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Tag: Plateau

  • Dariye, Mantu battle for Plateau Central ticket

    Dariye, Mantu battle for Plateau Central ticket

    Plateau Central District is a politically conscious zone. The struggle for its senatorial ticket has generated interest, owing to the calibre of politicians in the race. Who represents the district in 2015? Correspondent YUSUFU IDEGU examines the battle of the gladiators.

    The senatorial election in Plateau Central  Zone has always been the toughest in Plateau State. Next year,’s election may not be different. The zone parades many vibrant politicians. Therefore, constituents are anticipating an epic battle.

    The aspirants include former Deputy Senate President Ibrahim Mantu, former Speaker of theHouse of Assembly and House of Representatives member from Pankshin/Kanke/Kanam Constituency Hon. Emmanuel Goar,  Senator Sati Gogwim and   former Governor Joshua Dariye, who is the senator representing the district.

    Mantu lost the seat in 2007. But,  the ebbulient politician wants to stage a comeback. He is the first senator to represent the zone in this dispensation. He was in the Senate between  1999 and 2007 on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He was the Deputy Senate President for six years. But, his attempt to return to the Senate for the third time failed when he lost to Major  Sati Gogwim, a less popular candidate, who contested on the platform of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN).

    Since his defeat in 2007, Mantu appears to have gone into political oblivion. He did not feature in the 2011 election. But, he was always at the PDP National Secretariat, Wadata House, Abuja, on party assignments.  His bid to return to the Senate did not come as a surprise to political observers. He has revived his political structures for this purpose. He is believed to have  the backing of prominent party leaders.

    Since Mantu lost the senatorial election in 2007, the PDP has lost control of the zone to opposition parties. When the ACN candidate won the poll in 2007, the party failed to manage the opportunity. In the 2011 election, the Labour Party (LP), fielded Dariye. The ACN lost the seat to the LP. Thus, there is doubt over the PDP’s popularity in the district.

    Mantu’s motive is to reclaim the zone from the LP. But, other aspirants claim that they have the same goal in mind.  Hon. Goar has declared that he has the strategy to recapture the zone for the ruling party. He spoke on his new formula on the day he declared his intention to run.

    “I have concluded plans to run for the Senate in 2015. I need to recapture my senatorial zone for the PDP. We lost the zone to the opposition in the two previous elections, but I believe I have all it takes to bring it back under the PDP fold,” he said.

    The legislator added: “At the moment, I am the most experienced legislator from that zone. I started from the grassroots by representing my people at the state constituency, where I became the Speaker of the House. I left there for the Lower Chamber of the National Assembly where I am  representing Pankshin/Kanke/Kanam  Constituency. The people will prefer someone that is so close to them; someone who they can access and someone who will be humble enough to render account periodically.

    “The zone does not lack politicians in top places with national recognition, but what the people require is someone who has grassroots acceptability and well experienced in legislative system. I am not lacking in the area of legislative experience, having served in the House of Assembly and  the House of Representatives. Hence, I consider myself good enough to serve my zone and my state at the Upper Chamber of the National Assembly.”

    Goar said that the senatorial election might be a walkover for the PDP, if the party fields an experienced aspirant like him. “The ruling party lost the zone because it did not field experienced candidates. But, I am confident this time around that the party will not regret when I emerge as its flag bearer in the zone. I can assure my party that I have began to work towards giving them that victory because what the people want is an experienced man like me. The people of the zone has lost out. As a result, they could not get their dues from the national cake. The same people have cried to me to come to their rescue and I have made up my mind to heed their cry by offering myself to serve them in the senate,” he said

    But, Mantu also believes that he is the right person for the job. He said it would be easy for the PDP to recapture the zone, if he is the flag bearer. The former Deputy Senate President said that since he decided to keep a low profile in the last seven years, the PDP has not found a credible replacement for him. Mantu  has begun consultations with stakeholders on how to realise his ambition.

    However, Goar and Mantu will face a tough battle. Dariye of the LP is not ready to take a rest. Dariye has remained popular in the zone. Although he defected from the PDP, his influence has not waned. A source said that PDP leaders have been mounting pressure on him to return to the fold. He left the party, following his misunderstanding with former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

    Sources confirmed that PDP national leaders are optimistc that he will return to the party before the election. President Goodluck Jonathan, added the sources, is expected to receive him at a rally in Jos, the state capital. “If not for the bomb blast of May 20 in Jo,s which killed scores of people, the reception for the former PDP stalwart, including Senator Dariye, would have been held,” added the source.

    Senator Gogwim, who represented the zone between  2007 and 2011 on the platform of the ACN, is also on his way to the PDP. He lost the 2011 poll to Dariye.  The retired soldier has not hidden his ambition to return to the Senate. His campaign posters and hand bills flood  the zone. Gogwim said he has experience for the job, urging the people to give him a second chance.

    The primaries will be tough because the gladiators are not ready to step down. At the shadow poll, delegates will vet  the condenders and make up their minds.

