Muslims Umma In Plateau State Thank Dame Pauline Tallen

By, Peter Akpah jos

The plateau State Muslims Umma heartly thank Dame Pualine Tallen the former deputy governor of plateau state and now minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and a great mover of democracy, over the provision of Bags of Rice, Rams and other items provided for the sallah celebrations, to the Muslim Umma of the state.

Your gifts has provides relieve for the families of those who has lost hope on how they would celebrate the sallah.

The appreciation is contained in a press release signed by the member representing Jos North -North in plateau State House of Assembly, Hon. Baba Hassan, who urge the Muslim to reciprocate on the minister kind gesture for peaceful coexistence with non Muslim during and after the sallah celebration in the State and by extension Nigeria as a whole.

Hon.Baba Hassan in his press message, congratulate Dame Pauline Tallen over her recent appointment by president Mohammadu Buhari as minister of Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Hon.Baba Hassan urges those in the position of authority to emulate the kind gesture of the minister and provide assistance for the down trodden in the society during and after the sallah celebration.

He urged the Muslim to use the Sallah celebration as sober reflection and pray for Nigeria and peaceful coexistence and also those in the position of authority.

Social Investment programme Plateau State Recieved A Boost As Federal Government Injected 1.6bn into the programme.

By Peter Akpah Jos

The mid year review, head of unit state cash transfer plateau state Mrs Hilda Neyol Buenyen on her speech for the mid year review listed so much achievement of the programme, she said engaging the unit is to ensure that the targeted people are the beneficiaries, she stated this in her welcoming speech, and specifically welcome the National programme coordinator (NPC) Dr Temitope Sinkaiye to plateau for the first

half year review meeting, Mrs Buenyen further stated that some cash transfer unit, (SCTU) officers were at Tinapa, Cross Rivers State for some weeks ago for the National mid year review meeting, and that’s what cascade the meeting in the state level,

The aim of the meeting is to review various activities in the state, which includes the implementation of the program at the local government area by cash transfer facilities (CTF’s) the meeting will give them the opportunity to asses the progress of the conditional cash transfer (CCT) and also evaluate the achievement and the challenges and find the way of tackling the problems for better service.

According to her the components of the social investment programme of the federal government, is to reduce poverty, the program is developed to reduce poverty and bridge inequality, prevent the vulnerable from falling further and build shock for risks as well as improve household consumption and increase human capital development, the programme which started in 2016 with 8 pilot state, and later in plateau state in 2017 after which plateau state government signed a memorandum of understanding with the federal government.

The first phase has 6 local government areas, Northern, Southern,and central Zones, 2 from each zone, namely Bass, Joseast, Bokkos,Kanke, Lantang North and Wase, and the total number of beneficiaries are over 21,000 but was reduced to about 11,000 when proxy mean test (PMT) was applied on the data of beneficiaries, and so far about 1.6bn has been injected into the economy of the state, the payment which is an end to end system is done by payment service provider selected by the National cash transfer office direct to the beneficiaries, and the SCTU supervises the payment exercise, the payment is carried out bi-monthly known as a payment cycle paying 10,000 per beneficiary, the basic cash transfer (BCT) for all CCT beneficiaries who have been enumerated and enroll as such.

Mrs Buenyen further explain that the top up of core responsibility, is the transfer where an additional 5,000 is paid to those enjoying the BCT, for certain reasons the Top-up is a package to support beneficiaries in broad areas of health, education, nutrition and environment, the choice which depend on individual state.

The plateau State government has chosen health as it’s area of responsibility, this by implications is that poor and vulnerable households (PVHHs) with pregnant women, lactating mother’s and children 0-5 years are to enjoy the Top-up this will enable beneficiaries access healthcare services such as pre-natal and post-natal attendance and also immunization and it’s aim at reducing mother and child mortality rate in the state.

