By Peter Akpah

NORTHERN GOVERNORS FORUM GREETS AHMED JODA @90The Northern Governors Forum has saluted elder statesman, Alhaji Ahmed Joda, CON, on the occasion of his 90th birthday.In a statement, Chairman of the Forum and Governor of Plateau State Simon Bako Lalong described Alhaji Ahmed Joda as one of the few Nigerians who has carved out a unique place in the Nation’s socio-political landscape, especially in the public service.Lalong said Ahmed Joda has continued to make tremendous impact laying good examples in the responsibilities he handled as Permanent Secretary, Journalist and Chairman of many public and private institutions.
The Northern Region according to Governor Lalong, remains grateful to the elder statesman for exhibiting uncommon passion for the development of the region and the nation as a whole, and serving as a role model to younger generations.
He said Joda’s drive for excellence, integrity, loyalty, justice and patriotism stands him out as a nationalist and true believer in the unity of Nigeria.
The Northern Governors Forum prayed that God will grant him good health and more strength so that he can continue to offer the nation his wisdom and experience.Dr. Makut Simon Macham
Director of Press & Public Affairs to the Governor of Plateau State & Chairman, Northern Governors Forum.
February 14, 2020

By Peter Akpah

“THOSE WHO CONVERTED OUR GRAZING RESERVES WERE BEHIND THE POLITICIZATION OF THE NATIONAL LIVESTOCK TRANSFORMATION PROGRAM” – GOVERNOR LALONG REVEALS AS PLATEAU STATE SIGNS MOU TO KICK START IMPLEMENTATION

Plateau State has began the process of implementing the National Livestock Transformation Program (NLTP) with the signing of a memorandum of understanding with two companies that will begin operations at the Wase and Kanam Grazing Reserves.
During the signing of the MOU at the Government House Rayfield-Jos, Plateau State Governor Simon Bako Lalong expressed delight that the initiative is gradually becoming a reality after the initial setbacks occasioned by misinformation, politicization and skepticism that drew unnecessary resistance.
He said through robust engagement, enlightenment and dialogue, the earlier fears were dispelled leading to the acceptance of the program by both farmers, pastoralists and businessmen.

He said “when the NLTP was initiated, it was erroneously misinterpreted by those who wanted to play politics and discredit it. I told my people that as their Governor, I can never bring anything that will cause them pain and poverty. Because I was in the NLTP Committee, I understood clearly that Plateau State will not only benefit from it, but will use it to create jobs and address the farmer herder attacks which almost destroyed the peace of our peace “.

“After the engagement with stakeholders, people embraced it because it is business. It has nothing to do with ethnicity, religion or tribe. Those who had taken over and converted for personal use most of the grazing reserves of the State were behind the incitement and lies alleging that we wanted to sell the State to one group or the other. When I threatened to retrieve all the shared grazing lands from them, they kept quiet and retreated. Of the 7 grazing reserves, the only ones still available are the Kanam and Wase reserves which we are going to use for this pilot phase” he explained.
He said the State which is among the five selected for the pilot phase will benefit from the 15 billion that has been earmarked, using a purely private sector led template.
Senior Special Assistant Assistant to the President on agriculture and coordinator of the NLTP Andrew Kwasari said the programme has a lot of benefits to the country as it is comprehensive enough to cover all those involved in the Livestock industry with value chain addition.
He commended the Governor of Plateau State for remaining focused despite distractions from various quarters, saying he will soon be praised and vindicated not only by his people, but even his critics.
The Secretary to the Government of the State Prof. Danladi Abok Atu signed on behalf of the State Government while representatives of Sahel Consulting Agriculture and Nutrition Ltd. and Integrated Diaries signed for their companies.
The two companies are to develop infrastructure and facilitate the establishment of diary, meat, foliage and related companies that will cut across various livestock species. They will also facilitate human capacity development of the local citizens who are expected to drive the process.

