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Tag: Simon Lalong

  • Ayade, Lalong, Masari, others get INEC’s certificates of return

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) yesterday issued certificates of return to Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau State and his Cross River State counterpart, Ben Ayade as well as the governor of Katsina State, Alhaji Aminu Masari.

    The three were among the sitting governors re-elected together with their deputies in the just concluded governorship and state house of assembly elections across the country.

    Kano State governor, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje and his deputy, Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna, are also billed to be issued their return certificates on Wednesday next week.

    Presenting certificates of return to Lalong, his deputy and 23 Plateau State House of Assembly members-elect in Jos yesterday, the INEC national commissioner supervising Abuja, Niger and Plateau State, Prof Antonia Okoosi-Simbine, encouraged Gov Lalong to ensure that he fulfilled his campaign promises to the people of the state who elected him.

    He also urged the lawmakers to initiate laws that would benefit the people.

    The commission applauded the Plateau State electorates for their peaceful conduct during the elections.

    She, however, urged all candidates and political parties who are not certified with the results of the elections to seek legal means to address their issues.

    Lalong, in an address, thanked the people of Plateau State for giving him a second term to serve the state as governor.

    Speaking on behalf of the elected leaders, Lalong assured that his administration would consolidate on the achievements, adding that every citizen would be carried along in the incoming administration.

    Earlier, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Plateau State, Mallam Hussaini Halilu Pai, had commended all the stakeholders for ensuring the success of the entire process.

    Presenting the certificates of return to the 23 House of Assembly members-elect, the state REC paid tributes to the late Ezekiel Afon, the member-elect who died shortly after he was pronounced winner of the Pengana state constituency elections.

    “It is unfortunate that one of you, Mr. Ezekiel Afon, could not make it because he died shortly after he was declared as the winner of the Pengana state assembly constituency election. May his soul rest in peace,” he said.

    Addressing Governor Ayade, his deputy, Prof Ivara Esu, and the 25 members-elect of the state House of Assembly who also received their certificates of return in Calabar yesterday, the Chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof Mahmud Yakubu, represented by the National Commissioner in charge of Cross River, Akwa Ibom and Delta states, Dr. Mustapha Mohammed, said the presentation of the certificates was in compliance with the law that established the commission.

    The State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dr. Frankland Briyai, attributed the success of the election in the state to the contributions of all relevant stakeholders.

    Speaking afterwards, Ayade extended the olive branch to the opposition in the state, saying, “Let us put an end to enmity. Whether you are in PDP, APC, or SDP, we are all Cross Riverians.”

    He said in spite of the meagre resources the state gets, he would continue to improve the welfare of the people of the state and sustain the industrialization drive he began in his first term.

    “I will do much more in my second term. We must show what is called governance,” he said.

    Speaking at the award of certificates of return to Masari and 34 newly elected members of the Katsina State House of Assembly yesterday, the National Electoral Commissioner for Katsina, Kano and Jigawa states, Engr Abubakar Nahuche, charged elected officers to justify their victor by rendering quality service to the electorate.

    He said: “The 2019 general election has generated a lot of interests and debate particularly on declaring election inconclusive requiring supplementary election.

    “It shows improvement in the quality of election in recent times.

    Read also: PHOTOS: INEC issues certificates of return to Sanwo-Olu, Hamzat

    “It has reduced the margin between the winner and the runner up during the election.”

    Citing Adamawa and Sokoto states as examples of states where elections were declared inconclusive, Nahuche said: “In Adamawa, the margin between the winner and the runner up was over 32,000 votes and the cancelled votes were about 40,900.

    “The runner up needed  over 60 per cent of the cancelled votes to win the election  while in Sokoto state, the margin was over 3,400 votes while the cancelled votes were over 75,000, so, the election could  go both ways, both of them could  win the election as we have seen.”

    Also speaking, the Resident Electoral Commissioner for Katsina State Alhaji Jibrin Zarewa, restated that the commission kept faith with the provisions of its core values and the Nigerian Constitution and other electoral laws during the conduct of the just concluded elections in the state

    The commission, according to him, carried along relevant stakeholders in the process.