    A party chieftain, Mr. Joshua Nanle, said that  Goar may have an edge over Mantu and Dariye because of his grassroots appeal. Goar is believed to be closer to the masses than the two senior politicians. He is also said to have come from the Angas ethnic group, which is the most populous  in the district.

    “In Plateau Central Zone, Angas  is the largest ethnic group. But,  we have been patient and the minorities have been ruling the zone. The only Angas man, who went to Senate in 2007, ran on the opposition party. This time around, we expect other tribes in the zone to respect our wish to take our turn in the ruling party. The Angas tribe cannot remain in the opposition for too long. And for the Angas, turn, we have no other candidate than Hon Goar. He has done well in the House of Representative. We want him to go to the Senate on the platform of PDP,” Nanle added. .

    Another factor that may count against Mantu and  Dariye is the fact that voters will prefer to vote for candidates,  based on their local government of origin. The zone comprises five local governments; Mangu, Bokkos, Pankshin, Kanke and Kanam. In 1999, the people voted for Mantu, who hails from Mangu. After completing two terms in the Senate, he was succeeded by Gogwim from Kanke. Later, Dariye from  Bokkos was elected.

    Ahead of next year’s poll, there is the agitation for power shift to either Pankshin  or Kanam, the two local governments that are yet to take their turns.

    Alhaji Salisu Shehu from Kanam said:  “In the 2015 election, I don’t think the likes of Mantu and Dariye will have a chance. I will advise them to allow other local governments have it. We have Pankshin and Kanam that are yet to take their turns. We are looking for candidates from the two local governments. In Kanam, we have resolved to vote for candidates from these two councils.”

    No doubt, Goar is popular. He may be the voter’s favourite. But, can he withstand Dariye’s asernal? The former governor is a factor in the zone. He has proved that he is the leader the district, both as governor and senator. His followers love him. Many chieftains across the parties are also loyal to him.

    Mantu is also a clever politician. He is highly connected. He is respected in the zone. In fact, observers believe that Dariye and Mantu can spring surprises.

    The question is: Can Goar beat these gladiators at the primaries? Time will tell.

     

  • Insecurity: Plateau shuts major streets

    Insecurity: Plateau shuts major streets

    The last time the terrorists struck in Jos, the Plateau State capital, on May 20, they chose a crowded part of Murtala Muhammed Way. Over 100 people died in the twin blasts, many more injured.  A large number of people were either buying or selling on one of the city’s four major business streets at the time of the explosions. That is why the state government and the security authorities have closed the major streets to trading. The affected routes are Murtala Muhammed Way, Ahmadu Bello way, Rwang Pam Street and Tafawa Balewa Street, which are usually busy round the clock.

    The terrorists set off two bombs on Murtala Mohammed Way targeting the crowd. The explosions brought down most of the shops along the street.

    Why was there such a huge crowd there in the first place? It is one of the major streets near the sprawling site of the burnt ultra-modern Terminus Market. Since the market was not rebuilt, former shop owners and others found business space anywhere they could, provided it was near the famous market site. The traders’ crowd began to spread to nearby streets, Murtala Mohammed Way being one of them. Old Bukuru Park and Bauchi Road also host the influx.

    As a result, security agencies had to cordon off the affected streets for weeks. Following the closure of business activities on Murtala Muhammed Way, traders who survived the blasts relocated their business to the next street, Ahmadu Bello Way. In a few weeks there was another heavy concentration of people at Ahmadu Bello Way, triggering concern that in the event of another attack on that street, there could be more casualties.

    The threat of a suicide attack led to a temporary closure of some of the adjoining streets by security agencies when it was rumoured that some Improvised Explosive Devices or IEDs may have been planted there. The military operations lasted almost a whole day. Affected streets include Murtala Mohammed Way, Ahmadu Bello Way, Beach Road, Bank Road, Yantaya Junction, ECWA Good News Road, Old Bukuru Junction, Terminus Junction, Rwang Pam Street, Kashim Ibrahim Junction by Ahmadu Bello Way, Ahmadu Bello Way (including Hamaz and Unity Bank Junction), Murtala Mohammed Way (University of Jos old campus), and Beach Road by Zenith Bank.

    The Special Task Force (STF) on Jos crisis, codenamed ‘Operation Safe Haven’ which led the military operation on these streets, said, “While the STF will not relent on its part to ensure that peace is achieved and this phase passes quickly, it relies on the provision of prompt information to ensure that no group of terrorists will cause harm to the populace.”

    Though the security agencies refused to disclose their findings in the military operation, it was learnt that a number of high-capacity explosives were evacuated from the streets during the exercise.

    But as soon as the military operations were over the traders returned to the streets for business. This has compelled the security agencies in collaboration with the state government to contemplate applying force to decongest the city centre. The state police command had earlier issued a quit notice to all traders around the Terminus Market. This was followed by an announcement by the state government that a task force was about to start evacuating traders from the troubled zone.

