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Tag: Plateau

  • Farmers’ feast in Plateau

    Farmers’ feast in Plateau

    The Long Doemak or traditional head lifted a calabash of burukutu, poured some of the local brew on the ground and prayed the land to yield its best in the new season. He looked upwards and asked the heavens for a good measure of rain and sunshine necessary for a bountiful harvest. He also prayed against untimely death. He took a sip and passed it round. Food and drinks were served next and the Doemak in Quan-Pan Local Government Area of Plateau State launched into their annual fiesta. It was as much a thanksgiving session for last season’s yield as it was a prayer for a better harvest this time.

    The state is home to hundreds of ethnic groups who preserve their culture through annual feasts.  Some of the numerous tribes and ethnic groups include Berom, Ngas, Tarok, Ankwei, Ganawuri, Jarawa, Anaguta, Rukuba, Irigwe, Amo, Jukun, Fulani, Mwaghavul, Mushere, Ron, Kukere, Tal, Mupun, Piem, Meriam, Doemak, Kwala, Boghom, Bwall among others.

    This was exactly what the Doemak people of Quan-Pan Local Government did during the Christmas period when they rolled out the drums to song, dance, ate and drank as if there will be no tomorrow. Doemak people are of the Pan Chiefdom and remain the largest dialect in the Chiefdom. The other major Chiefdom in the local government is the Quan Chiefdom.

    The event tagged ‘Pit Jepsual’ meaning ‘Doemak Day’ was put together by Doemak Youth Development Association, with the Long Doemak who is the traditional head of the Doemak People, Cosmos Ndelong Dakyap performing the traditional rites to launch the festivities.

    Prior to the day, women in the chiefdom are asked to prepare the local beer which is the first item needed for libation. As soon as the traditional leader performed the necessary rituals, dancers stepped into the open circle to display some of the foot work that has kept the people looking forward to the next feast. There was traditional wrestling too followed by hours of eating and drinking.

    The second day witnessed more activities as the people re-converged at the village square to witness the display of various traditional dancers. The various clans under the chiefdom came out with their own dancers.

    Besides the contents of the cultural festivities, the annual festival brings together the people especially those in the Diaspora, some of them not seeing one another since they left home to the city for greener pastures. The day was also significant because it kept the people in touch with their culture and traditions.

    The feast, The Nation gathered, had not held for 18 years due to what was described as a disagreement among the stakeholders. They were said to have been divided along political lines. They have ironed out their differences.

    Doemak people are the descendants of Dafyar who migrated from Kwararafa Kingdom due to Chieftaincy problem in his family. Dafyar is said to have fathered 14 sons, among them Yimpang who gave birth to a set of twin boys, Daman and Dajin.

    The rich cultural activities which herald the day have always been a unifying factor among the Doemak and Pan chiefdom.

    The chairman of the association, Mr Datoes Titus said, “The essence of these initiatives is to unite all sons and daughters of Doemak land and Pan Chiefdom as it used to be”. And to also keep our cultural values and the tradition alive, so that other generation coming up will appreciate our culture and traditions better.”

    Guest speaker, Hon Paul Damar in his paper, said, “It is only when we turn to our cultural values that we will build a nation that embraces all that lives in it”. He also bemoaned the fact that youths now bear arms and cause havoc as members of Boko Haram, cultists and militants.

    He praised the Doemak youths for organising the feast, saying they have proved to be leaders indeed. Paul urged that the Doemak Day should be allowed to die.

     

  • Memorable Yuletide on the plateau

    Memorable Yuletide on the plateau

    Residents of Plateau State did something unforgettable this season. Despite the terror unleashed on the capital Jos or elsewhere in the state, the people were simply determined to celebrate the Yuletide. In the run-up to the festivities, security agents had issued several warnings that terrorists could yet strike again.

    The people would have none of it. Not that they were foolhardy; only that they seemed resolute that bloodthirsty gangs would not take away their joy. They could well have been inspired by the Holy Book and asking, Terrorists, where is your terorr?

    Last year, bombers believed to be members of the Boko Haram sect detonated devices in the heart of Jos, which killed scores of people and injured many more. A few weeks back, they hit again. It was, therefore, reasonable to approach the festivities with caution and avoid crowded places, more so when law enforcement agents had warned that there could be more attacks.

    Jos residents, and even those outside the capital, would not be intimidated. They reached for their best clothing, got together with relatives and friends and made the most of the holidays. They visited parks, the zoo, even went on a boat sail.    They came out to celebrate like they never did.

    Considered as a largely Christian community, residents of the Tin City made this Christmas the biggest festival of their lives. A resident, Michael Mannah told The Nation that Boko Haram cannot stop them from celebrating.

    He said: “Look, my brother, we have to celebrate this Christmas because we cannot throw our joy away because of fear of Boko Haram, suicide bomb or whatever attack aimed at Christians. We must celebrate. There are calculated attempts by enemies of Christianity to always deprive us of the joy of Christmas and New Year. But this time we are not scared, come what may. We have to celebrate”.

    Another resident, Rev. Isaac Thomas, said, “Plateau people are so religious, they believe in the words of their bible, they believe in the protection of God Almighty and so they fear nobody. All these attempts to scare people from their religion will no longer work. In 2010, Christians were bombed on the eve of Christmas, in December 2014 again they made more attempts to create fear in them with more bomb explosions. People are already used to all this, so they are no longer scared.”

    The people ate, drank and made   merry. Popular tourists centres across the city were filled as residents took time off to cool off. There was no age limit in this outing; the old and young were out for fun.

    The Solomon Lar Amusement Park, the Jos Wild Life Park, Jos Museum, Rayfield Resort, etc, had more visitors than ever during the Yuletide.

