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Tag: Plateau State

  • We will participate fully in Plateau LG election – APC

    We will participate fully in Plateau LG election – APC

    Chief Rufus Bature, Chairman, All Progressives Congress (APC) in Plateau, says that the party would fully participate in the local government elections slated for October 9, 2024. Bature stated this on Monday, in Jos at the party’s critical stakeholders meeting.

    The chairman said that with all things being equal, they intended  to, not only participate in the contest,  but to win the polls convincingly. He said that his conviction was based on the party’s level of preparedness and the anticipated support from members, most especially the critical stakeholders.

    According to him, right from the time the Plateau State Independent Electoral Commission (PLASIEC) announced its preparedness to conduct the LG polls, the APC state working committee quickly appointed a desk officer to monitor its activities.

    “We also assigned the organising secretary together with the welfare officer to closely monitor the activities of PLASIEC concerning the elections. So far, so good, since then, the assigned officers have not given us any cause to be afraid.

    “Preparatory to the elections, a well thought-out itinerary was rolled out, which included, among other things, the sale of forms, screening of aspirants, and the primary elections.

    “The primaries were adjudged as one of the most credible, peaceful, transparent, as well as free and fair primary.

    “Furthermore, appeal panels were set up to hear petitions arising from the conduct of the primary elections, and to our admiration and satisfaction, all went well.

    “Notwithstanding our challenges, the APC is on the threshold of changing the political narrative if we put our act together and capitalise on the inadequacies of the People’s Democracy Party (PDP) led administration,” he stated.

    Meanwhile, Sen. Simon Lalong (APC/Plateau South) has commended stakeholders for the peaceful primaries. Lalong said that in the few places, where there were disputes, the party has mechanisms to settle without rancour.

    The immediate past governor of the governor urged all stakeholders to work for the success of the local government elections, describing it as a litmus test for the party.

    “What is for us to build the party as grassroots is LG elections, and we must work hard to emerge victorious,” he urged.

  • Ex-Gov Lalong’s Commissioner dumps APC

    Ex-Gov Lalong’s Commissioner dumps APC

    Mr Dayyabu Garga, a Commissioner in the administration of former Plateau State Governor Simon Lalong has resigned his membership of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Garga, who was commissioner in two ministries – local government and chieftaincy affairs as well as urban development – and later became Chairman, Kanam Local Government, notified the APC in a letter to his Garga ward in Kanam.

    The letter, a copy of which was made available to newsmen on Sunday in Jos, didn’t state any reason as to why the leading politician dumped his former political abode.

    In the letter, he thanked the APC for giving him the platform to serve in different capacities.

    Garga did not state his next political destination, but a source close to him said he would move to the rival People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

  • LG autonomy: Plateau Assembly reduces tenure of LG officials

    LG autonomy: Plateau Assembly reduces tenure of LG officials

    The Plateau State House of Assembly has reduced the tenure of elected local government officials in the State from three to two years. The House Committee Chairman on Information, Mr Matthew Kwarpo disclosed this in Jos on Wednesday.

    According to Mr Kwarpo, the reduction was in line with the amended Plateau State Independent Electoral Commission (PLASIEC) Law 2024. Kwarpo stated that it was also because of the financial autonomy that was recently granted to local governments in the country.

    He added that the lawmakers took the decision after they considered a bill sponsored by Assemblyman,  Joseph Gokum (APC/Kanke Constituency) on the amendment of the 2017 Local Government Councils Law.

    “Specifically, the clause that was amended was the one that has to do with the tenure of local government elected officials. In the 2017 law, the chairmen, deputy chairmen, and councillors were expected to spend three years in office. But it was amended that the elected officials will spend two years in office.

    “Whenever there is a pilot scheme, you take a little time to learn what is new. As legislators, we think that it is wise to start with two years of tenure to see how the financial autonomy granted to local governments in the country will fare.

    “When you begin to give four years to someone who is going into a pilot scheme, when there are challenges, you find it difficult to tackle them,” he explained.

    According to him, it is  the right of the house of assembly to legislate on the laws of the local governments and to carry out oversight functions.

