The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Simon Lalong

  • We’ve promoted 8000 workers in three years – Plateau

    No fewer than 8000 civil servants in Plateau have been promoted in the last year three years, Mr Izam Azi, the state’s Head of Service said on Wednesday.

    Azi spoke in Jos when Gov. Simon Lalong paid an unscheduled visit to the State Secretariat.

    The Head of Service said that for over 10 years prior to Lalong’s administration, there was  embargo on promotion and employment of workers.

    “Since you came in, we have promoted over 8000 deserving workers and we are still working on those that are due in 2018.

    “With your approval, we have conducted the promotion interviews and we have submitted the briefs to Civil Service Commission.

    “The workers in Plateau are very happy with you because of the regular payment of salaries and we pray for its sustenance.

    “Since you came into office, you have been able to  clear  all the  arrears of salaries and pensions,” Azi said while commending the governor.

    He, however said there was shortage of staff in Ministries, Departments and Agencies ( MDAs ) in the state, appealing that the problem should be urgently addressed.

    “We appreciate you for  taking a step in that direction by employing 1000 teaching and non teaching staff in the Ministry of  Education.

    “We will work hard to ensure that there is improvement in Internally Generated Revenue ( IGR )  so that you will be more comfortable to grant approval for more hands.

    “A lot of people have retired and many are retiring and we need graduates to come in and fill the positions” he said.

    Azi commended the governor for the completion of the renovation works at the state secretariat.

    He, however, said that there was inadequate office accommodation, especially for new ministries that were recently created.

    Lalong said that he undertook the impromptu visit because of his commitment in 2015 that he would regularly visit to see things himself at the secretariat.

    The governor said that the visit was to see whether government was fulfilling its obligation and the workers were doing theirs.

    “It is also to get update of the welfare of workers because we are concerned about their well-being,” he said.

    The governor said the visit was also to see the level of some ongoing projects in the secretariat.

    Lalong said that the requests of the Head of Service would be looked into based on the availability of resources.

    The governor inaugurated stationery for distribution to MDAs.

    Mrs Regina Soemlat, Commissioner for Finance who conducted the governor round the central store, said that the government, for the first time in many years, was procuring a lot of stationery and other materials for workers.

    The materials include computers,  printers,  books, ink and duplicating papers, among others.

    NAN

  • Updated: Buhari declares for Second term

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday told the National Executive Committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC) that he will be seeking the party nomination to fly the party flag in the 2019 presidential election.

    The party NEC also approved waiver for members of the National Working Committee and other leaders across all levels wishing to contest party offices as part of soft landing measure for those willing to contest.

    Plateau state governor, Simon Lalong who briefed the media at the end of the party’s shortest NEC meeting ever that the President informed the meeting that in view of the resolution of the tenure elongation issue and the adoption of the report of the Technical Committee, he will be seeking nomination for re-election.

    The NEC meeting which started with the arrival of the President at about 11.02 and the introduction of members present ended at about 11.55 am when the President departed the APC national secretariat.

    Lalong said the NEC meeting also approved a waiver for members of the leadership from the ward level to the national level to contest in line with the recommendation of the technical committee report.

    Lalong who addressed the media alongside the National Publicity Secretary said the recommendation of the technical committee was unanimously adopted by the meeting.

    Lalong said “We were given a task to work within a short time. Within that time, we considered those who were for and against. We looked at the issue extensively and did wilder consultations and arrived at a point where we considered not only the legal point, but also the political options available.

    “That is why we came to the point that, if we are going to conduct that election within the time available, then the concern shown by other members on the issue of disenfranchisement and allowing others to contest was very genuine. We also considered the opinion of the President and we arrived at the point that it is constitutionally valid to conduct congresses.

    “We also decided that if, in conducting the elections, certain conditions are not going to be fulfilled, it means that some people will be disenfranchised. We spoke about the 21 days’ notice and the fulfillment of article 31.

    “If we are going to comply with this, the constitution require that certain weavers should be granted to those who are crying that they will be disenfranchised. We came to the conclusion that if these provisions are taken care of, then there was no need for anybody to say there should be no congress.

    “Our conclusion is that we must conduct congresses. We looked at the second aspect of the legality of the action and we said that in every constitution and the election of the president of the federal republic of Nigeria, we are not saints, we are not angels.

    “It is assumed that in the course of doing things, there may be unforeseen circumstances that will stop you or you reached a brick wall and therefore fail to conclude the exercise. That was the option that was made by the party, in creating an opportunity for there to be an option for you when you get that brickwall. So, we married the two position.