    In the past few years, Christmas celebrations in Jos were marked under tension due to the ugly experience of 2010. It was on the eve of Christmas of that year that the first major bomb blasts went off simultaneously at a pub, killing about 90 people. The bombs were discretely  planted in three different locations and all of them were detonated at the same time. Most families in the city therefore spent that Christmas and New Year holidays burying loved ones or catering for the wounded at various hospitals in the city. The incidents marked a dark era in the history of the state.

    Residents of Jos city who never experienced such attacks lived with horrific memories of the blasts for a long time. The horror dampened the festivities of the following three years in succession.

    This time, though, the people decided to put the ugly past behind them  and celebrate to the fullest. As soon as they returned from church services, they headed for their relaxation spots across the city. Some families moved out of their homes with their foods to tourist spots of their choice for a picnic. Some families, Christian groups, organised parties at the Jos Wild Life Park, some at the Rayfield Resort or the spacious Solomon Lar Amusement Park.

    It was a Christmas to remember in the city. The celebration was, however, not about visiting the Wild Life Park or the Amusement Park alone. Some preferred to go for a boat ride. Yes, boat ride because the city is not all about rocks. There are dams in the city that give you the exact feeling of a beach. One such is located at the Rayfield Resort which is a large body of water. It is a lake of a sort, but large enough to travel around it and to also travel through it. The lake was created through the historic mining exploration carried out by the Colonial Administration in Nigeria between 1902 and 1970. It is one the numerous mining ponds reclaimed by the Plateau State government because of its large size. There are two speed boats anchored on the lake which take tourists on a fun ride through the length and breadth of the lake. It has a good beach suitable for ceremonies. Churches go there to perform baptism on their members, couples too  for their wedding receptions, while others prefer their birthday parties there and the like.

    The site, owned by the Plateau State Tourism Corporation, has a well-decorated pub, complete with a life band section, barbecue corner and restaurants, among other facilities. There are offices for bookings for any of the services. But the most patronised was the speed boat ride. That particular section attracted children, adults, young and old. Every residents took their time to go there and have that kind of Sea-side experience.

    Most fun-centres in the city came alive during the Yuletide. Places like K-Rocks in Tudunwada, West of Mines, Rayfield Resort, Avis at Yakubu Gowon Way, La Pink at Zaramaganda, Uptown Garden at Hwolshe, Solomon Lar Amusement Park along Lowcost Road, Civil Service Club, etc. There are also several Garden located around the Forest Reserves of the Jos Meseum and Zoo. Exotic wine shops were the most patronised during the celebrations.  The cold weather creates such markets. Residents go for foreign wines, gin, Whisky, Brandy, Vodka, Rums and the like. Popular among them is the Exclusive Wine Centre at DB Zang Road by Hill Station Hotel Junction. The place gets busy at dusk and is mostly patronised during festivities like Valentine’s Day, Easter, Christmas or individual programmes. The patronage was more during the Christmas.

    The locals did not lack places to obtain the home-brewed wine known as ‘Burukutu’ in local parlance. There are numerous brewing centres for that and the product was available throughout the period and even beyond. At the same time, palm wine was in abundant supply.

    There were categories of Jos residents that preferred the golf clubs. For them, three standard facilities came in handy: the Rayfield Golf Club, Laminga Golf Club and the military-owned Rhino Golf Club located at Rukuba Barracks. These clubs are mostly patronised by retired Generals, administrators, retired a civil servants and top politicians. After going round all the holes and obstacles on the green grass field of the gulf club, they ended up at the Bar of the Club where all brands of beer and wine were readily available. The clubs were a beehive of activities.

    Another centre of attraction in Jos  was the state government-owned Solomon Lar Amusement Park located along Domkat Bali- Ratya Road. Residents flocked there, but they also went elsewhere, a testament to their resolve to make the make the most of the Yuletide.

     

  • Plateau voters express frustration

    SOME prospective voters in Plateau State have expressed concern about their inability to obtain the Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs).

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that many voters, who turned up to obtain the cards in some of the PVCs distribution centres, went home disappointed.

    It was also reported that while many people could not find their names on the list at some centres, some polling units were not opened for the exercise.

    Among polling units not opened were Mountain Kiew, close to the Federal Secretariat, Hwolshe and Kwata area in Jos South Local Government Area.

    At one of the polling units behind New Era Hotel in Hwolshe, out of the voters that were registered, only four names appeared on the list.

    The situation was also the same at polling units in Tudun-Wada, Kabong, Dadin-Kowa and Kabong.

    A voter, Mrs. Larai Maikifi, who spoke to NAN in Hotel Junction in Hwolshe, described the situation as frustrating.

    “I have been coming here since Friday when INEC started the distribution of the PVCs, but I have never seen one of its officials to tell me what is happening.

    “If it has disapproved this polling unit, people should be told, but no one is telling us anything and we are confused.

    “Many people have left, but I am hanging because this is the last day and I want to see if any INEC official can come and tell us where to go”, she said.

    Another voter, Mr. Ibrahim Azi, said he went to his polling unit at Obasanjo Model Primary School, but did not find his name on the list.

    “I have complained and I have been asked to fill a form; I have done that and I am waiting for them to tell me what to do next”, he said.

    However, Mr. Timoth Golu, the Chief Whip, Plateau House of Assembly, has asked INEC to tidy up their arrangement so as not to disenfranchise a large segment of the population.

    “Many people are still searching for their names; people are enthusiastic and want to vote to determine who should lead them, so INEC should not stand on their ways”, he said.

  • Plateau PDP chieftains complain about flawed congress

    Plateau PDP chieftains complain about flawed congress

    Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftains In Plateau State have said that the party held a flawed local government congress because forms for delegates were hoarded by sonme leaders.

    They said the governor, Jonah jang, did not ensure a level-playing ground during the congress.

    Party members who were denied access to delegates’ forms when they visited the party secretariat alleged that they were told that the forms have been exhausted.

