TheNewsGuru

Tag: Plateau State

  • 2019: Church conducts spiritual cleansing for Plateau state

    2019: Church conducts spiritual cleansing for Plateau state

    The Shepherd House International Assembly on Sunday organized a peace concert in Jos, Plateau and conducted a special prayer for spiritual cleansing of the state.

    The concert was part of the church’s thanksgiving service and graduation of its Bible School students.

    In his remarks, Rev Tajan Moltok, the Plateau Resident Pastor of the church, said the concert was organized to preach peace and pray for the state.

    In his thanksgiving sermon titled: ‘’The Force of Thanksgiving,” Moltok urged members to thank God for what he had done and what he would do in their lives.

    According to him, thanksgiving helps to increase one’s blessings, reverse adversaries and facilitate one’s perfection of service.

    Moltok said that thanking God through praise and offerings provoked more blessings.

    Speaking at the event, the Deputy Governor of the State, Prof. Sonni Tyoden, commended the church for organising the event.

    “The peace concert is thoughtful of this church, especially with the unfortunate issues of the loss of lives and property that happened this year in Plateau.

    “The political tempo will increase, especially with the forthcoming elections in 2019.

    “The peace concert is a reminder that we need peace for Plateau to progress,” he said.

    Tyoden congratulated the church for its thanksgiving celebration and graduation of its Bible School students.

    The deputy governor, who urged the graduating students to be vessels in the advancement of God’s kingdom, said members should be appreciative of God’s mercy.

    The clergyman, thereafter, conducted a special prayer for the State Executive Council and peace in the forthcoming general elections.

    Highlights of the event also included renditions from gospel artistes, ethnic groups, children; and the award of certificates to the Agape Bible School graduates.

     

  • Plateau: Police arrest 12 over kidnapping, armed robbery

    The Police in Plateau have arrested 12 suspects over kidnapping and armed robbery activities in the state.

    Mr Austin Agbonlahor, the Commissioner of Police in charge of Plateau Command, made this known when he presented the suspects to newsmen in Jos on Monday.

    Agbonlahor said three of the suspects were arrested in connection with the abduction of Aliyu Aminu, 6, from Angwan Rogo Community of Jos North Local Government Area (LGA).

    The commissioner said that two other suspects were arrested for the kidnap of Mrs. Adama Umaru, 56, and Miss Rabiat Umaru, 16, in Wase LGA of the state.

    He explained that six of the armed robbery suspects were nabbed after robbing a business area at Jenta Adamu Community of Jos North LGA and made away with cash and valuables.

    Agbonlahor explained that one suspect was arrested for robbing people at West of Mines area in Jos North LGA.

    “We have successfully tackled cases of kidnapping, armed robbery and other crimes within the period under review.

    “In all cases of kidnapping, the command rescued the victims without paying any ransom and arrested some of the suspects who perpetrated the acts.

    “We have arrested three suspects for kidnapping a teenager, Aliyu Aminu and demanded a ransom of N12 million; and two other suspects for kidnapping Adama Umaru and her daughter, Rabiat Umaru,’’ he said.

    The commissioner explained that two suspects; one for kidnapping and the other for armed robbery were still at large.

    He said that efforts were being made to arrest the suspects.

    Agbonlahor added that the suspects would be charged to court as soon as investigations were concluded.

    The police chief also said the command recovered 115 rustled cows belonging to Mr Ibrahim Sulaiman of Sabo Gida-Karnar Community in Jos LGA.

    Agbonlahor, however, regretted that no arrest was made to that effect as the rustlers abandoned the cows and fled when they noticed that policemen were trailing them.

    The commissioner commended plateau residents for cooperating with security agencies in ensuring that criminality in the state was reduced to the barest minimum.

    He urged the residents to report any suspected movement around their vicinity to the security agencies.

    NAN

  • Plateau Govt constitutes 8-man committee to resettle IDPs

    Plateau Govt constitutes 8-man committee to resettle IDPs

    The Plateau Government has constituted an 8-man committee to return Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) from the recent herders/farmers clashes to their original homes.

    The Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mr Rufus Bature, made this known in a statement on Wednesday in Jos.

    He said the committee’s terms of reference included identifying the areas affected by the crises, identifying those displaced and areas they were displaced from and ascertaining the number of people affected and displaced.

    According to him, the committee is also to identify those who have annexed and destroyed villages, work out modalities for effective return of the affected persons to their original homes.

    They are also to make any other recommendations that would facilitate the return of the IDPs to their original places.

    He listed areas with cases of annexation to include Jos North, Jos South, Barkin Ladi, Riyom, Mangu, Bokkos and Bassa local governments, saying that the government observed with dismay the indiscriminate annexation land crises in the affected areas.

