By Peter Akpah.

PTF Is Thinking Of Imposing Lockdown In Lagos, Abuja, And Plateau Over COVID-19 Second Wave

Chairman of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19, Boss Mustapha

According to a report by The PTF, the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 is considering targeted lockdown in some pars of the country.

The PTF is considering lockdown in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja; as well as Lagos and Plateau States.

PTF National Incident Manager, Mukhtar Muhammed, who stated this on Friday, described as alarming, the rising cases of Covid infections recorded in the three urban areas.

Muhammed said data showed that urban local governments in the affected places recorded the highest cases of Covid amid the second wave of the pandemic in Nigeria. According to data by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, Lagos (46,935 cases), Abuja (16,470 cases), Plateau (7,801) have recorded the highest number of Covid infections and fatalities in Nigeria in the last eleven months.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily programme monitored by Sourcenews.24, the PTF official said the Federal Government wants economic activities to continue but these activities must be in a regulated fashion.

When asked of the possibility of a targeted lockdown and not a total lockdown based on data of hotspot areas, Muhammed said,“That is exactly what we did, we have been analysing the data and we have been looking at the geographical areas that have been most affected and the different age groups.”

“Certainly, even if we are going to have a lockdown, it is not going to be a total lockdown. A couple of weeks back, we analysed the data and we identified the hotspot local government areas.

“Mostly, the areas affected are the urban local governments in Lagos, Abuja, Kaduna, Plateau. Even in most other states, it is the urban areas that are involved. So, if we are going to have any restriction, it will be in these areas.

“The urban areas are the most affected and that is why we have these superspreaders and that is where we are going to target. We have analysed that and we are advising the states based on the data that these are the focused areas where these transmissions are more than the others,” he added.

The Sourcenews.24 had earlier reported that the Federal Government in March 2020 locked down Abuja Lagos and Ogun for over five weeks as part of measures to curb the spread of COVID-19 during the first wave of the pandemic.

The lockdown had a tremendous effect on economic activities with the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry putting the loss at about N3bn in the period under review.

Many jobs were also lost as airlines, hotels, banks, amongst others cut their workforce due to the crushing effect of the lockdown.

By Peter Akpah.

PLATEAU EXCO APPROVES 3 BILLION BOND FOR PROJECTS, MOVES TO CREATE COOPERATIVE SOCIETY AGENCY

The Plateau State Executive Council has approved the sourcing of a 3 billion naira bond from the capital market to finance some capital projects. This was one of the decisions taken during its maiden meeting for 2021 presided over by Governor Simon Bako Lalong at the Exco chambers of the new Government House Little Rayfield Jos.

Commissioner for Information and Communication Mr. Dan Manjang, Commissioner for Finance Dr. Mrs. Regina Soemlat, and the Commissioner for Commerce and Industry Mr. Abe Aku gave highlights of the decisions taken at Council at a news briefing. Commissioner for Information and communication Mr. Dan Manjang said Exco approved the bond as part of its drive to ensure that some of its ongoing projects are completed while other critical ones are introduced. He said the shortfall in internally generated revenue and federal account allocation accruing to the State due to COVID-19 has necessitated the sourcing of alternative funds to execute critical projects. Finance Commissioner Dr. Mrs. Regina Soemlat said the 3billion bond is part of the 30 billion naira earlier sourced for the Lalong Legacy projects which after rescoping stood at about 27 billion naira. According to her, all funds needed to complete the legacy projects are available and work is going on in all the sites steadily. Commissioner for Commerce and Industry Mr. Abe Aku said the Council approved the establishment of the Plateau State Cooperative Society Agency to register, regulate and monitor the operations of all cooperatives in the State and also strethen their contributions to economic development of the State.

He said a bill will be forwarded to the State House of Assembly which when passed will encourage people of the State to form coperatives to enable them access funds from various Federal Government interventions as well as international development and donor agencies. On the Corona virus pandemic, the Commissioner for Information Dan Manjang said Council raised concerns over the increase in number of deaths which as at today stands at 53 and directed more testing and enforcement of protocols throughout the state. The Council also frowned at the destruction of street lights in the capital city by motorists and directed that those who are involved should be arrested and made to pay for replacement.

