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Tag: Plateau State governor

PLASU VC hails Lalong over 2019 budget on education

The Plateau State Governor Simon Bako Lalong has been commended for presenting an education-friendly 2019 budget proposal to the state house of assembly.

The Vice-Chancellor Plateau State University, Bokkos , Professor Yohana Daniel Izam, noted that the budget size for education would take care of infrastructural deficit as well teacher’s welfare.

He gave the commendation while speaking as a guest of honour in an end of year reception and thanksgiving prayer organized by the Jos East Chapter of the Nigeria Union of Teachers.

The event which took place at the Me and Mine event Centre in Fobur was attended by Teachers and Stakeholders in the Local Government educational sector.

The VC said the 2019 budget which had allocated over 15% of the capital budget to the provision of critical infrastructure in the education sector was commendable and in line with the agitations of stakeholders in the state over the years.

Professor Izam called on stakeholders in the State to support the passage and implementation of the 2019 budget so as to further entrench the pivotal role played by the educational sector in driving development in any society.

The Chairman of Jos East Local Government Hon. Ibrahim Agwom in his goodwill remarks congratulated the teachers for deeming it fit to unite in thanksgiving to God for a successful year and pledged the council’s increased support to the enhancement of teachers welfare in the local government in the new year.

January 5, 2019
Lalong, Shittu, Kalu meet Buhari in Daura

Plateau State Governor, Solomon Lalong, Communication Minister, Adebayo Shittu and former Abia state Governor, Dr. Orji -Uzor Kalu, Wednesday in Daura , Katsina state, held a closed door meeting which lasted for more than 30 minutes, with President Muhammadu Buhari at his country home.

The meeting was held shortly after Kalu was conferred with a chieftaincy title “Danbaiwan Hausa”, meaning: ‘Gifted son of Hausa Land’ by the Emir of Daura, Dr. Farouq Umar Farouq.

Read Also:2019: Saraki, Kwankwaso, Tambuwal, others can’t stop Buhari

Both Plateau state Governor and the Communication minister were among the dignitaries who accompanied the former Abia Governor to the Emir’s palace for the conferment of the title at a turbanning ceremony held earlier

The trio, shortly after the event, left for President Buhari’s residence.

They were ushered in to see the President at about 2.40 p. m. The Plateau Governor was the first to depart the residence at 3.30p.m while Kalu and Shittu followed suit five minutes thereafter.

Shittu however told journalists that they were at President’s residence to “pay obeisance”.

He said” We were here to pay obeisance .You know the President recently returned from medical trip abroad, and were unable to see him because soon after the security meeting on Monday he left for Daura’’

“Contrary to the claim by his detractors that he is not fit to run a second time, the President is not only fit to trek 800 meters as reported by the media, he is fit mentally and physically to continue to pilot the affairs of our great country even for the next four years after 2019 elections.”

Shittu said he attended Kalu’s event to reciprocate his kindness and liberal attitude to all Nigerians irrespective of tribes or religions.

He blamed the Ibos for ‘’ostracizing’’ themselves from mainstream Nigerian political life, urging them to queue behind Buhari this time around

Earlier, the Emir had said, during the event, that Kalu was conferred with the title because of his contribution to the unity of Nigeria and his (Kalu) love for President Buhari’s administration and championing his reelection bid.

August 22, 2018
APC holds ‘make or mar’ NEC meeting

The much talked about National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the All Progressives Congress (APC) is scheduled to hold on Tuesday at the party National secretariat with President Muhammadu Buhari in attendance.

The meeting is the third meeting of the body since the inauguration of the APC led federal government with the last meeting taking place in March 2016 against the mandatory quarterly meeting.

The NEC meeting has been postponed on two previous occasioned after invitations had been sent out, but as at the time of this report, security details were seen putting finishing touches to security Arrangement around the APC secretariat.

Ahead of the meeting, the National Working Committee were said to have held a meeting with state Chairmen of the party on Sunday apparently to drum up support with a view to averting the alleged plot to unseat the chairman.

Women leaders of the party were also seen a meeting with the National Women Leander ahead of the meeting at the party secretariat probably to agree on a common position to be presented to the meeting.

Those who are statutorily expected at the NEC meeting include President Muhammadu Buhari, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Senate President, Bukola Saraki, Speaker, Yakubu Dogara, Deputy Speaker Suleiman Yusuf Lasun, members of the National Working Committee and their deputies, Leader of the Physically challenged, Zonal Secretaries, zonal organizing secretaries, zonal women leaders and State Chairmen.

