Dame Pauline Tallen sue for tolerance and reconciliation

The Minister for Women Affairs Dame Pauline Tallen has condemned in strong terms the deteriorating security situation in Jo's North local government area of Plateau state.

 The honourable Minister Dame Tallen urged citizens of Plateau state to cooperate with the State governments directive to remain calm and allow the government and allowed the security operatives to handle the situation and restore peace to the troubling areas.

She prayed for healing and recovery for all those who had sustained injuries or lost loved ones as a result of the ugly development and called for the spirit of forgiveness to reign in their hearts as they allow the law to take its course.

GOVERNOR LALONG CONDEMNS ATTACKS IN RUKUBA ROAD; ASKS SECURITY TO FISH OUT TROUBLE MAKERS

Governor Simon Bako Lalong has warned trouble makers bent on fomenting trouble in Plateau State to desist as the Government will not allow any form of lawlessness to disrupt the peace of the State. 

Governor Lalong while reacting to the reported skirmishes around Rukuba road general area in Jos where some persons were reportedly killed including innocent commuters, condemned the act and immediately directed security agencies to swiftly identify and arrest the perpetrators while dominating the area to restore calm. 

Lalong said the attacks on innocent citizens no matter their backgrounds will never be tolerated in Plateau State and those who are found to be behind such attacks will be dealt with decisively to serve as deterrence and restore public order. 

The Governor however commends security agencies for their immediate response leading to the arrest of some suspects and the restoration of calm to the area. 

While commiserating with the families of those affected, the Governor assured all law abiding citizens that security has been beefed up around the area as well as the entire metropolis to forestall further breach of the peace. 

He reminds the citizens to remain vigilant and be security conscious in reporting suspicious persons and behaviour within their domains to enable law enforcement agencies respond appropriately. 

Meanwhile, the Governor has directed the Secretary to the Government of the State Prof. Danladi Abok Atu to visit the areas and ascertain the situation as well as ensure that those injured receive adequate medical attention. 

Dr. Makut Simon Macham 

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

14th August 2021.

We are implementing a lot of innovative programmes and activities deliberately designed to address lack and want among the vulnerable population-Tallen

 GOODWILL MESSAGE BY THE HONOURABLE MINISTER OF WOMEN AFFAIRS, DAME
PAULINE K. TALLEN, OFR, KSG AT THE 65TH NATIONAL COUNCIL ON EDUCATION HELD AT THE CAMP VIEW EVENT CENTRE, JALINGO, TARABA STATE ON THE 12TH AUGUST, 2021.

Protocols

To the glory of God, it is indeed heartwarming to be able to gather again at this 65th Edition of the National Council on Education in the face of the ravaging COVID-19 pandemic, which has been left in its trails tales of woes and pains. Like we always say, life will not stop for the Pandemic and so we must continue to move on. 

In appreciation of life, I want to ask that you all join me as we observe a one-minute silence in honour of all those of our loved ones who lost their lives as a result of the COVID-19 Pandemic. May their souls rest in peace. 

As a critical partner in the crusade to contribute to a Nigeria Fit for All, this is the best place to be at this time. I, therefore, want to thank and congratulate my brothers and colleagues, the Honourable Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu and the Honourable Minister of State for Education, Hon. Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba for inviting me to this year’s edition of the National Council on Education.

The theme “Eradicating Out-Of-School Children Phenomenon: A Tool for the Achievement of Education 2030 Agenda”, resonates with the aspiration of the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs towards promoting an enabling environment for improved child education, including the education of the girl-child in Nigeria.  

Children represent a continuity of life, which is hinged on the progress of our Nation and must therefore be raised in a good environment that speaks to their formation through education and basic life-saving skills. Therefore, all hand must be on deck to ensure that every Nigerian child is in school.  Eradicating Out-Of-School Children Phenomenon is a collective responsibility that cannot be left only to Government, hence families and society must mobilize to support the goal. This can only be done through strategic partnership and collaboration as evidenced in my presence here today to support my brothers at this Meeting. I want to appeal to the State Commissioners of Education to work closely with their Women Affairs counterparts and civil society organizations, as well as religious groups to achieve the aim. We may not be able to completely eradicate it, but we can reduce it to its barest minimum if we all commit to it.  