The event was attended by the Deputy Governor of Plateau State Prof. Sonni Tyoden who is the Chairman of the State Livestock Transformation Program (SLTP). A team of investors from Netherlands led by Klaas Struiksma, was also at the signing ceremony where they pledged to work with the government on strengthening the program and investing in the vast opportunities available in the Livestock sector. Prof. John Wade, Secretary of the SLTP later led the delegation on a visit to Kanam and Wase grazing reserves.

By Peter Akpah

Member representing jos north north in the plateau state house of assemble Hon Ibrahim Baba Hassan has expressed concern over the growing insecurity, of cases of kidnapping, armrobery, and substance abuse recorded in some parts of the state, he expressed concern mostly over the recent kidnapping and armrobery case recorded in some part of Josnorth he stressed, Hon Ibrahim Baba Hassan said he knew jos as apeacefull place where different tribes and religion come together as one he said even though the crises that happened some time back, the local government has not experienced such incidents like kidnapping and so on, he called on the security agencies to step up to help fight this kidnapping and substance abuse and armrobery that have bedevil the state and his constituency, he said most people committing those crimes come from out side the state and he called on the various communities should be on the watch out, he also said he support the issues of community policing as he said that will help to fight the raising insecurity and attacks the state is witnessing.

By Peter Akpah

GOVERNOR LALONG EMERGES
DAILY INDEPENDENT NEWSPAPER GOVERNOR OF THE YEAR 2019

For his efforts at ensuring that peace returns to Plateau
State as well as sustaining the path of reconciliation, Plateau State Governor
Simon Bako Lalong has emerged as the Daily Independent Newspaper Governor of
the Year 2019.

This cheering news was communicated to the Governor in a
letter delivered by the Managing Director/ Editor-in-Chief of the Daily Independent
Newspaper Mr. Steve Omanufeme during a visit to Government House, Rayfield-Jos
on Wednesday 12th February 2020.

While making the presentation, Steve Omanufeme explained that
the Selection Committee, which looked for many qualities such as the passion
for good governance and priority to the security of lives and property,
selected Governor Lalong after a vigorous scrutiny.

He said, “the committee resolved that the selection of the Governor
of the Year should consider security as a major issue because it is the primary
duty of every government as it forms the pillar on which other indices rest. Without
security, there will be no development and even what has been achieved will easily
be wiped out”.

Lalong according to the Managing Director, became an obvious
choice because he has been able to bring calm to Plateau State by pursuing the
path of peace and reconciliation while also fighting crime. This situation he acknowledges,
is gradually bringing back the old glory of Plateau State which is undoubtedly
the Home of Peace and Tourism.

The Editor-in-Chief explained that although the security
challenges in Plateau State have not been completely resolved, the initiatives
of Governor Lalong have proven to be effective in ensuring that violence is
curbed drastically through institutional development such as the establishment
of the Plateau Peace Building Agency, which is the first in the country and a
model that is being replicated.

Governor Lalong while accepting the Nomination described it
as a humbling experience considering the fact that his passion for peace is not
only a natural instinct, but a responsibility as the Chief Security of Plateau
State.

He said “I was surprised when I heard that you had selected
me for the Governor of the Year Award because I always do my work without
expecting praises or awards. I am always convinced that the search for peace is
the right thing to do because there is nothing we can ever achieve in an
atmosphere of violence and rancour. That is why I made peace my number one
priority since assuming office and by the grace of God, we have made a lot of
progress. We know that there is still more to be done hence our determination
to keep building institutions that will bring our people together so that we
can identify the trouble makers and criminals and deal with them appropriately”.

Lalong also told his guests that the State recently held a
stakeholders meeting and resolved to reinvigorate the Operation Rainbow
Security Outfit and commence the implementation of the Community Policing Initiative
enunciated by the Inspector General of Police.

He thanked the Daily Independent Newspaper for the honour and
promised to redouble his efforts in enduring that lasting peace returns to Plateau
State as well as the entire Northern Region because of his position as the
Chairman of the Northern Governors Forum.

The Awards are scheduled to hold in Lagos in March this year.