Others include State Governors who are members of the party, Majority Leader, party Whips and their Deputies in both the Senate and House of Representatives, two serving Senators from each of her six geopolitical zone, three members of the House of Representatives from the six geopolitical zone, six ex-officio members and Serving Chairman, Deputy Chairman and Secretary of the Board of Trustees.

However, since the inception of the party, it has not inaugurated its Board of Trustees, while the last NEC meeting mandated a review of the party constitution to change the name of the BOT to Elders Council with a view to trimming down the membership to what it termed manageable size.

Article 25 (B) of the party constitution states that the National Executive Committee shall meet every quarter and or at any time decided by the National, Chairman or at the request made in writing by at least two third of the members of the National, Executive Committee provided that not less than 14 days notice is given for the meeting to be summoned.

The quorum for the meeting, according to the APC constitution shall be one-third of its members.

The meeting may deliberate on the crisis in various states of the federation with a view to rectifying or upturning the suspension of some members of the party such as National Legal Adviser, Muiz Banire, Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Timi Frank, Senator Shehu Sani, Chairman of APC In Bayelsa state among others.

The Nation learnt that at a recent meeting of the National Working Committee and state governors, the governors present expressed concern over the absence of south-west governors and their apathy to the party meeting, suggesting that something is done to placate them.

The governors were said to have also expressed concern about the absence of most of the governors from the north from the meeting.

It is also expected to consider the recommendation of the National Working Committee to merge the non-elective convention with the elective convention in view of the expiration of the tenure of the Oyegun led leadership in April 2018.

The National Working Committee is reported to have suggested that in view of the financial situation of the party and the closeness of the two conventions, both be merged and held between February and April 2018.

The poor state of the party’s finances, complains of marginalization especially from key members of the party and supporters as well as the direction of the party ahead of the 2019 elections is expected to top the agenda of the party.

State governors of the party are said to be complaining that they are not being carried along in the running of the country by the President, especially when it comes to making appointments from their states.

Plateau state governor, Simon Lalong who spoke the mind of the governors at a recent outing in Abuja said the government is making appointments from their states without seeking their input, adding that those who do not have the capacity to defend the actions of the President have been the ones benefiting from the federal government to appointments.

The governor said the government must be made aware that things are not working the way they should, saying “If things are wrong they are wrong, if they are right they are right. But it requires very courageous people to come out and say these thongs are wrong or they are right.

“Let the Mr. President be aware that this is the time to do it because even as governors we are also complaining in our various state, we are saying it. We complained in our states that we sit down and we hear appointment made and then people start asking you as the governor where is this man coming from?

“But when we turn right and turn left, we don’t know where such a person is coming from. Many people have complained. I’m sure governors have complained that we should be able to know who and who will Protect Mr. President and his administration.

“When I heard that BSO is coming back again, I said is it not too late because if you allow people to grumble too much, you will see a fight in several states and some of them are for a just course.

“Somebody suffered for the party, the person is not rewarded and you wake up to see another man who even fought you, the man who made you to lose your job is now being appointed and the one who suffered is sitting down.
Sometimes he will be looking for tears to cry and the tears will not be there because they are dry.

“Like our chairman said to me, it is not too late. This is the time to start because this is the time you will hear a lot of things coming. People who have not serve will come back and say I had served this way, I had served that way but the records are there. The records can not tell lie. If it is true that they served this way, they served that way let the record.”

October 30, 2017
We have done well – APC governors

Governors of the All Progressives Congress (APC) under the auspices of the Progressives Governors Forum and the National Working Committee of the party Wednesday rose from a meeting to give the APC government in the country a pass mark, saying “we have done well”

Briefing newsmen at the meeting which was attended by about nine governors and six deputies, Plateau state governor, Simon Lalong said the problem facing the party will soon be a thing of the past, adding that the party now has reasons to smile.

The APC has been facing serious financial crisis in recent times and has not been able to meet its obligation to its creditors.

But Lalong said the meeting of the governors with the National Working Committee reviewed the situation in the party and resolved to take issue concerning the party more seriously henceforth.

Lalong who was accompanied by the Niger stage governor, Sani Bello and the National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi said “the purpose of this meeting was to review our party activities and to talk about preparations for our second year anniversary.

“The meeting took a total review of the activities so far and the performance of party in the various states where we have APC government and came to the conclusion that so far so good, we are doing very well.

