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Tag: Simon Lalong

  • We will complete all abandoned projects, sustain peace – Lalong

    We will complete all abandoned projects, sustain peace – Lalong

    Gov. Simon Lalong of Plateau, said on Sunday that his administration would complete all projects abandoned by previous administrations in the state.

    Lalong made the commitment at the 40th anniversary of Uganda Martyrs Catholic Church, Kuru near Jos.

    The governor pledged that the administration would also sustain existing peace in the state.

    “We have made it a duty to complete all abandoned projects in the state because the projects are for the people and not for the person that initiated them.

    “We will complete this road here in Kuru that has been abandoned in line with our resolve,” he said, adding that the government would also initiate new projects.

    On peace, he said, “I heard some people saying that restoration and sustenance of peace is not an achievement and I wonder whether crises is one.

    “We will continue to work hard to ensure that the people of Plateau stay in peace even if detractors see it as achievement or not.”

    Lalong assured civil servants of prompt payment of salaries, stressing that “with God’s help workers would not be thrown back to the dark days of staying for many months without salaries.”

  • ‘My administration motivated Plateau athletes into winning 143 medals in two years’

    ‘My administration motivated Plateau athletes into winning 143 medals in two years’

    Gov Simon Lalong of Plateau says it was a credit to his administration that the state’s athletes won 143 medals in the two years he has been in charge.

    Lalong told newsmen on Monday in Jos as part of activities to mark the 2017 Democracy Day that the feat was possible because of his unflinching support for sports.

    He said his administration had strived a lot to ensure the participation of the state athletes in many sports activities within the period.

    “Plateau won a total of 143 medals, made up of 56 gold, 37 silver and 50 bronze, in the various sports our athletes took part in.

    “Plateau athletes have participated in virtually all the sports events within and outside the country,” the governor said.

    He said he was also determined to ensure that Plateau United Football Club of Jos play their continental club competition matches at the new Zaria Road Stadium if they qualified.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Plateau United FC are currently leading the 2016/2017 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).

    If they finished within the top three bracket or win the Federation Cup competition, they would represent Nigeria in one of the two available continental club competitions.

    Speaking on sports facilities, Lalong assured that he would do everything possible to complete the multi-billion Naira stadium.

    “I will do all I can to make sure that they (Plateau United) play their continental matches in the new stadium, instead of the Rwang Pam Stadium were they are currently playing.

    “There were complaints that the turf at the new stadium was not FIFA standard but we immediately approached the Federal Ministry of Youths and Sports and they certified it fit for international matches.

    “But if there are fresh concerns of the state of the turf we will immediately address it,” he said.

  • Democracy Day: Lalong pardons six prisoners

    Democracy Day: Lalong pardons six prisoners

    Gov. Simon Lalong of Plateau on Monday granted pardon to six prisoners as the state celebrated the 2017 Democracy Day.

    Lalong announced the gesture while presenting his scorecard in the last two years to stakeholders in Jos.

    He, however, said that the pardon was unconditional for one of the prisoners, while the remaining five had their death sentences commuted to life jail.

    “As a mark of our appreciation and thanksgiving to God for the successes we have achieved, we wish to demonstrate this with the granting of pardon to six prisoners.

    “One is unconditional release; five on death sentences have been commuted to life sentences,” he said.

    The governor stated that the pardon granted the prisoners was in exercise of his prerogative of mercy as provided in Section 212 of the 1999 Constitution (As Amended).

    He said that the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice in the state would disclose the identity of the beneficiaries of the gesture in due course.

    Lalong, who highlighted the achievements of his administration in the last two years, described Plateau as hospitable and accommodating.

    He said that with the restoration of peace, Plateau was back as a centre of attraction for all groups, either for permanent residency or vacation.

    “On a broader perspective and as a debt of honour to our state, and for our better today and tomorrow, we shall strive to ensure even development.

    “We are desirous of ensuring peace and averting systematic failure in governance,” he said.

  • Plateau approves N3 billion to reacquire Barc farms

    Plateau approves N3 billion to reacquire Barc farms

    The Plateau government has approved N3 billion to reacquire Barc farms, a subsidiary of the state-owned Jos International Breweries, sold to a private farmer 24 years ago.

    According to Mr Dan Manjang, Special Adviser (Media and Publicity) to Governor Simon Lalong, the figure was agreed upon after months of negotiations with the buyer of the facility.

    “The facility is very crucial to our agricultural revolution programme; that is why we approached the buyer, who agreed to re-sell it back to us.

    “The farm has more than 5,000 hectares for agricultural investments; the Plateau people were not happy when it was sold out, so we had to buy it back because it is a major asset,” he said.

    Manjang expressed government’s readiness to right the wrongs of preceding administrations, saying that government would always be guided by the interest of the Plateau people.

