The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Plateau

  • Six persons arrested for killing mother, daughter

    Six persons accused of killing a mother and daughter have been arrested and detained by the police in Pankshin Local Government of Plateau

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the suspects are from Kot ward in Tambes village of Pankshin, where the two women were killed on Feb. 17, 2017.

    Mr Tyopev Terver, the Plateau Police Command’s Publice Relations Officer (PPRO), who confirmed the incident on Thursday in Jos, also confirmed the arrest and detention of the suspects.

    Terver claimed that two of the suspects had confessed to committing the crime.

    “We are investigating the case; two of the suspects have already confessed to committing the crime.

    “ The Criminal Investigation Department is currently handling the matter; as soon as we are through with our investigation, we shall charge the suspects to court,” he added.

    NAN sources indicated that the trouble began in November 2016, when a girl in Kot ward took ill and was reported to have repeatedly mentioned the name of the husband of the deceased.

    “When the girl died, the man was accused of killing her through witch craft,” one of the sources said.

    The source continued: “The man was forced to carry the corpse of the girl to her grave and was later banished from the village.

    “The man felt that he had been wrongly accused and challenged his banishment in court where the matter is ongoing.

    “But on Feb. 17, 2017, the man’s wife and daughter were killed in their compound by unknown person.”

    The source further said that the matter was reported to the Divisional Police Office, Pankshin, which swung into action and arrested six persons suspected to have a link with the incident.

    “We have gone very far in our investigation and shall fish out the killers and bring them to justice,” Terver told NAN.

    Terver warned Nigerians against taking the law into their hands, and advised aggrieved persons to approach the Police.

  • German group trains 160 Plateau youths

    German group trains 160 Plateau youths

    It is no secret that youths without any viable means of livelihood are easily manipulated and recruited by unscrupulous individuals to foment trouble. But how do you stem this tide?

    In Plateau State, which has seen much mayhem perpetrated by youths, a German organisation, GIZ, which specialises in peace building, on behalf of the European Union (EU), has tackled the problem by training no fewer than 160 youths in skills, and equipping them with tools to set up their new trades.

    They were trained in plumbing, tilers, carpentry, POP installation, masonry, house-painting and welding, among others.

    The most interesting aspect of the training is the creation of a job portal that will expose the artisans to developers and others who need their services. The “Job Creation Centre”, which is an internet portal, contains the names, skills and other particulars of the artisans. Each of them can be contacted through the portal for any available job.

    Explaining how the portal works, Mr. Everest Miri, the portal operator, said, “The job centre is meant to expose these trained artisans to the outside world for contact. There are huge construction works going on in Nigeria, but the developers often run into the problem of getting skilled artisans for the construction. This lack of access to qualified artisans has led to two things: the developers had to hire the services of artisans from neighbouring countries, or the developers tried to make do with unprofessional artisans available to them. This on its own has led to capital flight and, the worst, poor quality of construction resulting in collapsed buildings all over the country.

    “But with the training of these artisans and the creation of the job centre, quality of services has been guaranteed and the trained artisans can be accessed to render their services. So the job center concept is aimed at redefining service in the construction industry, developers would not have to look outside to get professional artisans. The truth is that artisans have never been organised in this manner. There is a big market for construction in Nigeria but how prepared are the artisans for this task of nation building. There are lots of untrained artisans who dupe innocent Nigerians, which is why we have cases of substandard constructions all over.”

    One of the factors said to be responsible for prolonged violence in Plateau State was the issue of idle youths who are often recruited and equipped with weapons to carry out violence. The state witnessed such prolonged conflicts between 2001 and 2014.

    Promoter of the training, Everest Miri said, “This group of 160 artisans is just a tip of the iceberg; hundreds more youths will be trained in some other skills, this is just the first batch, in the next two weeks another batch will commence their own training.

    The state governor, Simon Lalong who launched the job portal, said, “The EU, through GIZ has helped a lot in reducing conflicts in the state by targeting the youths for capacity building. The governor who was represented on the occasion by Mr. Haggai Gutap, the director general of Plateau State Micro-Finance Development Agency said, “Government is going to develop the policy framework for the engagement of the artisans in all government constructions so as to give the artisans the opportunity to deploy their skills for state building. Government is most happy because these youths will no longer be jobless and they will no longer be recruited by conflict merchant to cause violence.”

