The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Plateau

  • Blame politicians for farmers/herders crisis ­- Dambazau

    Minister of Interior, Lt. Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau, (rtd) on Thursday disclosed that it is not possible to stop the free movement of cattle across borders and within countries.

    He said this is because Nigeria is signatory to ECOWAS protocol and free movement.

    He blamed the problem on the effect of climate change, which he said has forced some farmers to abandon their traditional farming areas to traditional routes for the cattle.

    The minister said that the problem is also being aggravated by some politicians for selfish interests.

    Dambazau, who spoke in Abuja on his stewardship at a ministerial press briefing, said change in climate and growth in population were majorly responsible for movement of cattle.

    It would be recalled the herders/farmers clashes had, in the last two years, led to destruction of lives and property majorly in Benue, Plateau, Taraba and other states in the North-central part of the country.

    As a result of the loss, Ministry of interior under Dambazau as Minister, which is constitutionally responsible to provide internal security said it has held top meetings with affected state governors on how to end the problem.

    He said part of the resolutions at the meeting last year was establishment of an international clearance certificate for the herders moving from one country to another.

    His words: “When he (herder) enters into a country there must be a check point area where the cattle will be inspected, there must be international clearance certificate, know the number of cow is moving with, ensure that he does not carry weapon of any kind, show him the route he must follow and so on.

    “So in doing that all these clashes between herders and farmers will be completely reduced if not eliminated because what is happening is that harders along the routes go into farms and somehow destroy the crops.”

    While blaming climate change and high population for the problem, the Minister also said some failed politicians do take advantage of the clashes to score some points.

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    He said: “Part of the problems is that there have been cattle routes over the years but because population growth and climate change even farmers are moving from their traditional communities, moving elsewhere because of climate change, so now they are occupying the routes created for cattle.

    “Now, population growth has made it possible for people to also built homes along those routes, so when those herders are moving, they now have to look for alternative routes, in the event they destroy farm. So, this is what is happening.

    “And we (Nigeria) is signatory to ECOWAS protocol and free movement. What is happening is that we cannot stop the free movements. About 60-65 percent of ECOWAS is here and we also move en-mass to ECOWAS countries.

    “We move our goods to ECOWAS countries. This is why I said it is a complex issue abd it is a regional issue which must be tackle accordingly.

    “The second issue is that certain politicians also politicize this issue for their own benefits, particularly when the election is approaching and they have not been able to do well in their states, so they politicize it.

    “So at that meeting we discussed with the Governors that politicizing this crisis is of no benefit to anyone rather it endanger the public.”

    Dambazau, who was giving stewardship of leadership as a Minister in the last three years, listed some reforms he brought to the ministry to include:Automation of citizenship and business department, Prison reform, reforms of the Federal Fire Service, Police reforms, Immigration Service reforms among others.