    State Commissioner for Information, Olivia Dazyem at a media briefing, said, “The general public will recall that in the aftermath of the last bomb blast in Jos and other security challenges, the Plateau State government came up with some measures aimed at ensuring safety and promoting peace and security within the Jos city centre. These include the ban on street trading, operation of illegal motor parks and indiscriminate parking of vehicles along major streets in the city centre.

    “Also government had earlier placed a ban on the operation of commercial motorcycles within the greater Jos Master Plan Areas.

    “In order for all stakeholders to appreciate the gravity of our security challenges, government and security chiefs met with leaders of traders Association and the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) on the 25th of June 2014. At the meeting, it was resolved that the streets within Jos city center should be cleared of illegal traders, hawkers and motor parks and indiscriminate parking of vehicles be stopped to avoid a repeat of the collateral damages to lives and properties that accompanied the 20th May 2014 twin bomb blasts.

    “Based on this resolution, a task force was on the same day inaugurated by the state commissioner of police to enforce the ban.

    “Since then, security chiefs have been monitoring closely the security situation in the state as there have been threats of security breach. The strengthening of the task force has become urgent and necessary.

    “It is based on this that the Plateau State police command has put the general public on notice that the task force is set to swing into action immediately. For example, operators of illegal motor parks, illegal traders, and motorists engaged in illegal parking around Terminus areas down to Plateau Riders, Ahmadu Bello Way, Tafawa Balewa, ECWA Good News, Old Bukuru Park, Murtala Muhammed Way, Rwang Pam Street, and Gangeri road are strongly advised to comply.

    “Shop owners along the mentioned areas and other motorists are also advised to find alternative areas to park their vehicles.

    “I also wish to inform occupants of the JMDB shopping complex along Murtala Muhammed Way that experts from the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development have declared the facilities unsafe. This is due to the impact of the 29th May bomb blasts. Those renting shops at the complex are advised to contact JMDB and the Ministry of Commerce for further directives. For the avoidance of doubt, alternative shops are available at the Kwararafa New Market and the Kabong Satellite Market.

    “I wish to say here that all these measures are in no way punitive aimed at ensuring public safety, sanity, economic prosperity and the general well being of all people.

    “Therefore, I wish to solicit the support, cooperation and understanding of all to make Jos the hub of business and an example of plateau state being the undisputed home of peace and tourism.

    With this development, the famous Jos business streets are gone for fear of Boko Haram. But the affected traders are not pleased with the enforcement of the ban. Chinedu Onu who owns a shop at the affected streets said, “In as much as we don’t want suicide bombers to seek the opportunity of heavy traffic of people and strike, we don’t also want government to close this market because everybody in the city prefers to shop here; people are not used to the alternative market where they are forcing us to go”

    Most of the women who sell vegetables along the streets are not happy either. They said their family depends on the little gain they make from their petty trade.

    Esther Marcus said, “Instead of driving us from the street, they are supposed to provide security for us, if we leave here we will never have space in the new markets, government is just punishing us”

    It was tough for motorists as the task force moved out to enforce the ban, almost all the streets within the city centre were cordoned off to keep traders away. Motorists were left with few roads to ply and the traffic gridlock was another terrible experience for citizens.had earlier issued a quit notice to all traders around the Terminus Market. This was followed by an announcement by the state government that a task force was about to start evacuating traders from the troubled zone.

  • Bomb scare rocks Jos

    Bomb scare rocks Jos

    •STF close down streets for explosives

    Jos, the Plateau State capital, was shut down for several hours yesterday by security agencies in a joint military operation.

    The military operations, which lasted from 1am until 2pm, was in response to the alarm that explosives were planted at strategic spots within the city.

    Security agencies took over the city centre and cordoned them off, working to locate the explosives.

    The situation caused heavy vehicular traffic jam on the few streets left for motorists and pedestrians.

    The development also created panic as most schools, banks and offices could not operate.

    Residents, who went to resume work, were ordered by security operatives to return home.

    Affected streets include Murtala Mohammed Way, Ahmadu Bello Way, Beach Road, Bank Road and some parts of Central Bank Road.

    The Special Task Force (STF) said it closed the streets for military operations.

    Its Media and Information Officer, Captain Ikedichi Iweha, in a statement, said: “The Task Force had been conducting operations around the affected areas since 1am yesterday.

    “We had to block some areas to make sure that residents don’t get caught up in the line of fire.

    “Once we are through, we will open the roads so that people can go about their business.

    “The attention of the public by this release is drawn to an ongoing military operation in the heart of Jos.

    “The operation, which began at 0145 hours, is to prevent any loss of lives and property.

    “To this end, the following roads are temporarily shut down.

    “These include Yantaya Junction, ECWA Goodnews Road,  Old Bukuru Junction, Terminus Junction, Rwang Pam Street, Kashim Ibrahim Junction by Ahmadu Bello Way, Ahmadu Bello Way (including Hamaz and Unity Bank Junction), Murtala Mohammed Way (University of Jos old campus), and Beach Road by Zenith Bank.”

    The statement advised the public to keep off the closed streets and use alternative routes.

    Capt Iweha said residents can go about their businesses  “as adequate security arrangements are in place to protect them.