    The job centre and the portal can be accessed at artisanjob@-gmail.com. The website is www.artisanj-obcenter.ng, while the GSM lines are 08111071196, and 08034519640.

    Two of the trainees, James Joseph and Adeyemi Becky said it a dream come true. “The training has opened our eyes to a lot of things we never knew about our job. The equipment like safety boots, hand gloves, safety workshop dresses and safety helmets boost our morale”.

  • Skills trainees get equipment in Plateau

    Plateau State residents  trained in  entrepreneurial skills have received their equipment to help them start off their new trades.

    The state Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Hon. Rufina Gurumyen  said the Governor Simon Lalong administration would continue its efforts to train youths, women and vulnerable children in the state.

    Hon. Gurumyen stated this during the symbolic presentation of equipment to the trainees held at the Women Multi-purpose center, opposite Plateau Riders in Jos, the state capital.

    She said, “The purpose of the training was to empower the trainees who have acquired different knowledge in skills based on government desires and hope that such training would further improve the lives of the trainees and their families.

    “The various skills acquired during the training at the Apurimac Onlus Nigeria Vocational Centre Rantya and Katako were tailoring, knitting and catering, shoe making, hair dressing and computer operation.

    The commissioner urged the trainees to put what they learnt to good use and even to train others so as to extend the training.

     

  • Akwa United end Plateau’s unbeaten run

    Akwa United end Plateau’s unbeaten run

    • Beat Jos side 2-1 in Uyo
    • Bashir nets fastest goal of the season

    Plateau United have lost their unbeaten start to the season in the NPFL after the Jos side were beaten 2-1 at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo yesterday by hosts, Akwa United in a Match Day 8 tie.

    Christian Pyagbara put the Promise Keepers in the driver’s seat in the sixth minute after he capitalised on a defensive mix up to round goalkeeper, John Gaadi and they doubled their lead in the 50th minute through Ibrahim Alhassan but Plateau United’s late revival was halted after Chima Ndukwu reduced the goals arrears in the 60th.

    Plateau United are still first on the log with 17 points from eight matches while ABS have moved to second after their away draw in Akure as they now have 14 points from eight games too.

    In another NPFL tie decided in Lafia, Nasarawa United stopped Abia Warriors by 3-1 with Abdulrahman Bashir getting the rear privilege of scoring the opener inside the first minute for the quickest goal of the season till date.

    Although Sunday Adetunji equalised two minutes later for Abia Warriors, Douglas Achiv and Jide Williams restored the Solid Miners’ lead with their goals in the 16th and 55th minutes of the match.

    Nasarawa United are now on nine points from eight games while Abia Warriors are still on 11 points from same number of matches.

  • ‘Plateau unbeaten run to continue’

    ‘Plateau unbeaten run to continue’

    PLATEAU United centre back, Emmanuel Olowo has said his side’s unbeaten record will continue at top-flights, Akwa United.

    The Tin City side are yet to lose a match in the seven-week old Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).

    The Jos landlords are guests of the Promise Keepers in Sunday’s NPFL matchday 8 clash at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo.

    Olowo said the winning mentality among his teammates is getting stronger by each game.

    “Of course, we will maintain the unbeaten run in the top-flight at Akwa United.

    “We are positive to claim the whole three points at stake but worst case scenario we will pick a point as I do not see Akwa United beat us for the maximum points.

    “We are having the best of time at the moment, the spirit is quite high among the players as well as the motivation and support from the government.

  • Military operations in Southern Kaduna, Kano, Plateau soon- Buratai

    Military operations in Southern Kaduna, Kano, Plateau soon- Buratai

    To rid the country of criminals and troubleshooters, the Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Buratai on Thursday said that the Nigeria military will soon commence exercises named Kunama 2 in Southern Kaduna, parts of Kano and Plateau States.

    He spoke with State House correspondents at the end of about six-hours security meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    According to him, troops are already on ground to stop the killings in Southern Kaduna.

    He also said that other operations in the North-East, South-South, and South-East are on course.

    He said: “Our troops are already in Southern Kaduna, we have our special forces operating there along with all other security agencies and we intend also to have an exercise very soon in Southern Kaduna to cover some part of plateau and indeed part of Kano state.