By Peter Akpah

PRESIDENT BUHARI TO COMMISSION
RYOM TRAUMA HOSPITAL, LEGACY PROJETCS – GOVERNOR SIMON LALONG

In fulfilment of his promise to complete inherited and
abandoned projects, Plateau State Governor Simon Bako Lalong was in Ryom Local
Government to inspect completion of work on the Ryom Trauma Hospital that was started
by Governor Joshua Dariye, but abandoned by the last administration of Governor
Jonah Jang.

Lalong who regretted that the project was abandoned for many years
despite the serious need for such medical facility in the area said his
administration decided to complete the hospital and equip it because of the
resolve to ensure that government resources are not wasted and the health challenges
of the people are addressed.

He said “the hospital which has virtually been completed will
make life easy for people in this area, and with the state-of-the art equipment
we have invested here, patients from far areas will be referred here when it is
open to the public. It is unfortunate that the last administration for reasons
best known to it decided to ignore this very important project, making people
to travel far distances for secondary medical care. This will change that now”.

The governor also hinted that President Muhammadu Buhari may
likely commission the Trauma Hospital and other Legacy Projects within the year
as a formal invitation will be extended to the to him soon.

Member representing Ryom Constituency in the Plateau House of
Assembly Timothy Dantong praised Governor Lalong for paying attention to the
completion of the Hospital and other projects irrespective of political considerations.

“The Governor has demonstrated that he is a true leader whose
main focus is development and the wellbeing of the people. We believe you when
you say that the time for politics has passed and it is time for governance. You
are matching your words with action and our people are very grateful and will
continue to support you” he said.

Chairman of Ryom Local Government Mafeng Gwallson who also
spoke about the projects cited in the local government described the Lalong Administration
as one that is fair, equitable and kind to the people of his local government.

The Governor also inspected ongoing work at the Government
Secondary School Ryom, which is one of the Legacy Projects being undertaken in
the State.

He was delighted that the work has gone far and urged the
contractor to increase the tempo so that work the work will be finished on
record time considering that the State is already preparing to seek President Buhari’s
consent to commission the projects when completed.

He received assurances that the work will be completed on
record time and with the highest quality.

Lalong also addressed students of the school and admonished
them to pay attention to their studies as the government decided to remodel the
school to turn around the learning environment in line with the new attempt to
make sure students acquire skills and entrepreneurial education for productivity.

“I am preparing you for greater challneges ahead. I am
determined to give you the relevant knowledge so that you can stand out when
you leave this place for higher laurels in and outside Nigeria. All you need to
do is to remain focused because lazy and uninterested students will not enjoy
what we are putting here. It is for the serious minded” the governor said.

Community leaders also appealed to the Governor to look at
the Plateau School of Home Economics located in the Local Government that has
been neglected.

Dr. Makut Simon Macham
Director of Press & Public Affairs
to the Governor of Plateau State

12th February 2020.