    Kwarpo pointed out that the amendment was for the lawmakers to easily carry out oversight functions, and that if there was anything that required amendment, they could be easily addressed.

    He assured the people that the reduction was not for their parochial interest but for the good of Plateau.

  • Just in: Police Officer kidnapped in Plateau State found dead

    Just in: Police Officer kidnapped in Plateau State found dead

    The body of a mobile policeman, who was abducted by bandits, has been discovered in a bush at Bangalala, Wase local government area.

    The body was reportedly discovered on Sunday.

    According to sources, the policeman was part of a security team fighting bandits in the area when he was ambushed and taken away.

    A soldier, who was also part of the team, managed to escape the attack.

    The abduction and subsequent murder of the policeman is the latest in a series of attacks by bandits in Wase local government area.

    On May 21, 2024, bandits attacked Zurak community, killing over 40 villagers and injuring many others, including vigilantes who were supporting security personnel to restore law and order in the area.

    The state police command is yet to react to the latest development.

  • Plateau govt relaxes curfew

    Plateau govt relaxes curfew

    The Plateau State Government has again relaxed the 24-hour curfew earlier imposed on Jos-Bukuru metropolis, following violent protest in the area.

    Mr Gyang Bere, the Director of Press and Public Affairs (DOPPA), to Gov. Caleb Mutfwang, disclosed this in a statement on Friday in Jos.

    Bere said Gov. Caleb Mutfwang, who ordered further relaxation of the curfew, said there would now be free movement between 10:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m., effective Saturday.

    Recall the government on Sunday, imposed a curfew following the looting of public and private assets by some hoodlums in Jos North Local Government Area (LGA), of the state.

    The miscreants hijacked the nationwide ”End Bad Governance” protest to perpetrate the criminal acts.

    Bere, said that the decision followed an advisory by security agencies on the now calm situation in the area.

    ”In light of the improved security situation in the Jos-Bukuru metropolis, the Plateau Government has further relaxed the curfew, effective Saturday, Aug. 10.

    ”Residents are now permitted to move freely for their lawful activities between 10 00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m daily until further notice.

    ”Gov. Caleb Mutfwang, in consultation with security agencies, has authorised this relaxation.

    ”The adjustment is to allow law abiding citizens to continue with their economic activities while maintaining public order,” he said.

    Bere said that the governor, who thanked all the security agencies for effectively enforcing the curfew, said that government would continue to review it as the security situation improved.

    He added that the governor also urged residents within the Jos-Bukuru metropolis to cooperate with security personnel and report any suspicious activity for prompt action.

  • Jos coalition suspends protest, gives reason

    Jos coalition suspends protest, gives reason

    The coalition that led the nationwide protest in Jos has suspended its street protests for two days to give room for dialogue with relevant stakeholders.

    The coalition spokesperson, Mr Enoch Vilret, who announced the suspension while briefing newsmen on Sunday in Jos, said that the suspension was with effect from Sunday, August 4, to Tuesday, Aug. 6.

    Vilret stated that the decision was to allow for dialogue with relevant authorities, as stated by President Bola Tinubu in his broadcast to the nation on Sunday.

    He further said that the coalition remained  committed to its cause and was  hopeful that the window period would  facilitate constructive discussions.

    According to him, should the dialogue not occur within the stipulated time, they will resume their peaceful protests.

    “However, we will like to clarify that we are not the organizers of this protest. We are leaders in our own right on the Plateau, who have stepped in to coordinate and ensure that the protests remain peaceful and orderly.

    “Our primary aim is to guide and support the voices of our fellow citizens in a responsible and constructive manner.

    “We wish to categorically disassociate ourselves from any group of protesters carrying the Russian flag or any other flag that is not the Nigerian flag.

    “Such actions are not representative of our movement, and we urge security forces to arrest any individual seen engaging in this behaviour as it undermines the integrity of our cause.

    “It has also come to our attention that certain elements opposed to the peaceful manner in which we have conducted our protests over the past four days, are planning to incite looting and vandalism,” he stated.

