GOVERNOR LALONG SWEARS IN ACTING PRESIDENT, CUSTOMARY COURT OF APPEAL

A new President of the Plateau

State Customary Court of Appeal, Hon. Justice Blessing Lyop Dalyop has been sworn in by Governor Simon Bako Lalong with a charge for her to uphold the tenets of justice, good conscience and fairness. 

While swearing in Hon. Justice Blessing Lyop Dalyop at the Victoria Gowon Auditorium, New Government House Rayfield Jos, the Governor said the task before the acting President of the Customary Court of appeal is enormous but he is optimistic that she has the experience and capacity to discharge the assignment effectively.

Lalong said with the benefit of his experience as a Lawyer, one time law maker and by the Grace of God now Governor, he has great appreciation of the strategic position that judges play in moderating interactions between individuals, Government and organisations in the society.

He drew the attention of Justice Blessing Dalyop and the Judiciary to the need to expeditiously deal with cases involving suspects who are arrested for crimes such as attacks on innocent citizens, kidnapping and cultism among others. 

Making reference to the Sunday night horrendous attacks in Sabon Layi, Kuru where criminals killed and injured innocent people going about their lawful businesses, the Governor said, “these attacks are getting prevalent and worrisome. This requires us to fully apply the provisions of the law in bringing the perpetrators to justice and creating deterrence. Our people must be protected and made to feel safe as we consolidate on the peace and security of our State. We are tired of hearing unknown gunmen. Are they spirits? I am expecting the IGP to come and commission the patrol vehicles and special security motorcycles we have acquired which we believe will enable the police fish out criminals”.  

  

He told the Acting President of the Customary Court that, “you are coming into this office at a time when the Judiciary in Plateau State is being ushered into the era of the long anticipated Autonomy which in the last months has been on the front burner in the country. We hope this will make your job easier as you deliver inspiring and accountable leadership to the Court. The implementation of full autonomy does not in any way translate to an automatic resolution of all the challenges that the judiciary faces”. 

Justice Blessing Dalyop appreciated God, the Judiciary and the Governor for her appointment and assured that she will put in her best to lead the Customary Court of Appeal in delivering justice to the people.

Justice Blessing Dalyop is sworn in to replace the former President of the Court, late Justice Sati Patrick Dapit who died in April 2021.

Dr. Makut Simon Macham

Director of Press & Public Affairs to the Governor of Plateau State.

15th June 2021

GOV, LALONG URGED COMMUNITIES TO INCREASE SURVEILLANCE

Distressed by the killing of innocent citizens in Sabon Layi, Kuru in Jos South Local Government Area,

Governor Simon Lalong has appealed to citizens to increase surveillance and intelligence gathering as well as collaborate with security agencies to foil such attacks which are carried out in a hit and run fashion by criminals who are bent on disturbing the peace of the State.

Governor Simon Lalong who expressed disgust over the murderous incident which occurred on Sunday night in Sabon Layi Kuru, in Jos South Local Government and left 12 people dead and 5 critically injured, said these unprovoked and isolated attacks on soft targets must be stopped at all cost, as the Government will never allow few criminal elements to create fear in the hearts of the citizens.

During a visit to the scene to commiserate with the families of the victims and the Kuru community, the Governor who was represented by the Secretary to the Government of the State Prof. Danladi Atu condemned the attack describing those behind it as cowards who have no courage to face their victims for whatever grievances they might harbour against them.

He said irrespective of the motives behind the killings, the Government is treating it as a purely criminal activity and has directed security agencies to swiftly investigate, pursue, and arrest the perpetrators who must face justice.

Atu who announced a donation by the Government for the treatment of those injured and the burial of the deceased said the Government is injecting more equipment into the security apparatus to enhance their rapid response in crime prevention and investigation.

The Secretary to the Government thereafter held a meeting with the Gwom Rwei Kuru District, Da Patrick Mandung, community and youth leaders as well as the Management Committee Chairman, Jos South Local Government Area Hon. Gideon Dandereng all appreciated the Government for its quick intervention and visit, promising to intensify intelligence gathering and fully cooperate with security agencies in unravelling those behind the killings.

They said despite the ugly incident, the spirit of the people will never be broken and their hospitality and tolerance will not change as they remain a peaceful community who embrace all people irrespective of their backgrounds and harbour no grudge against anyone.

Dr. Makut Simon Macham

Director of Press & Public Affairs to the Governor of Plateau State

14th June 2021

Letep Suspension: We have been vindicated-Sati Tanko

We of the Concerned APC Patriots received the News of the National HQTRS asking Chief Letep Dabang

to step aside for investigation as a welcome and healthy development. Democracy can only thrive when players are just, accountable and for all and sundry. The Masquerade must be unmasked if he does not play to the rules. Let justice prevails. Shikenan!!!