    Aggrieved chieftains Hon. Emmanuel Gyang Choji from Barkin Ladi Local Government and Hon. Bitrus Goshit said the congress was not transparent.

    Choji said: “In total disregard for guidelines for a successful delegate congress of the PDP, a  plot was hatched by Governor Jang to manipulate the delegate congress.

    He also alleged that  key party leaders hijacked the sales of the forms and distributed them to selected delegates.

    Choji added: “With this development, some prospective delegates, who came to the party secretariat to purchase the forms were told that they will be given the forms at their various wards during the congress.

    “Jang has raised a six-man committee, comprising of his political appointees to select the names of loyalists that will given the forms to fill.

    “The six-man committee of each local government has been instructed to come up with three names as the local government representing the local governments.”

  • Confusion over PDP governorship tickets

    Confusion over PDP governorship tickets

    In the North-Central states of Benue, Plateau, Kwara and Nasarawa, there is confusion over the PDP governorship tickets, reports Remi Adelowo 

    Just a few months to the 2015 general elections, Benue State Governor, Gabriel Suswam, is still keeping his succession plan close to his chest.

    In the last one year, a number of politicians within and outside the government circles have been touted as Suswam’s anointed candidate to succeed him next year, but the governor has tactically refrained from letting the cat out of the bag yet as it concerns his favoured candidate.

    That notwithstanding, about ten aspirants, including the deputy governor, Steve Lawani; former Minister of State for Trade and Investment, Chief Samuel Ortom; former Registrar of Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN), Felix Atume; a retired permanent secretary, Mr. Hinga Biem; former speakers of the Benue State House of Assembly, Prince Terhemen Tarzoor and David Iorhemba; former Commissioner of Justice, Alex Adum and his environment counterpart, Dr. Eugene Aliegba and Permanent Secretary of Government House Administration, Dr. Tivlumun Nyitse and that of local government, Mr. Andy Uwouku, have declared their intention to succeed Suswam.

    Others are a commissioner in the Federal Character Commission, Prince Simon Aondona, an astute politician, Mr. Basil Mbatsiantim; Commissioner for Lands and Survey, Mr. John Tondo and state chairman of Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Mr. Simon Anchaver, among others.

    Within the past few months, the governor and the paramount ruler of the Tiv in the state, HRH Akawe Torkula have been busy convening meetings to resolve issues that have arisen because of speculated trimming of governorship contenders in the state.

    While many political pundits have expressed doubts about the streamlining of the governorship aspirants from the favoured Masev, Iharev and Nongov entity, otherwise known as MINDA, where zoning is reportedly favoured, the declarations from respected elders and stakeholders in the area to prune the list of aspirants to four has unsettled the camps of many aspirants.

    At the onset, the traditional authorities claimed that the pruning of the aspirants from MINDA was because of their large number and that the decision was taken to enhance commitment and focus of the entity to the project which has not enjoyed the seat since the creation of the state.

    A few weeks ago, another crucial meeting was reportedly held in Gboko between the Tor Tiv and all the governorship contenders from the MINDA extraction, where consultation waiver was granted unanimously to only four aspirants: Felix Atume (Gwer-West); Dr. Samuel Ortom (Guma); Mr. Hinga Biem (Gwer) and Prince Terhemen Tarzoor (Makurdi).

    But sources claim that other governorship aspirants from the Idoma ethnic group are also gearing for the 2015 race on the assumption that aspirants from MINDA may fail to reach a consensus on single candidate and regardless of the positions of decisions reached by some powerful interests in the state on who succeeds Suswam.

    For instance, the deputy governor, Chief Steven Lawani, and a former minister, Mr. Sam Ode, have stepped up their drive since the pruning exercise came to the fore.

    With the seeming endorsement of Atume, a former Director-General of Benue Rural Development Agency (BERDA), former commissioner of works and President of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Ortom; former Permanent Secretary, Biem and Tarzoor, who is a former Speaker of the state House of Assembly to contest the PDP primaries, the battle line appears drawn between them and the other aspirants.

    Lawani, who obtained the governorship nomination form from the PDP national headquarters, sources disclosed, have vowed not to step down from the race in spite of pressure from certain quarters to “read the body language of his boss and do the needful.”

    Presently, PDP leaders in the state are said to be worried that the outcome of the governorship primaries may throw the party into a serious crisis capable of truncating its hold on the governorship of the state since 1999.

     Plateau

    Plateau State Governor, Jonah Jang, had been evasive on his plan for succession when his term expires in 2015.

    The best the governor has revealed is that he is relying on “God’s direction on who succeeds him.”

    But despite the governor’s position, political forces from the three senatorial zones of the state have been holding meetings, consultations and sending emissaries to lobby Jang to anoint one of their favoured governorship aspirants.

    As it were, the three senatorial districts have produced civilian governors in the state, starting from the Southern zone of the state that produced governors such as late Solomon Daushep Lar in the Second Republic and Ambassador Fidelis Tapgun in the aborted Third Republic, while the Central zone produced Senator Joshua Dariye as a two-term governor of the state from 1999 to 2007 before Jang, from the Northern zone who was elected governor in 2007.

    This political scenario is currently creating a serious debate as to which of the senatorial zones should produce Jang’s successor in 2015.

    While some stakeholders are canvassing for a level playing field for all the governorship aspirants, others are of the opinion that no aspirant from the North senatorial zone where the incumbent governor hails from should be allowed to succeed him next year.

    As the debate rages on, rumours are rife in the North Central state that Jang has allegedly anointed Senator Gyang Pwajok, his kinsman from the Berom ethnic group.

    Jang has, however, denied endorsing the lawmaker and indeed any member of his kitchen cabinet to take over from him, describing those claiming that he had already zoned the 2015 ticket to the Northern Senatorial District as prophets of doom.