    “While the STF will not relent in ensuring that peace is achieved and this phase passes quickly,  it relies on the provision of prompt information to ensure that no group of terrorists will  harm  the populace.”

    Though the security agencies refused to disclose their findings, it was learnt that some explosives were evacuated during the exercise.

  • Plateau: Living in the shadow of fear

    Plateau: Living in the shadow of fear

    A calm atmosphere prevails in Jos after the twin blast of last Tuesday, but the people are living in serious apprehension and tension due to rumours and fear of motor vehicles, YUSUFU AMINU IDEGU reports.

    Jos, the Plateau State capital was unusually calm days after the twin bomb blasts that led to the death over one hundred people last Tuesday. There was no violent reaction from any sections of the state as a result of the incident. This is an exceptional case because in all such cases in the past, the city witnessed days of continuous carnage perpetrated by youths in the name of reprisal.

    But last Tuesday’s twin bomb explosion which occurred in a market in Jos central area could not be attributed to any religious group most especially as victims of the blast cut across all ethnic and regions divides in the city unlike other bomb explosions in the past like that of 2010, 2011 and 2012.

    Some aggrieved sections of the state actually waited for the next day to confirm the extent of casualties before reacting. The Christian community and its Muslim counterpart waited to know if there are more Christian victims than Muslim or vice versa. The adherents of both religions went round hospitals and mortuaries around the city to discover that everyone is in deep grief.

    Equal losses

    A sympathizer at one of the hospitals Mr. Samson Auta said, “It was actually suspected that such attacks are the handiwork of Boko Haram sect, which is suspected to be a child of Islamic religion. But the situation at the mortuary now is that there are good numbers of Christian victims and Muslim victims among the dead. So it will be difficult for anyone to think of reprisal.”

    At the morgue of the Plateau Specialists Hospital, several Muslim families came in search of their missing relations. So also the Christian families; children were searching for body of their mothers, husbands were looking for their missing wives, friends, class mates were looking for their loved ones and so on.

    In this scenario, rather than anyone thinking of reprisal, both religious adherents were united in grief, they became united in the prevailing gloomy mood of the moment. In spite of the mutual suspicion among both religions, they were emotionally moved to console one another at the mortuary. When someone broke down on discovering the body of loved ones, other around will gather to console the other.

    At the morgue of Plateau Specialists Hospital, the first vehicle that came to pick an identified body was a Muslim van. As they picked some from there, they were heading to the Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH) to pick another one.

    In this obvious circumstance of mutual grief, the idea of indicting the other as source of the attack became weak and baseless. This made the city calm after the incidence, all the fears around town of possible outbreak of violence never happened.

    But not to take anything for granted, security was beefed up by security agencies. Armed police and soldier were promptly deployed to all the nooks and crannies of the city to forestall any outbreak of violence. There was serious security surveillance at indentified volatile sections of the city so as not to be taken unawares.

    Dousing the tension

    Leaders of both religions also became sensitive and cautious; they warned their youths against participating in any form of violence as a result of the blasts. The Nigerian Aid Group of the Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) moved as fast as possible to issue statement warning against violence, so also the state branch of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN)

    Lawal Ishaq, state secretary of the Muslim group said in a statement, “The Nigerian Aid Group of Jama’atu Nasril Islam, Plateau state branch was shocked by the unfortunate twin bomb blast at terminus market, Jos. The organisation condemns this dastardly act and reiterates its position that whoever is behind such act should be enemy of humanity. Surely God in His infinite mercy will visit His wrath on every single evil doer both here and hereafter.

    “We seize this opportunity to condole those that lost their loved ones and pray for the quick recovery of those involved. In the same vein, youths in all parts of Jos are enjoined to exercise restraint and desist from blocking roads and harassing innocent passersby in the name of reprisals. Surely whoever is behind these bomb blasts is a common enemy of all irrespective of faith or ethnic background.”

    In the same vein, the state chapter of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in a statement said, “The state chapter condemns unequivocally the twin bomb blasts that killed many traders mostly women, dozens of commuters and others at Terminus, a busy market in Jos.

    “This mindless, heinous and unwarranted wickedness against innocent lives that have been cut short in another unexplainable orgy of bloodletting cannot be allowed to continue. Security agencies should go extra mile to bring those behind this dastardly act justice and beef ip surveillance around busy areas in the city.

    “The state officials of CAN have gone round the hospitals and mortuaries in Jos where the victims are receiving treatment. Our thoughts, prayers and condolences go out to the families that have lost loved ones as well as those injured. You are not alone.”

    The position of leaders of both religions went a long way in dousing tension and discouraging any violent move against the other. At the end of it all, it was calm everywhere in the volatile city.

    However, as religious leaders and security teamed up to prevent post-explosion violence, they could not prevent the spate of rumour been peddled around the city. Almost every other car on the streets of Jos are been suspected to be explosive-bearing car. This fear is obvious because, the twin explosions were planted in vehicles which were abandoned by those that brought them before the explosions.

