The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Plateau State

  • Man to die by hanging for killing stepmother

    A Plateau State High Court sitting in Jos on Thursday sentenced a 24-year-old man, Binfa Lamde, to death by hanging for killing his stepmother.

    Justice A. I  Ashoms, who handed down the judgment, declared that the prosecution had proved beyond reasonable doubt that Lamde killed the woman.

    “Going by the facts before this court, you, Binfa Lamde, mercilessly took the life of your stepmother, Mrs. Kum Zwade, in cold blood.

    “This sentence is mandatory; the law states that any person convicted of murder shall be punished with death by hanging.

    “The sentence of this court upon you is that you will be hanged until you are dead,’’ Ashoms declared.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the convict was first arraigned on July 14, 2014, charged with culpable homicide, contrary to section 221 of the Penal Code, and punishable with death upon conviction.

    Lamde was said to have committed the crime on April 10, 2014, when he used a machete to hack his stepmother to death.

    Read Also: Court remands pupil for allegedly killing schoolmate

    Lamde, a resident of Ngwak village, Langtang North, in his confessional statement to the Police, said that he was at home on the said date when he heard his step sister, one Chakwai Zamde, screaming in her room.

    “I ran to her and she told me she was not feeling fine. We took her to the hospital, but after several checks, we were told that nothing was medically wrong with her.

    “We later took her to a native doctor, but her health condition kept deteriorating. My stepmother later confessed that she had `tied’ the sick girl through witchcraft.

    “We asked her to `untie’ the girl, but she refused. My son was equally sick at that time and I felt she was also responsible. So, when my step sister died, I got very angry.

    “I went into her (late stepmother)’s room, while she was sleeping, and used a machete to stab her all over her head and she died instantly,’’ the Police quoted Lamde as saying in the statement.

    Counsel to the convict, Mr David Adudu, while speaking with newsmen after the judgment, said that the capital punishment handed down on the convict was right as he was found guilty of the crime.

    Adudu, however, said that he would study the judgement and appeal the death penalty.

  • Gender equality: Gaidam endorses HeForShe campaign

    Yobe State Governor Ibrahim Gaidam  on Thursday endorsed ‘HeForShe’,  a  global campaign for gender equality and campaign against women and girls.

    Governor Ibrahim Gaidam  was represented at the occasion which was held at the amusement park of Open University of Nigeria, Damaturu.

    The event was organized  by the Yobe State Ministry of Women Affairs and UN Women, in partnership with Search for Common Ground, and with funding support from the Government of Japan.

    While pledging his commitment, the governor said apart from the previous support for women, his administration will not relent in the course of supporting women.

    Governor Gaidam was later decorated as a HeForShe, making history as the 4th governor and the state government to sign up for the HeForShe camapaign  after Adamawa, Gombe and Plateau States.

     In her remarks, Mrs Comfort Lamtey,  the Country Director, United Nations Women represented by Mrs  Lillian Unaegbu  announced that Yobe is the forth state after Plateau, Adamawa and Gombe, stressing that the campaign was  meant to mobilize men and boys to be advocates  by creating awareness on gender-base violence that results to physical, sexual or psychological harm to women and girls

    She noted that  “At least one in every five of the world’s female population has been physically or sexually abused at some time” and this calls for concern.

    Read Also: Yobe APC divided over Gaidam’s choice of successor

    UN Women  thanked Gov. Ibrahim Gaidam for allowing women to hold positions in his government and for the campaign to hold in Yobe.

    The HeForShe lunch in Yobe attracted   over 150 stakeholders drawn from different sectors including Traditional Leaders, the  Police,  Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Media and other men commit to be Gender Champions by promoting gender equality and women empowerment, at all levels.

    the Police Commissioner, Abdulmaliki Sumonu at the event  disclosed that  the signing of State Penal Code Amendment Law 2018 which prescribed  punishment for rape, kidnapping and unnatural offenses has led to the drop of rape cases drastically in the state.

    Most of the invited dignitaries were   recognized and decorated as HeForShe advocates in the State with Gov. Ibrahim Gaidam as the number one HeForShe advocate in the state.