    But many PDP chieftains in the state are taking his denial with a pinch of the salt. They insist the governor has allegedly made up his mind to hand over to Pwajok, his former Chief of Staff, while he (Jang) would take over the lawmaker’s seat in the National Assembly.

    Against this backdrop, other aspirants in the PDP appear ready to take on the governor.

    Jang’s deputy, Ignatius Longjan, is poised to take the plunge, as he had collected his nomination form from the national secretariat of the PDP despite the perceived opposition from his boss who wants his deputy to leave the stage in 2015 for younger ones to continue from where the duo will stop in 2015.

    Speaking while receiving the form from a member of the Plateau State House of Assembly from Qua’an-Pan-North constituency, Mr. Joe Dawam, at his lodge in Rayfield, on Monday, Longjan, who comes from the Southern zone, said he had no option but to bow to the pressure mounted on him by his people who have asked him to contest.

    Interestingly, Jang’s kinsman and staunch supporter, Mr. Bulus Dareng, was present at the event.

    Dareng described Longjan as a committed and loyal deputy to Jang, adding that the deputy governor has played a vital role in the Jang-led administration.

    If Jang eventually has his way in foisting Pwajok, sources say PDP members in the Central and South zone have allegedly resolved to work against the party’s candidate premising their position on the need to ensure equity and fair play in the rotation of the governorship in the state.

    Kwara

    The choice of the 2015 governorship candidate by the Kwara State chapter of the PDP is one issue that may define its future in next year’s general elections and even beyond.

    At the last count, about seven aspirants are jostling for the ticket, with each of them banking on forces within and beyond the state to emerge victorious.

    Lining up for the primaries include a former vice chancellor, Prof. Abdulrahman Oba, two former senators, Gbemisola Saraki and Suleiman Ajadi, Mr. Dele Belgore, a businessman, Jani Ibrahim, amongst others.

    But of the lot, only Ibrahim has formally declared his intention during a rally that held in Ilorin, the state capital, with Saraki and Belgore still said to be consulting with their supporters before officially throwing their hats into the ring.

    Even as the campaign by the aspirants is yet to kick off, there are unconfirmed reports that a chieftain of the party, Hajia Bola Shagaya, holds the ace in who wins the governorship ticket of the party.

    Shagaya has in recent months emerged as the power broker who determines who gets what and how in the Kwara PDP using her close links in the Presidency to maximum effect.

    So far, the wealthy businesswoman is yet to back any of the aspirants, even as there are reports that chieftains of the party like Oba, Ajadi and a current senator, Simeon Ajibola are not positively disposed to accepting Shagaya’s leadership status of the party.

    But from all indications, major actors of Kwara PDP, all laying claim to the leadership of the party, look set to take themselves to the cleaners in the battle for the 2015 governorship ticket.

    Nasarawa

    Immediate former Minister of Information, Labaran Maku, is not taken for granted in his ambition to govern his home state, Nasarawa come 2015.

    Following his resignation from the federal cabinet a few weeks ago, Maku has plunged head-on into the governorship race, vowing to unseat the incumbent governor, Tanko Al-Makura of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    However, the former deputy governor has a few other formidable aspirants to contend with for the PDP’s governorship ticket.

    Senator representing Nasarawa North, Solomon Ewuga, a former Presidency aide, Chris Mamman, and a former governor of the state, Akwe Doma, are other PDP chieftains also interested in the ticket.

    While Maku seems to have an edge in the race based on his alleged endorsement for the exalted seat by some power brokers in the seat of power, his fellow aspirants are also not taking any chances.

    The major dilemma that the Nasarawa PDP is however faced with is how to handle the aftermath of the governorship primaries, as none of the aspirants, all formidable in their own right, is willing to step down from the race.

    Several attempts by influential stakeholders in the state to agree on a consensus candidate for the PDP particularly among those from the Eggon ethnic group have been fruitless so far.

    The Eggon, considered as the largest ethnic group in the state, has never produced the governor of the state, but there are fears that lack of understanding among the array of aspirants from the area may be its undoing.

    Will the Nasarawa PDP agree on a consensus governorship candidate for the 2015 election? Will all the major aspirants rally round the eventual winner of the primaries? Only time will tell.

  • First Lady lifts Plateau women

    It was a surprise gift from the nation’s First Lady, though some reasoned that it may have been perfectly timed to coincide with the campaign for 2015 elections, which had begun to heat up in the state.

    What did Dame Patience Jonathan give Plateau women in Jos? Trailer-loads of fertilisers, 2000 bags of rice, 1000 bags of Guinea corn and millet, 200 grinding engines, 150 sewing machines, 40 hair dryers, 20 tricycles, 40 motorcycles, bundles of roofing sheets, nails and bundles of wrappers, among others.

    Even though it was the inauguration of the state chapter of the pet project of the First Lady tagged Women for Change and Development, the items, according to some of the women, will change their lives for good.

    The items were delivered on behalf of Dame Jonathan by the Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory, Jumoke Akinjide.  Speaking while inaugurating the chapter of the organisation, the First Lady asked women in the country to stand up and be counted at this point in time when politics is again taking the centre-stage of events in the country.

    She said: “As you are aware, this is an NGO that advocates improvement for our women politically, economically and socially. Its membership is open to all Nigerian women irrespective of political affiliation. Today, therefore marked a new beginning and a significant development for the people of this state because the women for change and development initiative is committed to accelerated improvement in the well-being of rural women as well as the less privileged in the society. This NGO is an important avenue through which the women can collectively discuss, strategies and chat a way forward for themselves and the women folk. The NGO has also tried to impact on the lives of women in Nigeria by championing the implementation of the national gender policy on the 35% affirmative action in respect of women’s representation in governance. That is why I am calling on all women across the country to come out and take our chance in the 2015 elections, the time is now, politics is around the corner, it offers another opportunity for women to aspire for elective positions and also support women in positions of authority. So I use this opportunity to call on women to register, seek political post and vote wisely during every election at the local governments, states and federal levels. The NGO will ensure, women especially those at the grassroots, are carried along in the transformation agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan. It is a well known fact that the transformation policy gives priority attention to education, food security, healthcare delivery, economic empowerment and the inclusion of women in governance.”

