GOVERNOR LALONG INAUGURATES PLATEAU STATE JUDICIAL SERVICE COMMISSION; SIGNS VAAP ACT INTO LAW

GOVERNOR LALONG INAUGURATES PLATEAU STATE JUDICIAL SERVICE COMMISSION; SIGNS VAAP ACT INTO LAW

Governor Simon Bako Lalong inaugurated Members of the Plateau State Judicial Service Commission with a charge for them to ensure that there is transparency, discipline and efficiency in the operations of the Judiciary in Plateau State. 

Governor Lalong who inaugurated Chairman and members of the Commission at the New Government House Little Rayfield Jos said the body is saddled with the duty of advising the National Judicial Council on the Appointment and discipline of Judicial Officers including the Chief Judge; Grand Khadi of the Sharia Court of Appeal; President of the Customary Court of Appeal; Judges of the State High Court; as well as Khadis and Judges of the Sharia and Customary Courts of Appeal.

He said the Constitution powers them to also appoint, dismiss and exercise disciplinary control over the Registrars, Deputy Registrars of the Courts mentioned above as well as Magistrates, Judges and members of Area and Customary Courts. All other members of the Staff of the Judicial Service of Plateau State are expected to be supervised by this Commission.    

Lalong said "Because our people deserve justice and fairness in Temple of Justice, it goes without saying that every process and bureaucracy of the Judiciary must be occupied by qualified and competent persons who will ensure smooth operations of the system. Any break in the chain of the Judiciary will have negative consequences on the society. It is therefore expected that you will work hard to ensure that the right persons are appointed into any office while such persons are guided and supervised to operate within the guidelines of the Judiciary. The era of misconduct, corruption, indiscipline, unnecessary delay of cases and other infractions should be over as you come on board".

 

Members of the Commission include the Chief Judge of Plateau State Hon. Justice David Mann (Chairman), Mr. Henry Lankwap (Member), Barr. Tony Agaga (Member), Barr. Stephen Abah (Member).

Meanwhile the Governor has signed into law the Violence Against Persons Act (VAPP) passed by the Plateau State House of Assembly. 

The Governor said the signing of the law was very important because it will curb the menace of violence against women and children which is on the increase in the country. He said even men will receive protection against violence from the new law.

Lalong said the State Government will give all necessary support to the relevant agencies towards implementing the provisions of the VAAP Law in order to safeguard the safety of the citizens particularly the most vulnerable. 

Giving the synopsis of the law, Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General of Plateau State Chrysanthus Ahmadu said the VAAP law which is the domestication of the law passed by the National Assembly is very comprehensive and deals with all areas of violence and rights of the citizens particularly women and children who are mostly affected by cultural practices and harmful traditions. 

He said it is a specialised piece of Legislation that seeks to prevent violence against persons (VAP), by prohibiting certain acts and prescribing penalties for violation. While some of the offences are known to our Criminal Statutes such as the Penal Code Law of Plateau State many of the violent acts against persons sought to be contained are new.

Among some of the major acts of violence against persons which the Law prohibits and which are to be found in Clauses 3 to 26 of the Bill are offences such as rape which upon conviction attracts the punishment of life imprisonment and a person who aids, abets or conceals an offender also commits an offence and is liable to imprisonment for a minimum of 12 years imprisonment. 

Gang Rape also attracts imprisonment for a minimum of 20 years without an option of fine as well as award appropriate compensation to the victim as it may deem fit in the circumstance.  

A marriage partner who forcefully evicts his/her partner from his/her home or refuses him/her access commits an offence and is liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term of not less than 2 years or to a fine of not less than N300,000 or to both such fine and imprisonment.          

Anyone who incites, aids, or abets another to commit the offence of forceful ejection such as relatives/in-laws who eject widows or persons with disability is liable to imprisonment for a term of not less than one year or a fine of not less than N200,000 or both such fine and imprisonment. 

On the Abandonment of spouse, children and other dependents – Clause 17(1) of the VAAP Law prescribes that any person who abandons a wife/husband, children or other dependents without any means of sustenance commits an offence and is liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term not less than three years or to fine of not less than N500,000 or to both.

The law also prohibits Spousal/Partner battery in Clause 20 which states that any person who stalks another commits an offence and is liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term not less than 2 years or a fine of not less than N500,000 or to both.

