Gov. Mutfwang has passion for growth and development of the state, Hon Ephraim Usman

The Commissioner Ministry for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs Plateau State, Hon. Ephraim Usman’s has expressed the readiness of the Ministry to partner and have a cordial working relationship with the Transition Implementation Committee Chairmen of the 17 Local Government Councils of State in the interest of bringing development to all parts of the State as capture in strategic development planned of the Governor Caleb Mutfwang’s Administration.

He stated this, when the Transition Implementation Committee Chairmen paid him a courtesy call in his office in Jos.

The Commissioner reiterated that there is no time to waste, the Governor who has passion for growth and development of the state, will want to see every organ that is saddled with the responsibility of facilitating development function effective therefore there is need for everyone to work assiduously so that the Government will fulfill its promise to the people of the state. And he thanked them for the visit.

Earlier is his remark, the Leader of the delegation who is the Transition Implementation Committee Chairmen of Langtang North Local Government Council Hon. Godwin Kumji Nanmwa, said they are in the Commissioner’s office to identify with him as well as congratulate him on his appointment. He stressed that his appointment by the Governor is well deserved; being a man that is highly resourceful and vibrant in the discharge of his duty, and promised that they will give the Commissioner all the necessary support for him to succeed in the task ahead.

Similarly, the Commissioner also received a delegation from the Bauchi State, Local Government Service Commission who are on a state tour to Plateau State Ministry for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, with the aim to study the way Plateau State is handling its’ Chieftaincy Affairs which will enable them take a leave from in order to improve on their own. 

The Commissioner welcomed the delegation and stated that the Ministry handles Local Government and Chieftaincy matters. He added that the Traditional Institution has a greater role to play in maintaining the culture, norms and tradition of our people as well the peaceful coexistence, therefore comparing note in other to make the institution work in the development of our states cannot be over emphasis, and the Ministry will accord them the relevant documents that will help them in discharging their responsibility.

In his remark, the Chairman Bauchi State Local Government Service Commission Alh. Abubakar Mohammed Wabi expressed was delighted for the warm reception given to them, he promised that the will make good use of their findings in the interest of their state and nations at large.

     

Edward Bulus Damwesh

information officer

10 August,2023

Dr. NENTAWE YILWADA: 55 YEARS OF PROGRESSIVE THOUGHTS.

By Saminu Maigoro

On the occasion of the birthday of Dr Nentawe Yilwada, let me run a narrative.

I have been hearing about the name around different circles and then got to be friends on Facebook but a coursemate during my postgraduate studies around 2015 in Pharmaceutical Sciences Unijos, Jabil Abednego, was the first person that made me know how wonderful one Dr Nentawe is.

On several occasions, while working in the Pharm Chem Lab, Jabil will spend hours discussing the personal attributes of a man he called his oga, what he has done to him and what he has been doing to others and the brilliant ideas he has. Mind you, that was around 2015 when nobody knows that he is coming to contest for Governorship.

Sometime around 2017, I was at the Plateau State Youth Council Secretariat when Dr Fabong was the chairman newly and then a tall man came around and spend some time with the chairman and while he was about to leave, Dr. Fabong introduced him to us as, "he is Dr Nentawe, one of the most progressive Plateau man I met" that was how I doubled my interest to know him better since two people whom I trust their judgment Pharm Jabil and Dr Fabong made wonderful remarks on him.

An opportunity to know him more presented itself during the first edition of the Plateau Social Media Awards in 2019 at Mees Palace in which I was a nominee for the best use of Facebook category and Dr Nentawe was a nominee too in another category. I was opportune to sit at the same table with him and we got talking as the event was holding.

In less than an hour Dr Nentawe x-ray to me the problems of leadership in Nigeria and the way out as well as some of the fundamental things we need to get it right in Plateau State and how. I have never heard anyone talk about Plateau with such clarity of thought before. We exchange numbers to continue with our discussion on the phone since the program has gotten to an end.

We will spend 30 minutes talking on the phone and getting wowed by so many innovative ideas the man will be dishing on Peacebuilding on the Plateau, Agriculture, Mining, Job and wealth creation etc. 

And that is how I became a believer because I asked numerous questions about the feasibility and practicality of so many things and got satisfying answers which can only come from a highly brilliant and sincere mind. I remember many times telling him, sir, please contest for Governorship and he will be like, let's see what will happen. And then it eventually happened!

