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Tag: Plateau State

  • Gov. Mutfwang promises to clear N30bn pension arrears

    Gov. Mutfwang promises to clear N30bn pension arrears

    Gov. Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau, has promised to clear the backlog of pension arrears, amounting to N30 billion, to alleviate the sufferings of retirees in the state.

    Mutfwang made the promise on Monday in Jos at the opening of the first ever Plateau Government/NLC/TUC retreat, saying that workers welfare remains his topmost priority.

    The governor said that successive administrations did not give adequate attention to the welfare of retirees, hence the huge amount of unpaid pensions.

    He told the workers that the same zeal employed to clear outstanding civil servants salary arrears is the determination and commitment he would deploy to clear the pension arrears.

    “Efforts are underway to address long-standing issues like gratuities, death benefits, and pension arrears, as the last payment of gratuity was done in 1985.

    “The welfare of civil servants is paramount; hence, we have cleared the backlog of inherited salaries, which spanned over four months, and we are up-to-date with the payment of workers’ salaries.

    “Also, we have approved the payment of the 90 per cent Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) and 75 per cent hazards allowance.

    “Similarly, we have approved the payment of 75 per cent Hazards Allowance to other health workers, that is, the Joint Health Workers Union (JOHESU) and the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives.

    “Recognising the significance of the civil service, we have prioritised its well-being by fulfilling promises, such as clearing outstanding salaries, rejuvenating the workforce through training, and ensuring the regular release of overheads for enhanced productivity,” he said.

    The governor assured that his administration would continue to uphold the values and ethics of the civil service as a deliberate step towards fostering an environment for all sectors to thrive.

    He stated that the guiding principles of his administration include fairness, justice, and equity in the treatment of every worker.

    Mutfwang emphasised that the retreat exemplifies his administration’s dedication to reshaping the narrative and ideologies hindering the efficiency of the civil service.

    The governor said that the theme of the retreat, “Promoting Effective Social Dialogue for Industrial Relations Under the Context of the Time Is Now Mantra”, is apt and timely.

    According to him, industrial harmony is crucial for development, and the civil service must be a cornerstone of continuous dialogue to achieve this.

    Plateau NLC Chairman, Mr Eugene Manji, said that the retreat was an opportunity for government and labour leaders to brainstorm on ways to improve governance in the state.

    Manji said that the retreat would afford labour leaders the opportunity to learn things in line with the International Labour Organisation.

    The chairman commended the Plateau Government for partnering with organised labour to launch the maiden retreat.

    Prof. Pam Dung Sha, Director of Research, National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru, advised the Plateau Government to set up a team of labour advisers instead of the usual one adviser.

    Sha, who was a guest speaker at the retreat, said that one Adviser was grossly insufficient to properly advise the government on labour issues.

    The director of research advised workers to be committed to jobs for the growth of the state.

  • Deadly local gin raises concern in Plateau

    Deadly local gin raises concern in Plateau

    An NGO, Sharing Education and Learning for Life Foundation, has called on the Plateau State Government to enact a law that would ban the production, sale and consumption of Goskolo, a strong local gin widely consumed in the State.

    According to Mr Beji Jibe, the Programme Coordinator of the organisation in an interview on Monday in Jos, ”There is no where you have violent conflicts in Plateau that it will not be linked to goskolo or drug abuse”.

    Mr Jibe decried the rise in consumption of the deadly local gin and other illicit substances by a number of youths in the state, saying that it was affecting peace building efforts in the State.

    ”We are here on a two-day training for CSOs and other stakeholders on policy influence and implementation.

    ”We have been doing a lot of work around peace building, but we noticed a lot of influence by external factors that doesn’t allow us gain the impact that we want.

    ”We felt certain policies need to be in place so that this work can be beneficial to the people,” he said.

    According to Jibe, aside the health implication, high intake of goskolo constitutes a major set back to the peace building process in the state.

    ”One of the major challenges that we face is the issue of drug abuse, and it is directly linked to peace, particularly using the Plateau example.

    ”Over the years, in spite of all we suffered on the Plateau because of goskolo, there is no law that prohibits its brewing and consumption.

    ”There is no where you have violent conflicts in Plateau that it will not be linked to goskolo or drug abuse in general.

    ”So, we are calling on the state to enact a law or put in place stringent and implementable policies that will ban the brewing and consumption of goskolo and other illicit drugs,” he called.

    A 60-year-old resident of Tudun Wada in Jos North Local Government Area, Mrs Martha Paul, whose son got addicted to the local gin and eventually died, said the ban would curtail the challenges.