    Since then, the fear of abandoned vehicles in the city has become the new wisdom. Any car seen parked at the road side for 30 minutes without the owner there will be forced people within the neighborhood to invite the police. Several of such cases have continued to cause unnecessary chaos, apprehension and tension in the city since the last Tuesday’s blast.

    Though there is calm after the blast but citizens are not moving freely as usual as a result of the fears and suspicions all over the city.

     

     

  • Hope as youths renounce violence in Plateau

    Hope as youths renounce violence in Plateau

    In what is termed a major breakthrough in Plateau State, youths are quitting violence and helping the state government as peace ambassadors, reports AMINU YUSUFU IDEGU from Jos

    After a long spell of crisis, youths, often seen as tools in the hands of mischief makers, are proving very crucial in sustaining peace in Plateau State. Some have found healthy means of livelihood. Some are helping to keep an eye on the neighbourhood to keep hoodlums at bay.  A good number have laid down their weapons are working with the government to track down illegal arms in the state.

    In all the research made on how to achieve lasting peace in the state, youths were always seen as the solution. How to thian down the army of the jobless among them is always an issue. One way to resolve that is preventing them from being tools in the hands of trouble makers.

    For this reason, government and non-governmental organisations have outlined several measures aimed at building the capacity of youths in the state. Over 1000 of them have got the state government’s tricycles, and about 5000 have been absorbed in the state’s internal security operations such as neighborhood watch.

    Recently, an NGO, Institute of Governance and Social Research (IGSR) in collaboration with Nigerian Stability and Reconciliation Program (NSRP) of the Department For International Development (DFID) organised a capacity building for 600 youths of the state. At the end of the seven-day training held at the Citizenship and Leadership Training Centre, Shere Hills Jos, the 600 youths denounced violence and vowed to be peace ambassadors in the state.

    The youths also said they are set to return any available arms in their possession to security agencies and will further assist security agencies in mopping up illegal weapons in  the state.

    The 600 youths drawn from Plateau Northern senatorial zone comprising of six local governments Jos North, Jos South, Jos East, Riyom and Barkin Ladi local government areas were camped at the Mountain School for seven days where they were trained.

    The training organised by the Institute of Governance and Social Research  (IGSR) with support from Department for International Development (DFID) was part of the ongoing peace building projects in Plateau aimed at restoring permanent peace in the state.

    The youths made their vow in a chorus, “We are the youths of our communities; we have been fighting and killing one another, but today we have resolved to stop the violence, forgive one another and become responsible citizens of our dear state.”

    Organiser and president, Institute of Governance and Social Research, Professor Isawa Elaigwu said, “The training which was titled, “Plateau Peace: Arresting the circle of violence,” is an aspect of peace building programme of IGSR.  So on behalf of IGSR, I welcome you to Peace Ambassadors Club. From now onward, you have been trained to resist every temptation to go violent.”

    He told the youths, “Please, ensure you resist being used by politicians or any other Nigerians, If you are still keeping arms in your house, please surrender them to the police, having renounced violence, IGSR will collect the arms and hand over to the police. By renouncing violence, it is a resolve not to die young.

    “As youths, you are the future of Plateau State. Senators, governors, presidents can come out of one of you here tomorrow, that is why we refer to you as leaders of tomorrow. I want to assure you that the programme to enhance your capacity will not end with this training, we will further make effort to provide you opportunity in the military and para-military. We are designing a programme to get you employed to make you contribute meaningfully in the peace building project.”

    Prof Elaigwu said, “The youths were lectured on topics that has to do with Leadership, purpose of peace building, importance of dialogue, team work, self-awareness, obstacles, challenges etc

    Programme Manager, Nigerian Stability and Reconciliation Program (NSRP), co-sponsor of the programme, Prof Ukoha Ukiwo said, “DFID has a programme to help in peace building in Nigeria, to minimise conflict escalation. Our expectation on these youths is to go back into the society and be agents of change; they are expected to positively influence their peers with the knowledge they acquired from the training. We hoped that plateau will regain its status as home of peace and tourism.

    Prof Ukiwo said, “Further efforts shall be made to ensure the youths are offered job opportunities as a way of empowering them”

    The special task force (STF) on Jos crisis, code named ‘operation safe haven’ who has been at the center of Jos crisis since it’s creation in 2010 confirmed that, “The youths of the state is the problem and solution of the state. The Commander of sector 3, Col. Charles Okoh who represented the STF Commander in the program said, “The youths of the state holds the peace in their hands, if they chose to make the state ungovernable, they have the power to do that. And if they chose to denounced violence for peace to reign, they have the power to do that. So government should not take the role of the society for granted, all efforts should be done to channeled the energies of the youths towards peace building and community development.

