By Peter Akpah.

PLATEAU STATE TO PARTNER NAPTIP IN FIGHTING HUMAN TRAFFICKING AS GOVERNOR LALONG MEETS NEW NAPTIP BOSS

Director General of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim says the agency is opening up new visters of partnership that will embrace more institutions and donors towards tackling the crimes of trafficking in human beings which is on the rise.

The DG stated this when she met with Governor Simon Lalong in Abuja to seek ways of collaboration in her new task.

She said the Agency has commenced a wider consultation with State governments and other critical stakeholders in building a solid platform for preventive approach to the fight against trafficking. This she said was the best way to go because the situation where victims are traumatised and negatively affected before rehabilitation is reactive and does not go far.

The NAPTIP boss said it was cheaper and more profitable for human trafficking rings to be identified and disrupted while the victims are protected rather than allowed to undergo harrowing experiences with some of them losing their lives.

She commended Governor Lalong for being one of the first in the country to sign into law the VAAP Act and Child’s Rights Law which are major instruments for the fight against human trafficking and other violent crimes against children and other persons.

Governor Lalong who congratulated the NAPTIP boss over her appointment said the issue of human trafficking has taken many dimensions with various individuals and organised groups participating to make profit from the misfortune of others.

He said the situation is made worse by poverty, ignorance and greed where even some parents abdicate their responsibilities by putting their children in harm’s way in a bid to make money.

Governor Lalong assured the NAPTIP DG that he will not only support her efforts in Plateau State, but will use his position as the Chairman, Northern Governor’s Forum to mobilise his colleagues towards enhancing the work of the Agency.

Nigerian Pipe giant tasks FG on improved policies for business growth

By Chijioke Chijioke

Nigeria has often been lashed for its unfavourable business environment which is made worse by regulations that suffocate and stifle economic activities.

Recall that President Muhammadu Buhari, in a twitter post recently, commended the efforts of the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) for being instrumental to the improvement in Nigeria’s World Bank Ease of Doing Business ranking, having moved 15 steps to rank 131.

However, while the ease of doing business may have improved, the actual process of running a business has been stifled.

Reacting to the stifled, Amb. Nelson Mkparu, the CEO NELMACO Pipe Manufacturing Company, with its headquarters in Jos, said an important factor Nigeria’s policy makers must put into consideration is that a large population size does not always mean a large market, saying that It is only a potential market at best.

“Unlocking such potential will depend on improving demand by creating jobs to improve households’ income levels, boosting purchasing power by lessening inflationary pressures and strengthening macro fundamentals”, he said.

Insisting that government must continually provide an enabling environment for entrepreneurs to thrive, NELMACO said they are not just problem solvers, but also job creators and drivers of economic growth.

“This is why the importance of entrepreneurship cannot be underscored. It is the reason entrepreneurs must be supported and provided an enabling environment by the government”, Mkparu added.

NELMACO boss who gave the assurance that his company will continue to employ international best practices in the production of pipes, said so far the company is producing affordable pipes ranging from NGR Quality casin pipes 140×6.5mmx4m, 140mmx4mmx4m, 160mmx6.2mmx4m, and 200mmx9.62mm x4m.

He said in the range of NGR UPVC Pipes the company produces 110mmx5.3mmx6m, 160mmx6.2mmx6m and 200mmx9.62mmx6m pipes.

Mkparu who is also a philanthropist, also promised to engage more youths residing in Plateau state through creating job opportunities that will add meaning to their lives.

The company which is the first to produce pipes in Nigeria and Plateau state has employed over 200 people directly and 500 indirectly, our correspondent confirms.

Our correspondent reports that it is imperative to note that through the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC’s) push and the collaboration with the National Assembly, two important laws to ease access to credit were passed last year. The World Bank funded Growth and Employment (GEM) Project is focused on supporting businesses in Information, Communication and Technology (ICT), Agro-processing, Entertainment, Tourism and Construction.

By Peter Akpah.

The Member representing Jos North/Bassa federal Constituency in the National Assembly, Hon. Haruna Maitala received with utter shock and dismay the news of recent killings of innocent people in Irigwe Community in Bassa LGA.

The Hon. Member condemns this barbaric and uncivilized act and registers his deep-seated heartfelt sympathy to family members of the victims.
He noted with much concern the fact that the recent killings occurred after the community has witnessed relative peace for quite sometimes stressing that this goes to confirmed the view held by many that some individuals are benefiting from such ungodly acts.
The member is more disturbed as it is obvious that our society is wrestling with how best to deal with the darker side of humanity as violence and criminality are seen by the people as necessary and justified means of revolving issues.
He calls for calm and for the security agencies to ensure that the culprits are arrested and prosecuted to serve as deterrent to others.
More importantly, the Hon member holds that there is no alternative to peace and no one has monopoly of violence. He however believe that towing the path of peace is virile and non-negotiable for any society that truly yearns for development.

