Your excellency, this is the first time I am writing an opened letter to your exalted office.
I’m doing so because it has become extremely necessary and also urgent.
There are many issues that are happening in our land that are bothering me but the reason for writing this letter is to urgently draw your limited attention to two abductions, not because the case of thousands of other people who are still in captivity is not disturbing, but as the National Coordinator, Prayer Force Network I am pained by the abduction of two clergymen, Reverend Polycarp Zongo of the Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN) who was kidnapped on the 19th of October, 2020 and pastor Balud Yakuru of the EYN who was kidnapped on the 24th of December, 2020.
These gentlemen have spent months in the hands of their captors without any iota of hope for their rescue.
Few days ago, the Northern Governors’ Forum had a tea party in Kaduna under the guise of finding solutions to the ongoing deception in northern Nigeria.
Am not surprised that the same day the meeting ended, was the same day the Jangebe school girls were “abducted”. Am not surprised because the forum is bereft of leadership.
With an accidental and clueless Governor Simon Lalong as its chairman, am not surprised that the Forum has entered menopause and will not be productive any more.
While insecurity dominated discussion at the tea party, Lalong who has long mortgaged his conscience did not even mentioned the case of Reverend Zongo even if it is just for mentioning sake.
The same manner he failed to provide good governance to plateau state, so it is with the forum that is why I always tell my Plateau people that our state is one of the “Governorless” States in Nigeria.
Another failed representative of the State and a purported clergy man at the federal level who is also an embarrassment and a burden to the state is the Executive Secretary, National Christian Pilgrims Commission, Yakubu Pam who has never raised his voice against all the injustices that being meted on Christians and the where about of the two clergies.
His silence is a clear indication that he has abandoned his call as a Pastor and has fully joined importent politics, the type that retards development and community cohesion.
Mr. President, I am passionately appealing to you to urgently aid the release of these two clergymen especially now that the insurgents have given an ultimatum over the neck of Pastor Yakuru.
Mr. President, have mercy upon their families and the church and set up an inquiry into their case with the necessary urgency that it deserves.
Accept the assurances of my highest esteem, your excellency.
Governor Lalong & prof Abdullahi Shehu Ambassador to Russia.
Governor Simon Bako Lalong has charged the Nigerian Ambassador-designate to the Russian Federation with concurrent accreditation to Belarus, Prof. Abdullahi Shehu Yibaikwal to do his best in not only enhancing relations between Nigeria and his countries of posting, but also attract investment in areas of comparative advantage to the country and Plateau State.
Governor Lalong was speaking when he received a delegation from Kanam Local Government led by the Emir of Kanam, Alh. Muhammadu Muazu Muhammadu II who came to thank the Governor over the appointment of Prof. Shehu as ambassador by President Muhammadu Buhari.
He said Plateau State was proud to have an experienced scholar and technocrat like Prof. Shehu who was the pioneer DG of GIABA, the West African Anti-corruption agency having served variously in agencies fighting corruption and money laundering in Nigeria such as the EFCC.
He said “I have no doubt that you will make us proud because of your pedigree and experience. You have shown your worth in the past and that is why they have given you this huge assignment to represent the country in one of the super power nations. We hope you will not only bring investment to Nigeria, but also to Plateau State because of the potentials we have. We will be praying for you to succeed”.
Emir of Kanam, Alh. Muhammadu Muazu Muhammadu II said they decided to come and show appreciation to Governor Lalong for his commitment to equity and fairness in facilitating the appointment of sons and daughters of the area into State and Federal Institutions. He pledged the continued support of the people for the success of the Rescue Administration at all times.
Prof. Shehu in a remark said he was humbled by the confidence reposed in him by the Governor for nominating him and the President for considering him worthy of the appointment.
He assured that he will not let the nation and Plateau State down as he was going to encourage investment into Nigeria from Russia and also pursue exchanges in areas of technology, security and mineral development.