By Peter Akpah.

MUCH ADO ABOUT TETFUND PROJECTS AT PLATEAU STATE UNIVERSITY BOKKOS

By Makut Simon Macham

Recently when the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) Plateau State University Bokkos Chapter, declared a strike just when students were preparing to resume after spending months at home due to the national ASUU strike, many parents, students and concerned citizens were taken aback by this unfortunate development.

Of course the lecturers had their grievances which informed their decision to embark on the strike action as enunciated by the Chairman of ASUU in the institution, Dr. Bentse Pamson who briefed newsmen in Jos.
The lecturers according to Pamson were unhappy over insecurity within the University environment which has resulted in threat to lives and properties of staff and students; delay in the reconstitution of the Governing Council for the University; lack of payment of earned academic allowances totaling over N215 million; underfunding of the institution with only a monthly subvention of about N90m which is grossly inadequate as against about N200 million it expects; inadequate manpower as well as lack of funds for training and capacity building.
Perhaps, one of the reasons given for the strike which has generated so many comments in the social media and elsewhere was when the ASUU Chairman said “For instance, if you come to the University, you will not discover any capital project being funded by the State Government except the ones being undertaken under TetFund. This is totally strange and unacceptable”.

For many, particularly those who are looking for reasons to crucify the Plateau State Government under the leadership of Governor Simon Lalong for non-performance, this accusation has been exploited to its limits.
However, for those who want to be objective, read in between the lines, and look beyond political sentiments or playing to the gallery, the assertion by ASUU was not only unfortunate, but disingenuous.
The Governor who was personally at the University to inspect ongoing and completed projects was equally surprised by the position of the lecturers and expressed his disappointment during an interaction with the Management of the institution.

Lalong who has always conceded to the right of labour unions to seek better welfare of their members, said some of the concerns raised by the ASUU such as the appointment of a Governing Council for the Institution and the need for more funding and enhanced security for the institution were not out of place and in fact already being addressed. What he could not come to terms with was why the lecturers will embark on strike simply because TetFund is carrying out many projects in the school.
Some of the projects inspected by the Governor during the visit include the new Senate Building, Faculties of Law, Environmental Sciences, Health Sciences, Social sciences, Advancement and Linkages building, Staff offices and classrooms complex, E-Library and assorted volumes of books in the central library building, 600- capacity Lecture theatre, School of postgraduate Studies building complex, University Health Centre building and medical equipment, Street light project, Wire fencing of female hostel and PLASU Security System/ CCTV cameras project, sports complex among others.
While interacting with the University management, the Governor said, “I am very happy with the tremendous transformation of the University which is as a result of the joint partnership between the State and Federal Governments through TetFund. However, I am at a loss as to what the ASUU is imputing or wants to achieve by insinuating that the State Government has not done projects at the Plateau State University. This is preposterous and difficult to understand. How can you say the proprietor of a University does not have any capital projects in it? “
He said “it is very unfortunate for people to play politics with everything including education. I was part of the founding of this institution when I was Speaker. Everyone including members of PLASU-ASUU will remember that when I came into office as Governor, the University was shut down and they were not going to work. We did everything possible to reopen the school and today, it has blossomed and is fast growing. It has been described as a success by those who oversee tertiary education in the country considering that it started on a virgin site without inheriting any infrastructure like some of its counterparts in some States. It is therefore very sad and untrue for this insinuation to come from people who should know better. This is nothing but pure mischief. Are lecturers in PLASU unhappy that the school is getting Tetfund intervention? Which State will reject such assistance when the Governments at all levels including the Federal Government which directly oversees Tetfund are crying over lack of funds due to COVID-19 and the economic recession?”