    STF commander cautioned the youths, “Don’t allow politicians, religious leaders, community leaders or whoever to mislead you into going violence. If imam or Pastor or Reverend send you to go and burn somebody house or kill someone in the name of religion, go back and read your bible or Quran before you belief him. Don’t be a fool in the hand of conflict merchants. Stop drug abuse, excesses alcohol and imbibe spirit of forgiveness”

    In his closing remarks, Prof Elaigwu said, “Your graduation from this training is a sent forth to preach peaceful co-existence in plateau state, a sent forth to spread love and unity and a sent forth to be peace ambassadors. You sent off as society transformers, go and transformed the society. You are sent forth to be the watchdogs of the society.”

  • 20 dead in fresh cholera outbreak in Plateau

    A fresh outbreak of cholera has been recorded in Barkin Ladi and Jos South local governments of Plateau state.

    The outbreak was said to have occurred at weekend when 17 victims were rushed to health clinics in Bukuru, headquarters of Jos South local government.

    While medical experts were trying to combat the incident of Jos South LGA, the epidemic erupted in nearby Barkin Ladi LGA early Sunday morning. Before noon, more than ten people were reported dead at the Barkin Ladi General Hospital while over 50 victims were admitted for treatment.

    More victims at the general hospital Barkin Ladi were reported to have died before Monday morning.

    Family relations of one of the victims, James Abok said, “this thing is a serious case, I know that between Sunday and Monday, not less than twenty people have been killed by cholera. Two of my neighbors are among the dead.”

    However, Chairman of Barkin Ladi LGA, Hon. Emmanuel Loman who responded though a telephone interview confirmed that five people lost their lives while 32 were hospitalized and are responding to treatment in the area.

    “The council has ensured that drugs and medical personnel are available to attend to those hospitalized while the Council has set aside a day to sensitize the people on the need to wash their fruits very well before eating and to live in a clean environment”

    According to Hon Loman, “the outbreak was due largely to and dirty environment as well as ignorance of the virus. That is why we have commenced an awareness campaign in the locality to minimize the numbers of victims.”

    “We are advising the people to keep their environment clean, wash their fruits before eating and avoid staying in a congested environment and report to the nearest hospital for appropriate action any frequent stooling and vomiting they noticed in their area”

  • Plateau entrenches e-governance

    Plateau entrenches e-governance

    Plateau State Governor Jonah David Jang has said that e-governance has been entrenched in the state civil service system, noting that some of the state’s ministries, agencies and commissions have fully become Information Communication Technology (ICT) compliant. He said the state has become one of the ICT-compliant states in the country.
    Governor Jang spoke at the opening ceremony of a five-day computer appreciation capacity building training programme organised for commissioners and heads of commissions on Information Communication Technology (ICT).
    The training was organised by the state Ministry of Science and Technology in collaboration with the ICT Directorate of the University of Jos.
    Jang said: “The growing interest in e-governance activities by governments the world over has made it imperative for the deployment of ICT to drive efficiency and transparency in government and further improve quality of public service delivery.”
    Continuing, he said: “It is indeed a fact that, the world over, ICT has made significant impact on every aspect of our lives, thus the attainment of knowledge-based economy and information society both of which are ICT-propelled.
    “This has continued to attract global discourse with due recognition of the increasing role of knowledge in engendering economic growth and social transformation.
    “Without doubt, information technology has become very much a core of modern civilisation. In view of this, this administration is convinced that, through effective utilisation of these tools, we can bridge, not only the digital divide between the government and the governed, but also keep pace with modern trends in public service delivery.”
    Speaking further, Jang maintained: “I have made it clear in the past that all members of the state executive council, key decision-makers and those involved in policy implementation must be ICT compliant. It is on that premise that I directed the Ministry of Science and Technology to urgently organise training programmes that will achieve the desired result.
    “The first phase of this training was conducted from January 13 to 17, this year for all Special Advisers and Permanent Secretaries. The second phase which commences today is tailored to meet the needs of members of the State Executive Council, Heads of Commissions and Aides to the Governor.
    “Having realised that information technology was going to be one of the key components to be deployed in propelling the transformation agenda, I immediately created the ICT Committee. I am glad to note that its recommendations assisted in the automation of the following sub-sectors which are yielding positive results. These include integration of civil servants biometric in the Office of the Head of Service with the integrated salary unit of the Ministry of Finance, automation of the operations of the Ministry of Finance as well as automation of the operations of the Plateau State Board of Internal Revenue Service.
    “It may be of interest to you that these projects have yielded great dividends to the state. For instance, the state’s internally-generated revenue (IGR) profile has significantly improved after the automation process. I will want to use this opportunity to commend the ICT Committee for their remarkable strides.
    “It may also interest you to know that the Plateau State Geographic Information System Project has commenced in the Ministry of Lands, Survey and Town Planning. Automation of some key sectors of the state government will also take place within the year.”
    Governor Jang also noted: “This training is, therefore, timely as it will offer all participants the opportunity to be ICT compliant as well as enhance their productivity. While I congratulate you all, I must urge you to avail yourselves of this rare opportunity by taking this exercise seriously for the overall interest of Plateau State.”
    Praising the ICT Directorate of the University of Jos, Governor Jang said: “May I also commend the ICT Directorate of the University of Jos for accepting to carry out these trainings. I hope that this strategic partnership with the University of Jos will be sustained to enable other categories of staff of the state public service to benefit in similar trainings. Our job is not finished until we have fully taken all our public servants to the cyberspace where necessary information and knowledge truly reside.
    “I have no doubt in my mind, therefore, that this Redemption Government will continue to be a most worthy partner as all is being done to explore ways and means of making government machinery and the entire workforce more ICT-oriented and efficient,” he said.
    While welcoming participants to the training, Commissioner for Science and Technology, Mrs Comfort Piwuna urged them to avail themselves of the opportunity in order to become computer literate. This, she said, will enable the state to run the e-governance effectively.