The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has dismissed reports that there will be an increment in the ex-depot price of petrol in March, 2021. A press release by the Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, Dr. Kennie Obateru, stated that the Corporation was not contemplating any raise in the price of petrol in March in order not to jeopardize ongoing engagements with organized labour and other stakeholders on an acceptable framework that will not expose the ordinary Nigerian to any hardship. Obateru in the statement cautioned petroleum products marketers not to engage in an arbitrary price increase or hoarding of petrol in order not to create artificial scarcity and unnecessary hardship for Nigerians. The Corporation further stated that it has enough stock of petrol to keep the nation well supplied for over 40 days and urged motorists to avoid panic buying. It further called on relevant regulatory authorities to step up monitoring of the activities of marketers with a view to sanctioning those involved in products hoarding or arbitrary increase of pump price.The post No increase in petrol price in March – NNPC appeared first on
MAKUT SIMON MACHAM,JERRY MALLO & SYLVIA ULAN HONORED BY KINSMEN IN BUTURA COMMUNITY.
The Butura Development Association with the backing of the Burura Traiditional council bestowed honour on two of it’s lllustrious sons and a daughter.
Makut Simon Macham,the Director of Press and public relations to the executive Governor of Plateau State was honored alongside Jerry MALLO and ulan Sylvia Andrew for their contributions to the Development and advancement of Butura,Plateau and Nigeria in their various fields of human endeavors.
The award was given at the 2021 Nahwai cultural festival which held virtually on all Digital platforms to set the pace as the first cultural festival to hold online in Plateau State.
The Saf Butura,Engr Gabriel Magit John Makwal hosted dignitaries across traditional ,political and business community.
The Executive Governor of Plateau State was represented by Commissioner for Budget & Planning Hon Sylvester Wallangko as the Hon Commissioner for Information and communications, Hon Dan Manjang was on ground for solidarity with the prophet honored by his own kinsmeni.
The Butura Development Association with the backing of the Burura Traiditional council bestowed honour on two of it’s lllustrious sons and a daughter.
Makut Simon Macham,the Director of Press and public relations to the executive Governor of Plateau State was honored alongside Jerry MALLO and ulan Sylvia Andrew for their contributions to the Development and advancement of Butura,Plateau and Nigeria in their various fields of human endeavors.
The award was given at the 2021 Nahwai cultural festival which held virtually on all Digital platforms to set the pace as the first cultural festival to hold online in Plateau State.
The Saf Butura,Engr Gabriel Magit John Makwal hosted dignitaries across traditional ,political and business community.
The Executive Governor of Plateau State was represented by Commissioner for Budget & Planning Hon Sylvester Wallangko as the Hon Commissioner for Information and communications, Hon Dan Manjang was on ground for solidarity with the prophet honored by his own kinsmen.
A Non-Governmental Group, Coalition For Truth, Justice and Peace has risen to the defence of Governor of Plateau State, Rt. Hon. (Dr.) Simon Bako Lalong, KSGG and Chairman, Northern States Governors Forum, over comments attributed to him during an interview on Channels TV, Sunrise Daily on Tuesday 23 February, 2021 where he bared his mind on security challenges bedevilling the nation particularly herdsmen bearing arms.
In the said interview, the Governor was alleged to have said that not only herdsmen carry AK-47 as even some farmers also carry arms to protect themselves from the failure of the nation’s security architecture to protect them.
The Governor’s comments appear to have raised dust among social media users particularly on the Plateau with many quoting portions of the appearance to lash out at the Governor.
However the Executive Director of the Coalition for Truth, Peace and Justice Comrade Ayuba Zion Garba in a statement said the group was solidly behind the Governor who according to them spoke the truth and nothing but the truth.
He said, “It is unfortunate that the comments of the Governor which were spoken in truth and in pursuance of lasting solution, were taken out of context by people who have pre-concieved motives and do not see beyond their noses. We are not surprised that the issues raised generated discourse unnecessarily. Notably is the fact that the Governor said that farmers, herders and other non-state actors carry AK 47 rifles which is a statement of fact, and which to him is a thing of concern. Pundits have however turned what His Excellency said to a commodity to gain cheap political capital.”
The group reiterated that His Excellency Rt. Hon. Simon Bako Lalong is a lover of peace and calling him names by disperaging him and quoting him out of context does not change the facts on ground, because the fact is that criminality knows neither tribe nor religion.
