Plateau State University Bokkos to Launch Medicine and Surgery (MBBS) Program.

Plateau state University Bokkos set to commence Medicine and Surgery (MBBS). Acting Vice Chancellor of the university, Professor Shedrack Best made this known while receiving report from the chairman of the fifteen  man Technical Advisory Committee on the Commencement of Medicine and Surgery (MBBS) in Plateau State University, Bokkos  Professor Simon  Yiltok.

Professor Best while commending the commitment displayed by members of the committee which cut across various fields of medicine, surgery, pharmaceuticals and Health sciences,said ,he is pleased with the efforts the committee shown within a short period, adding that, their commitment should not just end with the submission of the report but the commencement of a process that will Kickstart the program.

He expressed the readiness of the plateau state government under the leadership of Barrister Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang to ensure the success of the program.

The vice Chancellor said, having enjoy the goodwill of professionals in the field,since the inauguration of the committee,all efforts will be put in place to succeed,

 'we will tease out the issues that needs executive approval and forward to the governor,we are in sync with the issue of plateau state specialist being the designated Teaching Hospital for this program...and I believe that,the governor will be open to the best idea that will make thia program right'.

Earlier while submitting the report, chairman of the technical committee Professor Simon Yiltok, informed the Vice Chancellor that,the committee met severally,visited the school to inspect infrastructure on ground alongside going through other similar reports and  came to conclusions that Plateau specialist Hospital be upgraded to served as Plateau state University Teaching Hospital.

Professor Yiltok said '..we review the theme knowing fully well that these are programs that are highly sort after by candidates and from experience from university of Jos I know that medicine, Nursing and medical lab are the top three courses that most applicants go for'.

Professor Simon Yiltok added that the faculty from the committees findings will be able to provide teaching requirements successfully.

PROF. DAKUM CALLS ON LABOUR PARTY FAITHFULS TO RALLY BEHIND CHAIRMAN GRACE ZAMFARA FOR SUCCESS IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT POLL

Leader of the Plateau State chapter of the Labour Party, LP, and Chief Executive Officer, Institute of Human Virology Nigeria, IHVN, Professor Patrick Sunday Dakum, has called on all members and supporters of the LP to disregard the perpetrated interim change of party leadership in the state and to support the party Chairman, Grace Zamfara for a robust and successful outing at the October 9, 2024, local governments elections. 

Dakum said Grace Zamfara is the legitimate chairman of the party recognized by the National Independent Electoral Commission, INEC, and Plateau State Independent Electoral Commission, PLASIEC, therefore all hands must be on deck and support be given to her and all chairmanship and councilors candidates of the party to win their elections.

Dakum commended his running mate (Hon. Edward Pwajok SAN KSM) for standing firm for the party, and thanked all those that attended the recent meeting at his (Hon. Edward Pwajok's) House on Tuesday 10th September, 2024, for their commitment and unanimous decisions to ensure victory for the LP. at the LG elections.

He exhorted members of the LP to keep praying and supporting the party most especially now that efforts are being made to reorganize the party at the national to make it more formidable, viable and virile. 

The 2023 LP gubernatorial candidate further added that the LP Presidential candidate in 2023 general elections, Mr. Peter Obi, his running mate, Ahmed Dati, Abia State Governor, himself, Pwajok and all faithful sub-national and national members of the party are working round the clock to ensure that LP gets bigger and stronger and respite for all Nigerians. 

He called on all candidates of the LG elections to work assiduously and untiring as victory beckons at the horizon. 

While wishing them good luck, he prayed for God's divine providence, protection, wisdom, knowledge and understanding to excel in their electioneering campaigns and at the polls.  

Signed:

Shabul Mazadu 

Media Consultant to Prof Patrick Sunday Dakum 

12th September, 2024

THE EMPTY CLAIMS OF COMRADE ARANDONG'S ACHIEVEMENTS IN THEIR PRESS CONFERENCE:(Our Response)

we couldn't help but laugh when we saw the so-called achievements of Comrade Arandong as enumerated by his supporters' spokesperson Mr. Hillary Shown. Claims of facilitating promotions for over 8,000 members, upgrading staff to Grade Level 16, and securing a wage award of ₦6,000 out of ₦35,000 are nothing but his incompetency and taking a thick tea during the process of negotiations. These are not achievements, but mere government handouts and goodwills.

The core problem facing workers is the need for improved welfare through an increase salaries and upgrade of salaries from 55 percent to 85 percent as that of state which was but a product of a signed agreement, whenever subventions improves and subventions has inproved three folds over a year now without a corresponding increase in our salaries. NULGE members were transferred in August, 2020 when transportation was barely ₦1000 or ₦1500 in some cases, from Jos to the southern part of the state, and now it's ₦6000 to ₦7000 over a year now without a corresponding increase in salaries as earlier agreed and signed. Uptill this moment disturbance allowances have not been paid up to 25 percent in the various local governments after three years of transfers, does that means he hasn't woken them from their sleep in that respect? In the case of delegates for the SDC, thank God some of the agitators like Mr. Shown are either Muslims or Christians, elders in their churches and taken communion, can they hold their holy books and swear that delegates were democratically selected and elected in their various local governments of service? If they do swear before the presence of NULGE membership, we will stop contesting their claims and forever. 

