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  • Governor Lalong Wants More Christians In Politics, As Papal Knights & Medalists Converge In Jos

    Governor Lalong Wants More Christians In Politics, As Papal Knights & Medalists Converge In Jos

    Plateau State Governor Simon Bako has called on Christians to actively participate in politics as a way of contributing to national development and adding value to governance in Nigeria. 

    Governor Lalong spoke while addressing the 14th Annual Conference of the Association of Papal Knights and Medalists in Nigeria holding in Jos. 

    Lalong said the theme of the Conference “Fratelli Tutti: Path for Credible Elections for Good Governance in Nigeria” is very appropriate as it will discuss issues about leadership recruitment and the delivery of good governance in Nigerian by the political class and bureaucrats. 

    He said “Many have suggested and rightly so, that Nigeria’s many challenges stem from poor leadership. However, a lot of people forget or do not realise that leadership does not begin and end with elections. It starts much earlier and continues afterwards. As someone who has been in politics most of my adult life, I can say without fear of contradiction that leadership recruitment begins with the consciousness of the society on what kind of leadership it desires. This determines the level of participation or otherwise of the citizens in the process that identifies, adopts and presents candidates for elections. Sadly, many of our brothers and sisters shy away from getting involved and would rather prefer to criticize, castigate and sometimes pull down those in office”.

    Lalong said while he appreciates the fact that the Catholic Church has a robust platform for encouraging and pushing its members to participate in politics, so much still needs to be done within the entire Body of Christ in Nigeria to ensure that more Christians occupy decision-making offices. 

    “As children of light, we must be on the table of governance in order to stop darkness from taking a root and dominating. That is why I appeal to the Church to continue to create avenues for constant engagement with Christian politicians for proper articulation of its interests and evaluation” he said. 

    National President of the  Association of Papal Knights and Medalists Rt. Hon. Dame Esther Uduehi said the body is made up of Catholics that have been honored by the Church for their contributions in the propagation of the gospel and for touching humanity in positive ways.

    She raised concerns over the rising cases of religious intolerance, crime, terrorism and banditry which has not only affected the economic and social lives of the people, but restrained the freedom of people to practice their faith. 

    Dame Uduehi praised the signing of the new electoral law which she said will guarantee free, fair and credible elections where leaders who have the interest of the people at heart are elected. 

    Chairman of the occasion and Director General of the ITF Sir Joseph Ari said the conference provides an opportunity to further discuss how the Church and its members can contribute to the democratic process and also highlight the issues that pertain to propagation of the gospel of Jesus Christ. 

    He said the Association has all it takes to support the Church in all its activities and also assist society to address very critical challenges impeding its growth. 

    Chairman of the Jos Province Retired Justice Pius Damulak said the Province was privileged to host the National Conference for the second time, urging the participants to proffer suggestions on the way forward towards ensuring that Nigeria conducts an election that meets the aspirations of the citizens. 

    While declaring open the Conference opened, Catholic Archbishop of Jos Most Rev Dr. Matthew Ishaya Audu represented by Monsignor Professor Cletus Gotan welcomed the Papal Knights and Medalists to Jos and said the meeting was timely especially going by the theme chosen. 

    He said what Nigeria needs was not religiosity but righteousness which is founded on love, truth, fairness, equity and selflessness. 

    He said the 2023 elections provides a room for citizens to freely choose their leaders based on informed positions and not sentiments or misinformation. 

    Earlier, a mass was held at the St. Louis Parish Jos to usher in the conference. 

  • Gunmen abduct Catholic Priest in Jos

    Gunmen abduct Catholic Priest in Jos

    Gunmen have abducted Rev. Fr. James Kantoma, the Parish priest of St. Anthony Catholic Church, Angware, Jos East Local Government Area of Plateau.

    DSP Alabo Alfred, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state, confirmed the abduction to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Jos.

    Alfred said that Kantoma, who is also the chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the local government, was kidnapped on Sunday night at the church’s vicarage.