Joseph A. Adudu
Media Consultant to
Hon. Haruna Maitala
Member representing
Jos North/Bassa federal Constituency in the National
Assembly

By Peter Akpah.

Hon Haruna Maitala member representing Josnorth/Bassa federal Constituency inspects projects in his constituency, the honorable who went round to ensure that all the projects are properly executed visited the 3 kilometre road from tasha danladi down to Rimi vilagein Bassa along jengre road the honourable while inspecting the road project meet the contractor almost at the finishing stage and was impress with the stage of work so far.

and also part of the projects inspected are a 2 Block Class rooms well finished and equipped at maikatako at jengre and also islamic modern science school at jengre, speaking to journalist after the inspection the honourable Haruna Maitala said during his campaign he promised the constituents all this project and he is a man of his word so the projects are part of his campaign promises and the 3 kilometre road at Rimi village was also part of his campaign promises because during raining season motorise find it very difficult to pass the road because of the bad condition of the road and also to ease the hardship the community is facing during the raining season and give them good access road.

The Hon member also said the projects are spread across all the constituency according to their immediate needs need so you may find a different project at other places and when he was asked how he cope with the projects while his work is to make Laws Hon Maitala responded that as a representative of the people his work is not only to make laws to to listen to the people voice and impact on their lives and do other oversight for his constituency and he promise to do more projects and empowerment and he also said the projects will soon be commissioned within the nearest shortest date.

By Peter Akpah.

,

12 billion is so far spent on the social investment programme in plateau state according to the state focal person Dr Sumaye Hamza and more opportunities for beneficiaries in the state as the ministry has introduce more interventions and new programme she said.

One day sensitization workshop for program officers and beneficiaries of federal government intervention programmes with comprehensive analysis of efficiency of interventions of vulnerable population in the north central in jos a multi stakeholders forum and Dovell global consulting in collaboration with ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management & Social Development held at NOVEL SUIT in plateau.

Mr Rapheal Obi the director planning , Research and statistics in the ministry Humanitarian affairs, Disaster management and social Development(FMHADM&SD) who represented the hon minister at the one day sensitization workshop in plateau state applauded the focal person of the state Dr sumaye Hamza for her energetic work of the social investment programme as a pace setter, mr Rapheal said the ministry has introduce another programme called Rural Women Grant and is in about 25 States of the federal this is part of the government efforts to reduce women leaving in poverty in rural areas and to assist them with grants he also said the president Buhari through the ministry is doing well everything possible to empower more Nigerians and plateau state is one of the driving force through efforts of the governor and the focal person Dr Sumaye Hamza and the ministry is working tirelessly to see that all the programmes succeeds and impact more lifes.

WELCOME ADDRESS BY THE EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT TO THE GOVERNOR/FOCAL PERSON, NATIONAL SOCIAL INVESTMENT PROGRAMME, DR SUMAYE F. HAMZA ON THE OCCASION OF MULTI STAKEHOLDERS FORUM FOR COMPREHENSIVE ANALYSIS OF THE EFFICIENCY OF FEDERAL GOVERNMENT INTERVENTION ON VULNERABLE POPULATION, HELD ON THE 8TH FEBRUARY 2021 IN JOS, PLATEAU STATE
PROTOCOL
We are delighted to welcome you all to this important efficiency analysis meeting, anchored by the Dovell Global Consulting in collaboration with the Ministry of Humanitarian Services, Disaster Management and Social Development, which we consider strategic and timely. We are all aware that the National Social Investment Programme which seeks to address issues of poverty, unemployment, nutrition, agricultural activities, paucity of manpower in the public sector especially in the area of health, education and agricultural extension services, has four components which are all implemented in Plateau State. These are, Job Creation; National Home Grown School Feeding, Conditional Cash Transfer and Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme.
We commend the efforts of the Hon Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development for her untiring efforts to ensure effective implementation of NSIP generally and particularly in Plateau State. The immense support of our focused Governor, Simon Bako Lalong who provided the enabling environment for us to operate must be put on record. The Governor has also put in place an agency, PLASMEDA, to complement the Federal Government effort.
The Job Creation component of NSIP popularly called NPower has the graduate and the non-graduate skill provision. We have 11,054 NPower beneficiaries in batches A and B that have exited the programme; while there are over 500 beneficiaries under NBuild, NCreative; there are 20,000 HouseHolds benefiting from CCT with over 50,000 HHs awaiting payment; we have 3,285 cooks feeding 219,581 pupils across the 17 LGAs in Plateau State; we equally have over 8000 beneficiaries of GEEP under Trader and Market Moni. Plateau state is among the 11 states benefiting from the Co-Responsibility intervention that targets pregnant and lactating mothers; additionally, Plateau State is among the six States that is benefiting from the NPower Junior intervention where two pilot fully equipped ICT Centers were constructed in two public schools. Cumulatively, over N12 Billion has so far being expended in Plateau State on these beneficiaries from inception. Glad to mention that payment is end to end and does not go through state or LGA or the Focal Office or cluster unit Heads. A sample of the beneficiaries is present at this meeting to share their successes and challenges moving forward.
At this juncture, it is my pleasure to warmly welcome you to this important activity, as I encourage our beneficiaries to share their thoughts in order to come up with a very robust resolution that will add value to the entire process.
Thank you all and God bless.