He went down memory lane to remind the lecturers about the status of the Plateau State University before his coming into office in 2015. It is common knowledge that before the advent of the Lalong Rescue Administration, the University was in a state of coma having been neglected for years by the immediate past administration of Governor David Jang for reasons many citizens of the State are yet to be fathom. Many have not forgotten how students who were already offered admission into the various courses of the university at different levels and had started lectures were stranded and had to start scampering all over the place to seek admissions into other Universities. Accreditation of courses was therefore not obtained as ongoing processes were aborted and abandoned while the lecturers and other staff were idle and redundant.
But with the coming of the Lalong administration, the vision of the founding fathers of PLASU was revived with full vigour and determination. Lalong who was Speaker of the Plateau State House of Assembly when the idea was conceived and did everything possible to pass the law establishing the University, vowed never to allow this dream suffocate again under his watch as Governor.
Apart from the fact that the Plateau State Government over time has invested huge sums of money to develop classroom infrastructure, offices, laboratories, hostels and staff housing in the University, the Lalong administration has since coming into office carried out various projects such as the construction of roads and street lights within the University campus to facilitate smooth academic activities. This is in addition to releasing about 300 million naira which facilitated the accreditation of 14 programmes in the University.
It is to the credit of Governor Lalong that the first ever Convocation Ceremony of the University was held in 2017 because of his concerted efforts in reviving the institution. Because of COVID-19, the 3rd, 4th & 5th combined Convocation Ceremony of the University was held virtually in August 2020 to enable the graduands participate in the NYSC.
In addition, through concerted efforts, three new faculties have been approved including Law, Health Sciences and Environmental Science with the fourth, Agriculture soon to be introduced. While the State Government also approved funds for the remodeling of multi-purpose hall to serve as Law Auditorium, work on the construction of Teaching Hospital for the new faculty of health sciences is ongoing in Shendam, all funded by the State Government.
To hear the ASUU bemoan the fact that Tetfund is executing many projects in the institution and advance it as one of the reasons for its strike has indeed surprised many. The fact that the State Governor has been able to use his influence and goodwill to lobby and attract Tetfund projects including the Special High Impact Intervention Projects which only go to six Universities in the country annually should call for commendation and not condemnation.
Just what difference does it really make if the structures are constructed by Tetfund, State Government, Corporate Organisations, Donor agencies, Parent Teacher Association, or even Community Development Associations? If one may ask further, besides the primary objective of pursuing and protecting welfare issues of members, in modern times of constructive unionism, unions are seen as part of the progressives engaged in advocacy, lobby and attracting partnership, infrastructural developments etc, in their domains for the common good. How much of this in a young and fledgling institution like PLASU? After all, ASUU has severally been credited for being the brain behind the establishment of Tetfund to do exactly what it is doing at the Plateau State University. What then is the fuss about? Or, will the students reject to sit in the facilities to learn or will the lecturers and non-teaching staff suffer any losses when they sit in the offices to work? Even if the Tetfund changes its mind later, it is unfathomable that they will uproot the structures and take them to other States or to a federal facility. There is certainly no justification for the hue and cry that this allegation has generated. Indeed, it is a storm in a tea cup which to concerned citizens is politically meant to ridicule the State Government and paint it in bad light. Gladly enough, this does not seem to have been achieved despite the twisting of facts by political interests that have latched on it to make a feast in the social media.
Members of the public may not be aware that since Plateau State started implementing the Treasury Single Account, Tertiary Institutions including PLASU have been exempted from the scheme as they retain 100 percent of their internally generated revenue to fund their activities. This does not happen with Federal Universities who adhere strictly to the TSA system. Despite this, the State Government gives monthly subvention to the University as well as pays all its staff salaries and emoluments promptly and up to date.
At a time when the State treasury is suffering lack of funds as a result of drop in IGR and Federal Allocation worsened by the corona virus pandemic, there is no point in vilifying the Government for some of the shortcomings as enumerated by PLASU-ASUU who are very well aware of other commitments of the Government such as the implementation of the new minimum wage which has started in Plateau State among others. Simply put, in the face of concerned parents, the public and stakeholders, the timing and some reasons advanced for the strike action are not strategic enough to attract public sympathy at all.
The good news is that Governor Lalong, who is labour friendly and has a listening ear with unequalled passion for education does not want students to suffer any longer. He has set up a 7-man committee to address the issue raised by the PLASU-ASUU with a view to resolving them. Already, consultations have commenced and there is every hope that they will resolve the matters sooner than later.
While that is going on, the Governor is unrepentant about attracting more Tetfund projects to the University as he insists that the State Government is entitled to draw from the Tetfund just like other States, Federal Universities, Polytechnics, Colleges of Education and other institutions. After all, Tetfund monies belong to the Federal and State Governments, being commonwealth funds in the form of tax on every Nigerian citizen from north, south, east and west, aggregated in a common pool and shared equitably.
While appreciating PLASU-ASUU’s patriotic zeal, as bastion of intellectualism in the ivory tower, this is perhaps the best moment for deeper reflection and exercise of restraint in criticism in order to set the right examples that will not erode subsequent goodwill from the State in its future quest for more intervention by well-meaning entities such as Tetfund.
Governor Lalong remains determined not to rest until PLASU attains its potentials and glory, which is very much on course and all hands, including the union(s) must be on deck.