When Dr Nentawe throw his hat into the ring of the contest for Plateau State Governorship, I said that is the man deserving of my vote and support. Someone having the right mixture of Education, exposure, experience, strength of character, progressive ideas and human relations. 

The 2023 General election in Plateau State came with many twists in which rather than ideas dominating discussions and giving direction to the people on where votes were supposed to go, unfortunately, trivialities took centre stage. The unfortunate politicking of 2023 where lies, misinformation, blackmail and propaganda dominated the turf further buttresses the importance of having a Nentawe as a Governor, one with revolutionary ideas that will make people believe that there is more to governance than innuendoes.

One beautiful thing about him is his long years of service to humanity. Paying for JAMB exams for students in his area for the past 10 years. Building an ICT centre, training youths in vocation and skills and giving them 100,000 to start up so many years ago before even coming close to politics and so many things. Thus, his manifesto, the ACEES AGENDA wasn't just a political document but rather a documentation of time-tested ideas. It's a temporal glitch, it will come to bear and Plateau will smile.

Happy Birthday Your Excellency.

MORE GROUPS VISIT LALONG OVER MINISTERIAL MONINATION

The former Governor of Plateau State and Ministerial nominee, Simon Bako Lalong has received more groups who are happy with his appointment as Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The latest are members of his Senatorial Campaign Council who visited to congratulate him.

The delegation was led by the Chairman of the Council Mr. Nanven Nimfel who said the team was excited with the news of the appointment and confirmation as a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria by President Bola Tinubu and the Senate respectively.

Nimfel also told Lalong that the team remains intact despite the outcome of the Senatorial elections and will continue to work for him in his political journey to serve Plateau State and Nigeria at large.

Lalong in a response said he was happy that the Senatorial campaign team remains united and has not been affected by the outcome of the elections which means they believe in the APC and his vision.

He said politics is a game that requires patience and commitment which is not only demonstrated during victory but much more during setbacks.

He assured them that he will not forget their sacrifices and hardwork which is engraved in his heart.

Similarly, the former Governor received members of the G-6 who came to felicitate with him over his appointment and confirmation as Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Chairman of the group Prof. Dimis Mailafiya said the group has been working for the APC and did a lot throughout his tenure as Governor of Plateau State carrying out research and other interventions on the background.

He said they were very optimistic of the victory of the APC at the Tribunal where the party will reclaim all its seats in Plateau State.

Mailafiya also told Lalong that they have no doubt that his appointment will bring more goodwill to Plateau State because he is a man that does not seek his personal interests alone.

Responding, Governor Lalong thanked them for the visit and assured that he will do his best in serving Nigeria and making Plateau proud.

 Joseph A. Adudu Publisher/Chief Editor, African Drum Magazine Congratulate Commissioner For Information Plateau State, Hon. Musa Ashoms

Hon. Musa Ashoms; please, accept my hearty congratulations on your
appointment as Commissioner, Ministry for Information and Communication Plateau State.

This is one of the most delicate and sensitive ministries, also believed to be the fundamental platform for any reasonable government to tailor its agenda and programmes to the people.

The main reason for the ministry of information (to the best of my understanding) is to influence government policies. Therefore, its commissioner should be capable of demonstrating one of the underlying purposes of public relations, which is preventing negative information against the government.

In this regard, you must evolve mechanisms ranging from public enlightenment and persuasive communication to building a mutually beneficial relationship between government and the people.

DON'T develop the habit of intimidation as a way of achieving your aims otherwise, you would spend most of your time fighting perceived enemies of government and by so doing, end up creating real enemies rather than making friends and the government would suffer for it.

Consequently, I urge you to apply diplomacy and high level of understanding to enable you engage in timely gathering and communication of information on government policies, programmes and activities towards building an enlightened citizenry and create a feedback mechanism that would be beneficial to both the government and the people.

You should also develop an observant mind; a gift of application which rejects being diverted by pleasure of frivolous amusement.

You must be resourceful, a good listener, courteous and objective. Above all, you must be calculative and posses enough self control to resist the longing to speak before you organize your thought.

I pray that Almighty God grants you all that you need to succeed in this assignment, hoping that it also serves as a springboard to higher responsibility.

Congratulations once again.

Joseph A. Adudu

Publisher/Chief Editor, African Drum Magazine, Jos, Plateau State

My goal is to enhance business operations in Plateau State. Hon Musa Sule,

 My goal is to enhance business operations in Plateau State. Hon Musa Sule,

In order to ensure that Plateau State is no longer dependent on a monthly allocation from
the Federation Account, the newly appointed Commissioner of Commerce and Industry, Hon. Musa Sule Haruna, has stated that his goal is to increase the State's Internal Generated Revenue (IGR) to a level that will make the state self-sustaining.