    He said the command has deployed officers and men from the anti-kidnapping unit to the community.

    “Our men are already working to ensure that the cleric regains his freedom and apprehend those behind the abduction,” the PPRO said.

    Speaking, Rev. Fr. Polycarp Lubo, the Chairman of CAN in the state, described the incident as ”unfortunate and sad.”

    “Since the gunmen took the priest away, we have not heard anything either from him or the abductors.

    ”This is so sad, but we are praying for him that no harm will befall him wherever he is,” he said.

    Lubo, however, called on government and security agencies to ensure the safe return of the abducted priest and others in captivity

  • General Gowon Flags Off Construction Of British-American Junction Flyover In Jos

    General Gowon Flags Off Construction Of British-American Junction Flyover In Jos

    ***Praises Governor Lalong For Projects And Peace

    Former Nigerian Head of State General Yakubu Gowon has flagged off the construction of a new interchange at the British-American Junction in Jos with a call on the citizens of Plateau State to continue to support Governor Simon Lalong to complete his developmental projects.

    General Gowon said the flyover project was highly commendable because it will address the traffic situation in the area and enhance the movement of goods and persons within the State.

    He said Plateau State remains a centre of attraction and a gateway to many States in the country, hence the need to have good road infrastructure for the easy access of visitors and citizens.

    The former Head of State congratulated Governor Lalong for exhibiting political maturity by continuing with inherited projects and completing many of them as well as initiating others across the entire State.

    This he said is giving the State the capacity to attract more development and continue to fulfill its responsibility as the home of peace and tourism.

    Governor Lalong in his remarks described the construction of the flyover as a major step towards addressing the plight of motorists who have over the years experienced so much challenges passing through the road which is a major link to the North East.

    He said “we have not only executed projects (both inherited and new ones), but ensured that every part of the State is touched irrespective of whether the people voted us or not. We have put behind us the era of carrying out projects to favour ethnic, political or religious affiliations. We are all aware of the nightmare citizens of the State and other road users go through to commute through this corridor. Our decision to take the construction of this fly over and dualization up to Lamingo junction is borne out of the need to place the State on a pedestal for economic growth knowing that the long hours people spend on traffic impedes commerce”.

    The Governor disclosed that the road is a Federal road, but the State Government decided to intervene while eagerly awaiting the commencement of the Akwanga through Jos to Gombe segment of the project because of its importance to its people.

    He directed the State Ministry of Works to Liaise with the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing to ensure that conditions for intervention are fulfilled in addition to a joint-supervision to meet up with the standards and specifications that are set for such interventions to enable us get reimbursed for this work.

    The Governor said the project is the first road project that his administration has carried out using the Public Private Partnership option where a financial institution is to provide all the funds with the State Government providing the guarantee.

    “This partnership has not only opened a new vista in project funding for the State, but also affirmed the success of the administration in restoring confidence in Plateau State and rebuilding the economy. I therefore assure citizens of the State and other road users that with this guaranteed funding arrangement and the commitment so far demonstrated by the contractor, this project will be completed and commissioned by my administration before leaving office in May 2023” he said.

    Niger State Governor and Acting Chairman of the APC Caretaker Committee and Convention Planning, Abubakar Sani Bello praised Governor Lalong for being resilient and focused in fulfilling his campaign promises to the people of Plateau State despite the challenges of funds.

    He said the performance of Governor Lalong is a good omen for the APC which has made giant strides in many areas of the economy in all States where it is in power.

    Commissioner Ministry of Works Michael Botmang said and they have been in constant engagements with stakeholders along the corridor which is a Federal Highway in order to ensure that there is no encumberance.

    He said the total sum for the project is 9 billion naira with cost of funds and the completion period of 18 months.

    The Long Gamai Miskoom Martin Shaldas said the performance of the Governor in projects is one that is based on equity, justice and fairness.