Makut Simon Macham, Ph.D., is the Director of Press and Public Affairs to the Governor of Plateau State.

By Peter Akpah.

Brodashaggi,Mr Macaroni,Lasisi Elenu,Mc Lively, Young Elder & Dino Melaye Nominated For Plateau Social Media Awards 3.0 for Internet Sensation Of the Year (National) category.

Ahmed Musa, Dantala & Group and Miss Sylvia Ulan Andrew To Bag Special Recognition Awards

The Organisers of the Annual Plateau Social Media Awards have introduced five more categories in the third edition of the biggest Awards in Northern Nigeria that celebrate content creation on the New Media to make it have a national outlook.

The theme for this year’s edition of the Awards/Webinar is;
“Exploring The Innovative & Creative Industry Opportunities On The New Media”.

The Organisers of the innovative and creative awards birthed on the Plateau that has now gained national and international recognition as a model are honoring three great Plateau personalities that are good ambassadors of the state in their various field of human endeavours.

Asides the 25 categories up for grabs by online voting,the organisers are giving special recognition awards to the captain of the Nigerian Super eagles team, Ahmed Musa, Plateau Indigenous music icon Dantala & group and a 17 year old student who emerged over all best student in the 2020 West African Examination for Academic Excellence.

The event which is slated to hold on Monday the 5th of April,2021 in Jos will be virtual broadcasting on all digital platforms and live with strict compliance to all laid down Covid19 protocols.

The Organisers are adding five more categories to the previous edition that had 20 categories voted for online.

The new categories are the PSMA INTERNET SENSATION OF THE YEAR that will showcase entries of internet content providers across Nigeria that have put out content in the last one year,the six online content providers shortlisted for this category include Brodashaggi,Mc Lively,Mr Macaroni,Dino Melaye,Young elder and Lasisi Elenu respectively.

The other categories are the BEST COMMENT SECTION WINNER ,this is to recognise social media users that engage in positive comments on a thread that has many views online.

The Best LGA Chairman to deploy ICT to encourage good Governance at the local council’s and the best LEGISLATOR of the year that has leverage on the new media to further the course of legislative representation and good Governance.

The other Category is on Environmental Health,to reward those that have used the social media space to promote environmental health especially in the period of the pandemic,Covid-19.

THE SPECIAL RECOGNITION AWARD

Dantala & Group For excellence in rebranding,packaging and Exporting Plateau indigenous Music to the world with his Ndengdeng Brand.

Ahmed Musa for his onerous Contributions to grassroots sports development on the Plateau and his acclaimed philanthropic activities of giving back to his community both at home and the Diaspora.

Miss Sylvia Ulan Andrew, 17, for Academic excellence ,A Plateau highschool graduate who recently made a distinction in all subjects, in an international examination,she made the top class result in the 2020 West African Examinations Council (WAEC) exams.

The guidelines and procedures for nominations,entries and voting will be communicated accordingly in the first week of February,2021.

PLATEAU SOCIAL MEDIA AWARDS is a Jos,Plateau state initiative geared towards showcasing the talents and creativity of the youths through information communication technology with opportunities on the new media.

PSMA is officially endorsed by the Plateau Information communication development Agency (PICTDA) and Supported by the Ministry of culture,Tourism & Hospitality.

It is embraced on the global village via the world wide web.

Think Plateau & Act Plateau.
“The Home of peace & Tourism”.

PSMA 3.0 for inquiries ,partnerships and sponsorship contact; 08051135906,08082393333,07039707458

Team PSMA

Dung John Hwyere
Marketing & Publicity Secretary

By Peter Akpah.