  • ‘IDPs in Plateau to return to ancestral homes before Dec. 31’

    Plateau residents displaced by the recent skirmishes in some parts of the state would return to their ancestral homes before Dec. 31, Maj. Gen Augustine Agundu, Commander, Special Task Force (STF), has said.
    Agundu gave the assurance on Wednesday in Jos, at the launch of Phase II of the “Plateau Peace Project” initiated by the Plateau Peace Building Agency (PPBA).
    The project is tagged “Consolidating Mechanism For Sustainable Cooperation and Transformation of Farmer/Herder Conflict”.
    “From my interaction with the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), they are all looking forward to a return to their ancestral homes. All they want is a guarantee that they will be protected.
    “It is my resolve that they will all be back in their original abodes before the end of December.
    “It is not time for long talk; it is a time for real action and we are ready for that, in our efforts to ensure that the IDPs are back home and happy,” he said.
    Agundu said that the STF had identified communities that were deserted out of fear of being attack

    Read also: Buhari reassures on credible 2019 elections

    “Houses in such communities are still intact; so, their residents will be the first to be resettled,” he said.
    Agundu said that Plateau residents were tired of incessant crisis and wanted to live in peace.
    “We have met all stakeholders and urged them to play their roles by guiding the youths to be part of the peace building process,” he said.
    Mr Joseph Lengmang,  Director-General, PPBA, said that the second phase of the project was to consolidate on the gains made in the first phase of the project funded by the United States Embassy in Abuja.
    Lengmang said that much still needed to be done to sustain the fragile peace in the state, regretting that emerging conflict trends were threatening gains already made toward a stable Plateau.
    Representatives of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association, Plateau chapter, and Berom Educational and Cultural Organisation, offered suggestions on the path to permanent peace in Plateau. (NAN)

  • VC vows to make Plateau varsity best in the country

    The Vice Chancellor of Plateau State University, Bokkos Professor Yohana Daniel Izam has vowed to make the state university the best among its peers in the country.

    He also assured the Staff, parents, students and the entire people of the State of bequeathing a legacy of an enduring State University.

    Professor Izam gave the assurance when he led members of Management and other staff of the University on an inspection of various projects undertaken by his 8 month old tenure as the Vice Chancellor of the Institution.

    The projects include the installation of a 50 solar panel lighting system, the ongoing construction of a sculpture garden and the reticulation of portable drinking water in the students hostel.

    Conducting the the Vice Chancellor round the power installations spanning from the administrative block to the hostel area and down to the Library complex,  the University,’s electrician Engr. David Agwom who represented the Director of Works during the inspection explained that the solar lighting plan which cost the University sixteen point Six Million Naira is the most modern solar installation in the market as at today and is embedded with a censor and three years warranty in the event of any damage.

    At the sculpture Garden where work has reached 95% completion, the Head of maintenance in the University Mr. Johnson Maren told the Vice Chancellor that what they are waiting for now is the delivery of the Sculpture to be mounted at the middle of the garden stating that hopefully before this week runs out the university will take delivery of the statue so that the project can be made ready for commissioning.

    Read Also: Gunmen kidnap Plateau traditional ruler

    In the same vein, at the water reticulation site where water was seen to be rushing, the Vice Chancellor instructed the Head of maintenance to clear the grasses around the water collection point and create a concrete walk way that will connect the hostel to the water point.

    In his remarks after the inspection, the VC said, “I inherited a relatively new university and I am desirous of making it the best in the country by providing it with necessary infrastructures that will make learning so simple and easy.

    “I have seen what is happening in other state universities across the country, and very soon, my university will catch up with them in terms of academic standard and even surpass them”

    The VC who applauded the state governor Simon Lalong for making tertiary education a priority said the state government is also committed to raising the Standard of infrastructures in the university.

    In recognition of the efforts of the VC towards the welfare of students, the National Association of Building Students (NAOBS) conferred an award of Excellence on the VC

    While presenting the award, the National President of the Association Comrade Shaibu Anthony who was accompanied by his Vice President and Secretary together with the Chapter President of the Association in University of Jo’s Comrade Omale Attayi said the choice of Professor Izam was borne out of his sterling contributions to the Country’s building environment.

    Comrade Shaibu added that Professor Izam who also doubles as the second Vice President of the Nigeria Institute of Building has made notable contributions in the Nation’s building space spanning from the provision of academic leadership as a university Don to his dogged disposition on standardization and above all the mentoring of younger professionals.

    He commended Professor Izam for the significant role he played in the successful hosting of the 2019 Students Annual General Meeting of the Association held at Akure recently.

     

  • Lalong vows to tackle challenges of city slums, urbanization

    Plateau state governor Simon Lalong has said his administration is conversant with the growing challenges of urbanization in the state occasioned by constant influx of people to the state capital.

    Lalong said, “Just as Jos, the state capital is witnessing population explosion, government is worried with the growth of slumps within the city center”

    The governor said, “Let me take this opportunity to call on both the Ministry of Lands, Survey and Town Planning and that of Housing and Urban Development to, in view of the influx into the city of Jos/Bukuru Metropolis, to find ways of addressing this growing rate of urbanization. You must ensure that we have a well articulated and comprehensive physical planning development control and effective land administration.