  • Lalong as God’s plan for Plateau

    As the campaigns continue to heat the polity, we must be careful about the choices we make because our options can be our albatross, as well as our Messiah. I say this for two reasons, one is because of the empty promises flying around like promissory notes and the other is the attempt to put a veil on the eyes of the electorates by politicians who are advancing causes they know too well they  cannot deliver on. I am from Plateau State, and as they say, charity must begin from home.
    I recall I asked myself a couple of questions when Simon Lalong came on-board as governor of the state, questions like, is this going to be different from others? Would Plateau experience peace and tranquillity, would workers have a reason to smile? Would Plateau experience any form of infrastructural upliftment? Would pensioners have a reason to smile? And many more that I can’t recollect.
    I also promised to keep a tab on the workings of government regarding the delivery of the dividends of democracy to the people of Plateau State that have seen and experienced the worst of governments since 1999. Indeed, Plateau had been unfortunate; my friends used to taunt me. But today, I am not sure anyone of them can tease me as regards governance in Plateau. And I say this with all sense of humility and sincerity of heart.
    To say Plateau has experienced a change would be an understatement. And to also say Governor Simon Lalong remains one of the best things that happened to Plateau would also be uncharitable. What would be charitable and most appropriate is to say Simon Lalong was God’s plan for Plateau state because of the remarkable improvements experienced in all aspects of life on the Plateau. From the prompt payment of salaries to clearing the backlog of pensions. Generally, governance was delivered at the doorsteps of the people.
    Anyone conversant with the happenings in Plateau under governor Simon Lalong would agree with me that God indeed heard the cries of the people when he delivered Simon Lalong to us as governor. It is incredible to state that despite the cash crunch that hit the country and the inability of most states to pay salaries, it was only Plateau state that was paying wages even before the end of the month. It felt like magic to many other governors on how Governor Simon Lalong was able to achieve such feat.
    If one takes an opinion survey of civil servants in the state to ascertain whether there has ever been a time salaries were delayed under Simon Lalong, the response would be an overwhelming no. That has never happened since Simon Lalong assumed leadership of the state. From what I gathered, the governor vowed that never again in the history of Plateau state, would workers be denied their wages given the fact that the state is mostly a civil servant state. And when you have the bulk of the people in the public service what is the rational thing to do? To ensure that salaries are paid as at when due.
    In my opinion, doing such would also have a multiplier effect on the economy of the state in the sense that there would be a movement within the ecosystem that would, in turn, generate activities that oil the wheels of progress, which is the case in Plateau state in the past three years of Simon Lalong.
    It would be tantamount to questioning God should the people of Plateau make the mistake of casting their votes for those that have been making empty promises. And the curious part is that these people that are making those empty promises were part of the rot experienced in Plateau state. The difference is that they only changed their clothing’s. Would the people of Plateau allow themselves to be so deceived?
    I am not sure the people of Plateau would want to trade Simon Lalong for anyone else. I am not sure the workers and pensioners have forgotten how God has used and still using Simon Lalong to better their lives through the numerous interventions in the state. Let me add this for free. It only takes a man that is upright and with the fear of God to do what Governor Simon Lalong is doing in Plateau state. He came on-board at a time that depression had enveloped the cloud and hopelessness was the order of the day. But undeterred he set out for impactful governance that has put the state on the path of glory once again.

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    Governor Simon Lalong is an upright man with the fear of God, unlike past governors that ruled like they were gods themselves because how could one explain a situation where a governor can go to bed and sleep when the people that elected him are hungry and dying of starvation. These same people also divided the state along ethnic and religious lines. It was so bad in the Plateau that at some point some ethnic groups see themselves as superior to all other ethnic groups in the state. This was how unhealthy the atmosphere was in the Plateau before the coming of Simon Lalong. But all of these have indeed changed for better.
    There is now mutual respect amongst the various ethnicity in the state. There are no superior or inferior groups, so much so that it has translated to an improved relationship that has brought about lasting peace in the state. I will say this without fear, if not for the coming of Simon Lalong, I am not sure there would have still been a Plateau state because all the indices for disintegration were in place and it was just only a matter of time before its manifestation. Most of us residing in Plateau had perfected plans to move elsewhere with our families.
    Indeed, Plateau state has never had it this good before, there has been lots of infrastructural development across the state, despite the lean resources coming to the state. In my opinion, what people do not understand is that Governor Simon Lalong has been able to do all of these because he placed the interest of the people above his interest. And I am not sure people, including him, could dip their hands in government coffers to embezzle funds meant for the people. I make bold to say that embezzlement of government cannot be associated with the present administration of Simon Lalong, if that was the case, I doubt if he would have been able to pay salaries promptly, settle the backlog of pensions and pensions payment up to date in the state and many more.
    Like a messiah, he came to set the captives free. Today, Plateau state under Simon Lalong is an example of how to work for the people. I have assessed his administrative style using different parameters as a development expert, and the result of my assessment is the reason for this piece. Some could say that I am excited, some could also say I am elated. But I would say and I ecstatic with what is happening Plateau state. And I am not sure the good people of Plateau would want to leave the known for the unknown. That would be the height of ingratitude to God. Governor Simon Lalong is indeed Gods plan for Plateau state. This much the people know, and this much they are willing to go with as the elections approach.
    Pam is an advocate of the masses writing from Jos.