And the activities under review are the training for CTF’s who step down and such beneficiaries also carry out activities trained for, and such activities are as follows,

(i) Grievance Reference Mechanism (GRM) Training

(ii) Co-responsible (APP) Training

(iii) Co-orientation Training

and the payment has three circle as follows, from January to February, March,and April, May and June, this method makes payment easier through the electronic payment system and they are also payment centers across the local government areas as compared to when it was done at the local head quarters.

Mrs Buenyen humbly appeal to the local government chairmen to witness the exercise in their domain, she also talk about the Co-responsibility enrolments, the package as mention earlier will transfer an additional 5,000 to qualified beneficiaries, and those eligible have been identified and enrolled and the Top-up transfer will soon begin.

Mrs Buenyen also highlights some other programs like the CCT also known as household uplifting programme (HUP) is making an appreciable impact in the lives of the PVHH’s in the state, and in an assessment carried out by the beneficiaries shows that, it Improved School Enrolment and Attendance, Saving Group Formation, Business Ownership and assessing basic needs of life like food, shelter, and clothing among others

The Executive Assistant to the governor of plateau state on Social investment programme (SIP) Dr Sumaye Hamza who’s the focal person in the state, in her remarks thank the people of the state and the executive governor Rt Hon Simon Bako Lalong, for his cooperation and creating the enabling environment for the programme to succeed, and also call on federal government to assist, and the national office to reconcile the data by the MBS, so that more people will benefit, because for now with the current data it has reduced drastically and urge the national office reconcile the data before the resumption of schools.and she commended the cash transfer unit for a job well done and also encourage them to work more harder.

Dr Sumaye further explain the institutional training, this is a form of capacity building (SCTU) the staff from different cadre, the training is organized by NCTO in different institutions across the country, she also assure the people of plateau state that when the other 11 Local government areas which are being enumerated by the state organizing and coordinating unit(SUCU) are enrolled and come on board, then there will be great transformation in the state.

The Hon chairman of Kanke local government Emmanuel lar who was a special guest as one of the benefiting local government also appreciate the program that program has really impacted life mostly in the rural areas and call, for more wider spread down to the villages, he also loud the school feeding program, which give some children the opportunity to eat more nutricious meal, it has also encourage enrolment of children in public school, he also acknowledge that they have also recieved bowls and utensils, at the local government and has seem distributed to the appropriate places.

Plateau State To Pilot N-Power Junior In North Central.

By Peter Akpah jos

plateau state is to pilot N-Power junior project in North Central.

Dr Sumaye Hamza the Executive Assistant to the Governor of plateau state, on special intervention programme, and Engineer Ola Rotimi, the chief executive officer, disclose to journalist when engaged in an interview at obasanjo model school hwolshe in jos south LGA, of plateau state where the pilot scheme is to kick start, Dr Sumaye said plateau state was chosen as a pilot for the Federal Government Special Intervention Programme called, N- Power Junior.

According to Sumaye , “a team from the office of Vice President came and we went round some schools and we eventually chose as a pilot, Obasanjo Model school because it has about three schools inside with a population of over 2,000 pupils that would benefit, which is better than a single school were you have a population of 500 to 600,

She further noted that the pilot was necessary because it would determine replication in other states of the Federation.“First, the pilot scheme would be done and reported.

The team leader of the project in jos Ola Rotimi Shobimu said the after the completion of the project they would equip the structure with modern computer labs, that every student will have one system to themselves,and well spacious lab, and with solar panels for adequate electricity supply to power the lab and some part of the school, this will be done across all the local government areas.

Sumaye said if the project is completed every student will be to a computer, and that will help students from public to learn in a more Conducive environment, and such intervention, government have made it a priority to revive the public schools and bring it into standard, and encourage others to join, and bring back the Old Glory of the public school this she said

Plateau State To Pilot N-Power Junior Project In North Central.

