Plateau state House of Assembly gives Lalong two weeks ultimatum

TEXT OF WORLD PRESS CONFERENCE ON THE PRESENT STATE OF INSECURITY IN PLATEAU STATE PRESENTED BY PLATEAU STATE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY ON 27th AUGUST, 2021 AT NIGERIAN UNION OF JOURNALISTS (NUJ) SECRETARIAT JOS

Protocol

On behalf of the Plateau State House of Assembly, I wish to sympathize with the Government and People of Plateau State on the barbaric and dastardly killings that have been taking place in different communities of Bassa, Barkin Ladi, Bokkos, Jos North, Jos South, Mangu, Riyom, University of Jos Community and recently that of Yelwa Zangam. The House condemns all these killings in totality, all these killings are unacceptable and condemnable. We commiserate with the families of all those who lost their love ones during these attacks.

We commend the youths on the Plateau for sustained coordinated and organized campaigns against the killings and as well the courage to make it go viral by sending strong messages to the world using the dead bodies of the mayhem on the social media and the streets of Jos; the display of the corpses in the House is a sign that they recognized the authority of the House of Assembly as an institution that can speak for the people. We greatly appreciate that action.

As an assembly with people at heart, we call on Plateau State citizens to have confidence in us with renewed commitment as we have given two (2) weeks to the Governor to take action on the Resolutions the House has forwarded on security matters and how to restore peace.

We strongly call on Plateau People to practically stand up and defend themselves and their communities, as the conventional security design is no longer guaranteeing our safety as a people.

We call on the Executive Governor of Plateau State, Rt. Hon. Simon Bako Lalong, to come up with a statement defending us as a People and to bring back renewed commitment to the cause of Plateau.

We are still expecting with high hopes, the President to also come up with a statement about the killings in Yelwa Zangam just as he did in the killings of travelers along Rukuba Road and to also indicate a sign of justice or we will see him as being reflexive about the conflict in Plateau.

As an Assembly committed to the yearnings and aspirations of our people, we deeply appreciate the calls made by Plateau people, both at home and in the Diaspora, for encouragement and tasking us to do the needful in order to save Plateau and its heritage.

We also wish to put on record that we stand with Plateau people in this trying moment and assure them of our genuine commitment to the course of Plateau State.  

We also call on the Traditional Rulers to look inward and release the Local Security design to protect Plateau people as well as reinforce the Vigilante, Hunters and local wise men to defend our people. As a sign of commitment to this Urgent need for the People to protect themselves, the Plateau State House of Assembly has directed all Local Government Chairmen to suspend their planned recruitment of Adhoc Staff and instead recruit 200 Vigilante Personnel in each Local Government Area to boost and argument Local Intelligence Gathering    

The Security Operatives are called upon to fish out the perpetrators of the mayhem and be punished according to the Law.        

 

Long Live Plateau State

Long Live Nigeria

Hon. Dasun Philip Peter

House Committee on Information

AVM NAPOLEON BALI (Rtd) saddened with the incessant killings in the state

 

A retired Air vice Marshal NAPOLEON BALI has condemned the renewed killings in Jos and other parts of the state.

He lamented that it is saddened that over 30 persons in Yelwan Zangam are massacred.

He said the incessant and avoidable killings must stop now and called on the Plateau and Joint Military Task Force (OPSH) to re-double their efforts, by introducing community-based early warning signals to alert Security Agencies to prevent future occurrences or secure the Lives and Properties of our People. This is the urgent priority of the Government.

The Rtd AVM, who is also a Global Counterterrorism and Security Consultant said the issues of security goes beyond politics, therefore, they must come together to assist the Plateau State Government by suggesting workable solutions to the security challenges in the state and the country at large.

Tallen join well-meaning Nigerians to lament the passing away of Mrs Ironsi

PRESS RELEASE

BY THE HONOURABLE MINISTER OF WOMEN AFFAIRS,  DAME PAULINE TALLEN OFR KSG ON THE PASSING OF THE FORMER FIRST LADY, CHIEF (MRS). VICTORIA AGUIYI-IRONSI.

 

My deep condolences on the passing of Chief Mrs. Victoria Aguiyi-Ironsi

I join all well-meaning Nigerians to lament the passing of this extraordinary Nigeria Woman, whose life and times can be held up as exemplary to other Nigeria women of this generation, Chief Mrs. Victoria Aguiyi-Ironsi, wife of the First Military Head of State of Nigeria, Major General Johnson Thomas Aguiyi-Ironsi whose death reportedly occurred today, Monday, 23rd August, 2021.  I also extend my profound condolences to the family, Nigeria women in particular and the Nation as I pray for the repose of the soul of the departed.

Chief Mrs. Victoria Aguiyi-Ironsi’s life was exemplary to the Nigeria women of this generation in the way the deceased bore with incredible will-power and extraordinary valour, her misfortune at losing a dear husband, in the darkest circumstances that tried the fabrics of our dear nation in the Military Coup de tat of 29th July, 1966.