    The SSG said that the incidence of annexation were either as a result of fear of being attacked or being chased away by adversaries.

    He announced the appointment of Retired AVM Bala Danbaba as the Chairman of the Committee.

    Other members are Retired Commissioner of Police Patrick Garba, Alhaji Sale Bayari, Da Christopher Mancha, Gwom Rwei Zawan, Acting Executive Secretary of State Emergency Management Agency(SEMA), Rev. Yakubu Pam and Ibrahim Izang.

    The committee is expected to submit its report in four weeks.

     

  • Plateau govt. condemns attack on Lalong’s convoy

    The Plateau Government has condemned the attack on the convoy of Gov. Simon Lalong by some hoodlums.

    Lalong’s convoy was attacked on Saturday while leaving an IDP camp in Jos.

    A statement signed by Commissioner for Information and Communication Mr Yakubu Dati on Sunday said that the hoodlums were acting the script of their sponsors.

    The statement said that the hoodlums laid ambush on the highway and attacked the Governor‘s convoy with stones, rods and other unidentified objects.

    “They damaged vehicles in the convoy including those belonging to the press corp, security and relief agencies.

    “The attack is coming at the heels of a similar invasion on the Plateau State Government House about two weeks ago, where Government properties, vehicles of civil servants and visitors running into millions of naira were destroyed.

    “Government finds it regrettable that while its efforts at restoring peace is yielding results, certain unpatriotic elements are bent on returning our state to the sad era of blood letting by instigating religious and ethnic hatred, for cheap political gains,” it said.

    According to the statement, government views the attacks as an affront on the authority and would take appropriate measures to checkmate merchants of division and death.

    Lalong in the statement assured citizens that government would not relent in ensuring that the safety of citizens was guaranteed and the relative peace sustained.

    “The Governor also wishes to thank the security agencies for professionally carrying out their duties with restrain in the face of extreme provocation.

    “The IDPs must not allow those who do not wish them well to use their misfortune for ulterior motives.

    “We call on parents, religious and community leaders to counsel their children/members not to become willing tools in the hands of conflict merchants.

    “Government has set machinery in motion to fish out and bring to justice all those conniving to present the state as unsafe by sowing the seed of discord among the good people of Plateau,” it added.

     

  • Security: Senate begins work on creation of state, community police

    Security: Senate begins work on creation of state, community police

    The Senate on Tuesday resolved to direct its constitutional review committee to put in place the machinery to amend the Constitution to allow for the creation of State Police.

    TheNewsGuru reports the Senate also mandated that the Police Reform Bill be passed within the next two weeks.

    This was following a debate on the killings across the nation and in Plateau State, following a Point of Order raised by Senator Jonah Jang.

    Find below the Senate President’s comments:

    “We have talked about the fact that whether these killings were initial acts of aggression or reprisal attacks, it is clear that either way, it is totally unacceptable and we must condemn it in all totality.

    “Secondly, these are acts of criminality and we should not encourage any other colouration to it, be it religious or otherwise. This is criminality. And as such, we have a role to ensure that we must address this criminality to see how we can fight it.

    “We have spoken on many platforms and made suggestions to the Executive on the fact that there is a need for an urgent review of the security architecture of the nation.

    “The debate in the British House of Lords also raises this point: “How do we think this would affect our economy and investments if we continue to have this kind of security climate?” We must see this issue of insecurity not only from the point of view that there is danger and insecurity, but there is also a danger to our economy — especially if we want to grow our economy.

    “We as the Senate must come up with our own actions. We do not need to flog the issue. We have told the Executive what to do. We have told them privately and we have told them publicly. However, on our own part, we must decide on what we need to do.

    “There are a few issues that have come up for discussion:

    “We have had the address from the Security Chiefs that came here on the issue of coordination to strengthen the nation’s security.

    “We have had the Report from the Senate Security Summit that we need to consider and deal with.

    “Now, we have the comments from the Deputy Senate President on the issue of State Police.

    “We have a Bill on Police reform that is due for Second Reading and passage.

    “We have the Composition of the Police Service Commission, which is listed on today’s Order Paper.

    “These are things that are within our control. Let us play our own part to address the issues that we have control over”.