    Wife of the Plateau State governor and founder of Women in Agriculture and Youth Empowerment (WAYE) Ngo Talatu Jang expressed the general feelings of Plateau women when she said: “I am particularly proud and pleased to witness this historic event. There is no better way to empower women than the way the wife of our President Dame Patience Jonathan is currently doing across the country. Surely, the NGO of Nigerian First Lady is demonstrating a unique way of empowering women. Surely, there can be no better way of bringing the dividend of democracy to women in the grassroots. A lot has been achieved as far as the empowerment of grassroots women is concerned since the inception of President Goodluck Jonathan administration, the efforts so far has not only changed the status of women in the country; it also gives us hope that the future of women and particularly the girl-child is brighter than ever. For instance, with 13 female ministers as members of the federal executive council, a significant number of female ambassadors, Senior Special Advisers to Mr President as well as other female chief executives, the women of Nigeria never had it so good”.

    She said further that “With the kind of strong political will demonstrated by the Jonathan administration, which is completed by the Plateau state government, I can say with all sence of optimism that Nigerian women are today walking the path of our great women leaders of the past. We are therefore in the process of producing another sets of women nationalists like Fumilayo Ransome Kuti, Magaret Ekpo, Hajiya Gambo Sawaba, all of blessed memory. The inauguration of the Plateau state chapter of Women for Change and Development Initiative is not just another milestone in the lives of our women, but an event that will remain ever green in our minds as it marks the creation of a platform for the sustained empowerment of our women”

    Plateau State coordinator, Mrs Gwammen Bernadette Nukup said, “The Women for Change and Development Initiative was born out of a global and Nigerian need for a palliative action to uplift women from the stagnated dark ages of the past into the mainstream of 21st century political, economic and social development with equal opportunities for women to pursue and attain excellence in any profession or vocation of their choice without any barrier or hindrance. The NGO is also a product of sincere efforts, search and desire of our dear mother and heroin, Dame Patience Goodluck Jonathan, for a strategy to liberate and empower the Nigerian women to successfully withstand and weather the storm of gender inequality which before now has been the lots of Nigerian women. It is in line with this spirit that our own mother in Plateau state Ngo Talatu Jang has over the years worked tirelessly to improve and empower our women, thereby complementing the efforts  of the Dame Patience Jonathan through her own NGO known as WAYE foundation as a platform.

    There is no doubt, this program has gone along way in empowering our rural women with various economic activities like skill acquisition”.

    Interestingly, the Women for Change and Development Initiative (W4CDI) is said to have similar objectives with that of the Plateau state First Lady, Ngo Talatu Jang which is called Women in Agriculture and Youth Empowerment (WAYE). Through the WAYE program, women and youths on the Plateau has received various form of empowerment. The WAYE secretariat and Skill Training Center in Doi village is known as ‘Redemption Center’. At this center over 10,000 women and youths have received economic empowerment through skill training like  knitting, Tailoring, Weaving, Bead making, Computer Training, Catering Services, Hair Dressing etc, since the inception of WAYE in Plateau state six years ago. Ngo Talatu Jang said that “For us in WAYE Foundation, it has been so far, so good for women and youths in Plateau state. Through our Micro-enterprise for instance, the foundation recently carried out a financial literacy training workshop for over 700 women across the state. The Financial Literacy program was done in collaboration with a renown financial consultancy company called ‘The Fingertip Enterprises Development Partners International Limited’ with the support of Plateau state government. The financial literacy programme was not only aimed at providing entrepreneurial skills to our women but was aimed at preparing the women to access micro-credit facilities from financial institutions to be able to start their own business and be self-employed. This is bearing in mind that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has set aside N22 billion for Women in its Micro-Economic Development Policies of the Federal government. Under the reproductive health program of WAYE, 132 women have benefited from free cervical cancer screening program using the Pap Smear Techniques aimed at preventing Cervical Cancer diseases among women in the state. This health program was done in collaboration with the Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH).

    She also said that “The skill training department of WAYE which started with 75 trainees has so far graduated over 1,150 students, who are not only doing well in their various skills but have since became employers of labour in their respective communities. This was achieved because the foundation has put in place qualified personnel to monitor and guide our trainees after graduation to enable establish their business fully making use of the take-off capital and tool we gave them on graduation. Now, with the provision and donation of these grinding engines, hair dryers, wheel barrows, Sowing machines etc, thousands of other Plateau women are going to be empowered and that is a major boost to our local empowerment program in the state. So, on behalf of the entire plateau women, I wish to convey our deep appreciation to Mother of the nation Dame Patience Jonathan for her contribution to uplifting plateau women, this gesture of the Nigerian First Lady will ever remain indelible in our minds”.

    Plateau women saw the items donated by the Nigerian First Lady as a shock absorber to them as they battle to recover from the long period of crisis which has crippled their economic base in the state. One of them Ruth Gideon said, “I see these items as a major relief to us as we are just coming from crisis. The crisis is over but we need rehabilitation so as to recover lost grounds. That is why these donations from the Nigerian First Lady comes so timely. We cannot thank her enough”

     

  • ‘Plateau varsity will survive accreditation crisis’

    Management of the Plateau State University (PLASU) in Bokkos has debunked claims that it is not doing anything to solve the accreditation crisis rocking the institution. The Vice-Chancellor, Prof Doknan Sheni, said the Governing Council had just approved all documents in respect of accreditation.

    The VC made this statement during the swearing-in ceremony for officials of the Students’ Union Government (SUG) recently elected. The VC said the accreditation crisis would not last for a long time, nothing that the management was attending to requirements outlined by the National Universities Commission (NUC) to get all the courses accredited.