  • PDP urges Plateau people to vote out Lalong for poor performance

    The Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Plateau State chapter, Mr. Damishi Sango, has urged the electorate in the state to vote out the incumbent Governor Simon Lalong and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) for poor performance.

    Sango who made the call while addressing party supporters at the flag off of its governorship campaign at the Mangu mini stadium also called on the electorates to vote massively for the return of PDP.

    Sango said: “APC is a strange party in Plateau State and Gov. Lalong is just a tenant in Government House in Rayfield, Jos. Therefore, we cannot allow him to occupy it beyond 2019, because of his poor performance.”

    The PDP governorship candidate, Senator Jeremiah Husseini, said he is the race to restore the PDP back to power in the state.

    Hussein said: “The present government house Lalong is occupying was built by the PDP and the opposition party cannot afford to build its house for another party to occupy.”

    The immediate past governor, Senator David Jang, said he is spearheading the battle to restore the PDP back to power in Plateau State.

    Jang urged the people to support the PDP during the governorship and presidential elections, so as to put an end to what he described as the misgovernance of the APC.

    Sango used the occasion to plead with some party fatefuls who were aggrieved after the governorship primary and the selection of the deputy governorship candidate, to put aside their differences and work for the success of the Useni/Dalop ticket.

    In her good will message, Sarah Dokateri disclosed that 50 per cent of Plateau State citizens have become internally didplaced are now living in IDPs camps, because their bread winners were killed by suspected herdsmen militia.

    Dokateri added that the PDP is the party that the people should vote for in the 2019 general elections.

    She admonished farmers whose farmlands have been overtaken by herders to support the PDP to return to power, so that they can recover their lands.

    Dokateri charged people to come out and massively vote for Jeremiah Useni, who is coming to secure the state and boost the well-being of the people.

  • INEC to recruit 24,000 ad hoc staff for general elections

    The Plateau office of the Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC ), is to recruit 24,000 ad hoc workers to handle the forthcoming general elections, according to the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Malam Halilu Pai.

    Pai told the News Agency of Nigeria, on Wednesday in Jos that a bulk of the workers would be serving NYSC members, while others would come from federal tertiary schools, ministries and departments.

    Those to be recruited, he said, would serve as Presiding Officers, Assistant Presiding Officers, Supervisory Presiding Officers, Collation Officers and Returning Officers.

    He said that the ad hoc staff would undergo rigorous training after which oaths would be administered on them to guide against compromise.

    Pai said that INEC had also engaged security personnel to check the background of applicants to ensure that people with links to politics and politicians were not engaged.

    He said that non-sensitive materials were already being received, with 232 cartons of ballot boxes brought to Jos on Tuesday.

    “We expect 464 cartons of ballot boxes; we have so far received half. The rest will arrive in Jos very soon,’’ he said.

    The official said that 17 7.5 KVA power generators had also been received and would be deployed to each of the 17 local governments in Plateau, while 207 5.5 KVA power generators had also been received for the Registration Area Centres.

    He said that contracts had been awarded for the repair of the “heavily dilapidated’’ INEC offices in Kanke and Mangu, while another contract had been awarded for the construction of a central collation centre at the INEC state headquarters in Jos.

    Pai said that trainings were already being organised for security personnel that would be involved in the election exercise, adding that emphasis was on effective crowd handling, integrity and impartiality.

    He said that INEC had met with stakeholders, including religious, traditional, community and youth leaders, to seek their cooperation toward free and credible polls, adding that their response had been “very impressive’’.

    “All the stakeholders appear ready to support us and offer maximum cooperation. Everyone appears keen and ready to play his or her own role to ensure a free and fair election,’’ he said.

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    According to him, meetings with INEC permanent workers have also become more regular because of their crucial role toward the success of the elections scheduled to hold Feb. 16 and March 2.

    “We try to admonish the INEC staff against compromise. We have tried to motivate them and also let them know that those found to have compromised standards will face severe sanctions.