    “So, conducting the congresses will also create an opportunity for even those who are not yet members of the party or who have come to the party, but not yet registered because the constitution provide that you must be a registered member of the party and that for you to vote and be noted for, you must be a card carrying member. There was also the issue of reconciliation.

    “With this, the constitutional notices are being provided and we will work within this short period. That is why we concluded that everybody be carried al no and everybody’s interest protected in this report. It was a unanimous decision to adopt the recommendations that was made to a point that the President felt so happy and excited and said that because of this reunion and unity in the party, he will now consider and also accept the appeal by several members of the society and the party that he recontest and he accepted to recontest. So, he is going to recontest for the position of the President of the federal republic of Nigeria.”

    Article 31 1 (Iii) of the APC constitution states that “Any Party office holder interested in contesting for an elective office (whether party office or office in a general election) shall resign and leave office 30 days prior to the date of nomination or Party primary for the Office he or she is seeking to contest”, while article 31(2) states that “Subject to the approval of the National Executive Committee, the National Working Committee may in special circumstances grant a waiver to a person not otherwise qualified under Article 31(1) of this Constitution if, in its opinion, such a waiver is in the best interest of the Party.”

    Also speaking, National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi said members were leaving the meeting with smiles because it has been a win win situation for all members of the party, adding that those who thought the party will start breaking up after the NEC meeting were disappointed.

    Abdullahi said “This is the shortest NEC meeting that we have had. This is because the challenge before us has been clear all along and that what we want is a win win situation for all and that is the work that the committee had done, to find a mid-course that will take care of the interest of everyone.

    “Those who have been clamouring that we must have congresses and that who were afraid that if we have congresses, they will be swept away. The committee recommendation has taken care of both; that you must do congresses and that the requirement of the law that you must resign 30 days before you can contest will have to be waived.

    “In essence, you don’t have to resign before you can contest. That way, the matter has been resolved and as far as APC is concerned, the storm that everyone was expecting to happen did not happen and the collapse that people were expecting to start from this NEC meeting today did not happen.

    “So we are leaving the NEC meeting reunited and strong family of progressive politics in Nigeria. We are also happy and you can see that our countenance has changed and we are happy that Mr. President has accepted and has announced his wish to recontest in 2019.”

    Governors present include Ibikunle Amosu (Ogun), Rotimi Akeredolu (Ondo), Jubrilla Bindo (Adamawa), Simon Lalong (Plateau), Abdullahi Umar Ganduje (Kano), Mohammed Abubakar (Bauchi), Abubakar Badaru (Jigawa), Kashim Shettima (Borno), Yahaya Bello (Kogi), Nasir El-Rufai (Kaduna), Aminu Tambuwal (Sokoto), Deputy Governor of Edo state, Phillip Shuaibu, Akinwunmi Ambode (Lagos), Rochas Okorocha (Imo), Abdulaziz Yari (Zamfara), Tanko Almakura (Nasarawa), Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (Osun), Atiku Bagudu (Kebbi) and Abiola Ajimobi (Oyo).

    Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, Senate President, Bukola Saraki, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, Senate Leader, Ahmed Lawan, House leader, Femi Gbajabiamila among others.

     

  • We’re on same page with Buhari—APC governors insist

    Governors of the All Progressives Congress ( APC ) on Wednesday dismissed media reports that there was disagreement between them and President Muhammadu Buhari over tenure elongation for the APC national and state executives.

    Gov. Abdul-aziz Yari of Zamfara stated this when he briefed State House correspondents alongside Gov. Rochas Okorocha of Imo on the outcome of the meeting between the APC governors and the president in Abuja, on Tuesday.

    He said that all the 24 governors of the APC were on the same page with President Buhari over the issue of the national leadership of the party.

     “We have seen so many captions that there is disagreement between the governors over the issue of our party Chairman or about the party leadership.

    “No, we had a meeting with Mr. President yesterday ( Tuesday ), and we extended the meeting tonight and we followed up with consultations with the President now.

    “We consulted and all the 24 governors of the APC are in the same page with Mr President that we are going to respect our party constitution; we are going to respect the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.’’

    According to Yari, the governors have collectively agreed that there should be congresses at local, state and national levels.

    He revealed that the committee set up by the National Secretariat of the party headed by Gov. Simon Lalong of Plateau would be presenting its report later today.

    `The governors are also meeting with the working committee today so that we come up with convention committee names as well as a timetable for the election.’’

    Read Also: APC governors meet Buhari again in Aso Rock

    “So, there is no deadlock in our meeting, we have progressed and very soon you will have the names of the convention committee members; as well as the timetable.’’