By Peter Akpah

The social investment programme Focal person Dr Sumaye Hamza and the entire team of the SIP has organize a training workshop and a sensitization for some selected cooks and desk officers across the local governments benefiting from the school feeding programme for precussion against lasa fever in their various localities the training is aim at creating awareness and taking promt measures in schools benefiting from the Schools Feeding Programme in the state to be conscious of Lassa fever outbreak in the country. Plateau Government has warned against the out break of lasa fever.In her remarks the executive assistant to the governor on SIP Dr Sumaye Hamza while declaring the workshop and training open said It is with utmost concern that we invite you today to address some disturbing health issues bedeviling our country. The recent health challenge in the country, is the cases of Lassa Fever caused by species of rodent referred to as multimammate rat, recorded in some states across the country. We are aware that the Social Investment Programme is an intervention that targets the poor and vulnerable in our beloved country. These categories include children, women, men, the aged people with disability and indeed youths.We are all aware that one of the components of the Social Investment Programme is the National Home Grown School Feeding where over 220,000 are fed by over 2,800 cooks in the seventeen Local Government Areas of Plateau State. The value chain in actualizing the objectives of this laudable intervention is wide and robust. Because we are concerned on the health of all that are involved in this particular activity, we have deemed it fit to call for this meeting to create awareness on Lassa Fever preventive measures, to LGA Desk Officers, Education Secretaries, Members of the NHGSF Multi-Sectoral Team, NHealth beneficiaries of NPower who work in out Primary Health Care Centers in the state, our aggregators, the Cooks and Head Teachers of primary Schools. We are proactively making tremendous effort to ensure the safety of all and sundry. As Government is making everything possible to curtail the spread so are we in the SIP Office. Government can’t do it alone. It requires effective collaboration. We are committed to this task; I am optimistic that you will all cooperate.The Doctor from Ministry of Healthwill take us through the preventive measures as well as signs of the disease and likely causes.
Finally, I urge all of us to be committed towards ensuring that highest level of hygiene is maintained in our factories, homes and schools, to prevent any form of disease not only Lassa Fever. We all have a responsibility and we are all strategic and critical stakeholders in this process. As Mahatmagandi says “it is health that is real wealth and not pieces of gold and silver”. We need a healthy society so that developmental interventions can be effectively implemented. All concerned must ensure that hand washing becomes routine in our schools and our homes. Prevention as it is said is better than cure. May we be protected.Dr Dabe Francis who is the resource person took his time to explain the cause and systoms of lasa fever and also the preventive measures and also how to preserve food and dispose garbage and waste, the doctor who took time to explain about the rats Rodent that carry the lasa fever he said out of 10 rats 8 of them are carrying lasa fever and the best way to prevent it is to make sure food are keft closed at all time and hygiene and proper waste management and good sanitation.

Dr Dabe who also talk about the challenges said logistics for sample transportation for prompt laboratory diagnosis and delay in reporting of cases from private hospital and so on, and questions where asked by some of the cooks and desk officer on how to go about the proper hygiene and good sanitation which the doctor share more lights in those areas, and the focal person Dr Sumaye Hamza also was not left out when she also ask questions on the safety measures for the schools and how to dispose the dishes and other utensils and the cooking environment and the doctor also clear and answer the question.The ALGON chairman Hon Ezekiel Vulgap who louded the programme said the work and training is to their own benefit and he also commended the focal person Dr Sumaye Hamza for the step she has taken and how she have been performing and her efforts so far for making sure the programme succeed and he commended her for the success the programme so far, the ALGON chairman said they are going to key in to the programme to ensure proper complaint and the will work and cooperate with the SIP at all time.

Good will massage from the representative Nasco by Bar Harun Audu and pachamama that produces tombrawn that they serve the school children with and the general manager plateau state community and social development agency (CSDA) Felicity Gurunjen.

By Peter Akpah

GOVERNOR LALONG FELICITATES WITH STATE APC CHAIRMAN LETEP DABANG

Governor Simon Bako Lalong felicitates with the Plateau State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Chief Letep Dabang on the occasion of his birthday.
Lalong’s message of congratulations describes the party Chairman Chief Letep as a political giant whose knowledge and dexterity has continued to propel the APC to more electoral victories particularly during the last general elections where APC won at various levels.
He said “the commitment and sacrifices of Chief Letep to the party and its members is commendable as he has ensured the growth and stability of the party in the State since it assumed power by defeating the PDP in 2015”.
The Governor also appreciates the support and cooperation of the Party under the leadership of Chief Letep which he says makes governance easy and is assisting in consolidating the first term achievements of the Rescue Administration.
He believes that this support will enable the government implement the next level agenda to the fullest and leave lasting legacies for the people of Plateau State who have embraced the APC as their best choice.
Lalong prays that God will grant the celebrant more years of health, prosperity and favour as he continues to serve the people of the State through his political endeavours.

