The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Plateau State Polytechnic

  • Gunmen kidnap 12 year-old-son of Plateau poly Chaplain

    Suspected herdsmen have kidnapped 12-year-old son of the chaplain of Plateau state Polytechnic in Heipang, Barkin Ladi local government of Plateau state.

    The police confirmed the incident in a statement on Thursday by its Public Relation Officer DSP Tyopev Terna.

    Terna said: “On 20/2/2019 at about 1215hrs, the Plateau State Police Command received information from Pastor Andrew Dido, the Chaplain of Plateau Polytechnic Heipang, in Barkin Ladi LGA that at about 2040hrs, unknown gunmen broke into his quarters in the institution and kidnapped his twelve (12) years old son Kim Dido to an unknown destination.

    “He further stated that the kidnappers also took his Handset with phone number (08036044144).

    “On the receipt of the information, the Commissioner of Police Plateau State Command, Jos CP Isaac Akinmoyede directed the DPO of Barkin Ladi Division to beef up security in the institution.

    Read Also: Panic in Plateau as Lassa fever kills five

    “The CP also raised a rescue team that is currently on the trail of the kidnappers.

    ‘’CP Akinmoyede personally visited the family of Dido and the Management of Plateau Polytechnic this morning 21/02 /2019 and assured them of the Command’s determination to rescue the boy and to beef security in  and around the school.

    “Members of the public are encouraged to volunteer information that will lead to the timely rescue of the boy and arrest of the perpetrators of this criminal act.”

  • Plateau polytechnic student jailed four years for rape

    Plateau polytechnic student jailed four years for rape

    A Plateau Polytechnic student, Musa Nyam will be out of school in the next 48 months and be behind bars following his conviction for raping a girl at a birthday bash.

    A Jos Upper Area Court sitting in Kasuwan Nama gave the verdict on Friday after Nyam pleaded guilty to the charge of rape.

    He had invited a 23-year-old girl to his house for a birthday party before he sexually assaulting her, the prosecution said.

    The Judge, Mr Yahaya Mohammed, rejected the convict’s plea for mercy and slammed four years imprisonment on him without an option of fine.

    “The sentence will serve as a deterrent to others,” he said, citing Section 157 of the Criminal Code as the punishment section.

    Earlier, Police Prosecutor Ibrahim Gokwat told the court that on Oct. 18, the rape victim (name withheld) reported the incident at Nassarawa-Gwom Police Station and the case was later transferred to the State Criminal Investigations Department.

    Ibrahim said the accused invited the girl to his house for a birthday party, overpowered her and had carnal knowledge of her without her consent.

    The offence contravened Section 283 of the Penal Code.

    NAN

  • Fire razes Plateau poly female hostel

    Fire razes Plateau poly female hostel

    The female hostel in the Jos campus of the Plateau State Polytechnic was on Monday completely burnt down by fire.

    The fire, which started around 8.30 a.m., raged on till 11.44, throwing the entire school into confusion as students and staffers scurried to safety with some bold students making frantic but fruitless efforts to quench the inferno.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), however, reports that no life was lost in the fire that gutted everything in the hostel.

    “Many students had left for lectures when the fire started; no one was around to remove anything from the burning hostel,” Yusuf Ade, a security man, told NAN.

    NAN also reports that the fire service personnel arrived the scene around 11.20 when the hostel had been brought down.

    Mr Dauda Gyemang, the Rector of the institution, who described the incident as “shocking”, attributed it to a gas explosion which occurred “at about 8.30 a.m.”

    “We thank God that no life was lost in the inferno, but nothing was rescued,” he said.

    Gyemang said that the incident was “a great loss” to the institution.

    “We shall move the students to another place because the building is completely burnt down. It is very devastating,” he said.

    The Rector wondered why the students were keeping cooking gas in the hostel, saying that it was against the school’s regulations.

    “The problem here is that students do not adhere to the institution’s regulations; they are not supposed to be cooking in the hostels,” he fumed.

    Gyemang said that the burnt building would be rehabilitated “in no distant time”, and urged the students to remain calm.

    The hostel’s Representative, Miss Christiana Azi, told NAN that students lost everything “including original copies of their credentials, clothes, food stuffs and other valuables”.

    “The incident is shocking and devastating. It will be very difficult to recover from it,” she said.

  • Plateau to spend N5.8bn on infrastructure at state varsity

    Plateau to spend N5.8bn on infrastructure at state varsity

    The Plateau Government says it allocated N5.89 billion to improve infrastructure at the Plateau State University, Bokkos.

    The Commissioner for Finance, Mrs Temwakat Weli, made the disclosure in Jos on Wednesday while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

    The commissioner said the figure was part of the N11.88 billion committed to the education sector in the 2017 budget.

    Weli said that the allocation was due to the determination of  Gov.  Simon Lalong to improve the university after several years of neglect by the previous administration.