    The spokesperson pointed out that the coalition had strongly condemned such actions and called on security forces to arrest anyone found engaging in them.

    He added that the movement was dedicated to peaceful advocacy and would not tolerate any form of violence or destruction.

    Vilret called on Nigerians to continue to be law-abiding and to hold onto the hope that Nigeria would be great again.

    He emphasised that the coalition’s commitment to positive change remains   steadfast.

    ”We believe that through collective effort and peaceful advocacy, we can achieve a better future for the nation,” he said.

  • Mixed reactions as Nigerian lawmaker gifts daughter SUV for graduating from secondary school

    Mixed reactions as Nigerian lawmaker gifts daughter SUV for graduating from secondary school

    Yusuf Gagdi, a member of the House of Representatives from Plateau State on Saturday gifted his daughter, Aisha, a new Sport Utility Vehicle as a gift on her graduation from a secondary school, Lead British International School Abuja.

    TheNewsGuru.com(TNG) reports that Aisha had performed extremely well in her Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examinations, and to mark the achievement, her father surprised her with the luxury vehicle.

    Sharing pictures from the graduation ceremony on Instagram on Saturday, Gagdi wrote, “Today, I attended my amazing daughter’s graduation ceremony. Watching you, my dear daughter, walk across that stage fills my heart with immense pride and love.

    “I celebrate your achievements and the strength you’ve shown. Here’s to a future filled with endless possibilities and happiness.Congratulations, my shining star!”

    The lawmaker’s gesture has sparked mixed reactions amongst netizens, whilst some praised his generosity, others, however, criticised the extravagant gift amidst Nigeria’s economic challenges.

    One Yusuf tweeting as #kubcy17 on X.com wrote, “Absolute nonsense and rubbish in this trying time. Hon. Yusuf Gagdi doesn’t have a single respect for the people of his constituency.”

    Haidar, tweeting as #AliyumuazuIbra2, wrote, “It’s not surprising to see that a car, which even university graduates and professors dream of owning, is given as a gift to a secondary school graduate.

    “If she completes university, she might receive a private jet or a personal yacht as a gift.”

    Some others, however, stood on the side of the lawmaker.

    #Uthmann__ wrote on X.com, “Hon. Gagdi only displayed the car he gifted to his daughter after graduation from secondary school.

    “People celebrate their children according to their pockets. This is nothing new in Abuja. And this is even a gift from dad to his daughter.”

  • Unkempt cemetery worries Christian in Jos

    Unkempt cemetery worries Christian in Jos

    The Purgatorian Society of the Jos Catholic Archdiocese has expressed concern over the Unkempt nature of cemeteries in the state, especially Zaria Road Cemetery in Jos.

    Rev. John Chuwak, Chaplain of the Society, disclosed this  during a courtesy call on the Chairman of the Christian  Association of Nigeria (CAN),  Plateau chapter, Rev. Polycarp Lubo.

    The Chaplain, who  said the cemetery was overgrown with bushes and dirt, solicited the support of well-meaning individuals and groups to keep it clean.

    He noted that the primary aim of the society was to pray for those who have died, especially souls in purgatory.

    Chuwak stated that they believed  that some people, who had died, were in purgatory, finding their way to heaven.

    The cleric added that society prayed for the repose of souls that died because God loved and created humans not to abandon them in the dungeon of death but to save them.

    “Since we are praying for the dead, we normally go to the cemetery to pray, especially on the second day of November, which commemorates all souls.

    “We have discovered that the cemetery is Unkempt, and we are here to let CAN know that the cemetery is in a bad state.

    “If you are not careful, because of bushy and Unkempt nature, you may dig a new grave on an old one when you want to bury another person.

    “The purgatorians have done their best to keep it clean by even hiring people from the office, including using chemicals, to kill the grasses, but we discovered that our strength is not  enough.

    “We are appealing to  CAN, spirited individuals and the government to look into the state of our cemeteries,” Chuwak appealed.

    The group prayed for the repose of the souls of the children that died in the Saint Academy, Jos building collapse.

    Rev. Lubo, Plateau CAN Chairman, said that the association was  privileged to have the society on a courtesy visit.

