker for two political dispensations. Under his speakership, he was elected the Chairman of Nigerian House of Assembly Speakers Forum. This has made him popular in the 36 states. That was where he established a strong relationship with Rt. Hon. Rotimi Chibike Amaechi, then speaker Rivers State House of Assembly. Dabang had no financial muscle to sponsor Lalong at the 2015 polls. He had no connection with any of the political bigwigs that will support him. His principal then, Senator Joshua Dariye, was not in tandem with his new found romance with the APC. He then contacted Elder Yahaya Kwande to take him to Atiku Abubakar. In Plateau State, then interim chairman, Gen John Shagaya, who also represented Plateau South Senatorial District in National Assembly, was with Amos Gombi, former member representing Kanke Constituency in the House of Assembly for the Chairmanship of their party. Gombi had formidable backup of party stalwarts, coupled with his well wish which surpassed that of Dabang. John Shagaya was a very strong force both at the state and national levels. However, Lalong and Yahaya Kwande stood for Dabang who emerged victorious. Shagaya and his team petitioned the National Headquarters of the party that Dabang was Dariye’s front to weaken the APC. The table started turning against Dabang, and despite the efforts of Lalong using Amaechi and his connections at the national level, the Masquerade was defecating bricks, until somebody reminded him on the statement made by Maichibi Vwarji after the 2014 chairmanship election on why Dariye did not support Letep on THE BEACON Newspaper, and he sent for some copies, and that was how he escaped the axe by convincing the panel trying him that he was not a front. Lalong spoiled his relationship with Shagaya for backing Dabang. At the peak of the 2015 general elections, Dabang was never convinced in his spirit that the APC will win the governorship. A source in their tink tank said Dabang told Lalong to share the contributions made for Lalong’s campaign saying they were going no where at the polls, and let them not end up with neither the money nor the victory. But Lalong said no, that he was optimistic they will win. After their victory, Lalong did not care to set up his structure in their party, because he wanted to carry every member along, but Dabang was having his plan of hijacking the party to himself in preparation for the 2023 governorship elections. Indeed, to a large extend he succeeded by making his boys transition chairmen of the 17 local governments for two years. Reports had it that they were reporting to him. Aside the chairmen, he had many political appointees whom Lalong approved that were loyal to him, and most of the wards and local government chairmen were his boys. After the transition management committees of the LGs, most of the elected LGs chairmen were his boys. He had a very good number of legislators in the House of Assembly, and political appointees. In fact Lalong granted him the privilege of making his strong man, Stephen Jings, Plateau State Federal Character Commissioner representing the state at the Federal. When the term of the State executives of the APC expired, and during the congresses for the chairmanship, Lalong against all odds ensured the return of Dabang in 2018. After his return, Dabang continued with his strategy of hijacking the party. The privilege given to him by the governor that made almost the entire structure of the APC in Plateau to be at the beck and call of Dabang, he went gaga, hay way, Hitlerite and Nebuchadnezzareque, doing as his wished. He strangulated and incapacitated the state APC EXCO. He is hardly seen in the office as chairman of the ruling party. He kept the party secretariat in dilapidation, worn out and unkept. His highest achievement was the replacement of the old APC flags with new ones before he was sacked. And when asked why he was doing what he was doing, his footsoldiers replied that the state government wasn’t giving him money to maintain the party secretariat. And when asked about the 13% contributions of elected and appointive political office holders, they said the funds were not channeled to the party, but the government. This horrible and wicked political style gave the Masquerade the leverage to always be at the Lamingo Golf Club. He only picked calls of his party structure, and had secret places of meeting with them. Anybody that wasn’t part of his structure, Dabang didn’t see them as APC members. With the structure he put in place, he proudly paraded himself of single handedly delivering Plateau to APC in 2019, without recognising the governor’s and other party stalwarts’ efforts. His blind footsoldiers kept boasting that no one can stop Masquerade from securing the APC governorship ticket during the party’s primaries because of the structure they hijacked and the cloud of registered members they cornered to favour them during the revalidation exercise of their party, so that either through secret ballot or congress method adopted, they will emerge victorious. Despite the several cautions put forth to the Governor that he was bringing out the deadliest Idi Amin in Letep Dabang, he spared him thinking he would change, until it was clear that so many members were contemplating defection, before his sack came swiftly. No governor in the history of Plateau gave any party chairman the privilege Lalong gave Letep, but he made a pig of the governor, even daring him. Several times he boasted that if the governor touches him, APC will go down. Thus; bullying whom he will bully. The truth be told, no man made Governor Lalong the Governor of Plateau State. It was a divine arrangement where then governor Jonah David Jang made a mockery of God and was confused to take a wrong decision, which he did, and Lalong became governor. Letep was not behind Jang’s mistake. He was not the one that convinced PDP members to revolt against their party to vote out GNS Pwajok, Jang’s candidate. Lalong himself cannot boast that his power or any man made him the Governor, but God, but here is a masquerade who dares God and claims to have made Lalong Governor, even rubbishing all those who contributed to the victory in 2015. Little wonder he boasted that God wanted to make him great by defeating the PDP in 2015.
