Lalong Recieves New STF Commandant Vows To Consolidate on Peace

By Peter Akpah

GOVERNOR LALONG RECEIVES NEW OPERATION SAFE HAVEN COMMANDER, VOWS TO CONSOLIDATE PEACE ON THE PLATEAU

Governor Simon Bako Lalong has vowed to continue the consilidation of peace and harmony in Plateau State using dialogue, community Policing and intelligence as well as a proactive approach to dealing with criminals in the State.
Governor Lalong stated this when he received the new Commander, Operation Safe Haven, Major General C. C. Okonkwo at the Government House Jos as he takes over from Major General Augustine Agundu who has been redeployed to Abuja as Senior Research Fellow at the Nigerian Army Resource Centre.
Governor Lalong praised Gen. Agundu for putting in his best to the restoration of peace in Plateau State and wished him well. He welcomed Gen. Okonkwo who is coming back to Jos for the third time in his military career having started his service at the Rukuba Barracks in the 80s.
Governor Lalong said “We welcome you to Plateau State with open arms and are happy to know that you are a son of the soil who has been here at different times. I assure you that Plateau State Government will work with you as we consolidate peace in the State. We have achieved a lot with General Agundu who came here in 2018 at the heat of crises and together we worked hard to restore substantial peace. Our Prayer is that at the end of your tour of duty, Plateau will achieve total peace and you will also be lifted like many people both the Armed Forces and other sectors who after serving in our State went to higher places”.
To the out-going Commander OPSH, General Agundu, the Governor praised him for making a lot of sacrifices to enforce the fact that there is nobody above the law in Plateau State and there is no “no go areas” in the State. He also commended the Chief of Defence Staff and Chief of Army Staff for supporting the outgoing Commander to carry out his duties effectively including social responsibility projects by constructing schools in Mangu-Halle and Langai as part of the civil-military relations.
Earlier, the outgoing Commander Gen. Agundu appreciated Governor Lalong for his doggednes and commitment to protection of lives and properties of the citizens of Plateau State which he said helped in making the environment conducive for officers and men of the OPSH to operate.
The new Commander Gen. Okwonkwo promised to put in his best in continuing the legacy of successes recorded by his predecessor, pledging to give the Governor all support needed to consolidate peace in the State.

Dr. Makut Simon Macham, ANIPR
Director of Press &Public Affairs to the Governor of Plateau State.
6th April 2020.

Lalong Vows To Consolidate on peace As He Received The New Operation Safe Haven Commandant.

By Peter Akpah

GOVERNOR LALONG RECEIVES NEW OPERATION SAFE HAVEN COMMANDER, VOWS TO CONSOLIDATE PEACE ON THE PLATEAUGovernor Simon Bako Lalong has vowed to continue the consilidation of peace and harmony in Plateau State using dialogue, community Policing and intelligence as well as a proactive approach to dealing with criminals in the State.
Governor Lalong stated this when he received the new Commander, Operation Safe Haven, Major General C. C. Okonkwo at the Government House Jos as he takes over from Major General Augustine Agundu who has been redeployed to Abuja as Senior Research Fellow at the Nigerian Army Resource Centre.Governor Lalong praised Gen. Agundu for putting in his best to the restoration of peace in Plateau State and wished him well. He welcomed Gen. Okonkwo who is coming back to Jos for the third time in his military career having started his service at the Rukuba Barracks in the 80s.
Governor Lalong said “We welcome you to Plateau State with open arms and are happy to know that you are a son of the soil who has been here at different times. I assure you that Plateau State Government will work with you as we consolidate peace in the State. We have achieved a lot with General Agundu who came here in 2018 at the heat of crises and together we worked hard to restore substantial peace. Our Prayer is that at the end of your tour of duty, Plateau will achieve total peace and you will also be lifted like many people both the Armed Forces and other sectors who after serving in our State went to higher places”.
To the out-going Commander OPSH, General Agundu, the Governor praised him for making a lot of sacrifices to enforce the fact that there is nobody above the law in Plateau State and there is no “no go areas” in the State. He also commended the Chief of Defence Staff and Chief of Army Staff for supporting the outgoing Commander to carry out his duties effectively including social responsibility projects by constructing schools in Mangu-Halle and Langai as part of the civil-military relations.
Earlier, the outgoing Commander Gen. Agundu appreciated Governor Lalong for his doggednes and commitment to protection of lives and properties of the citizens of Plateau State which he said helped in making the environment conducive for officers and men of the OPSH to operate.
The new Commander Gen. Okwonkwo promised to put in his best in continuing the legacy of successes recorded by his predecessor, pledging to give the Governor all support needed to consolidate peace in the State.Dr. Makut Simon Macham, ANIPR
Director of Press &Public Affairs to the Governor of Plateau State.
6th April 2020.