    Chairman of the construction company, Cranenburg Nigeria Ltd, Alhaji Nasiru Danu assured that the company will work assiduously to meet the target of completion and the desired quality.

  • Lalong’s Govt Is Worst in Plateau State History’ – Chris Hassan

    Lalong’s Govt Is Worst in Plateau State History’ – Chris Hassan

    ‘

    Ugar Ukandi Odey, Jos

    The government of Simon Bako Lalong of the All Progressives Congress has been described as “the worst in the history of Plateau State.

    In a chat with newsmen in Jos, the Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party in the State, Honourable Chris Hassan, said the six years of the Lalong administration has set the state backward, “destroyed the people, and left them already disgruntled”.

    He said there is so much confusion in the administration of Governor Simon Lalong that “they do not know what to do day to day, and this confusion and lack of direction led them to desperately keep the PDP out of the last local government election”.

    “You can also see the shapeless manner they conducted what they called ‘congresses’. Did you see any ballot papers there? Even if you have to affirm, you have to cast vote to know how many people accepted and participated in the affirmation. In their case, there was no voting process, no ballot paper”, Hassan queried.

    Hassan said the “contraption called the APC is not a political party on the minds of the people of Plateau State. And what they did in the name of local government elections recently has completely dampened the morale of our people, and they do not want to hear about anything called APC because they have nothing to show for all these years. As I told you, it is the worst government ever in the history of Plateau State”.

    “Let me tell you, even the poverty situation among our people has worsened in the last six years because no work is going on. If you are building infrastructures like roads, bridges, hospitals, schools, etc, you are also creating wealth because of the multiplier effect of money changing hands among water and food vendors and other services. When we were constructing this dual carriage way from Airport Junction to Mararaba Jama’a, you could see more than five thousand people working as labourers. This was wealth creation because money was getting into the hands of more people!”, Hassan noted.

    Under the Lalong administration, he noted, nothing is working! “People are not selling cement or building materials, no people selling pure water or vending food, and people are poorer and idle as compared to the immediate past when citizens were engaged productively. You can see that this is the fourth month we have been in curfew”, Hassan explained further.

    He said the curfew situation makes it more unfortunate because majority of petty businesses in Plateau thrive more in the evenings in response to the leisure curve because of the generally amiable weather found in Plateau.

  • 7 journalists escape death as hoodlums reportedly attack vehicle in Jos

    7 journalists escape death as hoodlums reportedly attack vehicle in Jos

    Seven journalists, all staff of the Plateau Radio Television Corporation (PRTV) Rayfield, escaped death by the whiskers when their vehicle came under heavy attack by hoodlums at Dandin Kowa in Jos South local government council of the state.

    It was gathered that the incident occurred at 10:30pm on Tuesday night, August 17, while the vehicle was coveying staff on night duty to their respective homes.

    One of the journalists said that their vehicle was badly damaged by the miscreants during the attack.

    “We thank God because if the attack was successfully executed, our organization would have been burying seven of their dedicated staff but thank God we survived by the whisker. We ran into a road block which we all thought was manned by the police and vigilante just to be descended upon by the miscreants who came out from every direction.” he said.

    Reacting to the incident, the Chairman of Nigeria Union Journalists (NUJ) Plateau State Council, Paul Jatau condemned the unwarranted assault on the newsmen and called on security operatives to be alert.

    7 journalists escape death as hoodlums reportedly attack vehicle in Jos7 journalists escape death as hoodlums reportedly attack vehicle in Jos

  • Progressive Governors Forum Commiserates With Governor Lalong Over Breach Of Peace

    Progressive Governors Forum Commiserates With Governor Lalong Over Breach Of Peace

    Members of the Progressives Governors Forum have visited Governor Simon Bako Lalong at the Government House Rayfield Jos, to commiserate with the Government and people of Plateau State over the recent attacks in the State which led to the destruction of lives and properties. 

    Led by the their Chairman, Governor Atiku Abubakar Bagudu of Kebbi State, the APC Governors expressed deep sadness over the recent attacks in the State that claimed lives and led to destruction of properties. 