    “So it is part of our strategy for this year, to continue all the exercises we have had before. We will be having exercise Kunama two, which will come into Southern Kaduna state and part of Plateau and Kano state.

    “Croccodile smile in the Niger Delta and indeed the Python dance, but we are going to rename the Python Dance for the South East this year also,” he added

    On Sambisa forest, he said: “We are continuing our operations in that area, Lafiya Dole mandate and the troops are still moving all over the area.

    Asked if there is new directives from the President on the North-East, he said: “The directive is there, we are still pursuing it and it is a task we must accomplish at all cost.”

    The Minister of Defence, Mansur Dan-Ali also disclosed that major security issues in the country were discussed at the meeting.

    “The Southern Kaduna, the Niger Delta issues and other major crisis areas were discussed and resolutions were passed.

    “Like I said in the Southern Kaduna we have our troops being moved and they have already taken places, operation is going on and I believe that very soon it will come to an end.” He said

    He said that no conclusion was reached at the meeting on The Gambia crisis, pointing out that it was not a national issue affecting Nigeria.

    But he was optimistic that the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) was adequately handling the matter.

  • 4, 000 people benefit from free medical outreach in Plateau

    No fewer than 4, 000 people have benefited from a three-day free medical outreach organised by Rep. Timothy Golu (PDP Plateau) for people in Pankshin Local Government Area of Plateau.

    Dr Sabo Emmanuel, Team leader of the outreach, made this known to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Pankshin at the end of the programme.

    Emmanuel said that the programme was organised in conjunction with an NGO, Project Zero, and the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA).

    He said that no fewer than 1, 020 people with eye problems were treated with over 500 free glasses given out free to those with serious cases.

    “A total of 116 surgeries of different types including eyes, dental, Hernia, Apendix, Lipoma, Ganglion, Hydrocele, among others were done.

    “The surgeries were done on both adults and children who came from various communities within  Pankshin/Kanam/Kanke Constituency and they were given free drugs,” he said.

    The team leader also said that over 100 medical personnel with different specialties- surgeons, ophthalmologists, pharmacists, nurses and family physicians- were on ground for the programme.

    He described the programme as “very successful” and “encouraging” given the response of people from the constituency.

    “We are surprise by the influx of patients, especially those who came, even before and after Sunday service,” he said.

    According to him, HIV and Hepatitis screenings were carried out with counsellors on ground who assisted in counselling the patients on what to do.

    In his remarks, Golu expressed happiness over the success of the programme, which he said had achieved its aimed of touching lives of the masses in his constituency.

    “This is just the beginning as I will replicate same programme at Kanke and Kanam Local Government Area very soon till my people are properly catered for health wise, ” he said.

    Golu said that preparations were on for the drilling of boreholes in various communities in the constituency to alleviate the problem of water scarcity being experienced by the people.

    Commissioner for Health Dr Kamshak Kuden had on Friday, while flagging off the programme, commended Golu for the gesture and called on other elected office holders to take a cue from him.

    Kuden said that the state government intended to commence similar free medical outreach in some local government areas in the state to enhance the wellbeing of the people.

  • Plateau partners U.S., U.K. investors on agric research, training

    The Fertiliser Blending Plant, Bokkos in Plateau State is partnering with United States and United Kingdom investors for research works to boost the quality of its products.

    Mr John Mallo, Chairman, Bejafta Group Nig. Ltd, managers of the company disclosed this on Sunday in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Bokkos.

    The chairman also disclosed that part of the partnership agreement included intensive training for prospective farmers in the state toward mass food production.

    He said: “All these are in response to the Federal Government’s diversification policies and programmes toward boosting the nation’s economy.

    “Our ultimate goal is to see how we could give our clients and customers the best of quality products that could boost food production in Nigeria and across the border, which also necessitated the research and training programmes.

    “We have already employed an Indian and still interviewing a Romanian, who will work with us in our drive to build the capacity of the blending plant for maximum results.”

    Mallo further disclosed that the blending plant, which has a production capacity of 300,000 metric tons has began a test run production of NPK 20-10-10 which is being supplied to farmers.

