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Tag: Gov. Simon Lalong

  • Security agencies on ground to repel attacks – Lalong assures communities

    Security agencies on ground to repel attacks – Lalong assures communities

    Gov. Simon Lalong of Plateau has said that security agencies have been directed to remain on ground to repel any ambush in the state following the recent attack on Kabut village in Mangu Local Government Area.

    This is contained in a statement issued by Lalong’s Director of Press and Public Affairs, Dr Makut Macham on Friday in Jos.

    He said that the directive was the resolution of the state’s security council emergency meeting chaired by him on Tuesday to review and assess the recent attacks where many lives were lost.

    “The security agencies are to sustain the presence of their personnel on ground to rebuild confidence and halt any further affront on innocent citizens,’’he said.

    He said that the council reviewed the situation and resolved that all suspects arrested for allegedly carrying out the attack must be immediately prosecuted.

    He said that the prosecution would be in a transparent manner to send a strong message to the public that no criminal would go unpunished.

    He said that the council condemns the evil act and remain resolute on continuing the search for other fleeing perpetrators who must be arrested and dealt with swiftly.

    Lalong also said that the government would address the plight of displaced persons in the area through its intervention and work toward restoring normalcy.

    He said that an engagement committee would be set up to douse the tension generated by the unfortunate incident.

    The council appealed to the Plateau people to increase vigilance in their communities and shun any action that could trigger the situation.

    He assured the people that government would not relent in its efforts in addressing the situation.

    ‘’We will not fold our arms and watch citizens being maimed and killed by criminals,”’he said.

  • Lalong approves extension of tenure of Plateau Head of Civil Service

    Lalong approves extension of tenure of Plateau Head of Civil Service

    Gov. Simon Lalong of Plateau has approved the extension of the tenure of the state Head of Civil service, Mr Sunday Hyat by four months.

    Lalong announced the approval in a statement by his Director of Press and Public Affairs, Dr Makut Macham , on Thursday in Jos.

    The Secretary to the Government of Plateau, Prof. Danladi Abok Atu, the approval was to enable Hyat conclude some sensitive labour and ad-hoc responsibilities

    “The extension which is from Feb.ruary to May 2023 will be on contract basis,” the state government said.

    Lalong congratulated Hyat and urged him to continue doing his best to facilitate total reforms in the state civil service.

    He said that the action would facilitate his administration hand over a virile, motivated and capacitated civil service, for the progress of the state.

    He implored employees of the state civil service to give Hyat the needed support and cooperation during the extension.

  • Gov. Simon Lalong appoints 10 new Permanent Secretaries

    Gov. Simon Lalong appoints 10 new Permanent Secretaries

    Gov. Simon Lalong of Plateau has approved the appointment of 10 new Permanent Secretaries.

    The governor made the announcement in a statement by his Director of Press and Public Affairs, Dr Makut Macham, on Monday in Jos.

    According to the statement, the new officials are to fill the vacancies created following the retirement/resignations of some Permanent Secretaries in the service of the state government.

    “The new Permanent Secretaries are expected to be sworn in on Tuesday 24th January 2023.

    “The new Permanent Secretaries are: Keziah Dung (Barkin Ladi); Yusuf Ayuba Gimba ( Bassa); Gongden Micah Sunday (Mangu); Lamu Michael Dennis (Mangu).

    “Peter Wuyep (Kanke); Bapman Naankin Emmanuel (Mikang); Boniface Gwotbit Bankshuet (Mikang); Gotan Benjamin James (Pankshin); Salamatu Ritmwa Parlong (Pankshin); and Wuyep Zitta (Langtang South)”.

  • Boss Mustapha commends Lalong on peace efforts

    Boss Mustapha commends Lalong on peace efforts

    The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr Boss Mustapha, has commended Gov. Simon Lalong of Plateau on his peace efforts in the state.

    The SGF made the commendation at a dinner organised by Lalong for all the Secretaries to State Government (SSGs) in Nigeria on Wednesday at the Government House, Jos.

    “We have definitely perceived and have seen that steps have been taken to ensure that peace and tranquility returns to the Plateau and this is really commendable and shows hope,“ he said.

    He expressed confidence that Plateau`s glory would be restored, describing the state as a home to all Nigerians, especially those from the Middle Belt.

    He described the state as politically relevant in the history of Nigeria`s democracy, saying it birthed outstanding leaders such as Chief Solomon Lar, who groomed many leaders who had occupied or are occupying key positions in the country.

    “We learnt a lot from him,“ the Mustapha said.

    In his remarks, Lalong called for peace and unity in Nigeria where its people are welcomed to reside in any part of the country without any threat to their wellbeing, adding that Plateau is hospitable to visitors.

    “We want people to come to Plateau, we invite people to come to Jos and enjoy our resources.

    “ There is nothing you cannot get from Jos, spanning from the best food to the best vegetables.