By Peter Akpah jos

plateau state to pilot N-Power junior project in North Central.
Dr Sumaye Hamza the Executive Assistant to the Governor of plateau state, on special intervention programme, and Engineer Ola Rotimi, the chief executive officer, disclose to journalist when engaged in an interview at obasanjo model school hwolshe in jos south LGA, of plateau state where the pilot project is to kick start, Dr Sumaye said plateau state was chosen as a pilot for the Federal Government Special Intervention Programme called, N- Power Junior.

According to Dr. Sumaye ,N-power Junior is a special intervention programme introduced by the office of the Vice President and Plateau state happened to be a state selected as a pilot state to the North-Central region.
And shading more light about the project Ola Rotimi said when the project is completed, they will also equip it with modern computers, and solar panel to power the entire lab and some part of the school to avoid any power outage, this will go all round the rural areas, that even the children of a common man will benefit.

According to Sumaye , “a team from the office of Vice President came headed by Ola Rotimi shodimu the team leader, and we went round some schools and we eventually chose as a pilot, which is Obasanjo Model school because it has about three schools inside with a population of over 2,000 pupils that would benefit, which is better than a single school were you have a population of 500 to 600,
She further noted that the pilot was necessary because it would determine replication in other states of the Federation. and it will cross all over the states and local governments “First, the pilot scheme would be done and reported and lunch by the vice president when completed.
Sumaye said if the project is completed every student will be to a computer, and that will help students from public to learn in a more Conducive environment, and more so with the food feeding programme in the state, and such intervention, government have made it a priority to revive the public schools and bring it into standard, and encourage others to join, and bring back the Old Glory of the public school this she said

Low turn hits pengana bye election

By Peter Akpah

Alleged voter buying by the rulling All progressive congress (APC) by the position party PDP, in some part of gingere and misa’ali, in an interview with Hon Thiophilus Dakasam the zonal chairman North Central about the vote buying, Dakasam said the received a complain about vote buying by the APC, in various voting place they have been spotted in different locations, he said PDP are fully unground for this bye election, he has come to monitor and encourage the party faithful and the people of peganna, to come out and vote for the right candidate, which is that of the people Democratic Party (PDP), he encouraged the voters to vote wisely no matter how much the give them or try to buy their votes.And reacting to the vote buying allegations, the secretary of the all progressive congress, Hon Bashir Sati, said he has not received any complain of vote buying,Mrs Helen Ezekiel Afon, wife of the late Hon Ezekiel Afom today casted her vote in her polling unit at Farin Lamba. In an interview with the press, Mrs Afom call on the people of Pengana to come and exercise their franchise, just as she did despite her dear husband dead and the poor turnout of voters to vote, she call on women to come out and vote wisely by voting individual that will key into the policies and programs of the government. She call on government to look into empowering women and youths looking at their roles in voting exercise. She use the opportunity to appreciated the good people of pengana for the support and mandate giving to her Late Husband, she pray that God Almighty will blessed and provide all that is needed for the unity and progress of Pengana constituency and indeed Plateau state. She commend the peaceful conduct of the electorate, and the INEC staff during the voting. She appreciated the Government of Rt. Hon. Simon Bako Lalong and pray for wisdom as he discharge his duties and responsibilities for the good of the people of Plateau State.In jengere the turnout is also, low, and information available to this medium Show’s that many of the voters went to farm and some church, and those seen around doing their normal businesses said they have lost faith and hope in the process, their votes don’t count, and after voting if the get to office seeing them become a problem, so instead the better go to their farms or business place to help themselves and their families.

APC CLOSES THEIR DEFENCE UNCEREMONIOUSLY

By Peter Akpah

The All Progressive Congress, APC Tuesday closed its defense in the ongoing governorship election Petition tribunal seating at the high court West of Mines, Jos, the Plateau State Capital.

The counsel to the APC. Barr. Garba Pwul, (SAN) has on Tuesday called additional Eight witnesses, out of which two of them were not recognized in the eyes of the law, even as their appearances threw the APC’s counsel in a state of confusion, and apply to withdraw the witness after adopting deposition his witness statements on oath and also identifying the documents.