    “We have also tried to ensure that the workers are well cared for so that they will not be tempted by politicians,’’ he said.

    Pai, however, regretted that many Permanent Voter’s Cards (PVCs), had not been collected, saying that the distribution, which was hitherto limited to the 17 local government headquarters, would commence at the 207 wards from Jan. 16.

    “From our findings, 355,000 PVCs have not been collected. This is not good. We feel that such non-collection will lead to a very low turnout. That is why we are taking the cards to the wards,’’ he said.

    On the fate of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPS), currently in various camps in Riyom and Barkin-Ladi, Pai said that a special arrangement had been designed to ensure that they were not left out.

    “We are moving to the IDPs camps to ensure that they all receive their PVCs. We have also established IDPs voting points. When they vote, we shall merge such votes with their mother polling units,’’ he explained.

    Pai said that INEC would soon sign a Memorandum of Understanding with the Plateau chapter of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), to ease the transportation of men and materials during the exercise.

    The INEC commissioner appealed to politicians to play the game by the rules of the electoral process to ensure a smooth, simple and credible exercise, and promised that INEC would be fair to all.

    He expressed gratitude to the political parties in Plateau for eschewing violence in the campaigns, noting that no “evil development’’ had been reported in the ongoing electioneering so far.

  • Rivers APC crisis ‘ll boost victory chances – Abe

    Senator Magnus Abe, representing Rivers South Senatorial District at the National Assembly has said that the current crisis rocking the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers will boost the party’s victory chances.

    Abe disclosed this on Friday in a statement signed by his spokesman, Mr Parry Benson, and released to newsmen in Port Harcourt.

    He urged the leadership of the party to do the right thing to sustain the unity, rather than taking the issues of the party personal, for it to come out stronger and victorious in the forthcoming elections.

    Abe stated that one of the issues that had brought the party to its knees was the failure to produce a governorship candidate that was acceptable to the law.

    “First of all, the issue of whoever that emerges as the candidate of the party, I totally subscribe to that, but what is the process by which the candidate would emerge.

    “This is the issue, when you use a process that cannot produce a candidate who is acceptable to the law.

    ”Our party is made up of human beings, people that have put their lives on the line to create and sustain the party called APC in Rivers State, they are still alive and not dead.

    “Those people have the right to fight for what they believe is right and I do not think that it will weaken the party.

    “I think at the end of the day, our party will come out stronger if we do the right thing,” Abe said.

    The senator said that the legal foundation on which Mr Tonye Cole candidacy was based, was very faulty both morally and legally.

    “However, if the leaders of the party decide to keep quiet and ignore such a trend, it may lead to party being completely shortchanged.

    He called on members of the party to speak up and help the party to stand in the state, noting that some members had suffered so much to put in place the party and should not be left without any option.

    “Whether it is Tonye Cole or I, it will get to a point where we see clearly that this is where we stand; then all of us must be able to come together and put aside our pride and our differences and help the party to survive,” he said.

    Abe insisted that lack of internal democracy in the party made Mr Dumo Lulu Briggs, one of the party governorship aspirants to dump the party.

    “If the process was free, fair and credible, how come people who participated in the process when it started didn’t accept it,” Abe said.

  • Lalong secures release of 37 inmates in Plateau

    Gov. Simon Lalong of Plateau has secured the release of 37 prisoners serving various jail terms at the Shendam Prisons.

    Mr Luka Ayedoo, the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Plateau Command of the Nigerian Prisons Service (NPS) made this known in a statement on Thursday in Jos.

    According to Ayedoo, the governor visited the prisons on Wednesday, being his first official duty for 2019.

    He said the governor was in company of Justice Yakubu Dakwak, the Chief Judge of the state and chairman of the state Criminal Justice Committee

    The PRO quoted the governor as saying “the visit was due to the alarming rate of youths in prisons which was negatively impacting on national development.’’

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    He said the governor promised continuous support to the command in order to improve condition of prison facilities in the state.