    The Senate, thereafter resolved to:

    “Condemn the terrorist attacks, mass killings and displacement of the people and occupation of their central homes and farmlands;

    “Urge the Executive to overhaul the security architecture of the country and to put in place a better security action plan and decisively tackle violent terror attacks threatening the continuous existence of communities in the North Central geopolitical zone and indeed Nigeria;

    “Urge the Executive arm of the government to undertake the rehabilitation of displaced persons and reconstruction of communities in Plateau North, South and Central Senatorial Districts so they can return to their homes and farmlands;

    “Urge the Executive arm of government to apprehend and persecute all perpetrators and sponsors of violence, no matter how highly placed they are;

    “Direct its constitutional review committee to put in machinery to amend the constitution to allow for the creation of State Police;

    “Fast-track the passage of the Peace and Reconciliation Bill;

    “Call on security agencies to stop involving themselves in the politics of the nation; and

    “Mandate that the Peace and Reconciliation Bill, Police Reform Bill be passed within the next two weeks and the Constitution Review Committee within the next two weeks should bring forward the amendment for State and Community Policing”.

     

  • Plateau Govt. to begin production of motorized wheelchairs

    The Plateau Government says it will commence the production of motorized wheelchairs, as part of efforts to revamp the state-owned Science and Technology Equipment production centres.

    Mr Dan Manjang, the State’s Commissioner for Science and Technology disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Jos.

    He said the wheelchairs would be produced by the Plateau State Relevant Technology Centre and the Technology Incubation Centre (TUC), to generate more revenue for the state and alleviate the sufferings of the physically challenged people.

    “ We are having consultations with the Plateau State Disability Commission to make locally made motorized wheelchairs for them instead of travelling outside the state.

    “We would make the required facilities available and we would soon commence production in these centres.

    “Consultations are also ongoing with ministries like education, health to patronize test tubes, school furniture and hospitals beds produced in these centres,“ he said.

    Manjang said there were many untapped potentials in the science and technology centres like the jathropa plant where the oil produced in TUC Jos has different health benefits and can even be used as aviation fuel.

    The commissioner expressed worry that government agencies seldom patronize the state-owned production centres, saying the gesture would boost productions, facilitate their sustenance and generate more revenue for developmental projects.

    He said the Plateau Assembly has passed the Information Technology Bill, which seeks to set up an agency to be headed by a Director-General, saying when signed by the governor it would galvanize ICT issues in the state.

    According to him, the state is working toward e-governance.

    “We want to have a functional website and other social media handles like the twitter, instagram, facebook and many others where all activities of the state could be uploaded and existing information updated as required.

    “The Ministry of Education has provided computers to 40 public secondary schools to facilitate internet access for research and other academic purposes.

    “Five pilot schools have been supplied computers; the visats are being set up.

    “We want all Local Government Areas’ secretariats connected to the internet; these are plans to meet global technology trend and enhance e-governance in the state,” he said.

    NAN

  • Plateau Govt. awards contracts for 22 roads for 3rd anniversary

    Gov Simon Lalong of Plateau said his administration has awarded contracts for the building of 22 roads.

    Lalong announced this on Tuesday in a State broadcast to mark this year’s Democracy Day and the 3rd anniversary of his administration.

    The governor said that the roads which were evenly spread across the 17 local governments were selected by stakeholders in the areas.

    He stated that the contractors have already been mobilised to the sites.

    The governor said that his administration has placed priority on the provision critical infrastructure and has adopted the principle of continuity.

    Lalong said that the principle has enabled his administration to complete and commission several projects abandoned by previous administrations at great cost to the people of the state.

    One of the projects was the Jos-Bukuru Mararaban Jama’a road, which was recently commissioned by President Muhammadu Buhari.

    “Others are Plateau Hospital-Dental Clinic-Dogon Large Road, Zololo-Nasarawa Gwom- Dutse Uku, Dualisation of Old Airport-Rayfield Road with spur to Dongon-Karfe-Kugiya Bwanfang and New Government House among many others, ” he said.

    On security, the governor said his administration, with the support of the Federal Government, now has a Police Mobile Squadron in Longvel, Shendam Local Government Area (LGA) and the 205 Combat, Search and Rescue Operation Unit of the Nigerian Airforce in Kerang, Mangu LGA.

    “These are testimonies of our synergy with the Federal Government.

    “We shall continue to support the security agencies towards it’s sustenance as recently done with provision of 53 logistics vehicles.

    “Given the imperative and constitutional duty of government to protect life and property of every citizen, we shall continue to dedicate resources and energy towards these responsibilities,” he added.

    The governor commiserated with the families of all those who lost their lives and properties to the tragic activities of herdsmen in some localities.

     

  • Plateau govt. seeks partnerships with Facebook, Google, others

    The Plateau Government says it is initiating talks with its development partners, multinationals like Facebook, Google, Microsoft, and local organisations to develop Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in the state.