GOVERNOR LALONG SECURES LICENCE FOR RAPID ENROLMENT OF PLATEAU CITIZENS TO NATIONAL DATABASE.

Following the challenges faced by citizens of Plateau State in enrolling for the National Identity Number (NIN) as a result of few enrolment centres, Plateau State Governor Simon Bako Lalong has secured the licensing of Plateau State as a service provider for the enrolment of Nigerians residing in the State.

The approval which was conveyed to the Governor by the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy through the Director General of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), Engr. Aliyu Aziz, indicates that the Plateau State Government can now participate in the registration of citizens of the State into the national identity database in line with the provisions of the NIMC Act and other guidelines issued.

Reacting to the development, Governor Lalong said he was excited that the State secured the approval which will not only reduce the hardship faced by citizens in obtaining the NIN number due to the few centres available in the State, but will also help the State ensure that all its citizens are captured into the national identity ecosystem.

The Governor said “now that Plateau State has been granted the licence to provide data capture and enrolment services for the issuance of the National Identity Number, we are going to ensure that we create centres in all the 17 Local Government Areas and other strategic towns in order to ensure seamless, quick and efficient enrollment of all our citizens and other Nigerians residing in the State”.

He therefore directed the Commissioner for Science and Technology to immediately work with the Plateau State Information & Communication Technology Development Agency (PICTDA) to further liaise with NIMC towards finalizing arrangements and acquiring the necessary equipment for the successful implementation of the programme.

Lalong also mandated them to ensure that arrangement for suitable facilities are made and training of requisite manpower is done in record time in order to guarantee excellence enrollment of eligible persons within the State into the Nigerian Digital Ecosystem.

Governor Lalong therefore uses the opportunity to appeal to the citizens of Plateau State to exercise more patience while the process in completed and the facilities put on ground for the commencement of the enrollment services throughout the State. He also wants them to cooperate with the officials during the exercise and provide accurate data to avoid complications afterwards.

The licence granted to Plateau State is for one year and is subject to renewal upon satisfactory performance during the period.

By Peter Akpah.

Following his recent visit to the Plateau State University Bokkos to inspect projects and engage the management of the institution, Governor Simon Lalong has Constituted a 7-Man Committee to look into the welfare of staff of the University.

According to an approval conveyed by the Secretary to the Plateau State Government Prof. Danladi Atu, the 7-man committee is to address issues recently raised by the local Chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and also look into other union issues.

The committee’s report which is expected to be submitted in three weeks will facilitate the resolution of some of the issues raised by ASUU Chapter of the University which they gave as reasons for embarking on strike.

It will be recalled that during the Governor’s visit, the student union leaders and other staff of the University prevailed on him to intervene and ensure that academic activities resume.

Members of the Committee include the State Head of Service, Mr. Izam A. Azi mni as Chairman and Mr. Isaac Maran, Permanent Secretary, Establishment, Office of the Head of Service as Secretary.

Other members of the committee are;  Professor Yohana Daniel Izam, the Vice Chancellor of the University, Mr. Lawrence Kerekum Longsen, Bursar of the University,  the Commissioner of Higher Education, Hon. Kak’mena Goteng Audu, the poineer Vice Chancellor of the University, Professor John W. Wade mni and Hon. Ezekiel Pabuet, ALGON Chairman, Plateau State chapter.

By Peter Akpah.

Dear Plateau Central Constituents,

We are writing to thank you all for sharing your views with us about the Distinguished Senator, and how you felt about what we do or ought to do.

The Distinguished Senator is very much committed to his tasks of representing the people of Plateau Central Zone effectively.

His determination for a better Plateau Central is unassuming.

So far he has lightened more than 40 communities with solar powered streetlights from Bokkos down to Kanam. This is unprecedented!

The expansion of electricity in some LGA including Kanam, Pankshin, Mangu and Bokkos is ongoing.

About three weeks ago, the Distinguished Senator Hezekiah Dimka distributed empowerment to more than 500 persons with tricycles, motorcycles, water pumping machines, sewing machines, and knapsack sprayers.