    “As the ministries that are responsible for Town Planning and Urban Development, you must find ways to address the rapid growth of slums within the metropolis, which is taking place outside the planning control system of government agencies”

    Governor Lalong made the remarks in Jos on Saturday while declaring open a one day urban and regional planning and housing summit held at Crest Hotel Jos.

    Lalong said, “An event of this nature is a welcome idea which gladdens my heart basically because it provides an avenue to identify the attendant challenges of urbanization with a view to addressing them forthwith. Our urban cities are increasingly becoming over-populated without commensurate shelter.

    “This has necessitated the planning and strategizing towards having cities which can accommodate all its inhabitants and provide for them good water supply, functional transportation, waste collection and disposal control.

    Read Also: Lalong urges traditional rulers to mediate fairly

    “The APC government on assumption of office came up with a Five Policy Thrust in which Physical Infrastructure and Environment is one of them. Globally, cities are now being viewed as products that need to be marketed so that they appeal to local and global business and investment. It is in the light of this that the present administration allocated substantial funds in this year’s budget to develop the state’s Housing and Urban sector.

    “Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, I am not unmindful of the difficulties encountered by city dwellers, in terms of affordable housing, good road networks, healthcare delivery, etc, and I wish to assure that our government will continue to give great attention to this sector. As a clear demonstration of our resolute commitment towards achieving this goal, we have awarded road construction contracts across the area of the Greater Jos Master Plan and expanded the water networks in the state for affordable clean water.

    “We also completed and put into operation the Plateau State Geographical Information System (PLAGIS) which we inherited, as well as reinvigorated the Plateau State Environmental Protection and Sanitation Agency (PEPSA) to ensure that wastes are managed adequately.

    “I therefore call on the 75 participants drawn from various MDAs/Organizations, Local government Lands and Town Planning officers, Private Developers and Builders, as well as key community development associations, to leverage on the opportunity of this Summit and come out with tangible solutions to the challenges of Urban and Regional Planning and Housing”

    The one day summit was organized by GIZ International, in collaboration with the Plateau State Ministry of Lands, Survey and Town Planning and the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development.

  • Nigeria yet to accord women enough opportunities in politics, says Tallen

    A former Deputy Governor of Plateau State, Pauline Tallen, has said Nigeria, unlike other African countries, was yet to accord women enough space in the political arena.
    Mrs. Tallen, who is currently a member of the ruling All Progressives Congress, said women participation in politics was yet to take centre stage in the country.
    She spoke with reporters at the launch of Showcasing Her Abilities in Political Engagements (SHAPE), a compendium book chronicling the lives of 20 successful Nigerian women in politics that was authored by Youngstars Development Initiative with support from UNWomen, in Abuja.
    According to her, Nigeria cannot progress as it currently is without encouraging women to participate in politics.
    She said: “Nigeria cannot move forward the way we are going right now. Women participation in politics has to take the center stage. Whether we like it or not women have a critical role to play in nation building.
    “We are not fighting the men, we are not competing with the men, we are partners in progress. The world over have acknowledged the vital roles women should play in nation building. In the whole of the continent we are known to be the giant of Africa, but as regards politics we are the least. Most of the African countries have gone.”

    Read Also: High society rallies round Pauline Tallen

    Tallen said it was shameful that some women has turned themselves into praise singers of politicians.
    This, she explained, meant that some women do not get to the peak of their political careers.
    She said: “Women should stop being praise-singers and clapping hands for politicians and serving food. It’s not healthy and not the best for us.
    “As long as we allow ourselves to be used we will never get there. It is better for women to try and be in the mainstream of the campaign. If you are at the mainstream of the campaign you will be reckoned with. But if you hang around as praise singers, serving food and drinks, that is how you will remain.
    “I appeal to women to always be at the mainstream. Women should ensure that they attend most of the critical meetings. Also, women should always support women. I can see senators Rep members and members state houses of assembly members in the making.
    “It is unhealthy when we don’t see ourselves as threat to men we want a healthy environment where men and women can effectively participate in nation-building. By right as citizens of this country we have every right to participate. Women have prove their worth in various capacities. But the atmosphere of recent have not given the opportunity.
    “But when you start listening to stories of those that participated in the last primaries, they have never had it so bad. And it is unhealthy for the nation because Nigeria is flying on one wing.
    “A country with a population of capable women who can prove their worth anywhere. If you go to any international conference, Nigerian women stand out. But back home,  it is a sad story. In the midst of all these challenges, I still want to encourage women that all hope is not lost. We will see light at the end of the tunnel.
    “I appeal to women to remain strong and never give up. God is on how side as long as we refuse to give up.”
    In his remarks, Executive Director, Youngstars, Development Initiative, Kingsley Bangwell, said the book would encourage women to go into politics.
    Bangwell called on men to support the political aspirations of women rather than restrict them to certain positions.