    Gov. Okorocha on his part said, “I just want to let you know that there is no crisis in the APC at all and we want to use this opportunity to advise the media to stop spreading rumours of crisis in APC. There is no single crisis in APC.’’

    “But let me correct one impression, the issue of congress and convention does not mean that the previous people who have served the party have done badly.

    “And it does not mean that they cannot come back or that they cannot re-contest, that is not it.

    “We are simply saying that their tenure has ended and those who wish to re-contest can re-contest and can be elected into our party structure.

    “So, we are all one as family and we are set to go for 2019 elections in victory.’’

    NAN

  • UPDATED: No crisis in APC – Governors

    The Chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum ( NGF ), Abdulaziz Yari, said on Wednesday there is no crisis in the All Progressives Congress ( APC ).

    There were claims the governors are divided on the tenure elongation for the National Chairman of the APC, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun and other members of the party’s National Executive Committee ( NE C).

    The Zamfara State governor told State House correspondents at the Presidential Villa on Wednesday that there was no deadlock on the matter.

    He was accompanied to the briefing by Governors Rochas Okorocha (Imo), Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun), Abdullahi Gamduje (Kano) and Simon Lalong (Plateau).

    APC Governors with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Aso Villa
    APC Governors with President Muhammadu Buhari at the State House

    Yari said: “Gentlemen of the press, you know yesterday (Tuesday) we left you in the dark after the meeting and today we have seen so many captions that there is disagreement between the governors over the issue of party chairman or about the party leadership.

    “No. We had a meeting with Mr. President yesterday (Tuesday), and we extended the meeting till night and we followed up with the consultations with the President now.

    “We consulted and all the 24 governors of the APC are on the same page with Mr. President that we are going to respect our party constitution. We are going to respect the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. So therefore, we collectively agreed that we will have congresses at all levels – local, state and national.

    “And the committee set up by the National Secretariat of our party headed by governor of Plateau State is presenting its report later today. The governors are also meeting with the working committee today so that we come up with convention committee names as well as timetable of the election.

    “So, there is no deadlock in our meeting. We have progressed and very soon you will have the names of the convention committee members as well as the timetable.”

    Okorocha added: “I just want to let you know that there is no crisis in the APC at all. And we want to use this opportunity to advise the media operatives to stop spreading rumours of crisis in APC. There is no single crisis in APC.

    “The issue was one of people who believe that we did not have enough time to organize a party congress and run election. Some people felt that it was a good idea but the most important thing is that, if we do that we will be contravening both our party constitution and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. That is the major issue that we have that they call crisis. We do not have virus.

    “This morning we met with Mr. President to fine-tune issues, one regarding the congress and we have resolved that the congresses at all levels and the chairman of the elongation committee, is also fine-tuning the arrangement in the same line. To this effect, the convention committee will be set out, it will be announced.

    “But let me correct one impression, the issue of congress and convention does not mean that the previous people who have served the party have done badly. And it does not mean that they cannot come back or that they cannot re-contest, that is not it. We are simply saying that their tenure has ended and those who wish to re-contest can re-contest and can be elected into our party structure. So we are all one as family and we are set to go for 2019 elections in victory.”

  • Lalong swears in Justice Dakwak as Plateau Chief Judge

    Gov Simon Lalong of Plateau on Tuesday swore in Justice Yakubu Gyang Dakwak as the substantive Chief Judge of Plateau.

    Dakwak had acted in that capacity since Sept. 2017 when the former Chief Judge, Justice Pius Damulak, retired from service.

    Lalong, in a brief speech at the ceremony, reminded the officer of the crucial need to fight against corruption to rid the nation of the menace.

    “All forms of maladministration and misappropriation of our commonwealth and corporate patrimony must be stopped through the instrumentality of the law.

    “The judiciary is very crucial to restoring order in our society. With this appointment, your major task is to sanitise our nation and society to rid Nigeria of what is unlawful.

    Read Also: Lalong sacks Bokkos council chairman over killings

    “The judiciary has been under sustained public scrutiny lately because it represents the hope of the groaning masses. It must punish criminals, seek justice for those injured and enthrone respect for the rule of law,” he charged.

    The governor urged Dakwak to heed the advice of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen, who has urged judicial officers to lead the fight against corruption.

    Dakwak, in his remarks, appreciated the governor for confirming his appointment, and promised to adhere to his oath of office.

    NAN

  • Plateau SUBEB promises special allowances for teachers in rural areas

    The Plateau State Universal Basic Education Board ( SUBEB ) has pledged to pay special allowances to teachers posted to rural areas of the state to enhance their productivity.