“That was essentially the purpose of this meeting. We also agreed that this meeting will be on a monthly basis. We started last month, today is another meeting and next month will be another meeting.

“The issue of National Convention was raised and it was part of the decisions we took at the last meeting. Unfortunately, like you already know, the President is not around and he is the leader of the party.

“So what we have done is that since we have an acting president, the team that was supposed to meet with the President with a suggested date convenient, the same team should meet with the Acting President.

“We are going to organise a convention which is constitutional and the leader of the party must also be at the convention. The time we agreed to meet with the President, he had to travel out of the country and now, the Acting President is around. The first approach was to the President and now, we all agreed that if the President is not there, there is an acting president and so, we are going to meet with him to agree on a date for the convention.

“During our last meeting, we had issues, but today, things have changed and people are smiling. The party is even smiling. So, those challenges have been taken over by events. That is why I told you that even if we were backward before, now, we are taking issues of our party seriously and we are meeting on monthly basis. So, issues like that are no longer issues in APC.

“Part of the conclusion of the meeting was a report on the issues and disagreement in some states such as Bauchi and Kogi. The party report d that they have invited those people and those issues are almost resolved”.

Addressing the meeting earlier, National Chairman of the party, Chief John Odigie Oyegun commended the governors for delivering on their promises to their people, saying most of the achievement of the governors was being down played.

He expressed happiness that the party leadership and the governors are meeting regularly now, saying “I want to say that I am so happy that we have met twice and we are seeing the effects, very positive, very salutary effect are beginning to manifest in the party.

“The numbers, with which we turned out alone, is an encouragement to members of the National Working Committee and I thank you for your commitment. Since we started meeting a lot of things are happening. I have invitations all over now to come for commissioning of projects.

“I have a wonderful experience in Zamfara state where I had distinct privilege of commissioning very two magnificent water projects with facilities to reticulate, redistribute water to over 6,000 km of pipelines. I said I am especially happy because its effects on the lives of people are obvious.

“It made me to see that our Governors are in fact, embarking on projects that touch the ordinary man and woman and made them feel that they have benefited from the APC government.

“Already we decided that we are going to do these projects of showcasing in the various states. In fact, it is sad that we are full of issues at the central level which the social media has tended to concentrate on.

“All the good works that our governors are doing tend to be downplayed. I thank you Zamfara. On Saturday, I am going to Kaduna state. I was to be in Kano state tomorrow (Thursday) but I can’t. So, I am sending the deputy national chairman north to Kano.

“So, we are very glad at this development and very soon, the public will see that it isn’t just the rate of Naira that is the issue but in fact, progress is being made in all our states, 24 of them all over the country.”

Governors present include Simon Lalong of Plateau, Sani Bello of Niger, Mohammed Abubabar of Bauchi, Godwin Obaseki of Edo, Aminu Bello Masari of Katsina, Badaru Abubakar of Jigawa, Samuel Orton of Benue and Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi and Abdulaziz Yari of Zamfara state.

Six deputy governors of Kwara, Kogi, Lagos, Ogun, Osun and Nasarawa States also attended the meeting.

May 24, 2017
House of Reps member decamps to APC

The caucus of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) got further depleted in the House of Representatives Wednesday as a member from Plateau State, Edward Pwajok defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

This is as a December 2017 dateline was given for the final decimation of PDP.

Plateau State governor, Simon Lalung said though democracy was not about a one-party state but PDP members would be left with no option than to join the ruling party by the end of the year.

House rules were stepped for the presence of the governor in the chamber to witness the defection.

This brings to 221 the number of APC member in the House.

On the 22nd of February, a member of the PDP, Emmanuel Ukoette representing Ukanafun/Oruk Anam Federal Constituency of Akwa Ibom, defected to APC.

A month later, on the 22nd of March, two House members, Tony Nwoye (Anambra) and Emmanuel Udende (Benue) defected from PDP to APC on the floor at plenary.

Speaker Yakubu Dogara read Pwajok’s letter on the floor after which the Minority Leader, Leo Ogor protested saying the movement was wrong since there is a substantive Chairman of the party.

Pwajok, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) cited irreconcilable differences that have left PDP divided at all levels as part of his reasons for dumping the party.

Saying that the party secretariat in Jos was not even spared as it was sealed last week, he noted that, “The party is divided in my Local government down to the ward level with parallel structures.

“On Saturday 13th May, 2017, over 500 delegates from my constituency besieged my residence mandating, directing and authorizing that I quit the party”.