    Lubo promised to assist the society with the resources of the association to keep the cemetery clean.

    The chairman said that there was no particular person in charge of the cemetery at the moment as demanded by the society.

    According to him, this requires the society  to sacrifice time, talents, and wherewithal for the maintenance of the cemetery.

    “Anytime you are taking any responsibility, let us know so that we can come in to support  you,” he promised.

  • Housing Minster wades into Jos school building collapse

    Housing Minster wades into Jos school building collapse

    The Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Dangiwa, has called for immediate investigation into the Saint Academy School building collapse in the Busa Buji area of Plateau State.

    Dangiwa, who made the call on Saturday in Abuja, while reacting to the school building collapse.

    He directed the Plateau State Controller of the Ministry to spearhead a comprehensive investigation to ascertain the cause of the collapse and bring to justice anyone found culpable.

    He described the collapse as yet another unfortunate tragedy for the nation due to the negligence and unscrupulous behaviour of certain individuals during the construction process.

    According to him, it is unfortunate that the issue of building collapse has once again reared its ugly head in the nation.

    “This is unacceptable because every time something like this happens, there is a mother or father who has lost a child, a child who has lost a parent, or an individual who has lost a sibling or friend.

    “The cost of building collapse cannot be quantified because lives are involved.

    “In this case, it was a school with students whose only offense was to leave their homes in search of knowledge. This is totally unacceptable.

    “I have directed an investigation and we will get to the bottom of this,” he said.

    Dangiwa assured Nigerians that the investigation would not go the same way as others in the past, where nobody was prosecuted for wrongdoing.

    “We will ensure anyone found culpable faces the full weight of the law.

    “I know that prosecution will not bring back those we have lost to this tragedy, but it will serve as a deterrent to others who may be involved in such practices,” he said

    Dangiwa said that a statement by the National Emergency Management Authority revealed that more than 40 students have been rescued from the rubble with many of them still hospitalised in various health facilities in Jos.

    He expressed his deepest condolences to the families of those whose lives were cut short by the unfortunate and preventable tragedy.

    He said that the loss was a national one and “We share in their grief.

    “For those in the hospital, our prayers and thoughts are with them and we wish them a quick recovery while we charge the health personnel to rise to the occasion and save these precious lives,” he added.

    Dangiwa further noted that while it might be difficult to rewrite the wrongs of the past, the ministry was committed to ensure that the incidence of building collapse was prevented in the future.

    He said that this would be done by collaborating with relevant agencies to enforce building standards and regulations in the country.

    “This is evident in the strong warnings issued to developers of ongoing Renewed Hope Cities and Estates projects in the country as well as control and monitoring mechanisms set up by the ministry.

    “As a result of the complexity of the housing sector, the ministry has to collaborate with agencies of government to promote the enforcement of building codes,” he said.

  • Jos school building collapse huge blow to humanity – PDP

    Jos school building collapse huge blow to humanity – PDP

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has described the collapse of a school building in Jos, Plateau State capital as a huge blow to  Nigeria and humanity.

    The party stated this in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba on Saturday in Abuja.

    Ologunagba said that the party was grieved over the tragic incident that led  to the death of scores of bright and promising young students with many others injured.

    He said that PDP was deeply distraught by the sad incident, which brought agony, sorrow and pain to students, teachers, parents, families, the government and people of Plateau and Nigeria.

    “Indeed, the heartrending death of these young Nigerian children, who left their respective homes to school in search of knowledge and pursuit of their dreams and aspirations came as a huge blow to our nation.

    “It is also a huge blow to humanity and we pray that their death will not be in vain,” he said.

    Ologunagba said that the PDP commiserated with Gov. Caleb Mutfwang and prayed with the teachers, parents, siblings, affected families and the injured at the trying time.

    He commended Mutfwang for his swift intervention for search and rescue operation, recovery and also for the provision of all necessary emergency aids including prompt evacuation of victims and medical assistance to the injured.

    Ologunagba prayed for the repose of the souls of the dead, divine consolation for the bereaved and speedy recovery of the injured.