    Ayedoo explained that Lalong also provided welfare and other materials to the prisons and promised to do more for the inmates.

    The image maker said Mr. Daniel Odharo, the Controller of Prisons in the state commended the governor for supporting the command in the discharge of its statutory mandate.

    Odharo also reiterated the commitment of the Service toward improving the security situation in the state.

  • Plateau needs 12, 000 teachers for 309 schools – Commission

    The Plateau Teachers Service Commission (TSC) on Wednesday said the state government needed 12,000 teachers for its 309 secondary schools to up the state’s educational standard.

    Chief Venji Lar, the commission’s Chairman, made the disclosure in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Jos.

    Lar said that shortage of teachers in the government-owned schools have negative effects on the educational standard of the state, which he said demanded immediate solution.

    “When we first came in 2017 as officials of the commission, we met only 2, 890 teachers instead of 12, 000 teachers handling the teeming students in our 309 schools.

    “But given the strong concern, affection and attachment to education by Gov. Simon Lalong, he graciously approved the employment of additional 868 teachers, at our request, to bridge the gap.

    “Again, in November 2018, the governor also approved the employment of 2,500 civil servants to address the state’s manpower shortfall in the civil service.

    “Out of the figures (2,500), 840 will be teaching staff and 160 non-teaching staff to further bridge the gap of the shortfall of teachers in our schools and catch up with the private schools.

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    “Once the 840 teachers are recruited early this year, 2019, the state will have a total of 4, 598 teachers, leaving a shortfall of 7, 402 teachers, ’’ the commission’s chairman said.

    He explained that the shortfall of teachers in the schools was largely due to the lean financial purse of the state.

    Lar said, “From the way and manner Gov. Lalong is approaching the problem of lack of teachers in our schools, it’s just a matter of time for us to bridge the gap once and for all.’’

    On teachers’ promotion, Lar disclosed that a total of 800 teachers were promoted last year out of 2,000 due for promotion.

    “We conducted promotion examinations for the teachers in 2017, and 800 of them have received their promotion letters, while others are still pending due to some hitches that has to do with the Code of Conduct Bureau.

    “But, as soon as they are able to clear that grey area, their letters will be released to them, because we view that as part of the motivational steps for better performance,’’ he said.

    Lar, who decried the low educational standard in the country, called for concerted efforts by government to up the standard for the desired growth and development of the nation.

    He said that the Plateau Government was on course to address the dismal standard of education in the state toward employing quality teachers for schools.

  • Six killed on New Year Eve in Plateau

    At least six persons have been reported killed in Barkin Ladi local government of Plateau state when some unknown gunmen launched fresh attack on two communities.

    The two communities are Nding village in Fan district and Dorong village in Foron district all of Barkin Ladi local government in Plateau North senatorial zone.

    The Christmas Eve attack is the third in the series that took place between Christmas and new year in the state, resulting in the death of 9 persons. The first being that of 27th December where 5 persons were killed.

    In the latest attack of 30th December, eyewitness of the attack in Nding said, “At about 6:30 pm last Sunday evening, Youth Fellowship of Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN) in Gassa and Nding communities of Barkin Ladi LGA are reported to have been ambushed at Nding’s bridge when the unsuspecting victims were heading back from celebrating Christmas at Wildlife Park in Jos, Plateau State Capital.

    “We gathered that the attack claimed at least 4 lives while the injured ones have been rushed to hospital by sympathizers”

    Though the attackers cannot be clearly identified, the victims alleged that the attackers must be Fulani herdsmen suspected to have been terrorizing the peace loving inhabitants of Fan District and its environs before the Yuletide.

    In another attack which occurred on the 30th of December at about 10pm, some unknown gunmen invaded Dorong Community of Foron District with guns and machete. The attack led to the death of Miss Janet Markus & Dung Pam according to eyewitnesses.

    Confirming the killings, Plateau State Police Command speaking through its public relation officer DSP Terna Tyopev said in a statement that, “On 30/12/2018 at about 1815hrs, the Plateau State Police Command, Jos received a distress call from one Samson Bitrus of Gwom Nding Village that on the same date at about 1800hrs some unknown gunmen attacked a Peugeot 504 Station Wagon on the way to Nding Village.