    He said that the money was meant for completion of ongoing projects in the university as well as initiation of new ones.

    According to her, Plateau State Polytechnic, Barkin Ladi,  was allocated N463 million while College of Education, Gindiri,  got N502 million.

    She said that other tertiary institutions were not left out in the government’s  determination to reposition the sector as College of Arts, Science and Remedial Studies, Kurgwi,  was allocated N272.4 million.

    “In the same vein, the sum of N1.8 billion is provided as matching grant and provision of infrastructure  to the State Universal Basic Education Board.

    “It is meant for construction of classrooms and the upgrading of educational facilities in the junior secondary and primary schools across the state,” she added.

    Weli explained that part of the N11.88 billion,  representing 16.95 per cent of the state capital expenditure,  would also be used for the renovation, construction, furnishing and equipping of constructed and renovated schools.

    She also said that N1 billion was meant for renovation/building of 15 secondary schools, translating to  five in  each senatorial zone.

    The commissioner further said  N300 million was budgeted for renovation/building of three science schools, with one in each  senatorial zone.

    “N500 million will be used for furnishing and equipping of constructed schools while N245 million will be used for renovation/building of structures at Government Technical College, Bukuru,” Weli explained.

  • NIPOGA 2017: Organizers hail games’ standard, facilities in Nasarawa

    As competition continue at the 19th Nigeria Polytechnic Games Association (NIPOGA) Games in Nasarawa, the organisers and athletes alike have praised the standard and quality of facilities for the Games.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that no fewer than 4,000 athletes from over 81 Nigerian polytechnics are taking part in about 12 sporting events at the Federal Polytechnic, Nasarawa.

    The Chairman, Local Organising Committee (LOC) for the Games, told NAN the games had already surpassed his expectation and those of so many people alike.

    He also hailed what he called a “ground-breaking’’ Opening Ceremony.

    “The opening ceremony in particular was indeed a spectacle and I bet Nasarawa 2017 will surely remain in the minds of many for a long time to come.

    “We wanted to show NIPOGA from a different perspective.

    “Most people did not expect such a sophisticated show from us and I do not want to boast or praise us, but it was a really ground-breaking opening ceremony,’’ he said.

    He, however, noted that the Games experienced a little hitch two days before the opening ceremony ranging from an epileptic power supply to inadequate water supply.

    “Athletes who arrived some few days earlier before the Games had a little challenge of light and low water supply.

    “But we thank God, we were able to overcome all these challenges before the opening ceremony proper and I can confidently tell you that it has been smooth from Day One till now,’’ he said.

    Coach Benjamin Daniel, the Volleyball Referees’ Coordinator, said the standard of organisation of the Games was higher compared to that of the just-concluded Nigeria University Games Association (NUGA) Games in Makurdi.

    “The games have been so wonderfully organised so far and it’s like NIPOGA now has an edge over NUGA in terms of the organisation and facilities for Games.

    “Indeed, this is the first of its kind in the history of NIPOGA as it had never involved national graded referees before.

    “Before now, any institution chosen as host for the Games usually wants to win at all cost.

    So, what they do is to invite unqualified and non-graded referees to officiate and favour the host teams.

    “But now I can see that things have changed and I must give kudos to the organisers as they have ensured that there is a neutral and unbiased officiating by inviting graded and international referees for every event.

    “So, because of the quality of referees in the Games, there has been fair officiating and both the coaches and players of the various teams are pleased with what they have seen so far,’’ he said.

    He, however, noted that there had been pockets of protest about the use of mercenaries in the volleyball event.

    He added that the Disciplinary Committee was looking into it and those found wanting would be disqualified.

    Sani Ibrahim, the Badminton Coordinator, noted that all the facilities being used for the Games conformed to international standard.

    He said that it had gone a long way in guaranteeing the validity and accuracy of performances and protecting the safety of athletes.

    “Standard facilities and equipment are essential pre-requisite for the hosting of any successful Games and I must give kudos to the organisers for ensuring that the facilities here met international standards.

    “The dearth of sports facilities and equipment in our institutions cannot be overlooked and so it is my sincere hope and prayer that adequate provision is put in place for the maintenance of these facilities that are expensive,’’ he said.

    Also, Winner Peter, an athlete and National Diploma (ND) One student of Plateau State Polytechnic, Barkin Ladi, said she was impressed with what she had seen and experienced so far at the Games.

    “This particular edition is something special to me as this is my very first time participating in the Games.

    “It means a lot and it’s been a wonderful experience so far,’’ she said.

    Bashir Umar of the Federal Polytechnic, Bida, gave full marks to the organizers, saying: “The experience is like 110 over 100 percent.

    “I give kudos to the organisers for the innovations and wonderful facilities here.

    “It really has been incredible, great, overwhelming, exciting, and I am very satisfied with what I have seen so far,’’ he said.

    NAN also reports that the Games which began on April 29 is expected to end with a closing ceremony on Saturday.