    The Commissioner for Science and Technology, Mr Dan Manjang, disclosed this on Wednesday in Jos when the Correspondents Chapel of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Plateau Council, paid him a courtesy visit.

    Manjang said that the desire of the government to partner with these organisations was in a bid to facilitate the development of ICT skills of its people, especially the youths, through training using these platforms.

    “We are consulting with our development partners and will soon commence talks with Facebook, Google, Microsoft and some other local organisations to ensure the skills of the Plateau people are harnessed,’’ he said.

    The commissioner said the state government was working toward organising a science and technology summit, adding that government hoped the event would herald the formulation of a viable science policy.

    “The relevant technology centres in our state presently produces mobile aids for physically challenged people and our science production centre produces laboratory equipment for secondary and tertiary institutions.

    “The works from our technology incubation centre have been presented at international forums such as a drone produced there was presented at a competition in Indonesia.

    “We emerged third at the competition; a tractor and bullet-proof vests and many more have been produced at the centre.

    “The state government wants to encourage these inventors to do more by revamping these centres and creating a more enabling environment through training and provision of equipments and infrastructure,’’ he said.

    Manjang told the correspondent chapel officials that journalism could also be synchronised to ICT, adding that reports could be presented from the fields through digitisation.

    Mr Aminu Yusuf, the Chairman, Plateau Correspondents Chapel, said the visit was to congratulate the commissioner on his new appointment and discuss on possible collaborations.

    Yusuf urged the commissioner to discharge his duties efficiently, saying he was assigned to the office because of his pragmatic disposition and pedigree.

    The commissioner was sworn into office on March 1.

     

  • Gov. Lalong sends names of 3 commissioner-nominees to PLHA

    Barely a week after he dissolved the entire cabinet, Gov. Simon Lalong of Plateau on Tuesday forwarded three names to the House of Assembly for confirmation as commissioners.

    Among those nominated is Yakubu Datti who served as information commissioner under one of Lalong’s predecessors, Joshua Dariye

    Others are Mr Luka Madaki and Chris Ahmadu.

    Speaker Peter Azi, who read out the names to his colleagues during plenary on Tuesday in Jos, said that the governor’s communication was in accordance with section 195 of the 1999 constitution as amended.

    TheNewsGuru reports that the lawmakers later agreed to screen the nominees on Feb. 14.

    Lalong had dissolved the entire cabinet on Feb. 8 and thanked the 17 commissioners for their contributions to his administration.

     

  • Only 8 political parties to participate in Plateau LG polls – IPAC

    The Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) on Saturday said eight out of the 34 political parties existing in Plateau would feature candidates in the Feb. 17 local government elections in the state.

    The Secretary, Plateau IPAC, Mr Abubakar Dogara, disclosed this at a stakeholder’s engagement forum on election organised by the Plateau State Coalition on Electoral Reform and Governance (PLASCER) in Jos.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the forum was supported by Community Action for Popular Participation (CAPP), Actionaid Nigeria, UKaid and BBC Media Action.

    Dogara said the low participation was as result of the inability of some of the political parties and their candidates to meet with some of the conditions put in place by the state’s Independent Electoral Commission (PLASIEC).

    “Out of the 34 political parties we have in Plateau, only 8 are going to participate in the forthcoming local government elections slated for Feb 17.

    “This is not because parties are not interested in participating, but because they are unable to meet up with some of the conditions put in place by PLASIEC.

    “For instance, the commission says candidates contesting for chairmanship must pay N350, 000 and those for positions of councilors should pay N170, 000 each as clearance fee.

    “Even when we pleaded that the fee was on the high side, citing example from other states that paid less, the Commission did not agree with us.

    “So, we feel this and other factors must have discouraged other political parties from fielding candidates for the elections,” he said.

    The Secretary said that some of the political parties which would field candidates in the forthcoming elections included: the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the Action Democratic Party (ADP) and the Green Party.

    Earlier, Mr Nelson Ananze, CAPP’s Acting Executive Director, said the aim of the forum was for critical stakeholders to chart a way forward on the need for peaceful and acceptable polls.

    “The idea of this engagement is to discuss with key election stakeholders to see their level of preparedness towards a free, fair and credible elections come Feb 17.

    “For example, we will want to know the modalities PLASIEC put on ground to ensure the election is acceptable to all.

    “How ready is the security agency to ensure the polls is rancour free? How prepared are the political parties and their loyalists to conduct themselves acceptably before, during and after the polls?

    “We need to know all these so that on our part we can further sensitise citizens of the state on the dos and donts in the forthcoming elections,” he said.

    NAN reports that the forum had participants from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), political parties, Civil Society Organisation (CBOs), the Nigeria Police and other government agencies.

     

    NAN