After being sworn in by Governor Caleb Mutfwang at the Langsfield Event Centre in Rayfield, Jos, on Friday, Hon. Musa addressed questions from the media and hinted that the ministry would succeed by turning state resources into economically viable businesses with the primary goal of guaranteeing the best possible use of resources through industrialization.

He said "states like Lagos, Rivers, and others don't rely on monthly funding from the Federation Account for survival," noting that  Lagos state was once denied funding from the Federation Account for 13 months, but despite this, the state managed to survive due to the amount of industrialization that increased its IGR.

In light of this, we plan to propel our economy through resource commercialization and to promote private sector involvement in government initiative projects.

"The ministry would suggest to the government that it revitalize some of the businesses and industries that it owns, like BARC Farm, JIB, and many others.

In an effort to increase our IGR, we would also promote international collaboration and investment as well as make it easier to start, register, and manage businesses.

The Hon. Commissioner further stated that the ministry would similarly guarantee that amenities were made available to market vendors and that the Plateau was promoted as a desirable location for businesses.

The immediate-past APC government left the state with a debt profile of more than N300 billion and nothing to show for it, notwithstanding the bailout and the Paris Club refund, Hon. Sule added.

 

I'M PREPARED TO FIGHT AGAINST CHILD TRAFFICKING AND BRUTALITY AGAINST WOMEN ON THE PLATEAU. HON. CAROLINE

 I'M PREPARED TO FIGHT AGAINST CHILD TRAFFICKING AND BRUTALITY AGAINST WOMEN ON THE PLATEAU. HON. CAROLINE

Hon Caroline Pangiang, the commissioner for women's affairs, has pledged to combat
child trafficking, abuse against women, and to uplift women in Plateau State.

The newly appointed Commissioner said this in an interview with pressmen in Jos after being sworn in by His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Plateau State, Barr. Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, on Friday, August 4, 2023.

Hon. Pangiang claimed that her nomination came at a crucial time and that she faces enormous responsibilities, particularly in light of the increased instances of trafficking in persons, child abuse, and violence against women and children.

She declared, "I will put all hands on deck to tackle the menace that is afflicting the society, namely the education of girl children, to fight discrimination against women, and also child abuses are the key factor I will work on."

"As a commissioner for women's affairs, my mission is to empower women by partnering with the state's first lady's office and the federal government to empower women in various skill acquisition initiatives."

“I will ensure that plateau women are brought to the limelight and encourage women to come out and get involved in politics and also be captains of industries. I will also engage in all meaningful ways of livelihood because women as mothers of the society have a great role to play”. According to the former Supervisory Councillor of Mikang, Hon. Mrs Pangiang said that women are supposed to be role models in society and that is what she wants to achieve with her wealth of experience. It could be recalled that during her time of councillorship, she engaged women in various skills acquisition.

Hon. Noel Nkup's Plateau state is on the road to recovery under Gov. Caleb Mutfwang.

The newly appointed Commissioner for Water Resources and Energy Hon. Noel Naanniap Nkup a seasoned politicians and an engineer per excellent has called on the good people of Plateau State to support the government of His Excellency Barr Caleb Mutfwang, because it has so much to offer and revive the state from stagnation and decay.

Noel Nkup urged the residents of the Plateau to pursue peace in all of their endeavours, noting that the governor's philosophy is service delivery, no room for excuses and explaining that many things had been allowed to deteriorate and that they needed the help of state lovers to put things in place and restore the Plateau lost glory.

After being sworn in by the Executive Governor of Plateau State, Caleb Mutfwang, Hon. Nkup stated, "I have all it takes to contribute to the development of the water sector in the state. I will bring my wealth of experience to revive the water sector and serve Plateau with all my might to live a landmark."

Hon. Nkup claims that his selection is a result of divine providence, and he would contribute his vast knowledge as a former supervising counsellor and deputy chairman of the Shendam Local Government Council.

He explained that they have known the governor for long enough to be familiar with his abilities and that they will assist him as he develops and restores the Plateau's cultural legacy.

He added that the portfolio was timely, represented his passion, and what he had been doing as a water engineer and had been successful. And also considering his background and his contributions to the water sector, he believes that his appointment as the commissioner for water resources and energy "has spelled everything out because he has worked at different levels in the water sector both locally and internationally to some extent he is the right place."