    “Farmers here in Nigeria, and even in our neighbouring countries, like Niger and Chad, have tested our production and testified that it’s very good,’’ according to him.

    The chairman said that the equipment his firm installed at the plant could produce 50 metric tons per hour.

    However, Mallo said the plant runs only one shift instead of three because of the challenge of availability of raw materials and “more so that our products are just new in the market’’.

    “By the time the public get to know about our quality products, I am assuring you that more orders would be placed, and before you know it, we shall reach our maximum production capacity, ’’ he assured.

    Mallo called on farmers in the state and the country at large to take advantage of the products of the plant to boost farming and food production as part of government’s agricultural policies and programmes.

     

  • Violence: Kaduna adopts Plateau blueprint

    Violence: Kaduna adopts Plateau blueprint

    Faced with unending violence, Kaduna State has borrowed the peace strategy which helped to douse tensions in neighbouring Plateau State. ABDULGAFAR ALABELEWE reports

    They have a lot in common: a shared border, variety of ethnic groups and a mix of Christian and Muslim populations. That is not all. Kaduna and Plateau states are also troubled by communal tensions which are often violent. Thankfully, Plateau seems to have figured out the path to peace, thanks to the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue (CHD), a conflict-resolution non-governmental organisation. Communities which intermittently hacked at one another are finding good reason to dwell together in peace.

    Kaduna, on the other hand, has not been that lucky, but that is not to say it has been a long stretch of darkness there. After the 2011 post-presidential election violence in which many lives were lost and worship centres and other property were destroyed, crisis broke out in parts of the state, especially in its southern parts. But since Governor Nasir el-Rufai came into office, there was quite a considerable spell of peace. It came as a result of interventions by a peace and reconciliation committee headed by Gen Martin Luther Agwai. The committee was said to have traced some aggrieved Fulani herdsmen connected to the violence to faraway Niger Republic, Chad and other neighbouring countries where the herders said they lost cattle and other things in the Kaduna crises. The committee pleaded with them to let bygone be bygone; in some cases compensations were paid for the sake of peace.

    It worked, but only for a year. Thereafter crisis erupted intermittently especially in Southern Kaduna. There were isolated killings though not just in the south but also in the north and central zones of the state, especially Birnin Gwari axis. Herdsmen and crop farmers blamed one another for the violence. Herders accused the growers of intolerance, while the farmers blamed the allocation of grazing reserves to herdsmen as cause of the violence.

    Now there is some good news. Representatives of 29 communities  in southern Kaduna have unveiled a Peace Apology Billboard in Samaru-Kataf, saying sorry to everyone affected by the violence. They hope the latest effort will end all hostilities.

    The community representatives were trained by the CHD, which helped to restore peace in Plateau. The Chairman of Plateau State Council of Chiefs, Gbong-Gwom Jos, Jacob Gyang Buba was at the unveiling of the peace billboard.

    He spoke passionately on the violence racking the two states and recommended the Plateau antidote. The traditional ruler relived the wonders of the CHD and its leading figure.

    He said, “Alice Nderitu and her team from Center for Humanitarian Dialogue came to me and gave me a brief of exactly what is happening here in Kaduna. And they appealed to me to come here so that we can talk to our brothers and sisters here about how to stay in peace.

    “They did this because like you all know we have had our serious challenges in Plateau State; challenges that are very distasteful. Lives were lost, communities torn apart. Up till today, there are some villages that are still vacant; the natives have not gone back to their villages but we want to thank God Almighty for the relative peace we are enjoying on the plateau. And we will want to thank Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue that came in to Plateau over three years ago.  They came to the palace and requested that we give them people from the communities to work with. Today I thank God for the relative peace we are enjoying.

    “The governor of Plateau, upon coming on to the seat of governance, immediately called the Berom community. I hope you all know that I am Berom anyway?  I know His Excellency, Governor Nasir el-Rufai knows, and he had serious discussions with us after which he called the Fulani communities and had serious discussions with them. Thereafter he called both the Berom and Fulani communities and had a discussion with them.

    “At the end of which he suggested that we get representatives of the Fulani and the Berom, and that government was going to put in place a committee to work with these groups so that they can dialogue and talk to themselves. He encouraged that nobody should shy away from the issues that are creating problems. And this team sat together and they came up with a very beautiful report that virtually tallied with the report that the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue had packaged with very serious recommendations.