The deceased Chief Mrs. Victoria Aguiyi- Ironsi earned her place in the history of Nigeria Women’s struggles by laying a solid foundation for women’s leadership role in the seat of power, being one of the founding members of the Nigeria Army Officers’ Wives Association.  Using this privileged position, Mrs. Victoria Aguiyi-Ironsi was noted in history to have championed the welfare of families of Military Officers.

Mrs. Victoria Aguiyi- Ironsi was never known to say her grudge publicly against Military Officers who could have caused the death of her husband, rather she went on to make herself happy and be responsible for the happiness of those she could reach around her.  She earned her place in the evolution of Nigeria women. May her soul rest in perfect peace.

 

Signed

Dame Pauline K Tallen, OFR, KSG

Honourable Minister of Women Affairs.

Monday, 23rd August, 2021.

NORTHERN GOVERNORS CONGRATULATE SULTAN OF SOKOTO AT 65

The Northern Governors Forum has congratulated His Eminence, the Sultan of Sokoto Alhaji Muhammad Sa'ad Abubakar, CFR as he marks his 65th birthday. 

Chairman of the Northern Governors Forum and Governor of Plateau State Simon Bako Lalong in a congratulatory message described the Sultan as an inspiring leader who has continued to promote national unity, peace and security of Nigeria as well as offered valuable counsel to the Governments at all levels. 

Governor Lalong said Sultan Abubakar remains a respectable leader who is always on the side of truth and embraces justice for all people irrespective of their religious, ethnic, political or economic backgrounds. 

While wishing the Royal Father many more years of good health, peace of mind and God's protection, Lalong urged him to continue to offer his wise counsel to the nation, particularly to Northern Governors who have found in him a worthy partner for the emancipation of the region from many of its challenges. 

Dr. Makut Simon Macham 

Director of Press & Public Affairs to the Governor of Plateau State and Chairman Northern Governor's Forum. 

25th August 2021.

THE NEED FOR SUSTAINABLE PEACE IN PLATEAU STATE

(By Hon. Alphonsus Longapp Komsol

Member Representing Mikang/Shendam/Qua'an Pan Federal Constituency, National Assembly)

Last week was hellish in, my dear state Plateau, due to the skirmishes in some parts of the state capital over a conflict that manifested through attacks and destruction of farm crops, and later snowballed into attacks on communities in some parts of Riyom and Bassa Local Government Areas. And then the attack on commuters coming from Bauchi heading to Ondo State and pockets of reprisals leading to deaths of students and other people in Jos North LGA where the Plateau State Government imposed dusk to dawn curfew in Jos South, and 24 hours curfew in Jos North before relaxing it to dusk to dawn.

At this juncture, I sincerely condemn in all facets the destruction of lives and properties, and send my condolences to the families of all who lost their love ones in the senseless skirmishes, and my heart felt sympathy to those who lost their homes and properties.

As a stakeholder, I am a believer in one Plateau, and whatever happen to one section happens to all, in light of this, am constrained to appeal and draw the attention of all citizens of Plateau on the need to establish a sustainable peace for our betterment and for future generation. Living a legacy of incessant upheavals will only invoke the wrath of posterity who will live to curse our memory, as no society thrives and progresses in bloodbath situation.

It's very unfortunate and heartbreaking that having been optimistic that with the giant strides of the Plateau State Governor, Rt. Hon. Simon Lalong, in the restoration of peace which led to the picking up of economic activities and attraction of investors, some individuals best described as criminals, are bent on taking us back to the dark days of bloodbath, mutual suspicion, economic retrogression and confusion.

Plateau state, is one of the most fortunate states in Nigeria being blessed with rich mineral resources, numerous human resources and great agricultural potentialities, which if properly harnessed will bring about high economic boost, colossal employment opportunities and rapid development.

We cannot tap the divine blessings and make the best use of our natural resources without peace.

We have gained nothing from the skirmishes, but pain, agony, anger, destruction of lives, livestock and crops and other properties. These things only lead to poverty, mediocrity, starvation and malnutrition.

Also, we are only driving away prospective investors from coming to invest in the state, and projecting a bad image of ourselves to the world.

Our diversity in ethnicity and religion are supposed to propel us into life of symbiosis and not violence. For instance, the farmer needs manure of the cattle, and the cattle need the stalk of the harvested crops. But if the criminals among the Fulani destroy farm crops, there will be no harvest, and by extension, there will be no food. The farmer will starve, the Fulani will starve and their cattle too, because we all need food to survive. With starvation, how can the Fulani rear his cattle? When the crops are destroyed, there will be no grains for fura and dambu, the farmer will have no money to buy yoghurt, milk, meat and cheese from Fulani. But if the Fulani and Farmers will work in synergy as was the tradition in those days, there will be food and money for both of them.