Lockdown: Women, Children Risk Malnutrition – Dr. Chris Kwaja

By Peter Akpah

Lockdown: Women, children risk malnutrition – Dr. Chris Kwaja

Malnutrition according to the World Health Organization is responsible for around 45% of global deaths among children under 5 years of age. The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization also reports malnutrition as the largest contributor to diseases in the world.

During pandemics, low-income societies are more at risk. People tend to cope with the resulting resulting socioeconomic lockdown, by changing the quantity, quality and diversity of the food they consume.

A report by the Pulsus Group, explains that hunger, the leading cause of malnutrition, is closely related to poor health outcomes, including a higher risk of depression and suicidal ideation in adolescents, and chronic conditions. In addition, the report says nutrient deficiencies, such as iron deficiency, are known to impair learning and cause decreased productivity in school-age children, and maternal depressive disorders.

This is why government response to the coronavirus pandemic must include strategic welfare palliatives for all citizens, says Nigerian scholar, Chris Kwaja.

“If there is no balance between the lockdown (quarantine) and the livelihood of the people, a new form of crisis will certainly emerge – hunger and malnutrition, which will be more visible in children, women and people living with disabilities,” said Kwaja, a Senior Lecturer and Researcher at the Centre for Peace and Security Studies, Modibbo Adama University of Technology, Yola, Adamawa State.

Such “livelihood support”, when missing “provides sound basis for crimes and other vices and can temper with the frail peace that’s on ground,” Kwaja said in an interview.

Criminals, he added, will “always” leverage on the plights of the poor to cause havoc. “They can go as far as instigating the poor and use them as shields,” he said.

This is why a “peace building approach” that holistically analyzes public impact, in designing government policies and programmes, is necessary to preserve peace, says Kwaja.

“There are four issues we are dealing with here. Pandemics (health), governance, livelihood and Peace. Government should adopt a Peace building approach to engaging the citizens in order to ensure a wholesome support.

“The Peace building approach is one in which what ever decision government is taking, the utmost attention will be giving to how such a decision will affect the citizens.

“Logistics for the security agents on duty is important. Logistics for the medical personnel as first respondents is equally important,” said Kwaja who is also Advisor in United States Institute for Peace (USIP).

Nigeria currently faces high cases of terrorism in the Northeast, armed banditry in Northwest, farner-herder conflicts in North Central and militancy in the South-South region. There have also been separatist movements in the Southeast and kidnapping in the Southwest.

The conflicts have created millions of social and economic displacements leading to high poverty in the country. The coronavirus pandemic might yet cause another rise in the already deteriorating economic standards in the country, unless careful, strategic and decisive steps are taken.

By Peter Akpah

The Minister of Health, Osagie Ehanire, says more than one million masks are about to be received into the country from China.

The Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, at a press conference in Abuja on the confirmed case of coronavirus on February 28, 2020. Channels TV/ Sodiq Adelakun.

UAddressing reporters on Monday in Abuja, he explained that the masks were being sent by a Chinese construction company, CCECC, as parts of its corporate social responsibility efforts to help Nigeria combat the coronavirus pandemic.