    In Kano State, INEC Director of Voters Education and Publicity, Muhammad Garba Lawal, hinted one of our correspondents yesterday that Ganduje, his deputy Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna and 40 members of the Kano State House of Assembly will be handed their certificate of returns on Wednesday.

    Lawal said that INEC national commissioner in charge of Kano, Jigawa and Katsina states, Engr. Abubakar Nauche, is expected to present the certificates of return to the elected officers.

  • Breaking: Lalong declared winner in Plateau

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared incumbent governor of Plateau State and Candidate of the All Progressive Congress APC Barrister Simon Lalong winner of the 2019 Governorship election.

    The total results was declared at exactly 4am on Sunday at the end of the collation of results which lasted between 9pm on Saturday night through the early hours of Sunday.

    The governor was declared the winner by the Returning Officer, Prof Richard Anande Kimbir, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Agriculture, Makurdi, Benue state.

    Lalong emerged winner in the March 9th election and also emerged winner in the May 23rd supplementary election.

    READ ALSO: Rerun: PDP kicks over Kano polls, as Lalong leads in Plateau

    By the total results, Gov Lalong defeated his major rival, the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, General Jeremiah Useni (Rtd) .

    Lalong polled a total of 595, 582 votes to defeat the PDP candidate Useni who scored 546, 813 votes .

    Results for the nine LGAs that took part in the supplementary poll, including Langtang South, Barkin Ladi, Bassa, Bokkos, Jos North, Kanam, Mangu, shendam and Pankshin showed that Lalong scored 12,327 new votes, while the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Jeremiah Useni, earned 8,487.

  • 2019: Lalong tasks media on accurate reportage

    Plateau State Governor Simon Lalong has urged media practitioners to help avoid election violence through professionally accurate reportage as 2019 General Election draw closer.

    Lalong made the call in Jos, Plateau State at the UNDP capacity building workshop for media group on conflict sensitive reportage ahead of 2019 General Election

    The governor who was represented by the Director General Research and Documentation, Prof. John Wade, noted that media role was key to success of election of any country.

    He stressed the need for media practitioners and journalists to present their reports in such a way that would not fan the fires of conflict.

    “Conflict sensitive reportage for media organisations and journalists is not only apt but timely considering the fact that we are in the season and threshold of electioneering campaigns

    “And, there is an urgent need for politicians to conduct themselves in line with certain values that will make them become better leaders in the overall interest of the country

    “Covering an election requires greater analytical depth and skills to report on it without engendering violence or overlooking peace building opportunities,” he said.

    Read Also: Lalong: I deserve second term

    According to him, reporter must therefore be above board and truly professional in his coverage and reportage.

    “The importance of conflict sensitive reportage in a period of elections in our value system and attitudinal reawakening cannot be over emphasized, given the fact that good or bad reporting can make or mar an election.

    “Conflict sensitive reportage constitutes the traditional role of journalism, as far as the agenda-setting is concerned.

    “Elections are often prone to violence and so in reporting elections, the media and journalists are expected to present their report in  such a way as not to fan the fires of conflict,” he said.

    According to him, as professionals, media practitioners owe the public the responsibility of self-censoring reportage to avoid vitriolic sentiment.

    “This is even most critical as during elections, tension are often high among contending political parties, hence the public can only make well informed decisions, based on the accuracy and quality of the stories disseminated by the media.

    “In this critical period of electioneering, as media organisations and journalists, you must continuously strive to redefine a new value system.

    “This based on God’s desire for us to love one another, serve one another, and be honest to one another; else, we will be shadows in our quest for objective reportage, sanity and greatness,” he said.

    According to him, it is indeed, a known fact that electoral violence or conflict usually triggers greater challenges for journalists, particularly when opposing sides seek to control the media.

    “Information can be unreliable or censored. This worsened by the old journalism adage that `he who pays pipers dictate the tune’. Media owner may want to dictate for journalist on how and what they should report,” he said

    The UNDP Nigeria Acting resident  Representative, Betty Wabunoha also charged media practitioners  to ensure that their reports do not incite violence.

    Wabunoha called on journalists to ensure an open and diverse media that can provide balanced and impartial coverage and equitable access for competing candidates and parties during the forthcoming election.

    According to her, in conflict sensitive electoral environments, the media holds the key to prevention of election related conflicts from occurring and escalating.