If the criminals amongst other tribes attack cattle rearers to scare them and rustle their cattle, they are scaring them from rearing their cattle. And if they don't rear them, the cattle will be underfed, and there will be no meat, milk, yoghurt and cheese to buy.

On the aspect of religion, our diversity should not lead us to war, but brotherhood.

Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe said, "Our ancestors, in spite of their heterogenous languages and cultures bequeathed to us a legacy of political, social, economic, legal philosophy and religious ideologies which had sustained and enabled them to survive. Now that we are confronted with problems of coexistence and are reensconced in a wilderness of alien ideologies, which are making a terrific impact on our ways of life, the obvious solution is for us, like a seaman who has drifted from salt water to fresh water assuage our thirst. We must drink deep from our roots to discover this the secret of successful coexistence." 

On a final note, I wish to state categorically that a criminal's mind is to steal, to kill and to destroy. We should not give them the chance to gag our future by keeping us in perpetual crises. We should endeavour to expose them to security agents whenever they embark on their nefarious activities.

I am appealing to them to sheathe their swords of crime and to think of their future and that of their children and do the right thing. No condition is permanent. If it's harsh for them today, it will be better tomorrow, all you need is to keep your faith alive.

Those of us as representatives of the people and in the corridor of power need to do the needful by doing our best to eradicate poverty and illiteracy and carry everyone along. We also need your prayers and support to serve you better by delivering dividends of democracy and dispensing justice to all.

Security makes governance, business, development, trade, and every ingredient associated with governance, possible.

Let's join hands and cooperate with the government in enthroning lasting peace so that we progress and have a bright future for ourselves and posterity.

God bless us all.

HURRAY FACE OF HOPE IS 54

Professor Dakas C.J. Dukes at 54 intimidating profiles and legendary accomplishments are praiseworthy, above all, his firmly immense dispositions, unquestionable character, and the uncommon passion for good governance he unveiled in his researches, speeches he delivered as the guest speaker, and other previous assignments have earned him the respect and confidence of the people desiring good governance and boundless transformations.

His exceptional humility and leadership qualities as well as exhibiting passionate patriotism in all the assignments given to him are boundless, considering his track record in providing excellence and model ideas on issues; Certainly, he is a round peg in a round hole in any political office.  

As 2023 approaches it is the patriotic duty of those desiring qualitative leadership to search for a groundbreaking with proven track records of decorum, humanity, philanthropy, a leader who is outstanding, selfless, and detribalized in his daily endeavour.

SHOCKING BUT GLORIOUS EXIT OF A BELIEVER IN CHRIST, LATE MRS CYNTHIA GYANG

SHOCKING BUT GLORIOUS EXIT OF A BELIEVER IN CHRIST, LATE MRS CYNTHIA GYANG

by Ayuba Yilgak'ha

Ysterday, Sunday, August 22, 2021, something unusual happened in my local assembly (church), Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN), Local Church Council (LCC), Ji-yep, Regional Church Council (RCC), Gigiring, Hwolshe, Jos South Local Government Council (LGC) of Plateau State.

While the church service was on-going, Late Cynthia Gyang who joined a Chorester, Mrs. Ladi Bella Gushem on stage to sing a special number (song) slumbed and was rushed to the hospital only to confirm she was dead!

When the deceased fell down, myself and indeed most members of the congregation thought, she was dramatising the song which was titled, "Love" but the story turn out to be different!

Earlier, a preacher brother Momoh had preached a sermon which text he took from Isaiah Chapter 6 from verses 1... 

During the sermon, the preacher dwelled on the need for the congregation (Christians) to identify their individual "Uzziah (s)" (symbolic of anything that could hinder them from seeing God) and prayed for grace to do away with it, noting, that was the only way to serve God effectively. The preacher thereafter make alter call for those who wanted to surrender their lives to Christ and the deceased promptly responded; not knowing, I guess, that was going to be her last day in a church service.

Reacting to the dramatic death, Leading Pastor of the Church Reverend Chaison Nyam. Joshua observed that Late, Mrs Cynthia Gyang was so lucky to have gone to be with the Lord her Creator in the manner she did, and admonished the congregation to cry for themselves (if at all they must cry)! This is absolutely correct because to live in Christ and to die is a gain (Phillipines 1:21).

There were different reactions from members of the congregation. Some simply cried as others discussed how they felt about the whole incident. Whichever way one looks at it, her's was a glorious exit especially now that innocent people are indiscriminately being killed violently and sometimes without any trace of their corpse not to talk of burying them as it is the case in this country, Nigeria. More so was that the deceased, Cynthia Gyang sought the mercies of God and died in active service to Him!

It was indeed a shocking incident full of lessons for the church and mankind generally that we are all walking corpses! Anytime, anyday and anywhere, death can come knocking. Hence, the need to make our ways right with God.

May God comfort the immediate family, the entire COCIN family and indeed the state. Rest in Peace lucky one!

*Report compiled by Ayuba Yilgak'ha*