PRESS STATEMENT PROF. PATRICK SUNDAY DAKUM TASKS NIGERIANS ON SUSTAINING AND CONSOLIDATING THE ESSENCE AND SACRIFICE MADE BY FALLEN HEROES

Plateau State Labour Party, LP, governorship candidate in the 2023 general elections, and Chief Executive Officer, Institute of Human Virology Nigeria, IHVN, Professor Patrick Sunday Dakum, has called on Nigerians to uphold and consolidate the essence and feats achieved by Fallen Heroes' sacrifice. 

Dakum asserts that the armed forces put their lives in harms way, where so many of them lost parts of their  body and lives to keep the country one and united; and have also faced the same fate in not only protecting the territorial integrity of the country, but combating and flushing out insurgency ranging from Maitasine, Boko Haram to Islamic State's of West African Province, ISWAP; and also bandits, kidnappers and secessionists terrorizing the peace and internal security of the country. 

The Epidemiology and Public Health Professor, School of Medicine Maryland University, Baltimore USA, quoted John 15:13 saying, "Greater love has no one than this, that one should lay down his life for his friends." 

He said the Fallen Heroes have truly exhibited genuine friendship and proven their love by laying down their lives for us to be alive, united and secured. And the appreciation that we can show to them is to uphold the values and essence of their death because reverting to the causes of secessioning, insurgency, banditry and kidnapping is betrayal of their lives' and body's sacrifices. 

He called on politicians, clergy, ethnic and regional chauvinists who embarked on the destruction of our national cohesion by perpetrating discord, mutual suspicion and hatred along ethnic, religious and regional lines threatening our corporate existence to think twice and desist so that the lives lost by the Fallen Heroes will not be in vain. 

Dakum added that there is no how Nigeria can attain nationhood with corruption and throes of segregation, nepotism, unhealthy and insatiable quest for wealth, injustice and other vices tailored towards disunity, bad governance, and oppression of the less privileged and minorities. 

The former Commissioner of Health and Information advocates, love, respect, appreciation and corporation in patriotic front for the Military to succeed in securing our lives and properties; and to also remember and reach out to the families of the Fallen heroes. 

Finally, he appeals to all to pray for the Armed Forces to succeed in their war with insurgents, bandits and kidnappers, and to pray for their families and those of the Fallen Heroes. 

Signed:

Shabul Mazadu 

Media Consultant 

15th January, 2025

GOV. MUTFWANG RECEIVES WINNERS OF E-DEBATE, COMMITS TO PRIORITIZING THE FUTURE OF PLATEAU YOUTHS

Plateau State Governor, Barr. Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, has urged students across the state to avoid all forms of social vices and remain dedicated to their studies as a pathway to achieving greatness.

The Governor made this remark while receiving winners of the E-Debate and Bible Recitation competitions, alongside the presentation of a trophy won by Plateau State students at the National Engineering Competition organized by the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN), at the Old Government House, Rayfield, Jos.

Expressing his delight at the outstanding performance of the students, Governor Mutfwang announced full sponsorship for Jacob Ndam, a student of Government Model Secondary School, Shendam, to further his education at the university level.

He said: "Congratulations! You have made us proud. We are honored to have you as our children and Plateau students. Even if your parents are not originally from Plateau, we now consider you one of us. You are entitled to every privilege accorded to Plateau indigenes.

"We deeply appreciate your diligence and dedication to your studies, which has brought you this far. I am particularly glad for the efforts of Gindiri. It is time to revive such intellectually stimulating competitions across secondary schools, including debates and quizzes. Let us find creative ways to fully engage our youths."

Governor Mutfwang emphasized the need for students to grow in wisdom, use social media responsibly, and engage in productive activities that will guarantee a prosperous future. He also disclosed plans to introduce strategies aimed at prioritizing youth engagement and development in Plateau State.

The Commissioner for Secondary Education, Mohammed Nyalum, led the contingent of students who excelled in the Bible Recitation, E-Debate, and National Engineering (COREN) competitions to present their trophies to the Governor.

The Bible Recitation competition was won by students of Girls High School, Gindiri, while the National Engineering Competition trophy was claimed by students of Tamaral Fair View School, Jos. The National E-Debate Competition featured a winning team comprising students from Government Model Secondary School, Shendam, and Saint Augustine College, Du.

Jacob Ndam, who performed exceptionally in the E-Debate competition, had previously dropped out of school due to financial constraints but was brought back to participate in the national contest.

In recognition of their extraordinary achievements, Governor Mutfwang rewarded each student with laptops and tablets, underscoring his administration’s commitment to mainstreaming education as a priority agenda. He also expressed his eagerness to meet the Plateau indigene male student who recently emerged as WAEC's overall best.

Commissioner Nyalum commended the students and their tutors for their dedication, attributing the successes to the government’s investment in education.

Gyang Bere

Director of Press and Public Affairs office of the Executive Governor of Plateau State

January 15, 2025.

PROF. PATRICK SUNDAY DAKUM TASKS NIGERIANS ON SUSTAINING AND CONSOLIDATING THE ESSENCE AND SACRIFICE MADE BY FALLEN HEROES

Plateau State Labour Party, LP, governorship candidate in the 2023 general elections, and Chief Executive Officer, Institute of Human Virology Nigeria, IHVN, Professor Patrick Sunday Dakum, has called on Nigerians to uphold and consolidate the essence and feats achieved by Fallen Heroes' sacrifice. 