Minority Leader Ogor protested that the party has a chairman and that until the litigation at the Supreme Court was disposed of, division within the party was not enough reason for defection.

Ogor also protested when the Majority Leader Femi Gbajabiamila welcomed Pwajok into the fold of APC but the Speaker placed him saying same privilege would be extended to the Minority Leader if any lawmaker defects to his party.

Goveneor Lalung, who witnessed the defection of Pwajok on the floor said Nigerians should expect a decimated opposition party in the near future.

Saying that Pwajok’s defection would open a floodgates of movement to APC, Lalong said he was not planning to muzzle the opposition in the state.

“We are not planning to turn our State into a one-party state but if APC government is very doing and everybody is moving into our party from the federal to the State, why not?

“Though we are not saying we want a one party state because we need a strong opposition to check mate the ruling party, but I’m sure, before the end of the year, with the things this government is doing both at the federal and state, we may not have a substantial minority party again.

“The movement of Pwajok has opened the gate and very soon we will see a lot of defection into APC in Plateau State,” he said.

On his part, Pwajok dismissed the threat of the PDP caucus in the House saying he was “ready for them”.

He said his defection was not about 2019, adding that besides his constituents that encouraged him to dump PDP, the party’s chairman, Ahmed Makarfi has also asked members to find alternative platforms to further their political ambitions.

“PDP is the cause of its own problem and it is irredeemably damaged.

“Some party stalwarts like governor Fayose have sworn to leave PDP if Sheriff is declared chairman. Is that how to reconcile? Was it not those people that invited Sheriff? APC did not impose him on PDD.

“Some of us complained at the initial stage that bringing Sheriff into PDP is like inviting an undertaker.

“So, I have to look at the realities and if the irreconcilable differences persists, one need to find an alternative platform.

“That is why this is taking place now and not on the eve of an election,” he said.

May 17, 2017
US, Plateau partner on security, justice

The United States government on Wednesday disclosed its partnering with the Plateau State government to promote peace and security in the region through a Justice and Security Dialogue project.

According to the information made available on the website of the United States consulate, U.S. Ambassador W. Stuart Symington and the Plateau State Governor Rt. Honourable Simon Lalong attended one of the dialogue events in Jos on Tuesday.

Ambassador Symington commended the attendees for holding dialogues to promote a collaborative and inclusive approach to conflict resolution.“This is a moment when all of you come together to talk about a profound bond – a bond between citizens and their nation, a bond between citizens and their future, a bond between citizens and their own security,” he said.

“This is a moment when all of you come together to talk about a profound bond – a bond between citizens and their nation, a bond between citizens and their future, a bond between citizens and their own security.

“We are lucky to have, here in this room, both citizens and the police, soldiers, and security forces who serve them. I think this tie between a people and a nation, a state and a city, and you who are sworn to serve and protect them, is the most fundamental tie in any democracy,” the Ambassador remarked.

The Ambassador further emphasised that “Peace is a path that has to be travelled constantly and maintained constantly, and used constantly for the good of the people… it’s a joy for me to see people who are not just dedicated to talking about reconciliation, but to see people who are travelling the road to make it possible, to make it last.”

The Justice and Security Dialogue aims to improve the relationship between security providers and citizens. It will also help civilian security forces become more effective, accountable, and responsive to community needs. The project is funded through the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) and implemented by the United States Institute of Peace (USIP) and the West Africa Network for Peacebuilding (WANEP).

The U.S. Embassy’s International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs Nigeria program provide equipment, training, mentoring, and capacity- building support to various Nigerian law enforcement and justice sector institutions.

The participants included government officials, the military and police as well as religious leaders, traditional rulers, and representatives of civil society.

March 8, 2017
PDP crisis won’t stop Ondo governorship election – Lalong

…Says only INEC can stop election

Plateau State Governor, Simon Lalong on Tuesday said that the crisis hitting the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo State will not halt the forthcoming governorship election in the state.

According to him, only the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) can stop the election from holding based on security issues.

He therefore advised PDP in the state to put its house in order.

The governor spoke with State House correspondents after meeting Vice President Yemi Osinbajo at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

On the threats by Ondo State Governor Olusegun Mimiko that elections can’t go on in a situation where the state is in crisis, Lalong said: “Well I don’t like joining issues with the incumbent because he is not contesting election, he is not the candidate for Ondo. I have said here that if they have issues within their party they should go and resolve that issue within PDP. This is not a PDP matter. In that election it’s not only PDP that is contesting election, other political parties are engaged in contesting the election and the chief electoral officer is the INEC.