    Recall that the State Executive Council had in 2016 presented a Bill to the state House of Assembly seeking to ban the production, sale and consumption of the local gin, but was not passed into law by the lawmakers.

  • Court of Appeal judgment a ‘temporary setback’ – Plateau Governor, Caleb Mutfwang

    Court of Appeal judgment a ‘temporary setback’ – Plateau Governor, Caleb Mutfwang

    Plateau state governor, Caleb Mutfwang has described the ruling of the Appelate court that nullified his election as a “temporary setback” that will not deter him from repositioning the state.

    Mutfwag expressed strong optimism that the mandate overwhelmingly given to him by the citizens would be restored, as he has instructed his legal team to file an appeal at the Supreme Court.

    The governor made this disclosure via a statement signed by his Director Press and Public Affairs, Gyang Bere, admonished citizens of the state and supporters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to remain calm and assured them that “as long as God remains on the throne, the mandate of the people will be preserved and protected”.

    He reiterated his commitment to the rule of law, while assuring the people that there is light at the end of the tunnel.

    “We have unwavering faith in the judiciary and the Constitution of Nigeria,” he stressed.

    The governor will head to the Supreme court for final ruling on the matter.

  • Group condemns alleged murder of herdsman

    Group condemns alleged murder of herdsman

    The Coalition of Fulbe Professionals in Africa (COFPIA), has condemned the alleged murder of a herdsman, Malam Adamu Gabdo, in a rural settlement around Mangu Local Government Area in Plateau.

    Its National President, Malam Mohammed Tilde, in a statement on Sunday in Jos, described the act as barbaric and urged security agencies to investigate the matter.

    ”COFPIA is saddened by the gruesome killing of one of its members.

    “We condemn the incident in the strongest possible terms.

    “The deceased recently returned to the community after several peace-building efforts initiated by security agencies, especially Operation Safe Haven (OPSH), leading to the relative peace in the area.
    “The incident is a setback back to the peace already achieved in the locality,” he said.
    Tilde, however, commended the personnel of OPSH for their prompt response aimed at tracking down the perpetrators of the heinous act.

    ”As difficult as it is, we are consoled by the steps initiated by security agencies, especially OPSH, to track down the perpetrators whose intention was to cause ethnic tension in the state.

    “Given the zeal of the security agencies coupled with reports from our Mangu chapter, we are satisfied that the criminals will be brought to book in no distant time,” he said

    He appealed to its members in Nigeria to remain calm and law abiding, adding that security agencies were doing everything possible to arrest the criminals.
    “Nobody should take the law into his or her hands; the incident was perpetrated by some few criminal elements in the locality who were not acting on behalf of the community as a whole.

    “We must view this action as simply a crime that should have no place in our society.
    ”We kindly appeal to our kinsmen to forgive and work closely with the security agencies to unravel the true identity of the criminals involved,” he appealed.

  • Role of the church is vital in nation building – Gov Mutfwang

    Role of the church is vital in nation building – Gov Mutfwang

    Gov. Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau has stated that he intents to establish a museum of Nigeria’s church history in Plateau.

    Mutfwang made this statement on Saturday, in his remarks at the valedictory service in honour of Most Rev. Benjamin Kwashi, the Bishop of the Anglican Jos Diocese, at St. Luke’s Cathedral in Jos.

    The governor said it was one of the personal projects he intended to pursue and bring to Plateau.

    He described Plateau as a citadel of Christian history, especially in Northern Nigeria, where many missionaries came to preach the gospel.

    The governor stressed the importance of the church having a platform for the learning of its history, especially to future generations .

    He described Bishop Kwashi as a compendium of church history which should be approached as a reference in seeking important church history materials, especially of Northern Nigeria.

    Gov. Mufwang said the bishop was an exemplary leader dedicated to training the paraphernalia of bishops and being focused in propagating the gospel.

    He congratulated him for reaching his echelon in church service and successfully retiring.

    According to the Governor, Nigeria need leaders of the gospel like the outgoing bishop, to guide people in the discharge of their duties and other matters of governance.

    He said that past Nigerian leaders recognised the critical role of the church in nation building, and acknowledged their contributions.

    “If the church has not played her role in education and in healthcare, we will not be where we are today” he said.

    The governor thanked the people of Plateau for giving him the privilege to be their leader, while appealing for unity in the state.

    He urged clerics and Plateau people to pray for him and his administration to be able to provide exemplary leadership in the state.

    Speaking, Kwashi thanked the Anglican church for providing him the privilege to serve for 31 years .

    The cleric, who was also marking his 68th birthday anniversary, urged Christians to prioritize seeking the kingdom of God, to make impact and leave enduring legacy in their service to God.