Comrade Arandong's supporters tout loans from the Federal Mortgage Bank as an achievement. But have they considered the long-term implications? Those who benefited from the loans will have their futures mortgaged, with deductions made from their salaries and such deductions for repayments are not yet commenced even after benefiting for quite long now! Their accounts are already reading with zero balances or with a little contributions of five or six months out of three years, and are not active because deductions are not being remitted, and they will be forced to repay accumulated loans through their noses when they least expected, those that benefited should better think as fast as possible in order to help free themselves from this bondage. 

The claim of establishing a cordial relationship with the commission is also laughable. Were staff in conflict with the commission in the first place? It's a shame to see such empty claims paraded as achievements. Comrade Arandong's supporters need to rethink their strategy and come up with better lies.

All the above claims has motivated us to ask the following questions:

1) Could they say that government has been idle and irresponsible in their duty to promote and convert staff, until he came on board in the years under review? 

2) Could they say that government have not been implementating the previous and were also not ready to implement the recent promotions, until he woke them from their slumber? 

3) Could they say that the commission's relationship with her staff was like that of cat and mouse, until he came on board in the years under review? 

If Comrade Arandong's supporters argues that he stands as the best choice of our members against Comrades Ezekiel Musa Yelwa, Dauda Aku and Collins, which of course we doubt it. We challenge him or his supporters for an open debate, true democratic free and fair elections on his so-called achievements. Thanks to our still serving members and our retirees who called our attention to remind us of the emptiness of these claims and the press conference that showcased them.

COMRADE IZERE MAXWELL IGYEM

On Behalf of The Majority Agrieve Members of NULGE.

Plateau State University Emphasizes Importance of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention

The Plateau State University Bokkos has urged staff and students of the university to prioritize mental health and seek professional help. Officials on September 9 specifically called for the utilization of the university’s Psychological Counsel Unit for mental health care. 

During a one-day suicide awareness campaign held at the Joshua Dariye Student Centre at PLASU, Acting Vice Chancellor, Professor Shedrack Best, emphasized the significance of addressing mental health issues and preventing suicide. 

Represented by Deputy Vice Chancellor Academics, Professor Moses Galadima Pefa, Prof. Best noted that suicide has become a major concern in society, claiming the lives of many young people due to neglect and lack of support.

The Vice Chancellor conveyed the university’s commitment to collaborating with the Jos University Teaching Hospital’s Suicide Prevention Team to raise awareness and prevent suicide. He encouraged community members to be mindful of each other's needs and seek help when necessary.

The event featured discussions, power point presentations, and a question-and-answer session. 

Doctor Anna Gyang, Team Lead of the Jos University Teaching Hospital Suicide Prevention Team, highlighted the signs of suicide, including self-isolation, expressions of hopelessness, anxiety, aggressive tendency, and depression. She stressed the importance of confiding in someone who can offer support.

Statistics presented during the campaign revealed alarming rates of suicide globally, with 800,000 people committing suicide annually and four individuals taking their lives every second worldwide.

Reverend Father Doctor Andrew Danjuma Dewan, Director of Advancement and Linkages and Chaplain of the Nigeria Federation of Catholic Students, attributed the increasing rate of suicide to broken homes and emphasized the need for families to support each other.

PLASU Emphasizes Importance of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention

The Plateau State University Bokkos has urged staff and students of the university to prioritize mental health and seek professional help. Officials on September 9 specifically called for the utilization of the university’s Psychological Counsel Unit for mental health care. 

During a one-day suicide awareness campaign held at the Joshua Dariye Student Centre at PLASU, Acting Vice Chancellor, Professor Shedrack Best, emphasized the significance of addressing mental health issues and preventing suicide. 

Represented by Deputy Vice Chancellor Academics, Professor Moses Galadima Pefa, Prof. Best noted that suicide has become a major concern in society, claiming the lives of many young people due to neglect and lack of support.

The Vice Chancellor conveyed the university’s commitment to collaborating with the Jos University Teaching Hospital’s Suicide Prevention Team to raise awareness and prevent suicide. He encouraged community members to be mindful of each other's needs and seek help when necessary.

The event featured discussions, power point presentations, and a question-and-answer session. 

Doctor Anna Gyang, Team Lead of the Jos University Teaching Hospital Suicide Prevention Team, highlighted the signs of suicide, including self-isolation, expressions of hopelessness, anxiety, aggressive tendency, and depression. She stressed the importance of confiding in someone who can offer support.

Statistics presented during the campaign revealed alarming rates of suicide globally, with 800,000 people committing suicide annually and four individuals taking their lives every second worldwide.

Reverend Father Doctor Andrew Danjuma Dewan, Director of Advancement and Linkages and Chaplain of the Nigeria Federation of Catholic Students, attributed the increasing rate of suicide to broken homes and emphasized the need for families to support each other.