Dr. Makut Simon Macham

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

19th May 2022

MDA ENDORSED TYODEN

The Mwaghavul Development Association (MDA) and the Highest decision making body of the Mwaghavul nation known as Kapuk have endorsed Professor Sonni Tyoden as gubernatorial flag bearer on the platform of the All Progressives Congress. 

Investigation by our correspondent revealed that the decision to endorse Professor Tyoden was arrived at after series of meetings in Mangu. 

According to our correspondent, Tyoden's endorsement  followed several engagements between the MDA and aspirants from the Local Government Area who indicated interest to contest on the platform of the All Progressives Congress.

Our correspondent further confirmed that Professor Tyoden's endorsement was hinged on his pedigree, experience, competence and integrity as well as the sitting Deputy Governor. 

Information available to our correspondent also shows that the umbrella body of the Mwaghavul people took the decision to avoid fielding more than one aspirant. 

When contacted separately, the officials of the two bodies said an official Statement will be issued in that regard. 

Our correspondent further gathered that similar decision was taken on the other opposition parties from the Mwaghavul nation. 

Securing Plateau State is His Topmost Priority

Aecuring Plateau State is His Topmost Priority

jane Addams, an influential  American woman activist and first woman to receive Noble Peace Prize in 1931 once said;

" The good we secure for ourselves is precarious and uncertain untill it is secured for all of us and incorporated into our common life".

Therefore, securing Plateau State remains  a topmost priority on his development agenda.

.

In recent times, there have been many threats faced by Plateau State from both intrinsic and external factors. The man who possess all that is required to mitigate such challenges is here.

Nde David Victor Dimka fsi is a product of strategic level security/intelligence course as well as top level management expert with requisite skills to handle any emerging crisis in the State. 

He is poised to contribute positively to the implementation of security policies and development of the State.

Inducted and awarded with the designation of Fellow of the Security Institute (fsi) marks him out above the mire.

He is well equipped with the following knowledge and experience;

-Security and Intelligence

- Leadership and Management 

-Policy and Strategy

-Conflict and Peace Building among others.

DVD is the Governor whose time has come.

Think DVD, Think Plateau!

#DVD Media.

EQUITY AND JUSTICE FORUM**Rayfield, Jos, Plateau State.