  • Combating cow thieves in Plateau

    Combating cow thieves in Plateau

    Cow theft is fast becoming a growing industry in the Northcentral, and Plateau State seems to be the hub. It is said that the state now has the highest rate of cattle theft.

    The problem of cow stealing in Northcentral especially Plateau State, appears peculiar judging from the sophistication and strategies deployed by the cattle robbers.

    Cow stealing involves a gang of about 50 criminals who specialise in stealing as many as 300 cows and an uncountable number of sheep and goats in a single operation. The most recent case in Plateau North involved over 500 cows seized and taken away in one night.

    The Special Task Force (STF) on Jos crisis code-named Operation Safe Haven, said the issue of cow stealing has become a very serious problem in Plateau State.

    During the peace meeting which was sponsored by the European Union (EU) through Search for Common Ground (SFCG), a non-governmental organisation (NGO), held at the Cabinet Office Jos, the STF said they recorded 42 cases of cattle stealing in six months.

    According to its presentation at the peace meeting, the STF said: “There were 160 attacks associated with cattle rustling in the state within six months.”

    Col. Usman Bello, who made the presentation on behalf of the Commander Maj-Gen. David Enetie said: “In the 160 attacks, over 260 people were killed, 2,501 cows were stolen. About 1,312 cows were recovered, over 88 arms were recovered as well as 2,734 ammunition were also recovered.”

    Continuing, the task force said: “The attacks were fuelled by activities of cow rustlers. This is the major security challenge confronting the task force in the state. The problems of cattle rustling is concentrated mostly in Mangu, Bokkos, Barkin Ladi, Shendam, Jos South and Riyom in Langtang North and Langtang South local government areas respectively.

    “Apart from the casualties, the task force has recorded some successes in its efforts to address the problems of cow rustling with the arrest of 15 armed dealers who provide arms to the thieves to nake cattle rustling easier.”

    Continuing, the STF said: “The successes recorded in the fight against cattle rustlers in the state is attributed to the Operation Restore Peace launched by the STF so as to combat the new form of criminality in the state.”

    Organisers of the meeting, an European Union (EU)-sponsored NGO, in collaboration with the Office of the Special Adviser on Peace Building and Conflict Management revealed that the early warning system established by the NGO is associated with cattle rustling has been on the increase since the beginning of this year.

    The NGO, however, said: “With the collaborative efforts of civil society organisations and security agencies, the rate of attacks and killings has significantly reduced.

    Country Director of Search For Common Ground, Mr. Chom Bagu, said: “The peace-building and dialogue process are not restricted to government and security agencies alone. All stakeholders are required to join hands to reduce conflicts in Plateau State.

    In his remarks, Special Adviser to Governor Jang on Peace-building and Conflict Management, Mr Timothy Parlong announced that the Fulani, who withdrew from the dialogue last month on protest have agreed to return to the dialogue table for peace to reign in the state.

    However, the special task force (STF) has outlined some of the handicaps militating against their efforts to effectively tackle cattle rustling in the state.

    He said: “We have our challenges which has limited our capacity to effectively tackle the issue of cattle rustling in Plateau State. Though we have made tremendous successes in the fight against cattle stealing, we have discovered that the suspects we arrested often escape justice because of the existing weak laws which do not prescribe severe punishment for offenders.

    Col. Bello said: “Cattle rustling currently has advanced from what it used to be in the past. Cattle rustling is now being carried out in large-scale and the criminals use sophisticated arms.

    “But the existing laws prescribed an alternative of a fine of about N10,000 for cattle rustlers. This has offered an escape route to the criminals and we discovered that most of them escaped through the courts and return to rustle more cattle.

    “Apart from that, cattle market is the most unorganised in the country. There is no receipt for a cow that cost over N100, 000, whereas, in other markets, there is a receipt for a good whic costs as low as N500. This makes it difficult to identify stolen cows in the markets.”

    The STF also decried the issue of proliferation of military uniforms as one of the major challenges in the fight against cattle rustling. Negative perceptions of the locals about men of the STF as well as the giving of religious and ethnic colouration to the crime.

    Col. Bello, however said: “But, in spite of the challenges, we have recorded major successes in the battle against cattle rustlers. We were able to recover 1,312 out of the 2,501 cattle rustled in the last six months. We have arrested 15 armed dealers who are currently being investigated.