    On other achievements in the last two years, Manjang said that 2,889 persons had been trained in various skills as part of measures to turn Plateau youths into job creators, instead of perpetual job seekers.

    He said that the trainees had been empowered to start up their businesses toward building a robust economy, and listed the skills as carpentry, shoe making, hair dressing, catering, leather works, welding and soap making.

    Manjang said that the training was facilitated by the Central Bank of Nigeria, through the Plateau State Small and Medium Scale Enterprises Development Agency.

    According to him, Plateau government paid N2 billion to access another N2 billion facility from the Federal Government to ease access to credit facilities by the trainees.

    The official disclosed that each of the 17 local governments had been directed to train 200 others as well, so that more youths would benefit from the skills acquisition scheme.

    “By the time the local governments are through with their training, there will be 3,400 youths ready to start their businesses and create more jobs toward a better Plateau,” he said.

    Manjang said that road projects, started by former administrations, had also been completed and put to use.

    He identified major ones to include the Jos Wild Life Park way, the Secretariat Junction flyover, as well as the Jos – Mararaba Jamaa and Zarmaganda – Rayfield roads.

    “We assessed some of the uncompleted projects and found that they had direct bearing on the lives of the people, so we opted to complete them; what matters is the welfare of the people, not who initiated any project,” he said.

    He said that special attention had also been paid to the growth of the young Plateau University in Bokkos, with more structures put in place while 68 lecturers were being sponsored to bag doctorate degrees.

    “We expect the lecturers back in 2018. Their presence will boost the quality of manpower and ensure speedier accreditation to programmes awaiting such endorsement,” he said.

    He said that government had also initiated steps to revive many industrial outfits like the Jos International Breweries, Fertilizer Blending Plant, Barkin Ladi, as well as the Plateau Bottling Company.

    “A German firm has just completed an audit of equipment at the Jos International Breweries preparatory to reviving the firm; we expect the machines there to roar back to life very soon”, he said.

    The official restated government’s commitment to cattle ranching, and described the policy as the best way of rearing cattle globally.
    “The bill for ranching has been knocked off at the federal level, but we still encourage people to embrace ranching because its benefits are numerous.

    “Aside healthier cattle, the milk production will be higher, while youths used as herders will be freed to go to school and be more productive.

    “Above all, ranching shall minimize the clashes between farmers and herdsmen because cows will be restricted to one space, which checks the possibility of straying into farms.”

  • We have done well – APC governors

    We have done well – APC governors

    Governors of the All Progressives Congress (APC) under the auspices of the Progressives Governors Forum and the National Working Committee of the party Wednesday rose from a meeting to give the APC government in the country a pass mark, saying “we have done well”

    Briefing newsmen at the meeting which was attended by about nine governors and six deputies, Plateau state governor, Simon Lalong said the problem facing the party will soon be a thing of the past, adding that the party now has reasons to smile.

    The APC has been facing serious financial crisis in recent times and has not been able to meet its obligation to its creditors.

    But Lalong said the meeting of the governors with the National Working Committee reviewed the situation in the party and resolved to take issue concerning the party more seriously henceforth.

    Lalong who was accompanied by the Niger stage governor, Sani Bello and the National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi said “the purpose of this meeting was to review our party activities and to talk about preparations for our second year anniversary.

    “The meeting took a total review of the activities so far and the performance of party in the various states where we have APC government and came to the conclusion that so far so good, we are doing very well.

    “That was essentially the purpose of this meeting. We also agreed that this meeting will be on a monthly basis. We started last month, today is another meeting and next month will be another meeting.

    “The issue of National Convention was raised and it was part of the decisions we took at the last meeting. Unfortunately, like you already know, the President is not around and he is the leader of the party.

    “So what we have done is that since we have an acting president, the team that was supposed to meet with the President with a suggested date convenient, the same team should meet with the Acting President.

    “We are going to organise a convention which is constitutional and the leader of the party must also be at the convention. The time we agreed to meet with the President, he had to travel out of the country and now, the Acting President is around. The first approach was to the President and now, we all agreed that if the President is not there, there is an acting president and so, we are going to meet with him to agree on a date for the convention.

    “During our last meeting, we had issues, but today, things have changed and people are smiling. The party is even smiling. So, those challenges have been taken over by events. That is why I told you that even if we were backward before, now, we are taking issues of our party seriously and we are meeting on monthly basis. So, issues like that are no longer issues in APC.

    “Part of the conclusion of the meeting was a report on the issues and disagreement in some states such as Bauchi and Kogi. The party report d that they have invited those people and those issues are almost resolved”.

    Addressing the meeting earlier, National Chairman of the party, Chief John Odigie Oyegun commended the governors for delivering on their promises to their people, saying most of the achievement of the governors was being down played.