    The Executive Chairman of the board, Prof Mathew Sule, made the promise on Friday in Jos during the distribution of some Hilux vans procured by the board to the 17 Local Government Areas.

    The board procured the vehicles to facilitate effective monitoring of schools in the state.

    According to Sule, the payment of the allowance is aimed at attracting manpower to the rural areas and retaining them to serve the children who are eager to have better lives.

    He said that the proposal, when implemented, would suppress the quest of teachers in rural communities to seek transfer to the urban areas.

    The chairman said that the difficult terrains in rural areas impeded the board’s monitoring and supervisory roles.

    He noted that some teachers in such areas often shut down schools to attend social functions like burial and marriage ceremonies at the detriment of the pupils.

    Sule said the vehicles would ensure effective monitoring of the teachers for them to perform their duties and address the academic disparities between rural and urban schools.

    “The 17 Education Secretaries are expected to visit all schools in their respective local government areas, at least, on a weekly basis,’’ he said.

    In his remarks, Gov. Simon Lalong said the vehicles would help improve the quality of primary education was the foundation for quality learning.

    Lalong, represented by his Deputy, Prof. Sonni Tyoden, said it would also reduce the tendency by some school children to be out of school.

    The governor decried the encroachment on school lands by some individuals, groups and communities and said that government was addressing the issue through boundary demarcation.

    He said that the state government had paid its counterpart fund to the Universal Basic Education Commission for the 2014/2016 session.

    He said with the payment of the counterpart fund, the state had procured plastic furniture while 411 blocks of classrooms were either constructed or renovated.

    Mr Waziri Azi, the Chairman of the Education Secretaries Forum in Plateau, said the vehicles would be properly utilised for the discharge of their duties.

    NAN

  • How to end ethnic clashes, land dispute in Plateau, by Lalong

    How to end ethnic clashes, land dispute in Plateau, by Lalong

    The Governor of Plateau State, Simon Lalong has vowed to end the killings in the state occasioned by ethnic clashes and land disputes through interpersonal engagement and fairness in the distribution of amenities to the people of the state.

    This was disclosed by the state Commissioner for Information, Mr. Yakubu Dati who said that Lalong’s devotion to ending “cycle of bloodletting in Plateau” has made it a reference point for peace in the Middle Belt.

    Dati who spoke to newsmen at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos on Tuesday said the Governor’s strategic deployment of amenities to different parts of the state has given every ethnic group a sense of belonging.

    The Commissioner who spoke on the historical significance of the visit of President Muhammadu Buhari to Plateau state tomorrow said it would give the state the opportunity to unveil the accomplishments of Governor Lalong in the area of development and strengthen the relationship between the people of the state and the federal government.

    “As the president arrives on a working visit, he will inspect and commission some road networks which include the Mararaba Jama’a expressway, Low-cost Miango-Rafiki road network, and the fly-over at the Secretariat junction. President Buhari will also inspect the Unguwar Rogo – Alikazaure bridge under construction.

    “The Agric sector which is one of the new normal in the policy thrust of the government will witness a significant push as President Buhari launches 400 tractors purchased for distribution. The tractor ownership and Public Private Partnership (PPP) scheme between the Plateau State Government and the Plateau All Farmers multipurpose cooperative society,” Dati said.

    He said the President was also expected to visit the Gbong Gwon Jos as well as hold a town-hall meeting where the peace building roadmap would be unveiled by Governor Lalong at the Government House, Little Rayfield.

    “Each of these physical infrastructural project is of utmost significance to the people because it impacts directly to their daily sojourns. The Maraban Jama’a express-way for instance, is the gateway to the capital city by air and by road. It also connects the three senatorial districts of Northern, Central and Southern Plateau.

    “The low cost/Rukuba road network connects different parts of Jos with one another and takes the pressure off the main routes leading into the town while the secretariat Junction fly-over also eases vehicular movement at that busy commercial spot by creating routes for cars to pass seamlessly,” the Commissioner said.

    Dati noted that though these projects endear the people to the Lalong-led administration, the disposition of the administration to complete abandoned projects further showed that the “hard-working Governor is a compassionate leader not given to self adulation.”

     

     
  • Lalong creates six new ministries in Plateau

    Lalong creates six new ministries in Plateau

    Gov Simon Lalong of Plateau has created six additional ministries to the 17 ministries in the state,  bringing the total to 23. Five of the ministries were carved out from the existing ones.