One of them, Alhamin Adams who said he was an APC agent at amingo Junction polling Unit, code 038, was not allowed to proceed, following an application by the witness in chief, who applied for the Withdrawer of his witness from the witness box.

Their was no objection to his application from first and second respondents’ counsels, but the application met stiff resistance from the petitioners’ counsel, Barr. Benson Igbanoi who led the petitioners counsel, in his submission said the application by the 3rd respondent’s counsel lacks legal acceptability, and as such the application be thrown to the dust bin, as the witness haven’t adopted and identified the exhibit as such should be cross examine,

His argument was on grounds that the witness had already been called to the witness box, and was allowed to take witness on oath, and was graciously cross examined by the witness in chief, to identity some documents, which he already done.

He added that it would amount to a breach of judicial proceedings if at that point in time, the witness is allowed withdraw without being cross examined the circumstances which his lordships ruled that the witness should face the fire of cross examination.

However the judge in her rulling says U witness has taken his oath and adopted his statement has led evidence and as such should be cross examine,and most not allow to go, without cross examination, on cross examination, Alhamin Adams told the tribunal that he worked as APC agents during the governorship election at code 004, Fushom polling unit, in Jos East and amingo junction polling unit 038 in Jos North at the same.

Another APC Witness from shandam LGA , Peter Damulak said he worked as agents at shimanka polling unit 004 and the result of the election shows, accreditated Voters was 352, while the number of valid votes was 358, showing that there was over voting.

The situation forced the 3rd defendant’s counsel to discontinued with the calling of witnesses, and applied for a stand down, which the court adjourned for an hour standown.

On resumption from the break around 2:30pm the counsel to the 3rd defendant, Garba Pwul, informed the tribunal that they have exhausted their witnesses and wants to close its defense, which was not opposed by any counsel.

At this stage, the Tribunal adjourns to August 15, 2019 to allow parties prepare for their final adoption of written address.

The Parties have been given 5 days each to submit written addresses with well cited authorities, and 2 days each to respond on the point of law.

It will recall that, Senator Jeremiah Useni of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP who is challenging the election of Governor Simon Bako Lalong of the All Progressive Congress, APC had called a total of 71 witnesses and tendered over three hundred exhibits within ten days before closing their case on July 17, 2019, while the defence counsel in their defence brought a total of 19 witnesses,

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, preferred not calling any witnesse, but rely on PW71 evidence, especially, exhibit, PW 71, which was the Subpoena witness testified by the head of operations and logistics of the INEC headquarters, Jos, Mr, Yagba Kundu.

The second witness, Simon Bako Lalong had indicated interest to calling many witnesses but ended up calling only Six before closing its case.,

The chairman of the tribunal H A sulemann thank both counsels for how the conduct themselves and present their case and also go according to the rules given during the prehearing, and also thank the people of plateau for their hospitality and how they come and supported their various parties without any problems.

ETUKUDOH PROVOST SCHOOL OF MEDICAL LABORATORY TECHNICIANS UNDER FIRE, AS GROUP CALL FOR HIS REMOVAL

By Peter Akpah

Concerned plateau youth (CPY), has raised an alarm, and also call on the office of the government of the federation, the governor of plateau state the Senate president and members of the Senate, speaker of of reps, and his deputy, the speaker plateau state House of Assembly, federal ministry of health, to come and rescue the federal school of medical laboratory technology science jos, over the deteriorating conditions of the college that is located in JUTH permanent site, under the leadership of Dr Etukudoh Obong. Information available to this medium according to Sunday Dasan the chairman concerned plateau youth, on a press briefing, Show’s that the provost, Dr Obong N.S Etukudoh, has been the provost of the institution since 27 may 2008, and since the assumption of Position he has not laid a foundation in the School till date, and the school train medical laboratory technicians and foreign graduate

The group further alleged that students all over the country paid a mandatory fees of over 170,000 and students those from Akwa Ibom don’t pay school fees, and the school has various departments as follows,-:

1, Provost- Dr NS Etukudoh – Akwa Ibom

2, Deputy provost Administration – Mr Fedrick Olowo- Ondo state

3, Deputy provost Academic- Mrs Reginald Ejinaka- Enugu state

4, Head of Administration- Victoria onwuemene- Kogi state

5, Head of works-Cletus Usendok- Akwa Ibom

6, Head of Accounts- Nkereuwen – Akwa Ibom

7, Head of planning- Udoh Nkereuwen – Akwa Ibom

8, Head of students Affairs – Mbat Enoh – Akwa Ibom

9, Head of Legal – Udoh Time Akpan – Akwa Ibom

10, Head of Library – Joshua Abaka – Nasarawa state

11, Head of ICT- Iye Wariso – River State

12, Head of procurement – Demtoe Ernest – plateau state

13, Head of Audit – Agboida Sunday – Ondo state.

The group further alleged that the provost handles the college as his personal business center, funds accruing to the college is been diverted to his personal use, which led to the economic and financial crimes commission(EFCC) intervention, which that matter has been going on at the state high court jos for about five years, which was before justice yakubu Dakwak the current Chief judge of plateau state, later transfer to justice Daniel Longji, in 2017.

The group added that the Etukudo has over stayed in office for 11 years as Provost which is against the edict establishing the Institution and wondered if he is above the law because he is serving the third term as Provost of the college and is always said to brags that he has 13 more years to go.

The group further alleged that under Etukudo’s leadership, public service rule has not been observed because according to the group, he should have been at least suspended as he has been in and out of prison twice.

According to the youth group,

“No observation of federal character principle in the College e. g Akwa Ibom where

the provost comes from has the highest numbers of staff with more than fifty percent of the work force.

The College have more than 100 staff on the payroll from Akwa Ibom State that

doesn’t come to work completely, they only appear where there is verification. His daughter, Sifon Etukudoh is on the payroll of the College, but does not even

“know the location of the institution. Drivers on official duty are denied their duty tour allowance which 15 accumulated into several millions of naira including his personal driver who

normally slept in the car whenever they are on official duty because of lack o ‘ payment of his D.T.A 7′ Students of the College do pay student union government dues (SUG) but he refusedto allow them to form the SUG in the College, where is their money going to?

8. He pays undue allowance into account of some staff from Akwa Ibom while those from other states are been neglected.

9, Indiscriminate placement of grade levels / step between Akwa Ibom and other states in the institution.

10. Indiscriminate approval of study leaves between Akwa Ibom state indigene and other states indigenes in that college.

11.The permanent site of the college is in a sorry state of condition which needs urgent attention of the appropriate authorities to avoid building collapse and loss of lives as the dilapidated structures are still being use for official work.

12.The security personnel of the institution (strike force) their allowance have not being paid for the past twelve (12) months”.

WE DID NOT COUNTER SIGN THE RESULTS AFTER THE CORRECTIONS

Witness confirms to the tribunal that they did not sign against the alterations in forms EC8A’s and EC8Bs.
Lalong Continuation his defence today Monday 29th July 2019, in the Petition EPT/PL/GOV/01/2019, filed by Sen. Jeremiah Useni and the PDP, challenging INEC, Simon Bako Lalong and the APC over their victory at the governorship elections in the state,

The second respondent call on his 5th witness who is

RW5-: Kabiru Danladi Doctor, a trader, from exhibit P16 and P16A nassarawa gwom of Josnorth LGA which the petitioners earlier tendered, and was ask I’d there was over voting in his unit , he said no, during cross examination by the protesters council S G Odey he was asked if he voted on the day of election at his polling unit, he said no I didn’t vote because am an agent of my party APC, he was asked to take a look at exhibit P16 and tell the tribunal what’s the total valid and vote cast, and check if there’s any alterations he said 376 and there’s alterations on the certify true copies,, he was then asked before the corrections what was the actual figure there he said 360 and not 376, the alterations was only on the CTC and on the duplicate copies, when he was asked why he said is the INEC presiding officer the make the corrections after they have submitted the duplicate copies to the ward collation agent,