    He said the attacks in Bassa and Riyom  Local Government Areas as well as the killing of travellers in Rubuka road Jos North who were returning from a religious programme in Bauchi are totally unacceptable and highly condemnable. He said the criminal actions are clearly aimed at rubishing the efforts and achievements of Governor Simon Bako Lalong in restoring peace in the State. 

    He commended the people of Plateau State and other Nigerians of goodwill particularly Sheik Dahiru Bauchi who rose up to speak against the ugly development of attacking innocent travellers, called for calm and also stopped narratives that could have led to a serious breakdown of law and order since some people were already inflaming religious passions that were attached to the incident. 

    He sympathised with the victims of the attacks and also announced a donation of 30 million naira from the APC Governors towards alleviating the suffering of the victims. 

    Responding, Governor Lalong appreciated the visit of the Progressives Governors, describing it as a huge source of encouragement during this trying moment for the State. 

    He told the delegation that the situation is calm and still being monitored as he went round earlier this Monday to see those injured in various hospitals and also monitor the compliance to the curfew which was imposed to curtail the situation. 

    Lalong also appreciated President Muhammadu Buhari for his intervention which has seen more reinforcement of police and other security agencies to tackle the incident that is threatening to bring back the dark days that are gradually fading. 

    He assured his colleagues that the State will soon put this incident behind it as the criminals are being fished out for prosecution. He also said wide consultations are being carried out to calm nerves and ensure that there is no repeat of such attacks. 

  • Governor Lalong Visits Victims Of Jos Attacks In Hospitals; Monitors Compliance To Curfew In Jos North

    Governor Lalong Visits Victims Of Jos Attacks In Hospitals; Monitors Compliance To Curfew In Jos North


    Plateau State Governor Simon Bako Lalong on Monday 16th August 2021, visited some hospitals in Jos to see some of the victims of the recent attacks in Jos as well as inspect other facilities that were affected with the skirmishes that ensued.

    Governor Lalong accompanied by his Deputy, Prof. Sonni Tyoden, DIG Lemu, Heads of security agencies in the State, and some members of the State Executive Council, visited the Bingham University Teaching Hospital Jos where he was taken round the wards by the Chief Medical Director.

    The Governor was told that some of the patients were brought into the hospital from the attacks on commuters along Rukuba road as well as others brought in from the attacks that took place on Sunday before the imposition of the 24 hour curfew on Jos North.

    Thereafter, the Governor was at Bauchi Ring road where he visited the Redeemed Christian Church of God which was partially torched by some hoodlums before the community rose to defend the Church and invite security personnel to take charge.

    Management Committee Chairman of Jos North
    Local Government Shehu Bala told the Governor that when the Church was attacked, muslim members of the community barricaded the facility and resisted the hoodlums from destroying the Church. Despite that, they succeeded in partially torching a part of the building.

    The Governor thereafter visited the Plateau Specialist Hospital where he was conducted round the facility by the Medical Director Dr. Golwa who said some of the victims brought in for treatment have been responding to treatment with only one in the intensive care unit.

    While speaking to newsmen after the visit, the Governor said the events of recent weeks which include the attacks on communities in Bassa and Riyom, as well as the one on travelers in Rukuba road and others carried out on Sunday morning before the imposition of 24 hour curfew on Jos North, are totally condemnable and unacceptable.

    Lalong while sympathising with those affected expressed outrage that crises merchants want to destroy the peace and stability that has been substantially built in the last five years. Government he said will never allow them to succeed as they will be fished out and dealt with.

    He said “On behalf of the Government I still stand to condemn this act. These are clear acts of criminality and all those who perpetrated these acts are criminals and nothing more. Whenever they start, it takes a different dimension with the purpose to take us back to the era of religious crisis. But by God’s grace we are on top of it. We will not allow religious crisis in this State any longer”.