    Mr Rufus Bature, Secretary to the Government of Plateau, announced the creation of the new ministries in a statement in Jos.

    Bature said that the creation of ministries was in line with government determination to reinvigorate its machinery to deliver on the five policy thrust of the administration.

    The statement said that a Ministry of Transport has been carved out from the Ministry of Works and Transport.

    “Ministry of Mineral Development is to be excised from the Ministry of Environment and Mineral Development.

    “The Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development has been carved out of the present Ministry of Housing and Urban Development.

    “A Ministry of Economic Planning has been created out of Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning and State Planning Commission”.

    According to the statement, a Ministry of Science and Technology has been created out of the present Ministry of Education, Science and Technology.

    Bature  added that an entirely new Ministry of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs has also created.

    He  said that the new ministries will take off immediately.

    It would be recalled that before the creation of the ministries,  Gov Lalong had submitted a list of 23 Commissioner nominees to the Plateau House of Assembly for approval instead of the 17 nominees he submitted in 2015.

    NAN.

  • One student killed, two injured in Plateau college protest

    One student killed, two injured in Plateau college protest

    One student was killed while two others sustained injuries as students of College of Education, Gindiri in Plateau, protested against non-issuance of new identity cards.

    The protest took place on Thursday evening and later turned violent when security men were drafted to intervene.

    However, Mr Cornelius Ka’ankuka, Acting Provost of the College, told Gov. Simon Lalong of Plateau and his deputy on Friday that the management had promised to address the students’ demands within two weeks.

    Ka’ankuka said that the corpse of the deceased student, Manji Philemon, has been deposited at the state hospital mortuary and would be released to the family for burial.

    The provost said that the students burned down the school clinic after the injured students were treated and discharged.

    He said that 33 vehicles were damaged with seven of them, including the school ambulance, completely burnt.

    “The students shattered the windows of the administrative block, the school library and vandalised COASU Corporative Society Shop and looted all goods in the shop including bags of rice and vegetable oil.

    “The students also went to the rented residence of the former provost and destroyed some properties and burnt down two cars that were parked in the premises,’’ he said.

    Lalong expressed disappointment with the incident in spite of his administration’s efforts to improve facilities in schools in the state.

    The governor, who was on the spot assessment visit to the college, vowed to deal decisively with those involved in the ugly incident.

    He said that a committee would be set up to investigate the cause of the unrest.

    “After we receive the report we will show an example with those found wanting,’’ the governor said.

    The school has been closed down indefinitely as students were seen parking out of their hostels.

    NAN

  • Plateau decries encroachment into Jos Wildlife Park

    Plateau decries encroachment into Jos Wildlife Park

    Plateau State Government has decried encroachment into Jos Wildlife Park by the host community, describing it as a threat to the safety of the wild species and members of the community.

    Mr Peter Mwankon, the outgoing Commissioner for Tourism, Culture and Hospitality, made this known while handing over the affairs of the ministry to Mrs Martha Azi, the Permanent Secretary, on Thursday in Jos.

    Mwankon said that an Inter-Ministerial Committee with membership from the Ministry of Lands and Survey, among others, had been inaugurated to investigate and proffer solutions to the disturbing situation.

    He said that the government recently acquired more animals as part of efforts to re-stock the park, adding that individuals found culpable would be made to face the wrath of the law.

    Read Also: Plateau Prisons Command gets new Controller

    According to him, the animals, including a pair of crocodiles, red-fronted Gazelle and a male Equis Calabus, were acquired in 2016 through exchange programmes with the Audu Bako Zoo in Kano State and Sanda Kyarimi Zoo in Borno.

    The outgoing commissioner said that during his tenure, moribund hospitality outlets were leased out to private organisations to resuscitate them and generate revenue for developmental projects.

    “ We signed a 15-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with a France-based company, Kanerkrizo Parks Limited, which invested N81 million to renovate and upgrade the Pankshin Hotel in 2017 as well as another N60 million MoU with Jimroose International Limited to do same in Jos Plaza Hotel.’’

    Mwankon further said that the ministry resuscitated cultural festivals to promote indigenous culture of the people while also participating in both local and international engagements.

    He thanked the state governor for appointing him to serve and urged the staff of the ministry to cooperate with the incoming commissioner in order to make Plateau a tourism hub.

    In her remarks, Azi commended the outgoing commissioner for his open door policy and prayed for success in all his future endeavours.

    The Newsmen report that Gov. Simon Lalong had on Feb. 8, dissolved the State Executive Council.

    The outgoing commissioners were directed to hand over to their permanent secretaries, pending the appointment of new commissioners.

    NAN