“We want to state unequivocally that there is a proliferation of arms in the hands of non-state actors who are not from one tribe or religion. There is therefore nothing wrong if the Governor averred that not only herdsmen, but others carry arms illegally. Can the critics of the Governor swear that only herdsmen commit violent crimes with AK-47 and other weapons? Who are those involved in kidnapping, banditary, robberies, destruction of farms, attacks on villages, killing of innocent people, cattle rustling and cultism? Are they from one tribe or religion? The statistics from the security agencies speak differently as people of different backgrounds are involved in crime.”
While not supporting any crime and criminal conduct, denial of this fact amounts to treachery and a disservice to humanity in general. The concern so raised by His Excellency demands applause and support in order to rid our society of criminals rather than condemnation. The tendency to own criminality has taken us decades backward and Governor Lalong is not ready to turn a blind eye from the truth because of cheap popularity.
The group asks those hyping the innocent but truthful comments of the Governor to calm down and allow common sense to prevail as not everything is politics and not all interventions of the Governor can be faulted by simple reason of sentiments and parochial interests.
Garba therefore uses the opportunity to call on all well‐meaning Nigerians to look at security issues dispassionately and curb it to the bearest minimum so that Nigeria can be salvaged.
Governor of Plateau State Simon Bako Lalong has given reasons why he rejected the Rural Grazing Area Program, commonly referred to as RUGA from being implemented in Plateau State.
Lalong who was speaking on Channels TV programme Sunrise Daily in Jos said the RUGA intiative was a strange concept that came after the National Economic Council thoroughly debated, scrutinised and adopted the National Livestock Transformation Programme (NLTP) as a very comprehensive and inclusive idea to tackle herder-farmer clashes and other associated challenges.
He said because the RUGA initiative did not have the buy in of stakeholders and fell short of addressing the concerns of most Governors, it was not possible to embrace it. This he said further fueled the misconception over the NLTP which is neither for one ethnic group nor meant for land grabbing.
He said “I was one of the first Governors to kick against the RUGA program when it was introduced. To start with, the concept was literally sneaked in for reasons we did not understand. For me as Governor of Plateau State, I just heared that they have erected signposts in some sites within some local Governments. How can you earmark such a project without my knowledge and buy-in of the people in my State? I had no interest in it because it was far below the NLTP which was more robust and passed through series of engagements with critical stakeholders”.
Lalong also said Plateau State subscribed to the NLTP because of the fact that it will carry along many groups and individuals involved in Livestock business and its associated value chains. These include farmers, herders and other people involved in processing of meat and packaging. There is also a provision for other animals such as sheep goats, pigs, and others.
Lalong who said Plateau State was chosen as one of the pilot States having earmarked the Wase and Kanam Grazing reserves, reiterated that the implementation of the National Livestock Transformation Programme (NLTP) will go a long way is addressing many of the issues associated with the activities of herdsmen which have led to clashes with farmers and other crimes.
On the violence perpetrated by herdsmen who bear arms, the Governor condemned the act and called for strong measures to end this ugly trend. He lamented that there are many non-state actors who are in possession of arms, a situation that must be addressed.
He said “today, we are now seeing the hazard of allowing people do open grazing here and there. But they (herders) also want solution; by the time you explain to them, they also want to stay in one place, they would also want to keep away from carrying AK-47. I’m not justifying anybody to carry AK-47 but don’t forget that in the course of our deliberations and investigations, it was not only Fulani herdsmen that were carrying AK-47, even farmers were carrying AK-47.”
The Governor said in order to address the situation, deliberate efforts must be put in place to curtail the influx of light arms while other ways such as the NLTP must be embraced to take these people away from the old type of farming and then introduce them to the modern system.
Dr. Makut Simon Macham Director of Press & Public Affairs to the
Plateau State Governor, Simon Lalong, on Tuesday, lamented the proliferation of arms including AK-47 rifles amongst herders and farmers in the country.