    “ It is an illustration of the beauty of Nigeria so that when we mix up like this, there is no reason to chase anyone away from any state, `he said,

    The governor urged organisations to make the state their destination for their annual conferences, retreats or other events, while encouraging them to have properties in the state because of its good weather and exotic food, especially its vegetables.

    “Try to get a piece of land here… Make Jos your London and Dubai, “ he said.

  • All set for APC presidential campaign- Lalong

    All set for APC presidential campaign- Lalong

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) says it is almost set for the Tinubu/Shettima presidential campaign for the 2023 general elections.

    Gov. Simon Lalong, the Director-General of, APC 2023 presidential campaign, said this after inspecting the facilities at the campaign headquarters in Abuja.

    Dr Makut Macham, the spokesperson for the governor said in a statement on Saturday in Jos, that Lalong was received at the headquarters by the secretary of the APC Presidential Campaign Council, Mr James Faleke.

    Macham said that the DG also met with some staff of the campaign team, as part of efforts to ensure a formidable team for the campaign.

    “The DG also held a closed-door meeting with the APC Presidential Candidate Asiwaju Bola Tinubu at the headquarters.

    “The duo thereafter held another meeting with the Speaker, House of Representatives, Mr Femi Gbajabiamila and some lawmakers from State Houses of Assembly, ” he said.

  • Gov. Lalong vows to foster unity as DG APC Presidential Campaign

    Gov. Lalong vows to foster unity as DG APC Presidential Campaign

    Gov Simon Lalong, the Director-General of the All Progressives Congress (APC) party presidential campaign, said that he would foster unity in Nigeria while discharging his duties for the party.

    The D-G stated this at a news conference on Thursday, when he was received by APC members and supporters at the Yakubu Gowon Airport Heipang near Jos.

    The APC National Chairman Adamu Abdullahi, earlier presented Gov Lalong of Plateau to President Muhammadu Buhari, as the DG of the party’s presidential campaign organisation for its candidate Bola Tinubu and his Vice, Kashim Shettima .

    Lalong said APC presidential campaign would prioritise issues that promoted national development, and urged Nigerians to elect leaders who will facilitate the process .

    He implored Nigerians against using ethno-religous affiliation and parochial interests in selecting the leadership of the country.

    ” Nigeria is one nation, the challenges we have is not for a Muslim or Christian because we have common challenges,” he said .

    He assured Nigerians of his capacity to lead the APC presidential campaign, especially with his current position as the Chairman of the Northern Governors Forum.

    Lalong described his new position as a pride to Plateau, and a demonstration of the confidence bestowed on its people for their labour for APC.

    He appealed to Plateau people and Nigerians to support the party in delivering its Presidential candidate and other candidates for elective positions at various levels successfully.

    “The entire soul of APC and its campaign structure is put in trust to the people of Plateau.

    “Know that they expect confidence in you to deliver the president to bring change and development in Nigeria,” he said .

    He expressed confidence of ensuring APC wins the Governorship elections in Plateau, in addition to other elective positions.

    The governor said he would be working with a formidable team at the state and the national levels to ensure the party’s success.

  • BREAKING: Northern APC govs present Tinubu, Osinbajo, Amaechi, three other names to Buhari as possible consensus

    Northern APC Governors have just forwarded the names of five southern aspirants to the President Muhammadu Buhari from which consideration should be made for a consensus candidate.

    The development is a follow-up on their resolution to zone the party’s Presidential ticket to the south.

    True to that resolution, aspirants from the South dominated the list.

    The list has the Vice President Yemi Osinbajo; former Lagos State governor, Bola Tinubu; Ekiti State Governor, Kayode Fayemi; former Transportation Minister, Rotimi Amaechi; and Governor Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State.

    Chairman of the Northern Governors Forum and Governor of Plateau State, Simon Lalong, confirmed the development.

    He said those whose names were submitted had been graded by the party screening committee based on specified requirements.

    Although the Plateau State Governor also noted that the Northern Governors, being only one section of the party, the shortlist will not bar other aspirants from contesting the primaries.

    The governors had, on Monday, met with Buhari to officially inform him of their stance to zone the ticket to the south.

    The Northern Governors met the president around the same time the APC national chairman, Abdullahi Adamu, announced that President Buhari had endorsed Senate President Ahmed Lawan as the consensus candidate.

    The Presidency immediately denied the announcement, saying that Buhari, at the time, had not anointed any candidate.

    The PUNCH had reported that Buhari asked the governors to reduce the number of aspirants after consultations.

    A media aide to one of the governors confirmed that aspirants were shortlisted without giving their names.

    He, however, emphasised that no one was disqualified nor eliminated from the primary.

    “Yes, they shortlisted but never disqualified or eliminated any aspirant. What they did is similar to what the screening committee did. They just recommended aspirants that will make APC remain in power,” Lalong said.