    According to the cleric, during his tenure, he initiated sustainable policies, with the Jos Diocese providing health insurance schemes for its Pastors and awarding scholarship to their children up to secondary level.

    He said that widows were also well catered for in addition to being empowered and getting the benefits of their husbands amongst other packages, the cleric prayed that his successor would initiate more schemes and surpass his achievements.

     

  • Plateau Governor reacts after tribunal victory

    Plateau Governor reacts after tribunal victory

    Gov. Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau on Friday expressed elation about his victory at the Governorship Elections Petition Tribunal.

    The tribunal that upheld the election of Mutfwang as the elected governor of the state dismissed the petition of the All Progressives Congress (APC) against the election of Mutfwang of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

    It also said that the PDP held valid progress and the nomination of sponsorship of a candidate is solely a pre-election matter.

    The governor thanked God and the people of Plateau for his victory. He also lauded the judiciary for administering justice in tandem with the law.

    “I want to thank God Almighty who has made this possible. I want to thank the people of Plateau State who have stood by us.

    “And I want to thank their lordships for having the heart to do according to the dictates of their conscience and according to law,” he said.

    He assured the people for Plateau of his commitment to delivering on his promises, saying that he would henceforth concentrate on shoring up the implementation of his administration’s policies and programmes.

    “We will become more proactive in the days to come and the programmes we have started, we will accelerate.

    “We will ensure that we move at the best speed so that we can deliver on the promises we have made to our people,” he said.

  • Jubilation in Jos as tribunal upholds Mutfwang’s election

    Jubilation in Jos as tribunal upholds Mutfwang’s election

    Residents have occupied major streets of Jos in jubilation, as the Governorship Election Tribunal, on Friday upheld the victory of Mr Caleb Mutfwang as elected governor of Plateau State.

    The tribunal, sitting in Jos, dismissed the petition of the All Progressives Congress (APC), against the election of Mutfwang, of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Friday.

    APC and Nentawe Yilwatda, were challenging the declaration of Mutfwang by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    The residents, largely women and youths, were seen beating drums, chanting songs and dancing round the streets of Jos.

    Miss Grace Jonathan, one of the residents, described the verdict as victory for democracy.

    Jonathan said that with the judgment, the governor would settle down to provide dividends of democracy to the people of the state.

    “We are very happy with the outcome of the tribunal; this is victory for democracy. Our governor can now settle down to provide good governance to the people,” she said.

    Another resident, Joseph Azi, congratulated the governor for the victory, adding that the celebration was to show solidarity with him.

    “We have come out to rejoice with the governor over his victory at the tribunal This is not about political party, but the good and progress of our state.

    “Gov. Mutfwang is our governor, and leader of the state, and this is why we are here to celebrate this victory,” Azi said.

    The tribunal had ruled that the PDP held valid congresses in the state. The tribunal also held that the issue of nomination and sponsorship of a candidate was solely a pre-election matter.

  • Breaking: Tribunal confirms Mutfwang as Plateau gov, trashes Nentawe’s petition

    Breaking: Tribunal confirms Mutfwang as Plateau gov, trashes Nentawe’s petition

    The Governorship Elections Petitions Tribunal sitting in Jos, on Friday, affirmed the election of Gov.Caleb Mutfwang of  the PDP as duly elected governor of Plateau.

    Justice Sunday Olorundaosi in a two and half judgment on behalf of the panel, dismissed the prayers of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its candidate Dr Nentawe Yilwatda.

    Olorundaosi who read the judgment on behalf of the Tribunal Chairman, Justice Rita Ilere-Ifijeh dismissed the three grounds of the petitioners seeking to nullify the election of Mutfwang.

    “Gound one which was non qualification of the candidate; the tribunal verdict is that it is status bar because it is a pre-election matter and the tribunal does have the jurisdiction to entertain it.

    “On non-compliance with the electoral act, there is no evidence tendered before the tribunal by the petitioners that the conduct of election of March 18, was not in accordance with substantial compliance by the first respondent, which is the INEC.

    “Third ground that the second respondent did score the majority of lawful votes cast; the tribunal is of the view that the burden of proof lies with the petitioners to provide evidence.

    “Unfortunately, they failed to do so and rely on the final result of the election declared by INEC,’’ he stated.

    Counsel to Mutfwang, Mr Akeledolu Kehinde (SAN) lauded the judgment delivered on the three issues that were brought before the tribunal.

    Kehinde said that the tribunal decided that it was not in the place of the petitioner to start stretching his neck from his own compound into another man’s compound to see what is happening there.