    Prof Sheni promised to work with the union leaders to improve on the students’ welfare.

    In his acceptance speech, the president of the union, Nankin Dafoum, thanked students for electing him as their leader, promising to serve their interest while his tenure lasts.

    Nankin outlined some challenges facing the students to include water shortage, lack of electricity and insecurity, among others. He pleaded with the management to urgently act to overcome these challenges, stressing that the problems were key to fast-track accreditation.

    Responding, Prof Sheni informed the union leaders that the state government had already awarded water and power projects to contractors, adding that work would soon start on them.

    The highpoint of the occasion was the administering of oath on the union officials by the oath commissioner, Barrister Niche Stanley, who urged the union leaders to take the oath seriously.

    Others member of the executive were Ruth Mangut, Vice President, Jessica Dung, General Secretary, Donald Ubangari, Assistant General Secretary, Christopher Dasgwan, Financial Secretary,

    Cynthia Kilingkot, Treasurer, Richard Com, Welfare Secretary, Sabastine Niagwan, Sales Secretary,

    Matthew Atser, Public Relations Officer, John Da’e, Director of Social, and Rwang Emmanuel, Director of Sports.

  • 26 killed, 80 houses razed in Plateau fresh attacks

    26 killed, 80 houses razed in Plateau fresh attacks

    The National Caretaker Chairman of the Berom Youth Movement (BYM) Rwas Rwang Dalyop Dantong has cried on to the federal government to come and rescue Berom people from the hand of insurgents who have been terrorizing Plateau North senatorial zone of Plateau state.

    According to Dantong, “The series of attacks commenced on the 2nd of October and has continued on daily basis.

    He said, “The major attacks were preceded with silent killings of innocent farmers on their farms. We cried to the security agencies but nothing was done. Now the attackers have made it a daily attack. Since the last ten days, we have recovered at least 26 bodies from the various communities attacked by the insurgents.”

    The insurgents numbering about 400, allegedly divided themselves into 3 groups and are attacking the villages from all directions.

    In a statement released by the BYM yesterday in Jos and signed by the acting national chairman of the BYM, Mr Rwang Dantong reads, “We wish to, on behalf of the entire Berom Youths, condemn in strong term the persistent and systematic attacks on Bachi district of Riyom local government council by Fulani herdsmen.

    “This is an open declaration of war on Berom people for no justifiable reason.

    “These consistent attacks have been going on daily, since the 2nd of October. Within the period, the gunmen have attacked at least ten villages killing 26 people. The villages are Lwa, Shonong, Fang, Dum, Chengye, Rakweng, Diyan, Rachi and Sharbutu.

    “The casualties so far are; 7 killed in Lwa, 3 killed in Fang, 2 killed in Dum, 3 killed in Sharbutu, 2 STF staff killed, 1 killed in Chengye, 6 killed in Shonong, 1 killed in Rachi.

    “Among those killed was a pregnant woman in Lwa village who was expected to be wedded in a week time. Over 60 houses were burnt in the attack including that of late Senator Gyang Dantong. 20 houses were burnt down in Lwa village including a Church Pastorium.

    “It is quite worrisome that the insurgents have been identified as the Fulani herdsmen that are living within our communities. They launched the attacks and get back to their homes unharmed. The next day they would go to attack yet another village. It is an organized ethnic cleansing of the Berom tribe.

    “We can only cry out to the federal government to come to the rescue of our people and stop these attacks on innocent citizens. We are also calling on the special task force to rise up to the occasion and restore peace immediately.

    “There is the need to chase out these terrorists from our communities if peace must return to the areas, the gunmen have killed 26 people in 10 days of consistent attack.

    “We commend the executive chairman of Riyom local government, Hon. Mrs. Josephine Piyo for constantly mobilizing security agencies to the scene of attacks. We therefore called on all stakeholders to join hands with the council boss to chase these terrorists out of our communities.

    Few months ago, the Berom youths raised alarm that they had discovered training camps of some insurgents in Riyom Local governments. The youths called on security agencies for help over alleged plans by armed Fulani militants to launch fresh attacks on some lists of villages.

    The concerned villagers said they have discovered a training camp of unknown gunmen behind a rocky hill in Rim near Riyom.

    According to the villagers, “The alarm became necessary so as to attract security agencies to come to our aid in protection, the whole of Bachit district is under serious risk of gunmen attack if nothing is done to improve security surveillance in the areas”

    A member of a vigilante group in Riyom Dangyang Bulus said, “We discovered their plans because one of the Fulani living with us was invited to join them in their training camp, that one deceived them by telling them he would go home and prepare to join them later but refused to go back to the camp.

    “So it is our Fulani neighbour that revealed the secret to us, we have communicated to the police and security agencies in charge of these areas, but from all indication, they are afraid of going there, some of them even said we are raising false alarm.

    “These gunmen can strike anytime and we don’t know where and when they will strike. That is why we are raising this alarm. If this planned attack is not prevented, we will hold the security agencies responsible for any loss of lives and properties because, past attacks by these gunmen, recorded as much as hundred casualties,” said Bulus.

    A copy of a petition sent to Plateau state police commissioner by members of Shonong community, indicated that several of their men have been killed while working on their farms last month. The petitioned signed by Shonong Youth leader, Yohanna Ciroma described the situation in the area as silent terrorism, saying our communities has been under siege by armed Fulani men.”

    A member representing Riyom constituency at the Plateau state house of assembly, Hon Daniel Dem also confirmed the danger his people are facing.

    “However, the security agencies failed to rise up to the danger. The gunmen are now all over the villagers, attacking and killing them both day and night unhindered. Two soldiers serving with the special task force has been killed so far in the renewed attacks by the insurgents.”