Dakum asserts that the armed forces put their lives in harms way, where so many of them lost parts of their  body and lives to keep the country one and united; and have also faced the same fate in not only protecting the territorial integrity of the country, but combating and flushing out insurgency ranging from Maitasine, Boko Haram to Islamic State's of West African Province, ISWAP; and also bandits, kidnappers and secessionists terrorizing the peace and internal security of the country. 

The Epidemiology and Public Health Professor, School of Medicine Maryland University, Baltimore USA, quoted John 15:13 saying, "Greater love has no one than this, that one should lay down his life for his friends." 

He said the Fallen Heroes have truly exhibited genuine friendship and proven their love by laying down their lives for us to be alive, united and secured. And the appreciation that we can show to them is to uphold the values and essence of their death because reverting to the causes of secessioning, insurgency, banditry and kidnapping is betrayal of their lives' and body's sacrifices. 

He called on politicians, clergy, ethnic and regional chauvinists who embarked on the destruction of our national cohesion by perpetrating discord, mutual suspicion and hatred along ethnic, religious and regional lines threatening our corporate existence to think twice and desist so that the lives lost by the Fallen Heroes will not be in vain. 

Dakum added that there is no how Nigeria can attain nationhood with corruption and throes of segregation, nepotism, unhealthy and insatiable quest for wealth, injustice and other vices tailored towards disunity, bad governance, and oppression of the less privileged and minorities. 

The former Commissioner of Health and Information advocates, love, respect, appreciation and corporation in patriotic front for the Military to succeed in securing our lives and properties; and to also remember and reach out to the families of the Fallen heroes. 

Finally, he appeals to all to pray for the Armed Forces to succeed in their war with insurgents, bandits and kidnappers, and to pray for their families and those of the Fallen Heroes. 

Signed:

Shabul Mazadu 

Media Consultant 

15th January, 2025

PRECIOUS GONEN: A LEGACY IN ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE

Since the begining of the world, ideas, events and the activities of people, have continued to shape history, leaving in its wake, the footprint of rare exceptions who distinguished themselves. On the soil of Shiwer District, Kanke LGC, Plateau State, Nigeria, a new star in academic excellence has emerged. She is Precious Paradang Gonen Gofwen. 

The exceptional and sustained academic performance of this rare breed has continued to resonate with this author, the compelling reason to project her on the global map of great achievers, especially, in the academics.

Precious was born on 6th November, 2002. She attended Maranatha (now Mount Tabor), Nursery and Primary School, Jos graduated in 2012. Upon graduation, she went to Rhemaville Christian

Academy, Jos, where she obtained her Senior School Certificate in 2018, and thereafter, gained admission at Baze University, Abuja, Nigeria where she brought out the full action in her!

In the Universities, generally, first class honour are hard to come by, but Precious demystified that insinuation, thereby setting a new records as far as academics is concerned. She  proved herself, not just a one-off academic achiever but, a serial one. During her undergraduate programme at the Baze University, she graduated with a first class honours in International Relations and Diplomacy and was awarded a prize accompanied with commendation letter in 2021. This sterling achievement prompted her enrolment in a Master's programme in Leadership, Security and Society in the same University, and graduated in 2024, where she reinvented the same feat, with an award for exceptional performance, from her Faculty.

The superlative performance of Precious Gonen, has continued to attract marveling discussions amongst her school mates, the University and beyond. The question on the lips of many is that of how the 22 year old, managed to accomplish such unusual feats hence an attempt was made to get Precious' feelers, and she spoke about three (3) things: Her drive, the challenges she faced, as well as her prospects.

Precious highlighted that her journey was not a bed of roses, but the size of her dream, and the determination to pull through, was strong enough to weather down any impediment that could have hampered her progress. Furthermore, she explained that, her ambitious objectives garnished with consistency, discipline, dedication, and the unequal support of her family helped a great deal. Precious said, she managed to balance her extracurricular with academic obligations; leveraged the advise of her mentors as well as exchanging of ideas with her peers, and these greatly boosted her understanding, and enhanced her performance as a student.

Precious remains unrelenting, and it promises to be a new horizon, as she undertakes the decision to expand the frontiers of academic pursuit. Already, she has gained admission, and is at the verge of resuming a PhD programme in International Relations and Diplomacy, at Baze University, Nigeria, the alma-mater she used to repeatedly prove her worth in academics!

Precious is a genius, and a legacy in academic excellence. My conception of term genius is based on the understanding that, it is '99% perspiration, and 1% inspiration'. The Precious' star example, teaches here that, with effort triggered by passion, anybody, irrespective of gender, can make a genius!

Wonder Precious, has done so well, and line with the law of consistency, the world awaits her full/great manifestation. 

It was legendary playwright  Shakespeare, who observed and I quote that, 'some people are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness bestowed on them' through the benevolence of others (emphasis mine). This author is at a lost where Precious belongs in this context but very sure she is a great achiever who deserves prompt encouragement and motivation beyond the investments of parents and that of the University on her. 

Humanity stands a chance with people like Precious whose intellectual prowess is established in quality learning and proven character. Congratulations, and best wishes to the emerging Amazon!

*(Modest Thoughts with Ayuba, Yilgak'ha, 13th January, 2025; loisayuba420@mail.com; 08116181263)*