    She noted that this could only be possible through carefully calculated reporting of events around elections.

    Wabunoha said that the media also play crucial role in enabling citizens make informed choices as well as fostering peace, especially where there are election related disputes.

    She said that the call became imperative based on the fact that voters and candidates rely heavily on access to the media to both impact and receive information.

    “The media has a unique role to play as both the conveyor and recipient of information.

    “It does not only have an essential watchdog function that increases the transparency and accountability of the process, it also, if responsibly and appropriately used, helps strengthen the democratic process and contribute to a more credible and inclusive election,” she said.

    Over 160 Journalists from the six north-central states were taught on conflict sensitive reportage over a period of three days.

    At the end of the capacity building workshop, journalists were enjoined to present factual, balanced and accurate reportage of the 2019 elections in addition to reporting it with a positive mindset.

  • 2019: Lalong warns against inciting violence

    Plateau State Governor Simon Lalong has urged the media to help avoid violence in the General Elections draw closer.

    Lalong spoke on Monday last week in Jos, Plateau State at the UNDP capacity building workshop for media group on conflict sensitive reportage ahead of 2019 General Election.

    The governor, who was represented by the Director-General Research and Documentation, Prof. John Wade, noted that media role was to success of election of any country.

    He stressed the need for media practitioners and journalists to present their reports in such a way that would not fan the fires of conflict.

    “Conflict sensitive reportage for media organisations and journalists is not only apt but timely considering the fact that we are in the season and threshold of electioneering campaigns.

    “And, there is an urgent need for politicians to conduct themselves in line with certain values that will make them become better leaders in the overall interest of the country.

    “Covering an election requires greater analytical depth and skills to report on it without engendering violence or overlooking peace building opportunities,” he said.

    According to him, reporter must therefore be above board and truly professional in his coverage and reportage.

    “The importance of conflict sensitive reportage in a period of elections in our value system and attitudinal reawakening cannot be over emphasised, given the fact that good or bad reporting can make or mar an election.

    “Conflict sensitive reportage constitutes the traditional role of journalism, as far as the agenda-setting is concerned.

    “Elections are often prone to violence and so in reporting elections, the media and journalists are expected to present their report in  such a way as not to fan the fires of conflict,” he said.

    According to him, as professionals, media practitioners owe the public the responsibility of self-censoring reportage to avoid vitriolic sentiment.

    “This is even most critical as during elections, tension are often high among contending political parties, hence the public can only make well informed decisions, based on the accuracy and quality of the stories disseminated by the media.

    “In this critical period of electioneering, as media organisations and journalists, you must continuously strive to redefine a new value system.

    “This based on God’s desire for us to love one another, serve one another, and be honest to one another; else, we will be shadows in our quest for objective reportage, sanity and greatness,” he said.

    According to him, it is indeed, a known fact that electoral violence or conflict usually triggers greater challenges for journalists, particularly when opposing sides seek to control the media.

    “Information can be unreliable or censored. This worsened by the old journalism adage that ‘he who pays pipers dictate the tune’. Media owner may want to dictate for journalist on how and what they should report,” he said.

    The UNDP Nigeria Acting resident representative, Betty Wabunoha, also urged media practitioners  to ensure that their reports do not incite violence.

    Wabunoha called on reporters to ensure an open and diverse media that can provide balanced and impartial coverage and equitable access for competing candidates and parties during the forthcoming election.

    According to her, in conflict sensitive electoral environments, the media holds the key to prevention of election related conflicts from occurring and escalating.

    She noted that this could only be possible through carefully calculated reporting of events around elections.

    Wabunoha said that the media also play crucial role in enabling citizens make informed choices as well as fostering peace, especially where there are election related disputes.

    She said that the call became imperative based on the fact that voters and candidates rely heavily on access to the media to both impact and receive information.

    “The media has a unique role to play as both the conveyor and recipient of information.

    “It does not only have an essential watchdog function that increases the transparency and accountability of the process, it also, if responsibly and appropriately used, helps strengthen the democratic process and contribute to a more credible and inclusive election,” she said.

    Over 160 Journalists from the six north-central states were taught on conflict sensitive reportage over a period of three days.