By Peter Akpah

GOVERNOR LALONG FELICITATES WITH STATE APC CHAIRMAN LETEP DABANG

Governor Simon Bako Lalong felicitates with the Plateau State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Chief Letep Dabang on the occasion of his birthday.
Lalong’s message of congratulations describes the party Chairman Chief Letep as a political giant whose knowledge and dexterity has continued to propel the APC to more electoral victories particularly during the last general elections where APC won at various levels.
He said “the commitment and sacrifices of Chief Letep to the party and its members is commendable as he has ensured the growth and stability of the party in the State since it assumed power by defeating the PDP in 2015”.
The Governor also appreciates the support and cooperation of the Party under the leadership of Chief Letep which he says makes governance easy and is assisting in consolidating the first term achievements of the Rescue Administration.
He believes that this support will enable the government implement the next level agenda to the fullest and leave lasting legacies for the people of Plateau State who have embraced the APC as their best choice.
Lalong prays that God will grant the celebrant more years of health, prosperity and favour as he continues to serve the people of the State through his political endeavours.

By Peter Akpah

PLATEAU STATE GOVERNOR CELEBRATES SIMDUL SHAGAYA FOR ATTRACTING 1.2BILLION NAIRA INVESTMENT

Executive Governor of Plateau State, Rt. Hon. Simon Bako Lalong has commended Mr. Simdul Shagaya, CEO uLesson Education Ltd located in Rayfield-Jos, for the innovative initiatives that he has brought to the technology sector of the Plateau State economy culminating in the recent attraction of an investment worth over N1.2billion Naira from TLcom Capital LLP, one of the biggest backers of technological start-ups in sub-Saharan Africa.
The Governor who sent a letter of commendation to Shagaya through the Secretary to the Government of the State, Prof. Danladi Abok Atu, expressed delight that this investment is an injection into ULesson which is his recent venture operating in Jos and designed to integrate mobile platforms, SD cards Country-Specific Curriculum and a network of tutors to bridge the educational gaps for secondary school students in Nigeria and Africa.
He noted that this will not only create additional employment opportunities in the State, but will make positive impact on the educational and technological growth of Plateau citizens.
The Governor is also excited that this new venture is coming shortly after Shagaya’s highly-acclaimed and successful start-up, Konga.Com which transformed the e-commerce sector in Nigeria, and makes him a true pride to Plateau State.
Lalong notes that his passion for innovation and thinking out of the box was the main reason why he was made a member of the State Economic Advisory Council.
The successful capital investment was also described as a reflection of the improvement in the business enabling environment of the Rescue Administration under Governor Simon Lalong.
The Governor hopes that as the State prepares to host an Economic and Investment Summit soon, other potential investors will leverage on this improved business environment to exploit the business opportunities in Plateau State.

By Peter Akpah GOVERNOR LALONG MOURNS SENATOR LONGJANPlateau State Governor Simon Bako Lalong has expressed shock over the death of Senator Ignatius Longjan who died after a protracted illness.
Governor Lalong in a statement described as devastating the death of the Senator who represented Plateau South Senatorial District at the National Assembly.
Lalong said the death of the elder statesman is a huge loss to not only his family, the people of Plateau South Senatorial District, but the entire State because of his immense contributions to the development of the State and the nation.
He said ” we have lost a man of honour and candour who in all his affairs always put the interests of Plateau State first. His humility, humanity and wealth of wisdom was always at display when he weighed on any issue that concerns people. We will surely miss him”.
The Governor also recalled how the Former Deputy Governor served Plateau State steadfastly and loyally from 2011 to 2015, and also played a significant role in ensuring political stability in the State all through the period of various security challenges that the State passed through.
He equally recognised the enormous contributions of the deceased on the floor of the Senate where he represented his people with so much passion and projected the interests of Plateau State and the nation in all his contributions.
Governor Lalong while sympathizing with his immediate family, urged the people of Plateau State to accept the sad event as the will of God and pray for the repose of his soul.
A retired career diplomat, the late Senator Longjan was a chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Party in Plateau State and Deputy Chairman, Senate Committee on Culture and Tourism. He was also former Chief of Staff to the former Governor of Plateau State Jonah Jang.