CCECC, China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation, is in charge of a number of Nigeria’s major railway construction projects.

The masks are to be accompanied by ventilators, Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) and an 18-man team made up of Chinese medical and technical experts, the Minister said during the daily briefing of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19.

Ehanire believes the supplies being brought in by China are “globally scarce” and will “augment government support and build capacity to contain the outbreak.”

Mix Reactions Over Lock Down Government Should Provide Relief Materials To Cushion The Effect

By Peter Akpah


Mix reactions over the lock down announce by the government starting from Thursday 9th April, some said is on timely and a lock down for one week what is the government providing to cushion the effects of the lock down, some cross sections of some individuals condemn it in totally while others said is quiet timely, sourcenews.24 in an interview with Rev Danis Ayuba said such step is a wellcome idea but certainly not at this time of the Easter celebrations and he said as church they have obeyed government orders for the social distance.

Rev Ayuba further stated that for him the decision has come very late because this was what the governor is supposed to do the very first time they shut down the market, what he expect from them is to fumigate the entire state as he said, why now that the Christian faithful are going to celebrate the Good Friday and the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, according to him is unfortunate and one thing he will want the governor to know is that they have been praying and committing the state and the nation at large when ever the gather.
And another elder said the decision to him is not bad because is for the interest of the state and the safety of his citizens and since plateau state has not yet recorded any case is good to fumigate for total safety, he has also called on government to deploy very measure to save guard the state against the possible out break of the coronavirus in to the state, and the closure of borders in the state according to him is not effect because some motorist bride their way and pass through the state that he has witnessed several times and government should take a stand or stand a chance of making the security personnel rich through that, and even some shops in the the security personnel only arrest the defaulters and ask them to bail themselves with 5,000 and some with 10, depending on your business he said.
And some other cross section of individuals are appealing to the government to provide some relief materials like food stuffs and others, so the state government should follow the lead of other states that have shut down and provided some reliefs materials for their citizens to reduce the hardships most of them face, they also call on the members of the National Assembly to same to their constituencies to complement what government is doing.

Covid-19 Lalong Direct a Total lockdown, Effective 12 Midnight of Thursday 9th April 2020 to 11pm of Wednesday 15th April 2020.

By Peter Akpah

Since the outbreak of the pandemic, the government constituted a monitoring and enforcement task force under my Chairmanship. The Task Force has the following sub-committees:

Awareness and advocacy
Medical Facility Management and Health Services
Enforcement
Border Management and Traffic
Secretariat and Logistics
A situation room was also created under the Secretariat and Logistics Committee to collate information and monitor activities of the various committees and the Local Governments.
These five sub-committees were replicated in each of the 17 Local Government Areas with the Executive Chairmen heading the Central Committees.
The Covid-19 Taskforce under my Chairmanship meets every day to receive briefs, analyse and review strategies of the entire response.
We had set ground rules for general observation e.g. sanitation and personal hygiene; crowd control of not more than 50 people; maintaining of social distance of 2 metres and 5 metres apart for traders selling food items.
I also undertook a facility tour of Plateau Specialist Hospital, Jos University Teaching Hospital and Bingham University Teaching Hospital to assess the state of medical facilities and capacity to respond to Covid-19 pandemic.
After receiving complaints on insufficient respirators and other essentials, I immediately directed the purchase of some ventilators, which are being received at the moment.
We also purchased Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), Monitors, Infrared Thermometers, Oxygen, Concentrators and other essential drugs. We are looking inwards to improve what we have on ground.
In particular, one of our sons who has continued to make in-roads in innovation, Engr. Jerry Mallo has been engaged to produce ventilators while the duo of Engineers Nura Jibrin and William Gyang have resuscitated broken down ventilators at JUTH. We are grateful to them.
We are also taking steps to establish more Covid-19 Isolation Centres in Pankshin and Shendam to cover the other Senatorial districts in the State.
In line with the Federal Government Directive, we propose to establish a 300-bed Treatment Centre to be located at the Riyom General Hospital and the State NYSC Camp.
The State Emergency Operation Centre at the Epidemiology Centre Jos, was activated and is now functional.
Information and Sensitization Committee had embarked on dialogue and interface with Local Government Chairmen, Traditional, Religious and Community leaders to get them on board in the fight against the disease.
In the course of implementation, all markets were closed except those selling food items, pharmaceuticals and other essential items. We also put a ban on all anniversaries and cultural festivals.
Vehicles were also restricted to carry 1, 4 and 6 passengers (i.e. Keke Napep, Cars and Buses) respectively.
So far, we have recorded 48 suspected cases which were investigated and all found negative. Total discharge from self-isolation are 25 while 8 are still under surveillance. Our surveillance team already in place will continue to be vigilant in identifying cases.
We had established checkpoints at entry points to the State to enable health officials conduct preliminary screening of commuters.
Based on further developments, we announced the closure of all border routes to the State, which took effect from 29th March 2020 to further strengthen the capacity of our health officials to concentrate on the situation within the State.
Monitoring and Enforcement is still going on and we are recording substantial compliance. However, the few cases of disregard for the order are being handled by the security agencies.
With all these, Government has concluded plans to carry out a State-wide fumigation exercise which will cover Jos-Bukuru Metropolis and all the 17 Local Governments Areas of the State.
To this effect, I am directing a total lockdown, effective 12 midnight of Thursday 9th April 2020 to 11pm of Wednesday 15th April 2020.
During this period, there will be no movement of any kind except for staff on essential duty. These include:
Security Agencies; Medical and Health workers; Power and Energy Staff; Fire Service; Media; Telecom Operators; Fuel Tankers.
At this point, let me express our deep appreciation to Corporate organisations and individuals that have so far contributed to the Plateau Covid-19 Endowment Fund both in cash and in kind.
We thank Grand Cereals, NASCO Group of Companies; Zuma Steel West Africa; Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association; ASUU University of Jos Branch; Senator Hezekiah Dimka; Mees Palace; Godiya Hotel Heipang; Bar. Pius Akubo (SAN) and the UBA for their various contributions.
In all the operations so far, a number of challenges have arisen which we are working hard to address in conjunction with key partners including the Federal Government.
Some of the challenges include lack of at least a Diagnostic Centre despite the State having Grade 3-4 Diagnostic Centres. We are liaising with the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) to ensure that Plateau State to get a centre soon.
We need more Personal Protective Equipment, which we hope to also complement by producing locally.
Because of the enormity of the challenge we are facing, the State is liaising with the Federal Government with a view to implementing palliatives from to deal with the pandemic.
As I ask our citizens to continue cooperating with us in these difficult times, I wish to commend them for their patience and resilience. Working together, we can overcome this monster that is ravaging the world.
I also wish to commend citizens who are using the Covid-19 Plateau Platform in reporting incidences directly to the situation room, which has enabled Government to take timely action.
The media has also played supportive role and we appreciate your efforts.

The Conditional Cash Transfer SIP In Plateau State Has Commenced Payments Of The Households Upliftment Programme As Directed By Mr President.

By Peter Akpah

The social investment programme and the conditional cash transfer of plateau state has started payments across the 17 local government areas in plateau state, the focal person Dr Sumaye Hamza who was there to monitor the exercise, express delight over the intervention, briefing journalist at Zobolo in Bassa LGA she said the payment is supposed to be since January but due to the pandemic of the coronavirus the payment was put on hold even dough the government take the issue of the Households very serious and have never defaulted at any point in time she said the payment is inline with Mr President directives to start the payment immediately to cushion the effects of the poor and vulnerable in the society.

According to Dr Hamza because of the coronavirus and government directives for social distancing they have devided the beneficiaries into groups and into wards by wards to reduce the crowd and for Zobolo ward they are paying over 200 households and the entire numbers of beneficiaries in the state is over 26,000 across the 17 LGA’S and with the current capture the state was able to capture over 61,000 households in plateau state and promise to expand more as the programme progresses.