    On Government response, he said  “We thank God the Federal Government has also sent a team from the IG’s office led by a DIG. We sympahtise with those who lost their relations and properties and we want to assure people of Plateau State that as usual, we would not allow this to go unpunished as some suspects have already been arrested. This time around, we will deal with people found guilty, both from the Bassa attacks and this one in Jos. We will go in for prosecution immediately and then go after suspects at large because we don’t want to allow this kind of thing again to come back to Plateau State.

    The Governor frowned at the misuse of the social media blaming it for circulating offensive and provocative messages and videos that are more alarming than true and factual. Lalong said the Government in conjunction with security agents are tracking the originators of such fake and gory messages for prosecution.

    On the curfew, he said those who are not ready to comply will be treated as those who are causing the problem. He assured that it will only be lifted when the securitysituation is assessed and ascertained to have improved.

  • Rotary International To Establish Peace Centre In Jos

    Rotary International To Establish Peace Centre In Jos

    Rotary International is to establish a Peace Centre in Jos as part of its social responsibility for the consolidation of peace and harmony in Plateau State. 


    The 13th District Governor of District 9125 Ayoola Oyedokun stated this when he led members of the District on a courtesy visit to Plateau State Governor Simon Bako Lalong at the Government House Little Rayfield Jos. 


    Ayoola said they were at the Government House to introduce the new leadership and also explain the areas of focus for his tenure. He said the vision of his administration is along the general theme which is Serve to Change Lives. 
    He listed areas of intervention to include water and sanitation, environment, medical, family planning as well as reconstruction and rehabilitation of IDPs among others. 


    Ayoola commented Governor Lalong for his contributions and participation in Rotary activities as an member who has done so much not only for his Jos South Club and the District in general. He asked him to continue to support the activities of the body and also woo more members. 


    Governor Lalong while welcoming the team said the State Government has been very happy with its relationship with Rotary International which has supported the people of the State in various ways. 


    Lalong presented the certificate of occupancy of the land for the proposed Peace Centre to the Rotary Governor and assured them that the State Government would support the establishment of the Centre which is in line with the three point policy vision of the Rescue Administration. 
    He wished the new District Governor well and also assured him that he will continue to play his role as an active rotarian. 

  • Jos Is Calm, No Cause For Alarm As Normalcy Is Restored To Gada Biyu

    Jos Is Calm, No Cause For Alarm As Normalcy Is Restored To Gada Biyu

    Jos, the capital city of Plateau State is calm and peaceful as there is no cause for alarm. The breach of peace reported around Gada Biyu, Jos North LGA has been put under control following swift response by security agencies. 

    The security personnel responded to the incident where some youths reportedly obstructed traffic and set ablaze two trucks on the highway. 

    The intervention of the security personnel immediately brought the situation under control as the youths were dispersed and the road cleared, thereby restoring traffic flow. 

    With the return of normalcy around Gada Biyu and environs, the Government is urging citizens to avoid any act that could lead to the breakdown of law and order. 

    Meanwhile, security forces have continued their operations to dominate areas affected by recent attacks in Bassa and Riyom LGAs with a view to restoring normalcy and arresting perpetrators as directed by Governor Simon Lalong after an emergency Security Council Meeting. 

  • BREAKING: 4 inmates escape from Jos maximum Prison

    BREAKING: 4 inmates escape from Jos maximum Prison

    Four herdsmen held in custody at the Jos Maximum Prison in Plateau state have escaped. The fleeing inmates escaped in the earlier hours of today July 8.

    The escapees were arraigned before a Barkin Ladi Court sometime last year. However, some herdsmen stormed the court and overpowered correctional warders helping five of the assailants escape.

    Four of them were re-arrested after intensive search by security agents. However, the unrelenting inmates escaped again today with the alleged connivance of an insider.

    Confirming the escape, the spokesman of Plateau Correctional Centre, Geoffrey Longdien, said efforts were being made to rearrest the fleeing inmates.

    Details shortly…