    Hon Dem while commenting on the insecurity in his constituency said, “This is an act of terrorism against my people, they can no longer go to farms because they are consistently been attacked by suspected Fulani herds men”

    Hon Dem said, “The fulanis come into our farmland and will deliberately lead their cattle to graze on crops, if you complain you are killed instantly.

    “Close to seven of my constituency have been killed in Rim village of Riyom in the past two weeks by our attackers on their farms. This has forced them to abandon their farm lands.”

    Dem who is also the Majority leader of the state house of assembly further alleged that some security operatives must be aiding some of their attackers. He wondered why men of the Special Task Force deployed in the area could not stop the attackers.

    “In most of the villages attacked, there was presence of men of the STF. Why are they not going after the attackers? Hon Dem asked.

    The lawmaker called on security operatives to wake up to their responsibilities of protecting citizens of the locality. In Lwa village, an expectant mother was killed along with her four children. Names of the children are; Meriamu Jonathan age 25, Sandra Jonathan, 13, Agnes Jonathan, 10 and Goodluck Jonathan, aged 6.

    Other known victims killed in Fang village are Pam Kube, 23, Sgt. Musa Sanda (STF soldier), Dalyop Joro, 41, Emmanuel Danyam, 14, Stepehen Danjuma, 11.

    Those killed in Bachi are; Laraba Sunday Bwede, 60, Geoffrey Solomon Choji, 13, Mrs Jummai Daida Long, 66, Rhoda Luka Bwede, 17, Danjuma Bitrus, 39, Mathew Tiga, 34 and Mary Dauda, 56.In Bangai village, Emmanuel Dachung, 34.

    As at the time of sending this report, other affected villages are busy compiling names of their people killed in all the attacks.

    Spokesman of the special task force, Captain Ikedichi Iweka however could not confirm casualty figures but said, “a member of the troop was killed by the insurgents. He also said men of the STF have already taken control of the battle ground and peace has been restored in the villages”.

    According to Capt Iweha, “The attack is a reprisal kind of attack, it followed cow rustling, when people kill cows: the cow owners will stage revenge. But we have taken control, and we have restored normalcy. But stakeholders should be advised against giving exaggerated casualty figures, as doing so, will amount to sabotaging our peace efforts.”

    “The casualty figures given in that statement of Berom is exergerated, there are 13 deaths and we have stopped further attacks and killings. If not for our intervention,t the situation should have been worse.

  • Gunmen kill 20 in Plateau village

    Residents of Riyom local government of Plateau state were denied a peaceful Salah celebration as some unknown gunmen attacked several villages at random killing 20 residents.

    The attack was carried out on the eve of  the celebration and lasted till the next day denying residents the opportunity to observe the Sallah prayers on Saturday.

    The villages attacked are Shonong, Bachi, Luwa, Fang, Dum, Sharbutu, Rakweng, all in Riyom local government.

    The victims of the attack alleged that the gunmen are armed Fulani men who stormed the communities with sophisticated weapons.

    Residence of  late Senator Gyang Dantong who was allegedly killed by armed Fulani men in 2012 was burnt down by the attackers in Bachi village.

    A soldier serving with the Special Task Force (STF) was among those killed by the gunmen as well as two members of vigilante group in the communities.

    It was suspected that the attackers were on revenge mission over their kinsmen killed in earlier attack.

    Another version of the attacked has it that the attack followed series of cattle rustling in the local government.

  • Hoisting peace flag on the Plateau

    Hoisting peace flag on the Plateau

    After years of  being at one another’s  throats, residents of  Jos, the Plateau State capital, have finally decided to embrace peace. They decided to use this year’s World Peace Day to demonstrate their love for peace because, according to them, they desired mutual love and peaceful co-existence which have eluded them for about a decade.

    So, when the people eventually got the peace they desired, they rolled out the drums to celebrate it and vowed to maintain it as long as there is life.

    The people demonstrated the new found love and peace in Jos last week when the whole world marked a global day of peace.

    The day was set aside by the United Nations (UN) to remind mankind of  the need for peace, in order ensure progress, growth and development.

    The concept of marking a global day of peace was initiated after the First World War. Since then, September 21of every year has been set aside to remind citizens of the world that peace is necessary for economic and social well-being of mankind.

    No other section of  the world appreciated the international peace day anniversary than people of  Plateau State. Search for Common Ground (SFCG), the European Union (EU)-sponsored non-governmental organisation (NGO), organised the colourful ceremony for the hoisting of the flag to mark this year’s world peace day in the state.

    Residents of Jos city had experienced seemingly intractable bloodbath since 1994 over a minor political disagreement over leadership of Jos North Local Government Area. That insignificant disagreement led to the first major violent crisis in the city. That initial conflict was localised in Jos Central.

    However, that initial conflict was grossly mismanaged, as it resurfaced in a religious colouration, bringing the Christians and Muslims in the city to a boxing ring.

    As at 2012, it was impossible to resolve the conflict since it had become a religious one. The violent conflict spread beyond Jos city to other local government areas such as Jos South, Jos East and Bassa local governments.

    By 2004, the violence had spread to Plateau Southern zone. That of  Yelwa, in Shendam Local Government Area was so explosive that the Federal Government had to impose six-month state of emergency on the entire state.

    During the state of emergency, the military enforced peace on the people but they failed to reconcile the warring factions. Though the government led by Gen. Chris Ali (rtd), held a peace summit in the state, that was not enough to reconcile the people. So, as soon as the state of emergency was lifted, the warring factions went back to the trenches. The bloodbath continued on a small scale throughout 2005, 2006 and 2007.

    But in 2008, an election into the 17 local government areas led to the eruption of one of the worst battles in the history of the state. The voting in Jos North became controversial and what followed was bloody. The entire Plateau North Senatorial zone was engaged in prolonged violent clashes, particularly between Muslims and Christians in the areas. The carnage was only suspended when the Federal Government drafted some battalions of military troops to the state. The military were able to suppress the war.