It is estimated that girls constitute the highest number of the 13.5 million out of school children and those not receiving any form of training. It is most worrisome that despite ongoing good initiatives in the education sector, the situation seems to be deferring solutions. Several pull and push factors have been attributed to this. 

In demonstrating our commitment to this goal, the Ministry had in June 2021 organized a National Policy Dialogue on Ending Violence Against Children in Nigeria in collaboration with UNICEF and other partners. This programme provided a platform for the Federal Government of Nigeria to recommit to ending violence against children with an emphasis on 7 key areas of commitment. In the words of President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, who was represented by the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, GCON “The Government remains committed to implementing the recommendations of its recent convenings on Financing Safe Schools in Nigeria and ensuring that no child shall be subjected to physical, mental or emotional injury, abuse, neglect or maltreatment, or subjected to torture, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.” 

In the face of crisis, as recently witnessed with the spike in gender-based violence during lockdown measures put in place by the Government to curb the ravaging effects of COVID-19, the girl-child and women were most affected.  We have had an increase in the number of reported cases of child molestation, (especially girls) in schools by caregivers, sex for marks (even at secondary levels), rape of young girls on the way to school, poor water, hygiene and sanitation conditions, which keep girls out of school during their menstrual cycles. Other factors include early marriages, cultism, drug abuse, ignorance on the part of parents, hidden charges on the cost of education, even when education is said to be free, kidnapping for ransom, targeting girls and recent boys as weapons of war, general insecurity, poor quality of teachers, poor infrastructure, etc.

In continuation of our pursuit to implement the National Strategy to End Child Marriage 2016, which is currently undergoing review, we have obtained approval from the Office of Head of Civil Service of the Federation for the creation of the Girl-Child Development Division under the Child Development Department of the Ministry to provide a specific institutional mechanism for addressing issues regarding the girl child in Nigeria. We have also embarked on intensive advocacies and sensitizations to State Governors, Wives of Governors, traditional leaders, Honourable Speakers of State House of Assembly of the States yet to pass the Child Rights Act into law to do so in the best interest of the Nigerian child. 

Ladies and gentlemen, you will agree with me that poverty has been a major factor in child marriage in the Country. As a Ministry saddled with the onerous responsibilities to improve the lives and livelihood of Nigerian women, children and other vulnerable groups, we are implementing a lot of innovative programmes and activities deliberately designed to address lack and want among the vulnerable population especially women, children and families in distress. One of such is the Launch of an encompassing project tagged "Campaign to Support Girl-Child Education in Nigeria," in 2020. One of the falls out of this is our recent launch of the Emergency Pad Bank to cater for the needs of women and girls during their monthly menstruation period in emergency situations as part of activities to mark the 2021 Menstrual Hygiene Day. It is important that this is replicated in all schools and workplaces at the State and Local Government levels.

As a nation, there are daunting security challenges, mistrust and ethnic cleavages, but we must come together beyond our traditional and tribal differences and work towards advancing concrete actions to interact, develop action plans and establish a network for effective partnership among stakeholders to support President Muhammadu Buhari to achieve the goal of the Next Level Agenda.

I thank you all, Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria. God bless you all.

GOVERNOR LALONG URGES PLATEAU FARMERS TO EMBRACE FLOWER PRODUCTION

Governor Simon Bako Lalong is urging farmers in Plateau State to take interest in flower production which is economically viable and in demand at the international market. 

Governor Lalong who met with some French investors in Jos after their two day visit to the State said his administration is determined to return the State to the export of flowers which was popular in the 70s and 80s. 

He said already, some farmers in the State are making progress in the cultivation of flowers and attracting demands from within and outside the country. He said this has reinforced the resolve of the Government to encourage and support interested farmers to go into the production. 