ADVERTORIAL 

*EQUITY AND JUSTICE FORUM*

*Rayfield, Jos, Plateau State.*

13th May 2022.

```*PRESS RELEASE*``` 

             *THE NEED FOR A LEVEL PLAYING GROUND FOR ALL APC ASPIRANTS IN THE PARTY'S FORTHCOMING PRIMARIES*

1. It is disheartening to Equity and Justice Forum, a stakeholder and political action entity in the emergence of the All Progressives  Congress (APC) to the governance of our dear State, Plateau, in 2015, to be faced again with the injustice perpetrated by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) during its party primaries in 2014. Sadly, such an unfortunate history is about to repeat itself in the APC.

 

2. It would be recalled that in 2014, the Equity and Justice Forum did a press briefing cautioning then Governor of the State to halt the plan of imposing an anointed gubernatorial aspirant during the governorship primaries in the State. The Forum also stated the consequences that will follow if the warning was not heeded, however, that fell on deaf ears. Eventually the consequences caught up with the Governor and the PDP in the secondary election. 

3. As a Forum, we sensitized Plateau men and women across party lines and teaming voters not to vote the imposed candidate of the PDP for a better Plateau. This gave rise to the mantra "Plateau Project". 

4. Unfortunately, it is now evident that the present administration and beneficiary of the Plateau Project appears not to appreciate the efforts of the good people of Plateau in combating injustice and undemocratic processes. Instead, we see anti people policy and undemocratic processes playing out within the party.

5. It will amount to total hypocrisy, biasness and injustice to Plateau State if the Equity and Justice Forum keeps mute and watches nonchalantly a repeat of the vice and undemocratic process it fought against in 2014 and 2015. 

If we give our consent to this act about to be perpetrated within the APC in the State, we have become partakers of it and this contradicts our firm belief in the growth of democracy and dispensation of equity and justice to all. 

6. In the light of this, we are lending our voices against the undemocratic act about to be executed by the present leadership of the ruling party in the State. 

Democracy as Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe described it is: "the hope of a confused world, and is characterized by the Rule of Law, with equity, justice and fairness to all or else its essence is defeated." Kofi Annan, former Secretary-General of the United Nations said: "to provide legitimacy, elections must be free and fair." It means therefore, that both intra-party and inter-party (primary and secondary) elections must be free and fair, or else it is illigitimate.

 

7. What started as a rumour that there is an anointed candidate in the APC that must win the Governorship primary election at all cost is gradually becoming an unacceptable reality. In as much as we acknowledge that any member of the party has the constitutional right to support any aspirant of his/her choice within the APC, what is worrisome is the crooked process been taking to ensure a particular candidate clinches the APC gubernatorial ticket at all cost and against popular wishes, even amongst party men and women.

8. We learnt that despite concerted efforts and commitment deployed to ensure that the APC on the Plateau avert a calamity waiting to happen, a National Office of the Party zoned to the North Central and further micro-zoned to Plateau State was manipulated to favour an anointed aspirant to the detriment of other qualified persons who were compelled to stepdown. The obvious motivation is to use the office to achieve selfish intentions.

9. We got it on good authority that forms meant for delegates election have been hijacked for onward distribution to specific stooges to be used as delegates in the primary elections, to make it appear that the primaries is free and fair. 

The preferential treatment given a particular candidate at the expense of all other governorship aspirants who have deployed their resources, time and energy since the onset of the APC and its victory in 2015 and 2019, and for its sustenance is a total show of ingratitude to them and their huge supporters. Babatunde Raji Fashola, the Minister of Works, said, "those who will benefit from the common wealth purse, must contribute to the purse." These aspirants have paid their dues and have contributed to the growth and stability of the APC. It is therefore unfair and totally wrong to repay them with injustice.

10. Recently, there was a press release by APC Elders and another by governorship aspirants within the party, in which the aspirants issued a stern warning of defecting from the APC if level playing ground is not given to them. It will be wise for the governor and all concerned to take heed to their warning.  

The consequences that will ensue to the contrary will result in a repeat of 2015, where another party will take over the state. And also, the morale of those contributing to the growth of political parties will be dampened as nobody will be interested in sinking their resources for political parties to grow since the end result will always be injustice via imposition and deprivation of citizens' choice by imposing government candidates. This will greatly destroy democracy on the Plateau. 

11. With a strong voice we call on the governor and the leadership of the party to allow all aspirants access to delegates and to ensure release of delegates forms allegedly hijacked for onward and equal distribution to those who wish to be delegates and allow the delegates elections to hold.

12. As advocates of equity, justice and fairness, level playing ground should be given to all. 

Plateau will never allow itself to be piloted by a cabal as it is trending on social media. 

A word is enough for the wise. 

Thank you. 

Long live Plateau State!

God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria!

*Signed*

*Barr. Omar Shittien*

*(Chairman)

*Chief Samu'ila Danko Makama CON*

*(Co-Chairman)*

Kwatpas 2022 Abyor/Dyis Holds on Saturday amidst pomp and pegentry

Activities towards the AbyorDyis 12 edition hunting festival tag  Kwatpas 2022 has commenced on Thursday with free medical outreach for the comnunities.

The chairman central planning committee Dr. Kumtap Yilji Cashmir stated this on Friday, 13th 2022 in a press conference at Rachael event center Jos.

He said, this will be followed by Gala nite on Friday and the grand finale event will take place on Saturday,

Dr. Kumtap said this year's event will be historic considering the personalities that have indicated interest to attend, he said the committee did not leave any stone unturned towards the preparation.