  • Appeals by Dariye, Nyame: Court delivers judgment Friday

    The Court of Appeal in Abuja will Friday deliver judgments in the appeals filed by ex-governors of Taraba and Plateau states, Jolly Nyame and Joshua Dariye.

    The court heard the appeal by Nyame on September 25 this year and heard that of Dariye on October 2 this year.

    Read Also:Court dissolves 19-year-old marriage over wife’s adulterous lifestyle

    Nyame was, on May 30 this year, convicted and sentenced to 14 years imprisonment without an option of fine, by Justice Adebukola Banjoko of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Gudu, Abuja.

    Nyame was convicted on 27 out of the 41 counts charge, in which he was accused of diverting public funds estimated at N1.64billion. He was prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    Dariye was, on June 12 this year, convicted and sentenced to 14 years jail term by the same judge for diverting public funds to the tune of N1.126billion.

    Dariye who was governor of Plateau State from 1999 to 2007 and a current Senator, representing Plateau Central, was found guilty on 15 out of the 23 counts contained in the charge filed against him by the EFCC.

  • Army arrests ten cultists in Jos

    The Nigerian Army has declared war on gunmen and cultists in Jos, the Plateau state as a new security measures to put an end to spate of killings in the state and environs.

    The efforts has yielded positive results as the government troops raided the hideouts of some cult groups in the city and arresting 10 suspected cult members.

    The army said the raid has become necessary in view of rising cases of cult-related killings in the state capital in recent times and outcry by residents in the city for help over activities of gunmen that terrorist the city day and night.

    Confirming the arrest at the Jos headquarters of operation safe haven (OPSH) on Saturday, media Officer of the command, Major Umar Adam said, “The resilience of the troops of Operation SAFE HAVEN (OPSH) deployed to contain the myriad of insecurity across the joint operation area have yielded positive results following the various arrests and detention of criminal gangs and cultists.

    “It is gratifying to observe that the spate of herdsmen/farmers crisis and armed banditry across the state has greatly diminished, while reported cases are decisively being dealt with. The DHQ recently commissioned operation 777 which in part is designed to consolidate on the achievements of all ongoing Operations across Nigeria.

    “In the course of executing this renewed mandate, OPSH raided some criminal hideouts of some dreaded gangs and cultists leading to the arrest of some of their members who are responsible to some of the insecurity being experienced across the Joint Operation Area.

    “It is pertinent to note that, though the remote and immediate causes of the crises on the Plateau are being contained but the increasing nature of cult-related activities are on the increase. Consequently, the nefarious activities of these cult groups OPSH has necessitated clampdown on their hideout and upon the arrested these 10 identified Cult leaders are currently in our custody undergoing investigation.

    Read Also: Army, Shiites and the Trump example

    “In accordance with its tradition of keeping the public updated on operational developments in order to sustain the relative peace enjoyed on the Plateau, OPSH wishes to notify members of the general public on the arrests of these notorious cult members who have been terrorizing innocent citizens across Jos metropolis.

    “Specifically, on 21 Oct 18, six cult members were arrested and preliminary investigations led to the arrest of four others who have been profiled, cross examined and their statements obtained. Analysis of the revelations from arrested group members revealed that there are five distinct cult groups operating in Jos. Under various appellation as Neo Black Movement of Africa (NBM) aka Black Axe, Supreme Viking aka Baggar/Arrow, Ayeh, Buccaneers and Tin Gold aka Blue Bed.

    “OPSH therefore wishes to reiterate that it would remain resolute to decisively deal with all criminal acts that are inimical to peaceful co-existence on the Plateau and across the Joint Operation Area and hereby reassure residents of their safety.

    “This HQ therefore wishes to solicit for timely and accurate information from genuine members of the public through any of our Help Lines 08021212138, 08149000091, 08090498333 and 08074633336 to assist in the total dislodgement of the criminals. We assure that any such information provided would be treated with utmost confidentiality. While we want to also reassure members of the general public of our determination to protect lives and property of all law abiding citizens, it is necessary to call on parents and guardians to advise their children and wards to desist from associating with cult groups or any other type of criminal gangs.