    “Eventually, the rate of cattle rustling has reduced drastically. Rate of attacks on locals has been curtailed significantly and there is relative peace in the state at the moment. We are doing our best, but we cannot effectively stop cattle rustling considering the obvious challenges mentioned above. We need more encouragements.”

    Mr. Parlong and the NGO commended mrmbers of the STF for their efforts in combatting cattle rustling in the state.

    Mr Bagu appealed to communities across the state not to pursue personnel of the STF from their areas, saying it is only the STF that has the capacity to confront the armed rustlers and restore the needed peace in the state.

    It is cheery that the Fulani Community in Plateau State have suspended their one- month-old protest, even as they have resumed participation at the peace meetings with their Berom neighbours.

    Mr. Parlong revealed this while declaring open the 6th Plateau Peace Architecture (PAD) meeting at the Cabinet Office Jos.

    The Fulani community had boycotted the 5th peace meeting last month in protest, vowing not to be part of the peace talk with the Berom people. The Fulani said they were compelled to suspend their participation in all peace talks in the state following the rustling of over 500 cattle allegedly by Berom youths.

    Mr Parlong said: “I am so glad to inform you that the Fulani community that boycotted the meeting last month in protest has resolved to resume participation in the ongoing peace talks.

    “This is a victory to all stakeholders in the peace-building efforts. The state government is particularly happy for this because it considered every ethnic group in the state as critical stakeholder in this peace-building project.

    “Plateau is a miniature Nigeria where all citizens of Nigeria reside. The state government is ready to carry all citizens along because the peace-building project can only succeed with collective input of all stakeholders,” Parlong said.

    Confirming the return of the Fulani to the peace talks, Special Adviser to Gov Jang on Fulani Affairs, Alhaji Salim Bello said: “The Fulani Community has suspended our protest and we have already resumed all the peace talks we used to participate in.

    “We had to boycott the peace talks because of the continuous rustling of Fulani cattle by Berom youths. Some of the stolen cattle have been recovered and efforts are being made by government and security agencies to recover the rest.”

    Country Director of Search For Common Ground (SFCG), commended the Fulani for listening to its appeal to return to dialogue, saying there is no other better platform to resolve conflict except dialogue.

    The Plateau Peace Architecture Dialogue series is an 18-month peace-building project sponsored by European Union (EU) and implemented by Search For Common Ground (SFCG) in collaboration with Directorate of Peace Building and Conflict Management.

  • Plateau Utd partners Serbia Football Federation on players’ sale

    Plateau Utd partners Serbia Football Federation on players’ sale

    Plateau United FC of Jos on Wednesday said it had concluded a partnership deal with Serbia Football Federation for the sale of some its players to European clubs.

    Coach Bitrus Bewarang, the General Manager of Plateau United, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Jos that the partnership was to help the club to generate funds.

    “Before the league started, I spoke with Plateau Governor, Jonah Jang to give us the enablement to raise funds to make Plateau United financially independent. He has agreed and we are partnering with the Serbia Football Federation on the sale of players and sport equipment sponsorship. The sports professor with me here is in Jos to assess the structure of Plateau United and to assess the physical and mental abilities of our players,’’ he said.

    Bewarang said five of the club’s players had been selected by the officials to be taken to Serbia for further development and subsequent sale.

    “The players will be taken to Serbia, trained and made more marketable before selling them to clubs in Europe and beyond,’’ he said.

    The manager said that apart from the Serbian connection, he had also established contact with other countries for the same purpose.

    “Apart from Serbian and Belgian connections, I also established contacts with a Spanish organisation and we are also in contact with a South Korean company for the same reason. We are doing all these to get the best business because football is business and we must do everything within our powers to ensure to get the best,’’ he said.

    Prof Ivica Trakovic of Football Club Royale Yatsarica, Serbia, said he was in Nigeria on the invitation of Bewarang to assess and take some players to Serbia.

    Trakovic, a professor of sports science and a UEFA pro-licensed coach, added that after training, the players would be sold to some clubs that were part of the partnership.

  • Minister takes medicare to Plateau rural areas

    Minister takes medicare to Plateau rural areas

    The Minister of Water Resources, Mrs. Sarah Ochekpe has provided free medical care to the people of Pankshin Local Government Area, Plateau State.

    Ochekpe, at the opening of the exercise at the Federal College of Education, Pankshin, said that her effort to bring medical care to the grassroots was to complement the efforts of the Federal Government in providing health care facilities to the citizenry.

    In a statement in Abuja, the minister said the free medical outreach in the state was dedicated to President Goodluck Jonathan for his efforts towards improving the health care of the people of Nigeria.

    The minister maintained that despite Federal government’s efforts at improving Nigerians access to good quality health care, many people in the rural areas do not have access to good medical care.

    According to her, the rural people are not able to access free medical care due to lack of finance and the inability to go to places to access the medical care.

    “We are bringing the free medical care in order to get close to the grassroots where they are most needed,” she said.

    The free medical outreach is sponsored by the minister in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health, Soteria Afrique, Urban Frontiers Mission International, Association of Resident Doctors –Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH) and Afrique Foundation.