    In 2010, the violence erupted again between Christians and Muslims of Jos North, particularly in Nassarawa Gwong. That conflict started on a Sunday, but it lasted for a full week, involving not less than 10 local government areas. That was when the Federal Government had to establish a Special Task Force in the state to help halt the loss of lives. The violence was only suspended for a moment when the army took over in January, 2010.

    When the Special Task Force (STF) on Jos crisis code named Operation Safe Haven succeeded in halting the violence in the city centre, the warring factions took their battle to the Satellite and remote villages of the state. That was when the state recorded its first guerrilla attack with the killing of over 500 men, women and children in Dogo Nahawa village of Jos South Local Government Area in a pre-dawn attack.

    At that stage, it all appeared no form of reconciliation will work on the Plateau because the level of casualties was increasing.

    But that was then. Today, the one-time violent state is now at peace with itself. In fact, the prevailing peace appeared better than the one that was obtainable before the conflicts. Having fought among themselves for over 10 years, they came back craving for peace at all costs.

    While the battle lasted, the Plateau State Government maintained its stand that it is only dialogue that could bring about peace among the people. The government established a peace-building and conflict resolution directorate, which is directly under the office of Governor Jonah David Jang. He appointed Mr. Timothy Baba Parlong as a Special Adviser on Peace-building and Conflict Resolution, to coordinate the process of evolving peace.

    That was the stage at which the European Union (EU) came in to help the state and its people reconcile themselves and restore peace. Having signed an agreement with the state government, EU inaugurated three organisations to be their foot soldiers in the peace-building project.

    Some of  the three organisations are Search for Common Ground (SFCG), Community Action for Popular Participation (CAPP) as well as APURIMAC ONLUS. The three organisations are to facilitate an 18-month peace programme.

    Search for Common Ground (SFCG) immediately established a Peace Architecture Dialogue Forum to provide a common ground for citizens to come together and talk with one another.

    After the 9th dialogue series, the people agreed to become one in love. They had set in motion the first Plateau Peace Forum which will involve all ethnic groups resident in the state.

    But the people decided to take their peace process further by using the opportunity of the World Peace Day last week to hoist a flag of peace. Coordinated by SFCG, the residents of Jos city in particular said the flag of peace was significant to show the whole world that the era of violence was over.

    In a brief ceremony preceding the hoisting of the Jos Peace Flag held at Dogon Dutse Jos, Hajiya Lantana Abdullahi, Programme Manager of Search for Common Ground (SFCG) said: “Plateau State citizens have every reason to celebrate the prevailing peace as the world marks another peace day.

    “There has been no conflict among residents of  Jos since 2011 compared to the crisis situation in the city before then. This year’s theme for the World Peace Day was “People’s Right to Peace” which had already reflected the collective resolve by Plateau citizens to live in peace with one another.

    “The resolve of the people to hoist the flag of peace is to tell the whole world that the days of violence are over.

    Special Adviser to Governor Jonah Jang on Peace-building and Conflict Resolution, Mr. Parlong said: “All citizens of Plateau State have resolved to become peace agents because peace is the only thing we all have in common. The crisis we went through before 2011 has made Plateau citizens to value peace more than any other person in the whole world.

    “There was a time the entire state was polarised along religious divide. Muslims could not get to areas dominated by Christians and Christians could not go to areas dominated by Muslims. There was a time we were forced indoor for a whole week due to a 24-hour curfew. We almost died of hunger due to the conflict we all caused for ourselves.

    “The good news here is that the same people who were fighting one another years ago, have resolved to drop their arsenals and embrace one another. The same people are saying ‘No victor, No vanquished’ in the battle. The resolve by Plateau citizens to hoist a flag of peace on this mountain is therefore a welcome development.

    “The state government is full of appreciation for youths to have renounced violence and become peace ambassadors.”

    Also speaking, a group of  youths from Jos South Local Government Area under the aegis of “Youths for Peace” made a declaration on the occasion thus: “We the youth of Plateau State have resolved to fight no more. We are out to break the jinx of ‘no go areas’ within the territory of  Plateau State. We are out to clear all religious divide among citizens of the state.

    “Whoever is not interested in peace should go far away from the state because this prevailing peace we are enjoying must be permanent. Any youth working against the  peace would be declared an enemy of the state.

    “Now that we are preparing for 2015 general elections, we are appealing to politicians to stop giving youths money to cause violence. We are also appealing to the youth to resist the influence of politicians who want to use them to foment trouble. That is one of the ways to make this peace permanent.”

    Youths also declared: “Now that we have resolved to be in peace with one another, we appeal to the Federal Government to disband the military task force it constituted as a result of  the Jos crisis.

    “Most times, the soldiers cause problems for us. The youth have already constituted themselves into vigilance groups and we are protecting the nook and cranny of the state. We don’t need soldiers anymore to man our streets. They remind us of the crises.

    “We have not been in crisis situation since 2011, so we want the soldiers out. We have large numbers of youths to protect our respective communities. We know the terrains better than the soldiers who are strangers here. This is our appeal to the Federal Government on this World Peace Day.”

    The Village Head of Bugomo, Mr. Auta Bala, who spoke on behalf of other village heads said: “The current peace we are enjoying in the state is made possible mainly by youths who are working through vigilance groups. The youth used to be the warriors but now they have converted themselves to agents of security for their people.

    “I therefore called on government to engage the youth  by paying them monthly salary or allowance to keep them going.”

    He also called on the Plateau State Government to establish a Ministry of  Peace and Conflict Resolution to make the prevailing peace permanent.

    The youth, in their hundreds, climbed the half-kilometre-tall mountain popularly called “Dogon Dutse” meaning (Tall rock) to hoist the Peace Flag singing songs of victory in the process.