APC YOUTH MOBILIZATION EXPRESSED SUPPORT FOR LETEP DABANG

 A group, known as the APC Youth Mobilization today released a statement in defence of the

All Progressives Congress (APC) Caretaker Chairman, Chief Letep Dabang. the group alleged that there is a high powered meeting going on by high-class government officials and some people in the party to shame the APC chairman out of office. The youth in their statement expresses support for the embattled caretaker committee chairman and that they shall stand by him.

see details of the statement sign by the chairman Amb. Ankala Eli below as available to Grassroots news

WE SHALL RESIST ANY CALCULATED ATTEMPT TO SHAME AND REMOVE THE APC CARETAKER CHAIRMAN CHIEF LETEP DABANG. 

The leadership of the All Progressive Congress (APC) Youth Mobilization Plateau state is aware of some calculated plans currently going on orchestrated and mastermind by some highly placed Government Officials (Carbals) to undermine our collective struggle and heritage- the All Progressive Congress (APC) by mobilizing youths from the seventeen (17) Local Government Areas of Plateau State, hopefully, to stage a protest against the captain and leader of the All Progressive Congress (APC) caretaker committee Chairman, Chief Hon Latep Dabang to undermine shame and disgrace him out of office.  

The protest scheduled for Monday the 14th of June 2021 will be a shame on our collective struggle and as party stalwart, we shall resist, the planned protest is calculatedly an attempt to rubbish the good name that our party leader Chief Hon. Latep Dabang have earned for himself, he is a respected party chairman who fought for the emergence of APC in Plateau State and to the admiration of the National and Regional Levels of our party and also to the good name of the current administration in Plateau State. 

Concerning the planned protest, we make bold the following: 

1. We shall resist any calculated attempt of its kind in form of protest or any non-verbal or verbal utterances against the leader of our party. 

2. We are ready to stand by our leader in any circumstances. 

3. That, we shall also be waiting fully mobilize in the strategic areas that the planners of the protest may invade and destabilize the peace of our dear State that is, T.T and T junction, Government house Rayfield, APC State party office, Old Airport junction, British America junction or any location. 

Conclusively, and in the spirit of the six years of peaceful Plateau State as champion by the rescue leader His Excellency the Executive Governor of Plateau State Rt. Hon. Dr Simon Bako Lalong, we call on the Governor to immediately show leadership in this regard, because as the Governor of the Northern Governors Forum “charity must begin at home”. 

Your faithful and Loyal Party Stalwart. 

Amb. Ankala Eli. 

Chairman APC Youth Mobilization 

Plateau State 

Yusuf Gagdi redefining the art of representation on the Plateau,

 Presented Mid-term Report 

The most indispensable and vital components of democracy and a representative system are when

credible people are elected into office. It is profound heartbreaking that the people Pankshin, Kanke and Kanam have demonstrated all sense of ingenuity when they put their differences aside and elected a worthy personality in the person of Yusuf Babayo Gagdi.

In his accustomed extraordinary characteristics of providing dividends of democracy and identifying with his constituents when they are celebrating, Hon Yusuf Gagdi has once proven his mettle, as June 12 democracy day commemorations have presented him with an unalloyed opportunity to once again silence his critics and pinched him on a high and firmed political pedestal. 

Pankshin local government the headquarters of PKK was agog with boogying and carnival mood as mammoths’ crowd were seen adorned in Gagdi’s T-shirts and streamers. 

The crowd were ignited into wildest jubilation when His Excellency Rt. Hon. (Barr.) Simon Bako Lalong arrived at the venue of the occasion with his entourage to commission some of the projects and distribution of empowerment items to some beneficiaries. These include the Constituency Office of the Federal Legislator; Borehole drilling equipment worth over One hundred and Fifty million (N150.000.000); distribution of 20 cars to his aides and some constituents; and 3 joint security patrol vehicles for the three LGAs of Pankshin, Kanke and Kanam, presentation of 100 wheel Chairs to the physically challenged among others.

Gagdi also released the sum of twenty million nairas to the newly inaugurated PKK Jamb Refund Committee, membership of this committee also includes PDP council chairmen who were present. The committee is saddled with the responsibilities of refunding Jamb Fees paid by members of his constituency. The member also inaugurated the Gagdi PKK Football Tournament Committee.  

While presenting his scorecard Gagdi said, he has constructed one borehole in each polling units of his constituency, he said a contract has been awarded for the construction of modern District Heads offices across the PKK and six has already been completed. He has constructed six UBEC classroom block.

He said, over three hundred (300) members of PKK have been gainfully employed in some tertiary institutions and other federal parastatal, as while as distributed fertilizers, water pumping machine, pesticides and other farming equipment’s worth millions of naira. 

The Honourable Member has sponsored about 20 bills and moved several Motions, in particular, the bill establishing Maritime University Delta state, because, of his efforts, he was asked to nominate the register of the institution, and in consultation with Governor Lalong an indigene of the state Mr Manklik was appointed not long ago.

He said the bill he sponsored for the conversion of Federal College of Education Pankshin to a University has passed first, second third reading; it has now reached the Senate for confirmation.

Gagdi emphasized that 90 pages of his midterm reports are available for all to see and make inputs.