On the issue of employment opportunities, we will indeed unveil the names of people the Distinguished did help in securing appointment for them in our forthcoming magazine on his stewardship for the consumption of his constituents and the general public.

Other critical capital projects are being expected to commence across the Zone.

On the 2023 politics, at an appropriate time after effective consultations the Distinguished would definitely speak out to his constituents.

At this material time, we wish to appeal to constituents to continue support and pray for our Boss, Sen. Dimka to discharge his mandate effectively.

I wish to sincerely appreciate the commitment of my colleagues on the media front like Mr. Alfred Makut (Munatare), Victor Gutul Silas, Sylvester Sly, and our elder brother Mr. Katdapba Gobum for their tremendous commitment in projecting the Distinguished Senator and his activities.

We are proud of you!

Our support for progress and development of Plateau Central through our Principal, Senator Dimka is an unending and unwavering one.

The detractors would definitely have no reason for merriment at the end.

Senator Dimka, still the dependable man to Trust!

ND Shehu Kanam
Senior Legislative Aide to Senator Dimka of Plateau Central and Chairman Senate Committee on Drugs and Narcotics.

By Peter Akpah.

GOVERNOR LALONG MEETS FRENCH AMBASSADOR, DISCUSSES INVESTMENT IN MINERAL DEVELOPMENT, AGRICULTURE AND EDUCATION

Plateau State Governor Simon Bako Lalong was at the Embassy of France to Nigeria in Abuja on Tuesday Tuesday 19th January 2021 to hold discussions with the Ambassador Jérôme Pasquier on the development of the mineral sector in Plateau State and other areas 9f investment.

Governor Lalong who was accompanied by the Commissioner for Mineral Development Jude Elias Dakur said he was at the French embassy to discuss the economic potentials of the State and explore areas of collaboration for investment and exchanges that will benefit people on both sides.

He said “Plateau State is famous for a variety of minerals which gave our State the name “Tin City” during the colonial days. Even though some of these minerals were taken away without tangible benefits to our people, a lot of these endowments are still available with many yet to be exploited. Some of the potentials of the State include metallic minerals namely: Tin, Columbite, Lead and Zinc; Non-metallic ones include Kaolin, Dimension stones and Granites, Gemstones like garnet, aqua marine among others. We also have mineral fuels like natural gas and coal”.

Lalong explained that his major concern since coming into office in 2015 has been to see how to utilize these potentials to improve the living standards of the people. This he explained is why he was seeking collaboration with the French Government towards the development, exploitation and beneficiation of the State’s abundant mineral endowments to bridge the supply-demand gap, transfer of technology, diversification of the State income, job creation and poverty alleviation, as well as the reclamation of already devastated arable lands as a result of previous mining activities.

In specific terms, he sought support of the French Ambassador in facilitating grants, intervention funds, technical partnerships and investment linkages for the following minerals for which Plateau State is highly endowed.
i. Tin, Columbite and associated minerals
ii. Cutting and polishing of granites
iii. Lead and zinc beneficiation
iv. Copper and associated minerals.

Other areas of collaboration he said include education, culture and tourism, renewable energy, rural water supply, agriculture and much more, assuring that the State has various incentives that are attractive for business.

Ambassador Jerome Pasquier expressed delight on the Governor’s visit saying he had visited Plateau State last year where he held discussions with some State officials on various areas.

He assured that he will do his best to see that the necessary connection is created to assist Plateau State develop its mining potentials for the benefit of its citizens.

He assured the Governor that he was willing to not only involve Plateau State in many of his country’s development assistance programs, but will also facilitate investment connections and collaboration with investors who are willing to do business in Plateau State.

He said the French government is happy to support other peace initiatives such as the one being pursued by Governor Simon Lalong. Such determination he said will further entrench the fight against terrorism and criminality which is not just a Nigerian situation but a global concern.

By Peter Akpah.

Plateau State Governor Simon Bako Lalong has asked members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, Plateau State University Chapter to rescind its decision to embark on strike as the Government is working to address their grievances.

Governor Lalong who is Visitor to the University stated this on Monday 18th January 2021 when he visited the University to inspect various projects being implemented at the school.

Lalong said the University which has been closed following the COVID-19 pandemic was ready to re-open before the threat of strike by the local chapter of ASUU.