RW6-: Sadiq Goje who leaves at masalaci Jumma’a street in Josnorth said Was shown exhibit P27 code 026 of his polling unit, and was asked if there’s any alterations he said yes, and also asked if the serial number is the same he said yes, but there’s alterations in the white copy that the presiding officer has, and no alterations in the duplicate copy, and he was also asked if they all sign the certify true copies after the alterations he said no only the presiding officer sign, but did not reflect it at the pink copy, that’s the duplicate,

After hearing the the witnesses, the 2nd respondent closes his case, and the 3rd respondent now take 30 Minutes break to enable them open their defence, council to the 3rd respondent GS Pwull SAN call on his first with RW7 -: Ismail Isah Gigolo and was shown exhibit P76 from Abah Na shehu ward, he also confirm to the tribunal that there was alterations on the certify true copy, and not the pink copy, and when he was asked to checked and tell the figure which was originally there he said he Can not read it because is badly altered, because there’s corrections on it,

RW8-: HAMISU YAHAYA Abah MA shehu ward Josnorth LGA, and he was referred to exhibit P74, and P74A, respectively, in his deposition said he witnessed the counting of ballots, but corrections where made at the collation centres after he hard submitted the duplicate copy to the ward collation agent of APC, and him and other agents did not sign the certify true copy that the presiding officer did the alterations it was after the submitted their duplicate forms EC8A that the corrections where made, during cross examination by the petitioners council S G Odey hamisu also confirm that the total valid votes cast is 334, and accredited is 337, and number of spoiled ballots papers is 14 , which gave the total of 351 votes against the numbers of accredited voters, he was asked are the figures correct he said no, is the INEC presiding officer that did the corrections at the collation centre, he was asked if him or other agents countersign he said no is only the presiding officer that sign.

RW9-: BUSARI LAWAL, Dilimi, Gangare ward of Josnorth LGA, was referred to exhibit P94 code 024 Dilimi polling unit, during cross examination Busari was asked what time was he accredited he said around 7:05 am, and was also asked if he had read the elections guideline he said yes, also what’s the number of accredited voters he said 491 and total votes cast is 499, he was asked to take a look at exhibit P94, and tell the tribunal the APC scores, and if there’s any alterations, APC score 469, but there’s alterations there, but no alterations in the duplicate copy, only on the certify true copy that the presiding officer have, he was asked to look at collums 4,5,6 if there are any alterations there, he said yes.

RW10-: ABDULAHI MAIGORO, from bauchi road josnorth LGA, was referred to exhibit P60, Abdulahi was asked by the 2nd respondent if he know any PDP agent by name Najib he said no, during cross examination by SG Odey the petitioners council ask him if his party APC submitted list of agents he said yes but I wouldn’t know how many names my party submitted to INEC, he was also ask if he knows the arrangement of PDP agents he said possibly no, he was then referred to exhibit P60 and ask what’s the figure there he said 490 and the original figure there, he can’t see it because of the alterations, he was then ask to confirm to the tribunal if there’s any counter signing on the form EC8A of the certify true copy, by the INEC presiding officer that did the correction , he said no, and the adjourned to the 30th July 2019 for continuation of hearing of witnesses.

WITNESS TELLS THE TRIBUNAL THAT INEC PRESIDING OFFICER DID NOT COUNTER SIGN THE RESULTS ALTERED.

By Peter Akpah
Witness confirms to the tribunal that

they did not sign against the alterations in forms EC8A’s and EC8Bs.
Lalong Continuation his defence today Monday 29th July 2019, in the Petition EPT/PL/GOV/01/2019, filed by Sen. Jeremiah Useni and the PDP, challenging INEC, Simon Bako Lalong and the APC over their victory at the governorship elections in the state,

The second respondent call on his 5th witness who is