Dr Hamza said the payment is captured from January to April 2020, paying them up front at list this can reduce the hardships most of them face during this period of the covid-19 and most importantly the social distancing have to be notice that was the reason they have to involve state emergency management agency (SEMA) and other sister agencies to help in controlling the crowd to maintain social distance, she also said the SIP in the state provided safety mask, handgloves, and sanitazers for the staffs, security agencies, and as well the gentlemen of the press who where on ground to also monitor the payment and see if the state comply with Mr President directives.

Dr Hamza also said the SIP, and the conditional cash transfer is not only giving the people the money alone they also engage them in various training on how to utilize the money given to them and also access good health care, and among some of the things we noticed was the fabrication of locally made hand wash machine made by the beneficiaries which the showed her and also dimostrated how the use it, this was done by them as part of measures taken against the spread of the coronavirus and good hygiene in line with the government directives and it was beautiful according to her.

The head of the conditional cash transfer Mrs Hilda Buenyen said she thank the federal government for the efforts so far for the availability of funds at all time and the support given to them by the state governor, and also shared some of the challenges face so far is mobility for carrying the staffs as they have over 300 staffs and the need more vihecles to assist them in conveying some of the staffs when the go for field work but she said buy and large, the government have been so supportive in all areas and thank mr president for the steps taken so far mostly at this time of the pandemic that have bedevil the nation and the world at large,

And also Mr Desmond Onu who is the head of the task force send from the head office of NCT in Abuja to also monitor the exercise said the programme is targeted at the vulnerable and the poorest in the society and so far with what he show plateau team has done very well because he can see the physically challenged persons even the blind, Mr Onu said in line with the president directives the payment should be for 4 months and to also sensitize them against the out break of the pandemic of coronavirus, and with what he show the people did in fabricating a locally made machine for washing of hands according to him is wonderful and over whelmed.
One of the beneficiary and a physically challenged persons a blind woman name Yaho Adama said she have 2 children and her husband is not working so this money she recieved the sum of 30,000 naira because she missed the last payment said the money is use at home and part of the money she send one of her children to school, she also thank the government for the kind gesture.,
And also one of the other beneficiaries among others Yakubu Pata said the money he collect he use it in farming and also use part of it to buy fatilizers, and also thank the government for their assistance and pary for the nation.

Hon Bagos Set To Distribute Sanitizers And Other Relief Materials To The People of His constituency

By Peter Akpah


Hon Dachum Musa Bagos member representing Jossouth/ Joseast federal constituency set to distribute sanitizers and food items to the members of his constituency, this was made known by the senior legislative Aid to Hon Bagos Mr Langs Pwajok at his residence at Rayfeild when he was taking the delivery of some of the items like sanitazers, face mask, take away packs of gari,semovita, rice, milk, indomie, and the rest at his resident.

The SLA said this move is to alleviate the suffering of the people and to cushions the effects of the virus that has bedevil the nation and the world at large and some people have lost the source of their livelihood due to the pandemic and the lock down and as such the measures taken is to consolidate on the government efforts as government can not do it all alone , and as a representative of the people this are part of his responsibility to ensure of their well being.

And in a massage by Hon Bagos he enjoyed the people of his constituency to adhere to preventive measures put in place by the government as is for their own safety and a collective efforts will help to fight the coronavirus, he also said as time goes on he has plans to engage the youths in some more skills program and empowerment to also help in Cushing the effects of the present situation.

Hon Bagos also said he is working on a plans to see how to bring a testing center in his constituency according to him plans are on top gear.

COVID-19: Resident Doctors Kick Against FG’s Plan To Invite Chinese Medical Experts

By Peter Akpah

The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has kicked against a plan by the Federal Government to invite an 18-man Chinese team of medical experts including doctors, nurses and those with sundry expertise to assist Nigeria in the fight against COVID-19.