    He expressed happiness that the party leadership and the governors are meeting regularly now, saying “I want to say that I am so happy that we have met twice and we are seeing the effects, very positive, very salutary effect are beginning to manifest in the party.

    “The numbers, with which we turned out alone, is an encouragement to members of the National Working Committee and I thank you for your commitment. Since we started meeting a lot of things are happening. I have invitations all over now to come for commissioning of projects.

    “I have a wonderful experience in Zamfara state where I had distinct privilege of commissioning very two magnificent water projects with facilities to reticulate, redistribute water to over 6,000 km of pipelines. I said I am especially happy because its effects on the lives of people are obvious.

    “It made me to see that our Governors are in fact, embarking on projects that touch the ordinary man and woman and made them feel that they have benefited from the APC government.

    “Already we decided that we are going to do these projects of showcasing in the various states. In fact, it is sad that we are full of issues at the central level which the social media has tended to concentrate on.

    “All the good works that our governors are doing tend to be downplayed. I thank you Zamfara. On Saturday, I am going to Kaduna state. I was to be in Kano state tomorrow (Thursday) but I can’t. So, I am sending the deputy national chairman north to Kano.

    “So, we are very glad at this development and very soon, the public will see that it isn’t just the rate of Naira that is the issue but in fact, progress is being made in all our states, 24 of them all over the country.”

    Governors present include Simon Lalong of Plateau, Sani Bello of Niger, Mohammed Abubabar of Bauchi, Godwin Obaseki of Edo, Aminu Bello Masari of Katsina, Badaru Abubakar of Jigawa, Samuel Orton of Benue and Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi and Abdulaziz Yari of Zamfara state.

    Six deputy governors of Kwara, Kogi, Lagos, Ogun, Osun and Nasarawa States also attended the meeting.

     

     

  • Plateau to spend N5.8bn on infrastructure at state varsity

    Plateau to spend N5.8bn on infrastructure at state varsity

    The Plateau Government says it allocated N5.89 billion to improve infrastructure at the Plateau State University, Bokkos.

    The Commissioner for Finance, Mrs Temwakat Weli, made the disclosure in Jos on Wednesday while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

    The commissioner said the figure was part of the N11.88 billion committed to the education sector in the 2017 budget.

    Weli said that the allocation was due to the determination of  Gov.  Simon Lalong to improve the university after several years of neglect by the previous administration.

    He said that the money was meant for completion of ongoing projects in the university as well as initiation of new ones.

    According to her, Plateau State Polytechnic, Barkin Ladi,  was allocated N463 million while College of Education, Gindiri,  got N502 million.

    She said that other tertiary institutions were not left out in the government’s  determination to reposition the sector as College of Arts, Science and Remedial Studies, Kurgwi,  was allocated N272.4 million.

    “In the same vein, the sum of N1.8 billion is provided as matching grant and provision of infrastructure  to the State Universal Basic Education Board.

    “It is meant for construction of classrooms and the upgrading of educational facilities in the junior secondary and primary schools across the state,” she added.

    Weli explained that part of the N11.88 billion,  representing 16.95 per cent of the state capital expenditure,  would also be used for the renovation, construction, furnishing and equipping of constructed and renovated schools.

    She also said that N1 billion was meant for renovation/building of 15 secondary schools, translating to  five in  each senatorial zone.

    The commissioner further said  N300 million was budgeted for renovation/building of three science schools, with one in each  senatorial zone.

    “N500 million will be used for furnishing and equipping of constructed schools while N245 million will be used for renovation/building of structures at Government Technical College, Bukuru,” Weli explained.

  • Tambuwal urges APC controlled states to support FG policies, programmes

    Tambuwal urges APC controlled states to support FG policies, programmes

    Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal of Sokoto yesterday tasked states under the control of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to key in and deepen achievements recorded by the Federal Government in order to ensure rapid socio-economic development of the nation.

    Speaking in Sokoto at the opening of the Second Quarterly meeting of the Secretaries of State Governments (SSGs) under APC control, Tambuwal said almost two years after coming to power, the FG has recorded significant achievements especially in the areas of security, job creation, agriculture, education, youth empowerment among others.

    He said now that the nation is at a cross-road, it becomes imperative for all APC member-states to ensure a worthy turning-point is propelled.

    “Indeed, the journey so far has been very challenging, demands are increasing by day and the resources available keep shrinking. We have the individual and collective responsibility of moving our dear States forward, no matter what it takes,” the Governor stated.

    According to him, the Second Quarterly meeting will review the progress so far made on key policy issues with a view to identifying problems and challenges bedevilling their States for a lasting solution.

    “It is also aimed at developing basic framework for peer review mechanism, monitoring and evaluation as well as sharing key governance initiatives and actions in some selected APC States in the federation,” he added.