Projects inspected include the new Senate Building, Faculties of Law, Environmental Sciences, Health Sciences, Social sciences, Advancement and Linkages building, Staff offices and classrooms complex, E-Library and assorted volumes of books in the central library building, 600- capacity Lecture theatre, School of postgraduate Studies building complex, University Health Centre building and medical equipment, Street light project, Wire fencing of female hostel and PLASU Security System/ CCTV cameras project, sports complex among others.

Some of the projects have been completed and handed over while others are at various stages of completion.

The Governor who expressed satisfaction with the speed and quality of the projects debunked the insinuation that the projects were all implemented by Tetfund with the State Government not doing anything.

He said “it is very unfortunate for people to play politics with everything including education. How can you say that the proprietor of a University has no projects in it? I was part of the founding of this institution when I was Speaker. People will remember that when I came into office, the University was shut down. We did everything possible to reopen it and today, it has blossomed and is fast growing. It is therefore very sad and untrue for this insinuation to come from people who should know better. This is nothing but pure mischief”.

Lalong said apart from investing huge sums of money to develop infrastructure in the University, his administration remains grateful to President Buhari who through Tetfund has also intervened by approving other projects that are very critical to the development of the school. The State he said has been greatly favoured to benefit from the number of projects being carried out beacuse it met the criteria for drawing from the fund. He said the funds from Tetfund are monies belonging to all States which have been pooled through sources allowed by the law for the benefit of the educational system and as such it was within the right of the Plateau State University to benefit.

Governor Lalong also assured that the new Governing Council of the University will soon be announced even as he appealed to the lecturers to call of their strike in the interest of students and their parents who have suffered the long closure of schools.

He challenged the University management, staff and students to do everything possible to make the environment compliant to COVID-19 protocols as the perpetual closure of the school will not augur well for the development of the State.

Vice Chancellor of the University Prof. Yohanna D. Izam who took the Visitor round the projects appreciated the efforts of the Lalong administration in reviving the institution which he said has accredited many courses and established three new faculties with many students successfully graduating.

He said some of the landmark projects and achievements of the University could not be unveiled during the last convocation which could not take place physically beacuse of COVID-19.

By Peter Akpah.

GOVERNOR LALONG MEETS SECRETARIES TO GOVERNMENTS OF 19 NORTHERN STATES.

Plateau State Governor and Chairman of the Northern Governors Forum on Monday 18th January 2021 received Secretaries to Governments of the 19 Northern States who paid him a courtesy visit at the new Government House, Little Rayfield Jos.

Secretary to the Government of Kaduna State Alhaji Balarabe Abbas Lawal who led the delegation said they were in the State for a meeting to review some of the pending issues of the Northern Governors Forum including reports that have been pending for many years.

According to him, the Secretaries who are meeting at the instance of the Governors will during the meeting look at reports on security, economic development,education, health, investment, youth employment and others which are critical to the progress of the region.

He said the issue of a Commercial Bank with controlling shares from the region which has been on table for a long time despite financial commitments by some member States needs to be resolved as soon as possible to ginger economic revival of the region.

He commended Governor Lalong for his proactive leadership style which has focused on key issues bothering the region.

Responding, Governor Lalong appreciated the support of the Secretaries to the various Northern States for their service and sacrifices to the growth of the region.

He said the Forum was looking forward to the outcome of the meeting which will form its agenda for the next meeting scheduled for the first quarter of this year.

On the fortunes of the New Nigerian Newspapers, the Governor disclosed that the Federal Government has finally approved the payment of all outstanding salaries of all the workers. This he said will enable a final decision to be taken on the future of one of the oldest newspaper in the country.

Lalong said “As Governors of the region, we are well aware of the challenges we face related to security, economy, education, health, agriculture, employment and infrastructure among others. While we individually address these challenges within our various States, we also realise that working together will give us faster and better results. If we do not work in synergy and collaboration with one another, it will be difficult to tackle issues of insecurity which manifest in insurgency, banditry, kidnapping, violent clashes and attacks of innocent persons”.

The Governor also asked them to look into the issue of the almajiri phenomenon which the Forum has resolved to address once and for all.

Dr. Makut Simon Macham
Director