While delivering his goodwill message at the event the executive Governor of Plateau State Rt. Hon Simon Bako Lalong reminded the political class in Plateau State and Nigeria at large that they have a huge responsibility to make democracy worthwhile for the common people by being selfless and focusing on making their lives better. He said, “If we do not put them first, then we run the risk of alienating them and making politics uninteresting”.

Lalong said “as a Government, the Rescue Administration has continued to deliver on its mandate in the last six years by implementing the vision of the APC in Plateau State. We have done a lot in terms of completing inherited and abandoned projects as well as executing new ones in various sectors. 

While congratulating Rt. Hon. Yusuf Gagdi for his giant strides and quality representation, Lalong urged all members of the Plateau caucus at the National Assembly to continue to work together irrespective of their political affiliations to put the interest of Plateau State above any other consideration. “When you work to attract development to your constituencies and Plateau State, our people will all benefit irrespective of their party, religion or ethnic backgrounds. The task of building a greater Plateau State rests on all of us. He added. 

Governor Lalong appealed to the youths to take a cue from Rt. Hon. Gagdi is giving a good account of himself since he was elected to the Federal House of Representatives. He said they should not allow anyone to use them as thugs or deceive them to destroy their future. “With the not too young to run law, you too can contest for elections and serve your people just as Gagdi is doing” He added.

 

CATHOLIC ARCHDIOCESE OF JOS PRESENTS BISHOP-ELECT OF LAFIA TO GOVERNOR LALONG

 The Catholic Archdiocese of Jos has presented the Bishop-elect of Lafia Diocese Mnsgr. David Ajang to Governor Simon Bako Lalong. 

Leading a delegation to the Government House Rayfield Jos on behalf of the Archbishop of Jos, Rev. Dr. Matthew Ishaya Audu, Mnsgr. Benedict Obidiegwu said the appointment of Ajang as the Bishop of Lafia is a good development for the Archdiocese of Jos which is proud to have had the privilege of grooming him for this very important assignment. 

He appreciated Governor Lalong for giving Msgnr Ajang the opportunity to serve as the Chaplain, Plateau Government House Chapel and giving him the necessary support to succeed and be recognised for higher responsibilities. 

Obidiegwu said the Archbishop of Jos and the faithful are optimistic that he will succeed in his new assignment having recieved training, support and prayers. 

Governor Lalong said he was very happy with the appointment of Msgnr Ajang who had devoted himself to prayers and the spiritual wellbeing of the State during his tenure as chaplain of the Government House Chapel. 

He said although the State would have wished to have him continue to serve in his former capacity, it is also aware that this elevation is the will of God and he also has an assignment to discharge in that part of the country. 

Governor Lalong used the opportunity to call on the Church to continue to pray for peace and security of the  nation as well as encourage their members to embrace peaceful coexistence and support leaders. 

He wished the Bishop-elect well and said the State will be there to witness his official ordination as Bishop slated for the end of the month. 

Dr. Makut Simon Macham 

Director of Press & Public Affairs to the Governor of Plateau State. 

9th June 2021

JOS NORTH /BASSA HOUSE OF REP: PETER AKUJAH HAS JOIN THE RACE

 Amongst the ultimate components of the representative system is that it offers the opportunity for the

general public to determine their affairs through representation and now we are confronted with yet another occasion to elect reliable front-runners and one of such cream of the crop is PETER AKUJAH 

Peter Akujah an astute statesman and a gentleman who has attained political prominence through absolute grassroots politicking, hard work, resilience and above all political forthrightness. 

While declaring his intention to aspire for the Jos North –Bassa Federal House of Representative Peter Akujah said his intention to continue with a vision of becoming the member of reps is borne of out a desire to uplift his people and to offer his services to the development of his fatherland, “I remained unswerving to the vision of the change mantra, he noted.

Peter Akujah presently a member of the governing Council College of Agriculture Garkawa, was a former Secretary and Chairman Bassa Local Government Council and Member House of Representative briefly when he was declared the winner before the tribunal ordered for rerun where he later lost the election.

Akujah said his decision to join APC was informed by the desire to be with a team that understood the importance of running an all-inclusive government. He said “as a politician you have to be where you are given recognition, where you are respected and your views and opinions are reckoned with. He noted that it is a well-known fact that in PDP if you don’t belong to a particular camp no matter what you do, you will not be carried along and that was what led to the collapse of the party in 2015. He said the state was ruled like a conquered empire and those of us with virtuous conscience and moral principles cannot afford to just sit and watch hence, our decision to join the Plateau project and rescue the state. 

Given my serving as the Council Secretary, then chairman and having a contest for the house of reps, I am more qualified simply because of brief sojourned as well having deep contact with the grassroots people, I know their feelings and desire, I believed my membership will have a qualitative representative and positive impact on the people. 

Akujah said “Apart from my strong desires to empower the youths and women, the people of Jos North and Bassa Federal Constituency deserved a resilient voice to harken to. 

With my experience and grassroots contact, two years is not too short to make a positive impact, because I believed in participatory representation and respecting people voice has always been my Mantra, with the people actively participating, I believed together we can make it.