    “The Commissioner of Police Plateau State Command CP Austin I Agbonlahor having received the information immediately assembled a team that raced to the scene of crime but discovered on arrival that the attackers had left the scene of crime.

    “On the scene of crime, three persons were seen motionless and they were immediately taken to the Barkin Ladi General Hospital where they were confirmed dead by the doctor on duty. Three injured persons were also taken to the Hospital. Out of the three persons that were injured one of them died while receiving treatment. The remaining two persons in the hospital are responding to treatment.

    “Citizens are advised to go about their lawful businesses and volunteer information that could lead to the timely arrest of the perpetrators of this dastardly act to face the full weight of the law”

    The police could not, however, confirm the attack in Dorong villages where two teenagers were killed.

  • Jigawa, Bauchi, Plateau, Benue govs mourn

    THE Jigawa State governor, Alhaji Muhammed Badaru Abubakar has condoled President Muham-madu Buhari, the Sultan of Sokoto, the people of Nigeria and the entire Muslim Umma on the passing away of Alhaji Shehu Usman Aliyu Shagari. The governor described the late Shagari as a humble, gentle and patriotic leader. Badaru prayed Allah almighty to grant his gentle soul rest in Jannatul Firdausi.

    The Bauchi State Government said it received with shock the news of the death of former President. “He will be remembered for several  reasons chief among which was his forgiving heart and tolerance. He  was an unqualified democrat and lived by the tenets of his religion.A modest man.As a politician, he was even more modest giving more than he received.

    “With his passage, a data bank of statecraft is gone and a big void created that may be difficult to fill.We take solace in the Quranic pledge that ‘every soul shall taste death’.We pray to Almighty Allah to grant his family and indeed all citizens of our great country,the fortitude to bear this irreplaceable loss,” Ali Ali, Special Adviser to Governor said.

    Plateau State Governor, Rt Hon.  Simon Lalong, also commiserated with Shagari’s family and Governor Aminu Tambuwal. He said the late first Executive President of Nigeria was a man of rare exemplary character, who epitomized patriotism, integrity, humility and maturity, whose wise counsel will be missed by the nation.

    “I received the news of the death of former President Shehu Shagari with deep shock and sadness. He was a man of rare exemplary character who epitomized patriotism, integrity, humility and maturity. Shagari’s death has indeed robbed Nigeria of a great nationalist and uncommon elder statesman, whose wise counsel will be missed by the nation, especially in this critical epoch of her nation-building efforts,” Lalong said.

    Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom joins millions of other Nigerians in mourning Shagari’s death. Ortom described the late former President as a true patriot who worked hard for the unity of the country. He stated  that Shagari played a key role in the development of the country as its first Executive President and remained a pillar of democracy till his death. The Governor consoled members of the former President’s family in particular and the people of Sokoto State in general.

     

  • Five killed in attack on Plateau community

    Five people were killed by unknown gunmen that invaded Rawuru village in Fan District of Barkin Ladi Local Government, Plateau State, on Wednesday, according to Mr Terna Tyopev, spokesman of the state’s Police Command.

    Tyopev told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), on Thursday in Jos, that two persons were injured in the attack that took place in the night.

    “This morning, at about 8 a.m., we received information from one Mr Kim Timothy, the Youth Leader of Rawuru Village, Fan District in Barkin Ladi Local Government, that gunmen hit the area around 9 p.m. on Wednesday.

    “According to him, the victims were returning from a birthday party at Pugu, a nearby Village, when the gunmen opened fire on them,” the spokesman said.

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    Tyopev said that the gunmen fled the area after the attack, adding that the bodies of those killed had been buried, while those injured had been taken to the Barkin Ladi General Hospital.

    “Already, Mr Austin Agbonlahor, the Commissioner of Police in the state, has directed that the incident be investigated while security has been beefed up in the areas and those around it to forestall a recurrence,” he said.