Representing the governor of plateau state prof Danladi Atu who declare the workshop open on behalf of the governor has commended the ministry of humanitarians Affairs, Disaster Management &Social Development for all their interventions and promise the state government support for the programmes to succeed and express his happiness over the choice of plateau as a state to start up some of the interventions as plateau state have the enabling environment to drive any programme forward as the state focal person Dr Hamza is doing a great work and she is making the state proud.

One of the beneficiary of the programme Rifkatu Yohanna Azi who benefited in one of the programme by getting a loan to start up business and she truly enjoy the intervention and also speaking on her challenges madam Rifkatu said the Covid-19 has really effected some of their businesses but before the Covid-19 out break her business was doing well so she called on the government to continue the good work and add more founding to the intervention as she have earlier benefited from the loan in the past for the seek of other women, and she commended the focal person Dr sumaye Hamza for her efforts as all the beneficiaries cut across all the states no discrimination any one who apply and is qualifies is given the opportunity.

And also speaking to one of the Agro beneficiary in an interview by name mr Badi Emmanuel N-Power Agro Plateau state shared his experience haven’t been a beneficiary and had the opportunity to travel to Germany and learn and get more trainning and now he is a consultant and can also train others all this is possible because of the socia investment programme and he appreciate the intervention and the opportunity given to him and promises to keep on collaborating the the intervention and get more beneficiaries trained.

The keynote speech was given by prof Ken Ife who charge and encourage the participants to be proactive and ask question where the don’t understand, and the guest speaker/ facilitator at the workshop for programmes officers and beneficiaries of the federal government intervention focus on all the areas of the programmes.

By Peter Akpah.

The Hon. Member representing Jos North/Bassa federal constituency in the National Assembly, Haruna Maitala on Monday revalidated his membership of the All Progressive Congress (APC) at his Piloti polling unit at the Jengre Ward in Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State. Hon. Maitala was at his polling unit for the exercise in line with the ongoing nation wide membership registration and validation exercise by the APC.

The Hon. Member was accompanied to his polling unit by the State Caretaker Committee Chairman of the APC, Hon. Latep Dabang, EXCO members of the Party in both Jos North and Bassa Local Government Areas, the former Management Committee Chairman of Bassa Local Government, Hon. Sarah Bali, all Councillors from Jos North and Bassa Local Government as well as stakeholders of the APC from Jos North and Bassa Local Government Areas.

The Hon. Member was received at the Piloti polling unit by a team of National officers for the exercise led by Hon. Musa Mahmoud who also guided the Hon member during the symbolic revalidation and flag off of the exercise.
Addressing a mammoth crowd after his revalidation, Hon Maitala said the APC remains the only political party in Nigeria with deep and sound ideals, principles and philosophy. The Hon member said that his credible performance in less than two years (which has no equal since the advent of this democratic dispensation in 1999) was actually driven by the ideals and philosophy of the party. He enumerated some of his achievement to include the payment for the registration of WAEC and JAMB examinations, empowerment of constituents, construction of classrooms in Jos North and Bassa and the construction of Rimi road among other achievement. Maitala noted that there were many other projects in the pipeline stressing that all the people needed to do was to ensure they continued to vote the APC in all elections. He further called on people of his constituency to take advantage of the opportunity provided by the APC to come out enmasse and register to become members “so that together, we can do more toward building a better Nigeria”, he said. The Hon member added that his doors have always and would continue to be wide open for all, noting that he doesn’t detest saying “I am for everyone and everyone is for me. I am ever ready for your advises and constructive criticism”.