“If INEC comes and says we are not going to conduct election because of some security issues, we will accept. But as far as we are concerned, we are not worried about what other political parties would say. For APC we are ready to contest the election we have a candidate and we are going into the elections in November.

“For us, our party is ready for election in Ondo state, infact we are flagging off our campaigns on Thursday so we are very ready,” he added.

On the purpose of his visit to the Vice President, he said that he came to discuss issues concerning his state.

“My meeting with the vice president is not about election. I just came in to see the VP on other state engagements like issues on agriculture, school feeding programme because the Vice President is the chairman on the school feeding programme,” he stated.

November 8, 2016
Governors fault Buhari’s ambassadorial list

…Put your complains in writing, Buhari tells governors

Progressives Governors Forum on Monday faulted the ambassadorial list forwarded to the Senate for screening and approval by President Muhammadu Buhari.

They had complained that it was lop-sided in favour of some senatorial zones in the states at the detriment of other zones.

Plateau State Governor, Solomon Lalong, who spoke with State House correspondents at the end of the meeting with the President, shed light on Pauline Tallen’s rejection of the ambassadorial appointment.

He said: “Pauline is an astute politician from my state, and part of the issue we also raised was on some of the appointments that were made. So all the states that had complain are going to put it in writing and the president promised he is going to look into it.

“Well, it is not only about her husband I think it is the dimension of plateau politics because I had already made complains to Mr. President that appointments should not be concentrated in one zone. And so all these appointments came again from one zone, in that particular zone.

“So the complains that are coming from our state is not about her own personal interest, it is the fact that two ambassadorial appointments are coming from the same zone that we had complained. That is my zone.

“We had complained that the next appointment should go to the other zone the central and the northern zone. And so when that appointment came the kind of uproar that followed that appointment also necessitated an intervention.

“And I think as a matured politician she stepped down and sacrifice that for the people of plateau,” he added.

He said that the state is still working on Tallen’s replacement.

According to him, a little consultation before the appointments were announced would have resolved the problems.

“It is not a big issue but at times a little consultation would have solved that problem because these are issues in the interest of the state. So you can’t have two appointments, very key appointments like that coming from a particular zone that is already overloaded with appointments. All the federal appointments is from the southern zone, so it would not be fair.

“So it is the issue of fairness now we are approaching Mr. President to consider fairness and appoint people from those areas that do not have representation.” he stated.

October 24, 2016
Again, Dariye reverses self, jettisons no-case submission

Former Plateau State governor, Joshua Dariye changed his mind Tuesday in his earlier decision not to immediately enter defence in his trial before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.

Dariye, a serving Senator, is being prosecuted before for allegedly diverting Plateau State’s ecological fund estimated at N1.16 billion while he was a governor in the state. Dariye was Plateau governor between 1999 and 2007.

When the prosecution announced the closure of its case closed its case on June 8 after calling 10 witnesses, Dariye’s lawyer, Garba Pwul (SAN) informed the court about his client’s readiness to conduct his defence.

Pwul said Dariye intended to call seven witnesses.

He changed his mind when parties returned to court on June 10 and opted to make a no case submission, following which trial judge, Justice Adebukola Banjoko adjourned to June 14.

A no-case submission is where a defendant, in a criminal case, rather than conduct defence, argues that that prosecution failed, by its evidence, to establish a prima facie case against him to warrant his being called upon to enter defence.

If the no-case submission succeeds, the defendant would be let off the case. But where it fails, the court will compel such a defendant to enter defence.

When parties got to court Tuesday, Dariye’s lawyer again, changed his mind and said his client has now elected to conduct his defence and jettison the idea of a no-case submission.

Pwul brought to the court’s attention, four witness summons he filed to compel four individuals to appear in court and testify for his client.

The defence lawyer said he also filed a motion, which would be heard at the end of trial.

Justice Banjoko endorsed the summons, which are to be served on the affected individuals.

They include: Timitimi Ebibomo, whose address is given as: Plot 325A, Akin Ogunlewe Street, Victoria Island, Lagos and John Micahel Abdul of Plot 490 Nise Close, Garki II, Abuja.

Others are Osivwem Samuel of House No.10 Road 21, Garki, Abuja and Adonye Roberts, Ewet Housing, F Line, Opposite Police Station, Uyo, Akwa-Ibom State.

The judge adjourned to June 17 for Dariye to open his defence.

June 14, 2016