    At the end of the capacity building workshop, journalists were enjoined to present factual, balanced and accurate reportage of the 2019 elections in addition to reporting it with a positive mindset.

     

  • 2019: Lalong sues for peaceful, issues-based campaign

    As politicians intensify their campaigns ahead of the forthcoming general elections, Gov. Simon Lalong of Plateau has charged his campaign team and supporters to focus on issues and avoid mudslinging.

    “We must focus on issues; we must be peaceful. We must put the common interest above every other consideration,” he said.

    Lalong, who is seeking re-election on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), spoke on Monday in Shendam, while flagging off the campaign in the southern senatorial district.

    “We must avoid any form of acrimony; we must be peaceful as we solicit for votes,” he said.

    He said that the government had recorded “some modest achievements in the last three and half years that will earn us a second term”.

    Read Also: Lalong: I deserve second term

    Lalong urged Plateau people to vote for President Muhammadu Buhari in the February 16 presidential polls, to give him four more years to serve the country.

    Mr Pam Dung Gyang,  Director General, Lalong Campaign Organization, in his remarks, thanked the people for the massive show of solidarity, and expressed the hope that the APC would win the polls.

    Mr Prince Miaphen, APC Youth Leader, in his address, assured the governor that the southern senatorial district would for the APC in all elections.

  • Osinbajo chairs NEC meeting

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Thursday presided over the National Economic Council (NEC) meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    The meeting which will deliberate on the minimum wage request, among other issues, started around 11.26am when Osinbajo arrived the Council chamber.

    After rendition of the National anthem, opening prayer was offered by Plateau State Governor, Simon Lalong.

    Read Also: We’ve credible plans to get Nigerians out of poverty, Says Osinbajo

    Among state governors in attendance included Lagos, Zamfara, Adamawa, Kebbi, Jigawa, Niger, Ekiti, Bauchi,

    Among the deputy governors in the hall included Nasarawa and Ogun.

    Also in attendance were the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Boss Mustapha, Minister of Labour, Chris Ngige, Minister of Finance, Zainab Ahmed.

    Others at the meeting included Minister of Budget and National Planning, Udoma Udo Udoma, FCT Minister, Mohammed Bello, Minister of Education Adamu Adamu, CBN Governor, Godwin Emefuele.

  • Lalong secures release of 37 inmates in Plateau

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

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

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

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

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

    Read Also: Army: our weapons superior to Boko Haram’s

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

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

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

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

  • VC vows to make Plateau varsity best in the country

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Read Also: Gunmen kidnap Plateau traditional ruler

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

     

  • Lalong vows to tackle challenges of city slums, urbanization

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Read Also: Lalong urges traditional rulers to mediate fairly

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

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

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

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

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

  • NMA urges Govt to sign HIV/AIDS bill

    Plateau state governor Simon Lalong and the state house of assembly have been urged to expedite action on the anti-discriminatory bill that has been pending at the state assembly since 2015.
    The anti-discriminatory bill when passed and signed into law will give legal backing to all form of discrimination against people living with HIV/AIDS in the state.
    Plateau state chapter of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA)  and Civil Society for HIV/AIDS made the call during the public lecture organized to mark the 2018 edition of World AIDS Day commemorated on Saturday.

    Read Also: HIV/AIDS: Oyo records low level of stigma cases

    The professional bodies said the call has became necessary for the need to protect and accommodate victims of the scourge.
    “This very important bill was passed by the 7th assembly of the state, but was not assented to before the expiration of last administration. The bill had to be returned to the house when the new government took over in 2015. Since then the bill has been abandoned.
    “We want the present administration of Simon Lalong to revisit this bill and sign into law to buttress the fight against HIV/AIDS in this state.
    NMA lamented that the fight for HIV/AIDS across the country has been so poor and Plateau state should lead by example by taking deliberate steps to lead other state to end this scourge.
    Guest speaker at the event Prof Oche Agbaji said there are 3.1 million Nigerians currently living with HIV and less than half of them have access to drugs.
    Prof Agbaji said, “That is why the theme for this year edition is “know your HIV status” because we need to discover those who are with the sickness and are not accessing drugs.”
    He said now that the donors are withdrawing their funding for HIV, Nigeria government needs to improve their funding intervention to cover the gap, because there are still much to be done in the fight against HIV.