Lalong, who is also the Chairman of the Northern Governors Forum, stressed that the full implementation of the National Livestock Transformation Plan was the solution to the frequent skirmishes between host farmers and nomadic cattle rearers.
He stated this while featuring on Channels Television’s ‘Sunrise Daily’ monitored by sourcenews.24
The governor insisted that open grazing must be banned and the ranching system of cattle breeding must be embraced by all to experience peace in the country.
He said, “Today, we are now seeing the hazard of allowing people do open grazing here and there. But they (herders) also want solution; by the time you explain to them, they also want to stay in one place, they would also want to keep away from carrying AK-47. I’m not justifying anybody to carry AK-47 but don’t forget that in the course of our deliberations and investigations, it was not only Fulani herdsmen that were carrying AK-47, even farmers were carrying AK-47.
“It is just proliferation of arms in respect to guarding themselves. Everybody is trying to protect himself, we shouldn’t allow self-help.
“At the time there were farmers-herdsmen clashes here (in Plateau), we arrested people, farmers also had AK-47 and the herdsmen were also holding AK-47 too. But if you want all of them not to hold AK-47 again, you must put deliberate efforts to curtail the influx of light arms and secondly find ways to take these people away from the old type of farming and then introduce them to the modern system.”
Of late, Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, has come under fire for saying herdsmen carry AK-47 rifles for self-defence. The comment generated outrage with Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State and his Ondo State counterpart, Rotimi Akeredolu, knocking the Bauchi governor for supporting criminality and as such encouraging them this is totally unacceptable governor Ortom stress and he have asked the governor to apologize to the people of Nigeria for such statement, although the governor Bala Mahammed has said he was being misunderstood his statement is not justifying herders carrying arms.
The residents of sabon gari mado tudun wada down to angwan mission to satellite market communities has raise concerns and worry over government negligence of the road project in the community, the residents who spoke to some journalist in jos concerning the road project and the recent project tour of governor simon Bako Lalong has raise fairs of the road contract being abandoned as the recent project tour did not captured them but other places where visited by the media team and commissioner of information and other government top officials and the tudun wada mado down to satellite market was not visited by the team and they all came out in mass to welcome them and express their grievances over the negligence of the project since awarded over 3 years ago and their houses marked to demolition to pave way to the road which they conceived and ever since than nothing was done the contractor according to them has no fault but the government because if fully mobilized from the way they started the work by now the road contract will have been completed and long forgotten according to them.
The community who express their dissatisfaction said with the recent project tour by the government and the road project not visited has confirmed to them the rumours going round that the governor said he will not complete the road project since the tudun wada community didn’t vote him in the last general election and that informed the reason why only the road from tudun wada pack down to the front of his in-laws house NDE Waklek was done and the rest abandoned according to them, and this is not democracy where is the all inclusive government governor Lalong Promise rather victimization but he should remember he swore an Oath to be governor for all and tudun wada community is of different Ethnic extraction and has a large political followers so they use this opportunity to call on his excellency to come to their rescue as most of them are suffering over the poor state of roads and also their houses being marked and as such stop them from getting the little rent they get from the houses.
And also speaking to the tudun wada community development association chairman Mr Fedilis Ngwan has also express their dissatisfaction over the way and manner government neglected the road project and others like angwan Rogo and the rest being giving much attention and 4some completed and with this they call on the governor to act fast before the raining seasons comes to enable the community enjoy good access road and reduce their sufferrings the people are going through, this is a plead to the governor according to them to fulfill their promises and they in turn promise a better working relationship with government for better development of plateau state and pray for God to guide and protect the state and also give his excellency Governor Lalong more wisdom to handle the affairs of the state.
The Tudun wada sabon gari mado community host so many prominent plateau stakeholders like the inlaw to the governor, former Auditor general of the state retired permanent secretaries, the PLASIEC chairman and host of other critical stakeholders in the state and those who have paid their dues and as such government need to do something about the area as the community host many Ethnic nationality with a wide spread of political activities and also economic activities in the state, the community has a driving force to the economic boost of the state and also play a critical role in sociocultural development and as such government need to give it more attention.
Sourcenews24/update.com 