    “That means that the petitioner has no loco standi to challenge the nomination, of the governor, who is in another party from that of the petitioner.

    “That means it is an issue that must have been decided before the election. So the tribunal had no jurisdiction to look at that.

    “On the issue of electoral act, the tribunal found out that out of 247 polling units that were being contested by the petitioners witnesses were fielded from just 24 which is just 9.2 per cent,’’ he said.

    Kehinde further said that in the analysis, the tribunal found that all the witnesses fielded by the petitioners either gave as a evidence or their evidence were so badly damaged and so the tribunal couldn’t rely only on the evidence.

    PDP Counsel, Mr Emeka Etiaba in his reaction, said that what was important was that the petition has been consigned to where it belongs to.

    Etiaba said that they listened to the judgment and saw that that judgment was diligently written and delivered.

    “So, for those who are threatening to go on appeal, everyone has his own judgment so you can go and study some more. We believe that the judges have done justice today.

    “But being election matter of course, governorship election matter, we know that some people may still want to go to the Supreme Court. It is a good trip to make, but we believe that nothing will come out of it because this is a judgment that has been well thought out,” he said.

    Mr Edward Pwajok (SAN), Counsel to Yilwatda and APC said that his clients would challenge the judgment at the Appeal Court.

    Pwajok appealed to Plateau citizens and supporters to be calm and peaceful because there was  a judicial system that encourages appeals.

    “You are all aware that in Nigeria, sometimes, decisions of lower courts have been overturned in the appellate courts.

    “That is a hope of the petitioners because it has happened several times in the past. We are very, very optimistic that at the end of the day, at the end of the appellate process, justice will be served,” added.

  • Tribunal declares Ex-Plateau gov. Lalong winner of senatorial election

    Tribunal declares Ex-Plateau gov. Lalong winner of senatorial election

    The National Assembly Elections Petition Tribunal sitting in Jos, Plateau State, has declared a former governor of the state, Simon Lalong, who was the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), as the duly elected person for Plateau South senatorial district.

    Chairman of the three-member panel, Justice Mahmoud Tukur held that the votes scored by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Napoleon Bali, in the February 25 election were wasted votes as he was invalidly nominated.

    The unanimous Monday judgment held that as of the time of the nomination, the PDP had no valid structure in the state.

    On the other grounds of over-voting and non-compliance with the electoral laws, the panel ruled that the petitioners could not prove the allegations.

    The tribunal also sacked Peter Gyendeng as member representing Barikin Ladi/ Riyom federal constituency of the House of Representatives and declared Fom Dalyop of the Labour Party (LP) who became second in the February 25 general elections in the state, as winner.

    In their separate rulings, Justice Omaka Elekwo and Justice Muhammad Tukur nullified the election of the two PDP candidates because of the party’s refusal to respect the order of a Jos High court to conduct ward congresses before the last general elections.

    The Justices therefore said the evidence presented by the APC and LP candidates were relevant and admissible.

     

  • NMA releases investigation into Noah Kekere’s medical practice

    NMA releases investigation into Noah Kekere’s medical practice

    The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has released the outcome of its investigation into the practice of medicine by a suspected fake doctor, Noah Kekere.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the outcome of the investigation was released by the Plateau State chapter of the NMA on Monday.

    The Association disowned Kekere, who was recently arrested after he was accused of harvesting a woman’s kidney during a surgery.

    The NMA’s disclaimer is contained in a statement jointly issued in Jos by Dr Bapigaan Audu and Dr Istifanus Bako, its Chairman and Public Relations Officer (PRO), respectively.

    Kekere allegedly claimed to be a medical doctor. However, The NMA stated that its investigation of the allegation showed that Kekere is not a medical doctor.

    “This is to inform the public and all concerned that Mr Noah Kekere, who is currently being investigated over allegations of harvesting vital organs, is not a medical doctor.

    ”Diligent investigations by the association has revealed that he is a quack, pretending to be a doctor.

    ”Further information will be made available, following the conclusion of the investigation initiated by the NMA and Nigerian Police Force,” the body added.

    It called on its members and Nigerians in general to remain calm, adding that the association was on top of the matter.

    He added that the body was also assisting the police to get to the root of the matter.

    TNG reports that Kekere was arrested by the police after a businessman, Alhaji Kamal, accused him of removing one of his wife’s kidney during surgery in 2018.

    Kamal said his wife, Kehinde, had been suffering from chronic stomach pain for the past five years and was rushed to Kekere’s clinic located in the Nasarawa Gwom Community of Jos North Local Government Area.

    According to him, Kekere carried out a medical diagnosis on his wife and concluded that she had ruptured appendicitis and needed urgent surgery.