The Governor said with the designation of the Yakubu Gowon Airport as a Cargo Airport, the export of flowers will be seamless. This he said will be complemented by the Inland Container Terminal which is being activated. 

Earlier, leader of the French team, Yan Fortunato said after their visit which took them to six Local Government Areas of the State, they were convinced by the enormous potentials of the State in agriculture which need to be developed through mechanization and improved practices. 

He said the team which was visiting Nigeria on behalf of some business partners in France, has identified areas such potato production and value chain development, flower production and export, cashew production and processing as well as forest development. 

The team promised to convey their findings to their partners and return within a short time to continue the process of partnership with the State in establishing their businesses. 

Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development Dr. Hosea Finangwai said the State already has a structure for agric business and partnerships particularly on areas such as potato production that is currently being supported by the African Development Bank. 

Dr. Makut Simon Macham 

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

12th August 2021.

LEARNING TO GROW BY CORRECTION

"When you erect defences against your inadequacies and try to hide your faults, you close the door to a vital source of self-knowledge. And in so doing, you deny yourself the joy of growing."! These lines were extracted from an anonymous devotional piece sent me on WhatsApp for today, Wednesday, August 11, 2021 titled, "Be teachable today". Modest Thoughts found it profound to share with you for self instruction and evaluation. You may wished to read through it again and again to get the life changing message.

Raising defence against wrong doing is a proof that the action  was deliberate. A man who behaves in such manner incubates lawlessness and when in power propagates impunity. 

Impunity is the bane of developement in most developing countries like Nigeria where institutions are very weak. In these climes, people who cannot take corrections seem to be in the majority in the public space. Public office holders who cannot tolerate even constructive criticisms perpetrate lawlessness with reckless abandon!

How long can this continue? In societies where there are no laws; people are governed by oral norms, protocols or conventions. Where there are laws, constitutionalism, the act of living through the dictates of constitution apply. In the absence of this, the conscience of man is always there to convict men of any wrongdoing!

When a man's conscious becomes condensed or is in a state of deprivity, he becomes a dangerous specie. He can kill and nothing pricks his conscience. Such personality could even boast about his crime!

All sadists, murderers of all sorts be they terrorists, bandits, kidnapprs, etc.; tyrants, despots, racists, traffickers (human and drugs) are altered beings whose humanity is not the same as it were at creation.

Human beings can default but to defend it is inhuman. No human person is error free but the surest antidote to this infinite fallibility is to deal with pride by surmounting the courage to make correction (s). That is the only way left for the redemption of a man in a falling world!  

(Modest Thoughts with Ayuba Yilgak'ha, August 11, 2021; SMS: 08118161263)

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. 

Dr. Makut Simon Macham 

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

11th August 2021.

REVENUE MOBILIZATION TEAM MEETS GOVERNOR LALONG OVER DEVELOPMENT FUND

Sequel to the application by the Plateau State Government to access funds from the Development of Natural Resources Fund, the Committee on Fiscal Efficiency and Budget from the Revenue Mobilization and Fiscal Commission Abuja has visited Jos to carry out an assessment of the State's submission. 

The Committee which was led by its Chairman Alhaji Adamu Shettimma Dibal, met with Governor Simon Bako Lalong at the Government House Rayfield Jos. 

Alhaji Dibal said the submission of Plateau State for accessing funding from the Resources Fund is in line with the guidelines setting up the fund which is for the provision funding for development of natural resources across the country. 

He assured the Governor that after its visit, the Committee will give its report to the Commission for further consideration and approval. 

Governor Lalong in a response thanked the Committee for the visit and said the State was reknown for potentials in agriculture, solid minerals and tourism which are areas that the funds will be applied to when approved. 

He assured the Committee that Plateau State Government under his leadership is passionate about developing the potentials of the State and creating jobs for its teeming youth in order to reduce restiveness and crimes. 

Dr. Makut Simon Macham 

Director of Press & Public Affairs to the

Governor of Plateau State. 

11th August 2021.