President of the association, Dr Aliyu Sokomba, in a statement made available to sourcenews24 advised the Federal government to shelve the Plan of inviting the Chinese Medical team rather, and immediately engage all key relevant Nigerian medical experts including NARD and present the full intents and purpose of the planned importation of the Chinese experts for full evaluation, cost-benefit analysis and consensus on the best option.

He also noted that inviting the Chinese medical experts will amount the Federal Government to be championing “illegality”, as all doctors coming into Nigeria are supposed to be licensed by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria.

Sokomba, therefore, noted that the Chinese medical experts have not been licensed to perform any job in the country.

“The attempt to import Human resources for Health from China into Nigeria where many qualified medical doctors and other cadres of health workers are yet to be gainfully employed is the height of insensitivity and disservice on the part of the Federal Government and their advisers.

“The challenge at hand would have been sufficient marker to agitate the FG to the direction and timing for massive employment of medical and other health care workers to provide enough hands in the industry to battle the COVID 19 as other nations are doing”.

The Minister for Health, Osagie Ohanire had on Friday stated that China is sending in more kits as well as doctors to support the government’s efforts in the fight against the virus.

“I have been notified of gifts of medical supplies from China, courtesy of a group of Chinese companies working here in Nigeria. A special cargo aircraft shall leave Nigeria in a few days to collect the items which include commodities, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), and ventilators,” he said during the briefing by the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19, adding that “Of great interest is that an 18-man team of medical experts, including doctors, nurses and public health advisers shall come along with the flight to assist us”.

The resident doctors, however, say they have distanced themselves from the plan.

“In the interim, NARD wishes to distance herself from the planned importation of Chinese medical experts to Nigeria in whatever guise or hood for the reasons presented in this write-up and many more,” Sokomba stated.

“NARD shall not contemplate further warning to distance herself from the Chinese adventure by way of withdrawing all her members from every public health facility in Nigeria so that the anticipated downturn in the output of Nigeria’s healthcare service delivery can be properly situated and traceable to the Chinese as is the case today in Italy.

“NARD hereby reiterates her position which was canvased earlier in the week for the FG to immediately and massively employ all qualified but unemployed doctors and other healthcare workers. Get them trained, insured, motivated and deployed nationwide”.

Government meet with Bloggers on covid-19 for partnership

By Peter Akpah

Plateau State Bloggers partner with plateau state government over the fight against the coronavirus, speaking with the members at old government house Rayfeild jos the DG PICTDA explain the need for bloggers/ online should party as the ICT have been monitoring most of their

activities, speaking for the government said Prof Danladi Atu the secretary to the government of plateau state and also the secretary of Covid-19plateau said they have been seeing the wonderful reports the bloggers have been doing and they look forward the partnership.
Prof. Danladi Atu noted that the state was yet to record any case of coronavirus as such it was eminent that all persons who are developing any symptoms to self isolate for the good of their family and friends

Prof Atu also commended the bloggers for being promt in their reportage and the faster way news and information will reach to the public fast is through the medium and he also said the bloggers will help the government in contact tracing and getting the necessary report to help the covid-19plateau team to response fast and to also debunk fake news and rumours about the coronavirus that has been going on in the State and after all there is no any confirmed case yet in the State and at of the 49 suspected cases 45 results have come out to be Negitive, and he promised that the covid-19plateau team will work closely with the bloggers to achieve the fight against the coronavirus pandemic in the state.
Comr. Friday Bako, Chairman Plateau Bloggers and Online Media Association said the meeting was quite apt given that bloggers and online media practitioners have actively been involved in informing and educating the general public even before the outbreak of coronavirus. He said the rise of the group was given to the urgency to tackle all merchants of fake news and a call for pro activeness among online news medium.

Furthermore the chairman commended Plateau state government on the measures set to curb the spreed of coronavirus given that the state is yet to report any case. He noted that the group will go all out in support to the government with apt situation report further calling on government to also give preventive kits of sanitizers and nose mask to protect and enhance effective feedback reports from the field. The group also looked forward to future partnership with government on other fronts even beyond the covid-19 pandemic

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