  • 2023: Group advises Lalong, APC leadership against imposing guber candidate

    2023: Group advises Lalong, APC leadership against imposing guber candidate

    A group, Equity and Justice Forum, has advised Gov. Simon Lalong of Plateau and the leadership of All Progressives Congress (APC) against imposing a candidate on the delegates at the forthcoming gubernatorial primary election in the state.

    Equity and Justice Forum Chairman, Mr Omar Shittien and the Co-Chairman, Chief Samu’ila Danko Makama, gave the advice when they addressed newsmen on Friday in Jos.

    The group said that equity, justice, fairness and a level playing ground should be provided for all the governorship aspirants.

    They warned that Plateau would never allow itself to be piloted by a cabal as it was trending on social media.

    “What is about to happen is disheartening to Equity and Justice Forum, a stakeholder and political action entity, that worked for the emergence and victory of APC in Plateau in 2015.

    “We are faced again by the injustice perpetrated by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) during its party primaries in 2014. It is sad that such an unfortunate history is about to repeat itself in the APC.

    “It would be recalled that in 2014 the Equity and Justice Forum did a press briefing cautioning the then governor of the state not to impose an anointed gubernatorial aspirant during the governorship primaries in the state.

    “The forum also stated the consequences that will follow if the warning was not heeded.

    “However, the call fell on deaf ears and eventually the consequences caught up with the governor and the PDP in the secondary election.

    Unfortunately, it is now evident that the present administration and beneficiary of the Plateau Project appears not to appreciate the efforts of the good people of Plateau in combating injustice and undemocratic processes.

    “Instead, we see anti-people policy and undemocratic processes playing out within the party.

    “It will amount to total hypocrisy, bias and injustice to Plateau if the Equity and Justice Forum keeps mute and watches nonchalantly a repeat of the vice and undemocratic process it fought against in 2014 and 2015,” Shittien said.

    The chairman said that if the group gave its consent to the act about to be perpetrated within the APC in the state, it would become partakers of it.

    He said this would contradict members firm belief in the growth of democracy and dispensation of equity and justice to all.

    He said that the news briefing was to enable the group to speak out against the undemocratic act that was about to be executed by the present leadership of the ruling party in the state.

    According to him, what started as a rumour that there is an anointed candidate in the APC that must win the governorship primary election at all cost is gradually becoming a reality.

    “We acknowledge that any member of the party has the constitutional right to support any aspirant of his or her choice within the APC.

    “What is, however, worrisome is the crooked process been taking to ensure a particular candidate clinches the APC gubernatorial ticket at all cost and against the popular wish of party men and women.

    “We got it on good authority that forms meant for delegates election have been hijacked for onward distribution to specific stooges to be used as delegates in the primary elections, to make it appear that the primary is free and fair.

    “The preferential treatment given a particular candidate at the expense of all other governorship aspirants who have deployed their resources, time and energy … is a total show of ingratitude to them and their huge supporters,” he added.

  • Gov. Simon Lalong swears in new Chief Judge

    Gov. Simon Lalong swears in new Chief Judge

    Simon Lalong of Plateau on Monday sworn in Justice David Mann as the state substantive Chief Judge.
    Lalong at the ceremony in Jos, charged the new Chief Judge to uphold democracy, good governance and respect for the rule of law in the discharge of his duties.

    ”Plateau is pregnant with expectations that democracy, good governance and the rule of law will witness a new vista for good.
    “Going by the antecedents of Justice David Mann, we have no fear that he will lift the judiciary to higher levels and build on what his predecessors have done over the years.

    “While I congratulate you on this well-deserved appointment, may I remind you that this task is calls for total dedication and commitment to peace and stability of Plateau and Nigeria at large,” he said.

    Lalong urged Mann to see his elevation as a call to duty and a trust given to him by God to represent him in the affairs of men.
    The governor advised him to be true to his Oath of Office and discharged his duties with the fear of God and without fear, favour, affection or ill-will.

    According to him, you are coming into office at a time that government is operating autonomy of the three Arms of government.
    “I charged the Chief Judge to take advantage of all the latitude that the autonomy provides to ensure the training of members of staff in the judicial,’’ he said.

    Lalong appealed to Mann to ensure speedy dispensation of justice particularly as it involved suspects that were arraigned for violent crimes including terrorism.

    He charged the judiciary to pay closer attention to ensure that such cases got the desired attention to ensure that those accused were either acquitted or convicted depending on the evidences available.
    “The longer such cases stayed in courts, the colder they become and the tendency to further impact on security and safety of not just witnesses, but of the citizens at large,’’ he said.

    The governor reminded the Chief Judge on political activities which were on top gear ahead of the 2023 general elections.

    Lalong said that it was a time when enormous pressure would be mounted on judges by politicians who wanted to achieve their aims at all costs.

    He advised Mann to be aware of those who want to corrupt, confuse, intimidate or blackmail the judiciary to do their bidding in order to win elections.

     

    Mann, in his remarks, appreciated the governor for the appointment and promised to adhere to his oath of office in the discharge his duties.