He said other event which are scheduled to take place on Saturday are commissioning of borehole donated by NASCO, lecture presentation, çultural displayed and Thirty (30.000.000) million naira appeal fund lunching to raised funds for purchase of health insurance for indigent ones, repair of boreholes and upgrade of medical facilities. said, the hunting festival is an agelong cultural events which signals the commencement of the farming season, therefore, he is urging AbyorDyis people most especially, those in diaspora to attend.

Dr. Kumtap further said Abyor/Dyis are Mupun people who are predominantly farmers, the gigantic mountains surrounding the comnunities placed it on the vintage point for tourism development, and it's fertile land makes production of every kind of crops in commercial quantity viable.

Also responding to question from the press the Secretary Planning Committee  Peter Jwanse Nantok said, Kwatpas very festival is very significant in the lives of the AbyorDyis Communities, therefore, it is hope that their sons and daughters in diaspora will contribute towards it sustainability and development.

EPHRAIM LENKA DEWA, THE MAN WITH A PASSION TO SERVE

                                         EPHRAIM LENKA DEWA,

THE MAN WITH A PASSION TO SERVE

By Walbe Orgak

In this twenty-first century and the globalized modern world is driven by knowledge and idealism, one of the critical components of choosing leaders is through a democratic system which gives the citizens an ultimate opportunity to determine their affairs through electing credible people into political offices. 

2023 has offered us yet another opportunity to elect people with greater capability and ideas, men with the right exposure and experience, A Plateau son who has traversed the world and left an indelible landmark in all his endeavors; such a credible person who has offered himself to serve his people based on the vision of Security, Peace, Stability And Progress.

EPHRAIM LENKA DEWA, ELD is an array of accomplishments as a planner, an engineer, a constructor, financier, entrepreneur, and above all, a humanitarian whose engagements in the United State of America and politics as well have placed Plateau State and Nigeria on the global scale of countries and states producing highly intellectual individuals.

His intimidating profiles and legendary accomplishments are praiseworthy, above all his firmly immense dispositions, unquestionable character, and the uncommon passion for good governance stand him out.

EPHRAIM LENKA DEWA, started his educational pursuit at St. Theresa primary school, Kabwir in Kanke Local Government and finished at Sacred Heart Primary School Kaduna, he then proceeded to the prestigious Kings College, Lagos, having attended the School of Basic Studies Ahmadu Bello University, he left the shore of Nigeria in search of knowledge; he attended the Albany College, Hendon, London. Northeastern University Boston, MA. The Wharton School of Business, UPENN, Philadelphia, PA.

Having acquired academic skills and knowledge Ephraim Lenka Dewa serves as an adjunct professor to the following high prestigious institutions of learning in the United States of America. John Hopkins Carey Business School, Baltimore, MD, Georgetown University, Washington DC, and University of Nevada Las Vegas.

His professional experience in the area of engineering includes professional engineer (PE) Engineers, Boston, MA, Asea Brown Boveri Impell (ABB), Welham, MA, Carter & Burgess Inc., (Jacobs Engineering), Las Vegas, while in the area of finance includes: Morgan Stanley, Inc., New York, the first bank of Boston, Boston Massachusetts, Rockwood capital Llc, Greenwich, Connecticut, and WSN GlobAf Capital LLC, Las Vegas.

Ephraim Lenka Dewa's exceptional humility and leadership qualities as well as his passionate patriotism in all the tasks given to him are endless, given his track record in providing brilliance and ideal ideas on developmental issues; certainly, he is a round peg in a round hole in any political office. 

In furtherance of our desire to elect a patriotic leader with the zeal and passion to serve in 2023, it is the patriotic duty of those desiring qualitative leadership to search for a ground breaker with proven track records of propriety, kindness, generosity, a leader who is outstanding, self-sacrificing and detribalized in his daily endeavour.

Ephraim Lenka Dewa is a man who has proven that he will sacrifice all it takes to improve the lives of the people, a patriotic citizen, a meticulous leader, and above all a team player

EPHRAIM LENKA DEWA is a person whose smiles always radiate love and calmness. A peace builder, visionary, and thought leader married with children and a Knight of the Catholic Church who believe the positive impact will make plateau state thrive again.

 

ACCORDING TO THE PSYCHE OF OUR ELECTORATES

 

ACCORDING TO THE PSYCHE OF OUR ELECTORATES

In Joel Rothman's book, "Politics is a Funny Business" published in 1983, is a conversation that is referenced to enable us to draw today's lesson. It goes:

Gert: "What does he stand for, Mabel?"

Mabel: "Anything we'll fall for, Gert." So brief but loaded political conversation with a valuable lesson that politicians' actions or inactions, at all times, are dictated by the disposition of the electorates.

When the body language of the electorates indicated that they are favorably disposed to transactional Politics, political office seekers buy their votes to win. When the priority of the electorates is virtues (values, issues), politicians adjust accordingly. Therefore, electorates are challenged to be resolute about what they want for the collective good.

The worst and most expensive mistake electorates could make is to abandon their conscience and vote for mundane things like money or other material treasures of this world. Doing so will amount to Faustian Bargain, that is, selling of one's conscience for money or fame.

We are in another season of electioneering campaigns. Contestants at different levels are courting electorates (especially delegates for now). Our delegates are, therefore, charged to position themselves in such a manner that political money backs will have little or no chance, at all!

Before you take the decision to vote, remember the mandate of the constituents you are representing in the delegate poll. Do not mortgage the future of present and coming generations on the altar of selfish gain that cannot even sustain you in time.

(Modest thoughts with Ayuba Yilgak'ha, May 8, 2022; SMS: 08116181263)