GOVERNOR LALONG RECIEVES BRITISH DELEGATION; SAYS SUCCESSFUL LOCAL GOVERNMENT ELECTION A CONSOLIDATION OF PEACE IN PLATEAU
Plateau State Governor Simon Bako Lalong has praised the peaceful conduct of the Local Government elections held throughout the State on Saturday 9th October 2021, describing it as a great achievement in the consolidation of peace on the Plateau which has been his topmost priority since assuming office in 2021.
Governor Lalong who received a delegation from the British High Commission Abuja on Governance and Stability led by Mrs Sophie Stevens said the elections are the most peaceful in the State in recent times going by the fact that most Local Government elections in the past have resulted to crises.
He said what transpired is a result of consistent work by the Peace Building Agency and other stakeholders which have laid the foundation for dialogue, engagement, early warning, and proactive crises management.
He said the State will need more support from the British Government in consolidating the gains so far as well as relocating displaced persons to their ancestral lands in order to address some of the issues that have remained outstanding in the peace and security of the State.
He also appreciated the British for their investments in Plateau through education, health, Missions and business which have continued to grow and yield results. He assured them that the Government will work closely with the team on areas that are very critical to the peace and security of the State and the economic progress of the Plateau. High powered delegation are here to felicitate and to engage the state to seek relationship on priorities.
Earlier, leader of the delegation Mrs. Sophie appreciated the Governor for receiving them and said the relationship of Plateau State with UK is a long and fruitful one going by the historical antecedents of Plateau as a strategic State in the North Central.
She said they have recognised the role of the Governor as a peace builder both as Chairman of the Northern Governors Forum and the Nigeria Governors Forum at large.
She sympathised with the State over the recent attacks describing it as a setback which the Government has been able to address swiftly leading to the restoration of normalcy that led to the conduct of the elections.
Dr. Makut Simon Macham Director of Press & Public Affairs to the Governor of Plateau State. 12th October 2021
GAGDI ATTENDS THE INAUGURATION OF THE NEWLY ELECTED LGA CHAIRMEN, CALLS ON LEADERS AT ALL LEVELS TO CONTINUE MAKING DEVELOPMENT THEIR PRIORITY.
The member representing Pankshin, Kanke and Kanam federal constituency Rt Hon Yusuf Adamu Gagdi was yesterday at the Victoria Gowon Hall, New Government House for the swearing-in ceremony of the newly elected LGA chairmen in the state.
The lawmaker joined in praising Governor Simon Bako Lalong for his insistence and ensuring that there is a smooth transition from one democratically elected officials in the local government to another. This has proofed the Governor’s democratic disposition and love for the people at the grassroots.
Rt Hon Gagdi equally used to occasion to once again congratulate the newly sworn-in chairmen most especially those of his constituency and emphasized the need for unity and synergy towards the development of the areas and people of PKK.
Recall that, Rt Hon Gagdi did not only contribute financially to support the Aspirants and the Party during the elections but also spent days at Kanam during the election period mobilising for the party as well as ensuring that he went to his polling unit at Gum-Gagdi to cast his vote.
Freelance Reporters 