In his submission, the caretaker Committee chairman of the APC in the state, Hon Latep Dabang said that the registration exercise was free and open to all including those from other political parties in as much as they have made up their minds to join the APC. Represented by the State Financial Secretary of the party, Uztaz Abubakar, the Chairman further stressed that there would levelled playing ground for all registered members as there would be no discrimination with regards to old and new members as all would have equal stake in the party.

By Peter Akpah.

Culture our way of life the best of culture from the land of Butura where culture is best display the annual festival is one of the best in the country, Plateau is indeed Beautiful…

Good Morning Dear, NAHWAI Festival In Buturaland is celebrated annually in memory of what used to happen in the past for the purpose of unity and preservation of the Butura culture and it’s transmission to the younger generation. #Nahwai2021 #TheVirtualEdition #27th February,2021 Broadcasting on all digital platforms

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=4282306308450780&id=100000143607803

NSaf Butura Welcome All To Nahwai Buturafestival 2021 as Masara Kim Usman & Seemo Da Black Czar sing #BUTURAMWAN.

By Peter Akpah

GOVERNOR LALONG CHARGES NIGERIANS TO FORGIVE ONE ANOTHER AS PLATEAU MARKS DAYFORGIVENESS DAY.

Governor Simon Bako Lalong on Sunday 7th February 2021 said unless Nigerians learn to forgive one another and avoid revenge and reprisals, the nation will continue to witness needless bloodshed and destruction of properties.

Governor Lalong was speaking at an inter-denominational church service to commemorate the 3rd Plateau Day of Forgiveness and Reconciliation at the St. Louis Catholic Church Jos.

Lalong said although acts of criminality must be swiftly investigated and punished by Government and its relevant organs, the long term ambition of every Nigerian who desires peace is to tore the path of reconciliation and forgiveness.

He said “As a Government, we are very conscious of the fact that the process of restoring peace and confidence among the people cannot succeed without forgiveness and reconciliation. On this day therefore, we do not try to trivialize or gloss over the trauma, pain and agony that many people have undergone on account of the various crises that took lives and properties. Others are still bearing physical scars of their experiences. What this day rather emphasizes is how to make the best of the past ugly experiences and chart the way forward. If truly we want to move forward, then there is every need to encourage healing that makes us do gthings differently.”

Lalong said the Plateau Peace Agency has held over 87 multi-level dialogue sessions with conflict parties across 17 Local Governments of the State in order to promote the culture of Peace through forgiveness and reconciliation.
This has led to the signing of several Peace Agreements and Commitments to the pursuit of Peace agreement with various fighting communities in the last five years.

He frowned at the exploitation of the social media by crises merchants who generate and circulate unfounded posts suggesting that there is no peace in Plateau State and that this Government has not achieved anything.

In his homily, Catholic Archbishop Mathew Ishaya Audu said the failure of individuals and communities to forgive one another increases the burden of strife, bitterness, anger and violence which provides the ready flame for crises.

He said Christ has demonstrated forgiveness by not only laying down his life for humanity, but admonishing his followers to do same and live in peace. He said Plateau State is experiencing gradual healing and peaceful coexistence because of the efforts of the Government to set the right examples and administer justice to all.

Chairman Christian Pilgrims Commission Rev. Yakubu Pam said the Day for Forgiveness and Reconciliation is a great initiative by Governor Simon Lalong that celebrates the good of humanity rather than the embers of hatred, bigotry and mediocrity.

Plateau State Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria Rev. Fr. Polycarb Lubo, Deputy Chief Imam of Jos Central Mosque Sheikh Ismail Adam and the representative of the Gbong Gwom Jos all called on the citizens of Plateau State and Nigerians in general to learn to embrace one another inspite of differences in religion, ethnicity or status.

Prayers were offered for the perpetuation of peace and reconciliation in Plateau State and Nigeria.

By Peter Akpah.

FRSC/4.1/SPEO/PROT/526/031 28 JANUARY, 2021.

The Coordinators of News
Media Houses Jos
Plateau State
PRESS RELEASE
FRSC PLATEAU GETS A NEW SECTOR COMMANDER
The above subject refers.