    “It will interest you to know that in the Gazette for the selection of kings in Berom land, the head of Fulani is a king maker despite not being a historical indigene, but because we stayed together for so long that it was the wisdom of the elders to ensure that since we have stayed particularly with them, let them have a sense of belonging and that is why the ’Ardos’ (head of Fulani) participate as king makers in the selection of District Heads in the entirety of Berom land. I met it there and we are working with that. We will continue to work with that.

    “Having told you I am Berom, I am sure you will be wondering why is my name Buba? Buba is a Fulani name. But this is because my grandfather had a very intimate Fulani friend called Buba. So when they gave birth to my father, the Fulani man said this boy is my namesake and my father was named Buba. After that they never gave him any Berom name again and that is why I bear Buba. If at that time these old people could do this, why are we tearing ourselves apart? Why can’t we find common ground on which to rejoice in?

    “It is embarrassing to all of us seated here that a young lady from Kenya, Alice Nderitu, has gathered us here to talk peace. Look at us and look at her age. The passion with which she talks is so touching, that’s why I conceded to come. Governor Nasir el-Rufai is someone I have had privilege to work with. He was a minister in the Obasanjo regime while I was traversing the country chasing smugglers.”

    The Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue boss, Alice Nderitu who is a Kenyan, said Nigeria as the leader of the black nation in the world ought to set the example for other African countries on peaceful co-existence.

    She suggested that, as part of efforts to restore peace in Southern Kaduna, churches, mosques and vehicles destroyed during previous crisis should be rebuilt, saying leaving them in their state of destruction leaves negative and devastating impressions on the minds of children growing up.

    In reaction to her request, el-Rufai donated N100 to support the rebuilding of damaged churches and mosques, saying, his government has drafted a bill to set up the Kaduna State Peace Commission in fulfillment of the promises he made in 2015.

    In a speech entitled ‘Apology, Forgiveness, Key to Peace’ the governor said the Commission will enable inclusion of all citizens on plans for peaceful co-existence of the peoples of the state.

    According to him, “In recognition of the vital importance of showing concrete manifestations of peace, the government has decided to support civic efforts to rebuild damaged churches and mosques with a seed fund of N100m. The challenge of achieving peace and justice is a complex process that requires imagination, wide consultations, technical support, research and time. I have promised you change. I will not be derailed from the legacy of peace that Southern Kaduna deserves from my generation.

    “This state belongs to everyone that has chosen to make it home. Let us respect each other, abide by the law, do our duty to uphold harmony and firmly reject division and violence! Today we are here to launch a Public Apology Billboard, as we grieve  over the lives sadly taken in the recent violence in the Godogodo chiefdom. Why, our children ask, are we able to discuss peace for decades but not find it on the ground?”

  • Plateau to build 22,500 houses

    Plateau State Governor Simon Lalong has said the state will soon build 22,500 housing units for its citizens on owner-occupier basis. The housing policy is meant to shore up fast dwindling shelter in the face of ever increasing population of the state.

    When completed, the houses will be allocated to civil servants and all categories of citizens of the state at a price highly subsidised by the government.

    This was disclosed during the monthly media briefing aimed at enlightening the public on programmes and policies of the Lalong administration.

    The state Commissioner for Information and Communication, Malam Muhammed Nazif who led other commissioners for the briefing in his office Jos said the government was concerned about housing.

    He said, “Government is so concerned about shelter for its citizens, and has therefore signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with developers under the public-private partnership to construct 22,500 housing units for our people.

    “The housing units will be located at nine sites spread across the state.

    “The executive governor has already approved the appointment of FHA Mortgage Bank Abuja as the primary mortgage institution for the construction of the houses to commence.

    “Government is aware of housing deficit in the state and has earlier prioritised it as one of the five pillar policies of the Governor Lalong-led administration.”

    On road projects, the commissioner said, “Government has embarked on urban and rural road networks from inception and has recently advertised for bid for a number of 16 new roads which cut across the three senatorial zones of the state.

    “I wish to also inform citizens that contract for the rehabilitation of 6km Angwuan Rogo Road network will be awarded and many more within Jos-Bukuru metropolis.”