    In his remarks, Plateau State Governor and Co-Chairman of APC Governance and Policy Committee, Simon Lalong, represented by his SSG, Rufus Bature, said the meeting would share ideas on critical national issues and leadership strategies that will enrich national discuss and move the nation forward.

    He expressed hope that the meeting will mark a glorious turning point that would make Nigeria’s democratic institutions more vibrant for the overall development processes.

    The meeting has in attendance SSGs from all APC controlled states and their Permanent Secretaries.

     

  • Lalong, Tambuwal laud Catholic Church for its contributions to national development

    Gov. Simon Lalong of Plateau and Gov. Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State have commended the Catholic Church for its contributions to the religious, educational, medical and infrastructure development of Nigeria.

    The governors made the commendations on Thursday at the 50th anniversary celebration of St. Augustine Major Seminary, Jos.

    Lalong said that the impact of the church on the lives of Nigerians could not be quantified.

    He said that Plateau was blessed with numerous Christian institutions that had accounted for the training, character and spiritual formation of many citizens of the state.

    “The 50 years of existence of St. Augustine’s Major Seminary is no doubt worthy of celebration.

    “For a school that has produced 20 bishops and scores of priests, religious and laity that are in the service of the Lord at home and abroad, it is indeed worthy of our attention and support.

    “This seminary remains a real asset to the universal Church because as a spiritual hob for the training of ministers of the gospel, it is a vehicle through which ministers are thoroughly prepared to holistically address the spiritual and physical well- being of Nigerians in the Catholic Church and beyond,” he said.

    Gov Tambuwal also highlighted the contributions of the Church and promised to work with other state governors and friends to support the seminary, particularly in the rehabilitation of its infrastructure.

    He said that the seminary had contributed significantly to character moulding and morality.

    “We appreciate the contribution of this great institution and we pray God Almighty to strengthen the leadership and membership so that they will continue deliver on the good deeds.

    “I commend the Catholic Church for its contributions to the development of this country as the history of the development of Nigeria will not be complete without a chapter dedicated to the Church.

    “I am aware not only of the age of the institution but the ageing infrastructure, and we (governors) have agreed to contact our friends to assist the seminary handsomely,” he said.

    The Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, the Rt. Rev. Mathew Kukah, in an address, said that the Church had many priests working outside Nigeria and promoting the image of the country.

    Kukah said that there were more than 1,500 priests and nuns  working and promoting the image of Nigeria abroad, including in places that Nigeria had yet to establish diplomatic missions.

    The bishop said that the Church had been involved in human capital development even before the emergence of the country  and urged the Federal Government to take the Catholic Church serious for its contributions to national development.

  • Accreditation: Plateau govt releases N200m to its Polytechnic

    The Plateau Government says it has approved the release of N200 million for the accreditation of courses in its Polytechnic.

    Gov. Simon Lalong said this on Wednesday, while declaring open, the 87th National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of Academic Staff Union of Polytechnic (ASUP), in Jos.

    Lalong, who was represented by Prof. John Wade, Director of Research and Documentation, Government House, noted that most of the courses offered by the institution were not accredited.

    “The non-accreditation of the courses poses a set-back for both the institution and its graduates.

    “We have approved the release of N200 million to the Polytechnic for the accreditation and re-accreditation of courses at the National and Higher National Diploma levels.

    “We will ensure the release of the approved funds so that the accreditation exercise will be completed within the second quarter of 2017,” he assured.

    Lalong said that government had also approved the 65-years retirement age for academic staff of all tertiary institutions, adding that salary structures of the institutions were being reviewed and would be harmonised.

    Earlier, ASUP National President, Mr Umar Dutse, had commended the Plateau Government for the peace so far achieved in the state.

    “We are happy that peace has returned to the state. If it were in the past few years we, we wouldn’t have held this meeting here,” he said.

    The National President also thanked the government for clearing the backlog of salaries owed its members, and urged government to expedite action on the accreditation of courses in the institution to avoid being de-listed from the body of Polytechnics in the country.

    He called on the government to lift the ban on employment so as to address the manpower deficit being experienced in the Polytechnic.

    “Information available to us shows that since 2006, no single academic staff was employed in this Polytechnic. This is not healthy for an institution of this magnitude,” he said.

     

  • Plateau commissioner slumps, dies while jogging with governor

    Mr Samuel Galadima, Plateau Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development, slumped and died on Wednesday, while jogging along with Governor Simon Lalong, at the Rwang Pam Stadium, Jos.

    Mr Emmanuel Nanle, Director of Press Affairs, confirmed the incident to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

    “Yes, the commissioner slumped while jogging and was rushed to the Plateau Specialist Hospital, where he died,” he said.

    Nanle said that the official was gasping for breath by the time he arrived the hospital.

    “Doctors tried to stabilise him but could not. We have lost him,” he said.