2. Corps Commander Sale Shamsideen Adivyonku has been appointed as the Sector Commander, RS4.1, Plateau State Sector Command to take over from Corps Commander Isaac Akporowho who recently retired from Service after attaining the mandatory retirement age.
3. Corps Commander Sale Shamsideen Adivyonku hails from Wukari Local Government Area of Taraba State. He holds B.ENG in Electrical and Electronics Engineering and M.ENG in Electronics Engineering, both from Abubakar Tafawa Belewa University, Bauchi. Corps Commander Sale was the Sector Commander RS1.4 Jigawa Sector Command before proceeding to Army War College Nigeria and became a Fellow of War College (FWC) upon completion of the course, from where he was deployed to RS4.1 Plateau Sector Command as the Sector Commander.
   Corps Commander Sale also held notable Appointments in the Corps which included: Head of Admin and Human Resources, Kano and Yobe State Sector Commands; Head of Operations Cross Rivers State Sector Command; Head of Policy, Research and Statistics, Port-Harcourt Zonal Command.
4. The Sector Commander appeals to the good people of Plateau State to join hands with him in order create a Safe Motoring Environment, most especially during this trying times of the pandemic and be responsive in obeying traffic laws and regulations all the time in Plateau and Nigeria at large.
   Signed:

DRC Oluwasesgun E. AKINJINMI
Deputy Route Commander
Public Education
For: Sector Commander

By Peter Akpah.

GOVERNOR LALONG VOWS TO SIGN DEATH WARRANT FOR CONVICTED KIDNAPPERS AS HE SWEARS IN PRESIDENT, CUSTOMARY COURT OF APPEAL & 5 JUDGES.

Plateau State Governor Simon Bako Lalong has vowed to sign the death warrant for anyone convicted for kidnapping in the State.
Governor Lalong stated this on Friday 29th January 2021 when he swore in the substantive President of the Customary Court of Appeal Bar. Sati Patrick Dapit and five judges of the State high court and Customary Court of Appeal at the Government House Rayfield Jos.

At the event witnessed by the President Court of Appeal Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, Lalong who described as worrisome the incidences of kidnapping and other violent crimes in the State frowned at the situation where suspected kidnappers who are arrested are not prosecuted as and when due and in some cases released without charge.
He said “This situation perhaps emboldens the continuous onslaught on the citizens by kidnappers. While we are addressing the issue with the police relating to arrest, investigation and prosecution, I want to appeal to our Judges to be very firm in trying such Cases when brought before them as Kidnapping is fast becoming an Industry with no one immune from the menace. As Governor, I have promised to sign the Death Warrant in respect of anyone convicted of kidnapping which is giving our people sleepless nights, driving away prospective Investors and further impoverishing our people. Many of them are forced to pay ransoms to secure the release of loved ones which is making people afraid to pursue their legitimate businesses including farming”.

To the new Judges, the Governor charged them to be faithful to their oath of office and consider their appointments as a call to serve God and humanity which should make them work faithfully and diligently.
“I advise you to be mindful of the attempts to compromise your integrity and impartiality by people who will approach you with tempting proposals of all sorts. As those who have the rare privilege to determine the fate of people that appear before you, be careful not to abuse this precious trust. In as much as you have this privilege, you should also realise that you are not above reproach and can be held responsible for your actions by both man and God. Therefore, I advise you to strive to write your name in Gold by abiding to the ethos of your professional calling at all times during your career” he said.

Lalong also used the opportunity to debunk the insinuation that his administration is not paying attention to the judiciary, a claim that he said is unfounded as his government has done so much for the judicial arm since coming to office despite the paucity of funds.
Lalong listed some of the interventions to the judiciary to include: Construction of the new High Court Headquarters Complex; settlement of inherited 2 years arrears of Judge’s entitlements for 2013 and 2014; approval for training of Judicial Officers, particularly Judges within and outside the Country; approval for the Judiciary to recruit over 200 Staff including relevant support Staff; establishment of the State Account Allocation Committee (SAAC) which lays the ground work for the implementation of financial autonomy; as well as payment of all accrued arrears of housing allowances of superior Court Judges, on account of which some Judges took the State Government to court among others.
This he said vindicates him and as such, the insinuations out there suggesting that he does not care about the welfare of Judges or is denying them their entitlements are incorrect and should be discountenanced.
As a member of the revered Legal Profession, the Governor re-assured the judiciary of his personal commitment to the welfare and well-being of Judges and all Judicial Staff despite the major challenge of lean financial resources of the State worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic and the economic recession.
Responding on behalf of the new judges sworn in, the President, Customary Court of appeal Justice Sati Patrick Dapit said they will do their best to live up to the oath of their office and the ethics of the legal profession for the interest of the society.
The judges were later presented with their official cars.
The new judges sworn in are the new Judges namely, Hon. Justices Naankwat Dawat Shaseet; Buetnaan Mandy Dongban Bassi, (Plateau State High Court) Pauline Nanlep Njar, Edwin Sati Munlang, and Georgina Dashe (Customary Court of Appeal).