The Member representing Barkin Ladi/Riyom Federal Constituency Plateau State, Hon. Simon Mwadkwon Ph.D today attended the House of Representatives Plenary for the first time since he was involved in a ghastly motor Accident on Friday 7th May, 2021 where he presented his Bill (HB. 23) for an Act to establish the North Central Development Commission for second reading.

He successfully presented the Bill on the floor of the House during the plenary session which was passed overwhelmingly.
The Bill was immediately committed to the committee of the whole and was adopted. The Bill is now ready for harmonization with the Senate before onward transmission to the President for assent.

When passed into Law by the President, the Commission will be charged with the responsibility to receive and manage Funds from allocation of the Federation Account for the region as a result of the effects of the crisis and has the propensity to create huge employment opportunities, address the humanitarian challenges faced by the displaced persons in the region which has suffered violent attacks/killings, tackle the ecological problems and other related environmental or developmental challenges in the North Central States.

The Lawmaker has again reiterated his commitment to providing people-oriented representation and making laws that will have direct impact to the people, Constituency, State, Region and Nation at large.

He praised God for sparing his life and restoring his health to enable him speak more on National issues. He appreciated the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Deputy Speaker, Minority leadership, the entire leadership of the house and his colleagues for their prayers and unflinching support during the time of the accident. He applauded his Constituents and well meaning Nigerians for their spiritual and moral supports.

REPS PASSES BILL FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF FEDERAL UNIVERSITY OF EDUCATION PANKSHIN

The quest to upgrade the Federal College of Education, Pankshin to the status of a full university of education for the award of Degrees in Education, in order to foster teacher education in Nigeria has taken a giant leap with the passage of a bill for that purpose by the House of Representatives today.

At the plenary presided over by the Deputy Speaker, Rt Hon. Ahmed Idris Wase today, report on the bill presented earlier this year by the member representing Pankshi/Kanke/Kanam Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Yusuf Adamu Gagdi for an Act to provide for the establishment of Federal University of Education, Pankshin, Plateau State, for the promotion and development of education in Nigeria and other matters related thereto, was laid for consideration by the Chairman of the House Committee on Tertiary Education and Services, where the House had unanimously voted for the passage of the bill.

With this milestone achieved, the sponsor of the bill and member representing PKK was full of gratitude to the leadership of the House of Representatives for giving the bill the needed speedy consideration in view of the strategic importance of fostering education in Nigeria, by breeding high quality teachers, while assuring the takeoff of the university before the end of his tenure in 2023.

The lawmaker assures of speedy concurrence of the bill by the Senate, having already sought consideration of his colleagues in the red chamber and the assurance by leadership of the Senate to fast track concurrence of the bill once passed by the House of Representatives.

Speaking on why the bill has received speedy consideration of the House of Representatives and its likelihood to receive similar fate at the Senate, Rt Hon. Gagdi said such speed is underscored by the importance of the bill in the educational life of Nigerian nation and the dogged lobbying prowess of the sponsor of the bill.

As an alumni of FCE Pankshin, Gagdi said if all he could achieve in his four years tenure as the member representing PKK was the taking off of the institution, then he would have left the National Assembly a fulfilled man, who has achieved everything, not only for his constituency, but the state in general.

Gagdi assures the FCE community that the taking off of Federal University of Education, Pankshin is a near done project that will come to fruition in no distant future, as both human and capital resources already in the institution for its smooth takeoff.

In a related development, the member representing PKK has today, advocated for the completion of federal road projects in his constituency, while contributing on the debate on the general principle of the 2022 budget, which was presented to the National Assembly last week, as the lawmakers brace up for budget defense in coming weeks.

Reported by:
Gagdi Media Team

GOVERNOR LALONG VISITS WUKARI TARABA STATE; CONDOLES WITH JUKUN NATION OVER PASSAGE OF AKU UKA

Plateau State Governor Simon Bako Lalong on Thursday 14th October 2021 led a delegation from Plateau State to Wukari in Taraba State to condole with the Jukun nation over the passage of the Aku Uka, His Majesty, Dr. Shekarau Angyu Masa Ibi, Kuvyo II, CON, who recently joined his ancestors at the age of 84.

Lalong while condoling with the family, the traditional council and the entire Jukun nation, described the passage of the Aku Uka as painful. He however said there was great consolation by the fact that he lived a fruitful and long life where he impacted positively on the fortunes of his people and society at large.

He said the Royal Father who was the Chairman of the Taraba State Council of Traditional Rulers, demonstrated high sence of patriotism, peace and goodwill towards all manner of people irrespective of their backgrounds.

The Governor said he learnt a lot from the late monarch who was a father to him many others, and constantly reminded him of the need to be fair, just, humble and peaceful in all his activities. This he said has guided him in governance where he remains passionate about unity, forgiveness, dialogue and tolerance.

While praying God to grant the immediate family and the sons and daughters of Jukun nation the fortitude to bear the loss, he admonished them to keep alive the legacies of integrity, unity, loyalty and peaceful coexistence which the Royal Father preached and practised during his reign.

Also speaking, the Long Gamai of Shendam Miskoom Hubert Shaldas III said the passage of the great monarch who reigned for about 45 years was filled with achievements that brought peace and progress to the land as well as improved the lives of the Jukun people.

He said the Gamai nation will continue to remember its roots in the Kwararafa Kingdom and also uphold the rich history and tradition that has made the people stand out anywhere in the world.

Responding on behalf of the most senior traditonal title holder in the palace, the former Deputy Governor of Taraba State, Dr. Samuel Danjuma Gani expressed the deep appreciation of the Aku Uka palace and the Jukun nation for the show of love and solidarity of the Government and people of Plateau State.

He said the Governor who as a Kwararafa son has recieved a traditonal title from the kingdom, continues to show high sense of fraternity and solidarity with the Jukun nation.

He said the respect and honour he has done to the Royal Father both in death and in life will never be forgotten.

Dr. Samuel used the opportunity to also thank the entire people of Plateau State who have maintained friendship and goodwill with not only the Jukun people, but the entire people of Taraba State.

Dr. Makut Simon Macham
Director of Press & Public Affairs to the Governor of Plateau State.
14th October 2021.

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.

GARGA MEDIA TEAM
OCTOBER,2021

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.

(THE PUNCH)

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.

Reported by:
GAGDI MEDIA TEAM