    “Finally, we wish to once again appreciate the good people of our communities for their co-operation in providing timely information to OPSH to execute its mandate professionally and decisively

  • Lalong tasks council chairmen on rural development

    Election observers hail council re-run

    Plateau state governor Simon Lalong has tasked newly elected council chairmen in the state to concentrate on the provision of social infrastructure for rural populace so as to improve standard of living at the grassroots.

    The governor gave the task while swearing in two local governments chairmen who emerged after a re-run election held in two councils where elections were declared inconclusive during the main election.

    The two council chairmen includes Amos Nanloh winner of Langtang North local government and Engr. Lawrence Danat of Mangu Local government.

    Election observers has earlier hailed the conduct of the re-run describing it as peaceful and credible.

    The coalition of observers commended the state electoral commission PLASIEC for providing level playing ground for all stakeholders that participated in the entire processes.

    The council election saw the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) emerged winner in all the 13 local governments where the election was conducted.

    While swearing in the chairmen in government house Rayfield Jos on Saturday, Governor Lalong said, “Indeed, today’s occasion of the swearing-in ceremony of the duly elected Chairmen of Mangu and Langtang Local Government Councils, is very significant, particularly because it is a fulfillment of the promise I made at the onset of my administration that I would conduct elections in local governments to ensure that democracy is firmly entrenched at the grassroots.

    “Our desired developmental aspirations for the grassroots cannot be overemphasized, and this would only be achieved if we have democratic structures firmly rooted there to ensure that the rural populace gets the much-needed dividends of democracy from us.

    “It is in recognition of the importance that we place on the rural communities that the state government awarded rural road contracts in all the 17 local government areas of the state in order to open them up for development as encapsulated in our 5-Point Policy Thrust.

    “Having sworn-in eleven victorious Council Chairmen earlier, the two others who won the rerun election have their chance to be sworn-in today following their victory as announced by PLASIEC.

    Read Also: Lalong lauds conduct of local government poll

    “Let me congratulate the brand new elected Chairmen of Mangu and Langtang North LGs for having satisfied the requirements of the recently conducted elections and were so declared winners after a hard fought battle.

    To contestants of other political parties, Gov. Lalong said, “those who lost in the local government elections across all the political parties, I urge them to simply eschew the spirit of sportsmanship, embrace the winners and join hands with them to support them in the Herculean task of building the state and local governments of our dream.

    “For those who think otherwise, they are at liberty to challenge the outcome of the elections at the Local Government Election Petition Tribunal already in place instead of resorting to self-help as witnessed in a few areas recently. Let me warn that the state government, in collaboration with security agencies, will bring all those who take the law into their hands to face the wrath of the law.

    “At this juncture, I wish to appreciate all those who served as Management Committee Chairmen of the thirteen councils and say without mincing words that the places of their service have gone down in the history of our dear state.

    “I wish to let the new chairmen realize that they are coming into office at a time that the financial challenges are enormous, but I trust you will use your judgment to impact the local Government positively for the overall interest of the people of your localities.

    “I wish to also re-echo my charge at the Swearing in of the eleven local government Chairmen that elected leaders must be seen to exhibit the exemplary conduct both within and outside the office and you must also be above board as the people deserve the best of the dividends of democracy.

    “Let me at this juncture state categorically that the Rescue Government is a team, and the mandate we have is to deliver as a team on all that the people are expected of us”

  • Ban on public procession still in force- Plateau govt

    The Plateau Government says the ban on public processions in the state is still in force.

    Mr. Yakubu Dati, Commissioner for Information and Communication, on Monday reminded the citizens of the ban, and warned against flouting it.

    Read Also:4 houses, LG chamber razed down over LG election results in Plateau

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that protests have continued in some parts of the state as fallout of the local government elections held on October 10.

    “Government wishes to remind citizens that the ban on public procession in all parts of the state is still in force.

    “Consequently, no persons should engage in any form of protest until further notice.

    “By this notice members of the public are therefore advised to adhere strictly to the ban.

    “This is to prevent miscreants and unpatriotic elements from hijacking any protest to further inflict pain and hardship on innocent citizens’’, he said.

    Dati stated that an election petitions tribunal and an appeal committee for the local government elections had been set up by the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Yakubu Dakwak.

    He said that the tribunal and the appeal committee were to deal with any petition that might arise from the recently concluded peaceful polls in the 13 local government areas of the state.

    The commissioner advised all aggrieved candidates to approach the tribunal rather than seeking self-help through protest.

    He however expressed the government’s appreciation of the democratic right of citizens to protest but said the administration also had a duty to protect lives and property.

    Dati solicited the cooperation and support of citizens to ensure that politicians do not use them to destabilize the state for their selfish ends.