HEY PLATEAU, LEND ME YOUR EARS, PLEASE

HEY PLATEAU, LEND ME YOUR EARS, PLEASE
Plateau is one but politics has divided us. It has never been this way. Whichever side of the divide you belong, however, responsibility beckons us all to listen to the voice of reason that whispers.

In times like this, do not be carried away by emotions. Do not join in the cacophony of discount but we are to make ourselves agents of stability and love. That is all we can do as worthy citizens and sons/daughters of the nation or state.
These are seasons for sober reflection; not time for crash emotional outbursts. If you have a dream, write it down, and work on it while you wait for our destiny helper to make it happen!
In Ecclesiastes 9:11 (NIV) is found this profound and distilled words of wisdom: "I have seen something else under the sun: The race is not to the swift or the battle to the strong, nor does food come to the wise or wealth to the brilliant or favor to the learned, but time and chance happen to them all."!
The sense I can make of the scripture cited above is that there is an invisible force that rules in the affairs of men. This invisible force is God who a philosopher described as, 'the uncaused cause and the unmoved mover'! 
God is the great architect, carpenter, and designer of the destinies of men. Men are ordained to dream dreams but, ultimately, He decides our fate as individuals as people.
When God is involved, whatever anyone says does not matter. The people spoke through the ballot; the court spoke through the petition tribunal and now the appeal tribunal has also spoken. Now, if the matter goes up to the Supreme Court, the apex court will give its judgment as well. That is part of the process the law allows in our democracy. Pray and pray. Let us continue to pray for the peace, security, and prosperity of the state and country!
'If you do not have anything good to say about some, Reggae legend', Late Lucky Dube would counsel, 'just shut up'. Democracy allows for freedom of expression but is unwelcoming to damaging narratives or insinuations that cannot be substantiated or verified. Do not make any insinuation that exists only in your imagination!
Because politics is about interest, divisions in the game are inevitable but do not take it out of proportion because the implications will be daring and catastrophic. God forbid!
(Modest Thoughts with Ayuba, Yilgak'ha, November 22, 2923)

TOXIC HABITS

TOXIC HABITS

A toxic habit is a counter productive habit that limits one's chance of being helped or recommended for a life changing opportunity. The tendency to label and ignore people under the guise of class distinction is one of the most toxic habits one can ever think of or imagine. 

If someone is in the habit of shunning or ignoring others under the guise that he or she has arrived; such a person will realise too late that the table has turned against him or her. Beginning to acknowledge those you ignored in the past because the table has turned in their favour will not make any difference. 

In a changing (not static) world, those who will not regret their lives are the ones who have learned the secret of treating everyone well irrespective of their social status, race or creed. The best way to build bridges of understanding is to be constantly welcoming to all because you will be welcomed, in return, when the chips are down!

In the womb of time anything can happen. The shoeless folk you have maltreated or you are maltreating today could be the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) whose clearance must be obtained to be granted leave tomorrow on the highway of life. The househelp you overworked to give your children personal comfort could be the one to recommend the employment of your pampered children tomorrow. The neighbours you antagonised today might be referenced for help tomorrow. That lady or guy you jilted (abandoned) because she or he is rated below your social standard is, also, a developing story, you might have to fill a visitor form in four different check points to see tomorrow!

You meet people in school, market, places of worship, on transit, everywhere but you cannot predict where life takes them tomorrow. That bus conductor could be president tomorrow; that student you have written-off as knowing nothing, could make a vice chancellor in the future. Who told you that the student you failed because he/she is associated with your perceived enemy will not be anything in life?

You swore to the heavens that Ajang (fictitious name) cannot be a counsellor in your life time; don't be surprised he might be a president before you kiss the earth. You wrote off Juliet (another fictitious name) because you are not in the same political camp together; hey, you are wrong. The impartial and just God that blesses people including you is still the one holding the key to everyone's destiny. At any time, he can turn nothing into something: A stone into bread or water into wine!

When God blesses, the barren reproduces; when God curses, blossoming fig trees dry. He alone is all powerful. Only him is 'the uncaused cause and the unmoved mover.' He will never share his glory with anybody, we are emphatically told!

When God makes you rich, educated or powerful, it is a sacred trust and a responsibility to recreate and make the world better for all to benefit from. If you jeopardise that opportunity on the altar of greed, pride, hate or even self delusion, you are on your own. All powers, riches and education are transient. 'Nothing', they say, 'lasts forever' except the grace to be gracious and loving towards all. 

Love is intangible but it is infinite in value. If it is possible and, it should, make sure you grease the will of your rusty relationships and reconnect because that is the right thing to do.

Toxic habits are unwelcomed in every given circumstance but we don't give up on habitually bad people. We don't ignore people even if they are habitually bad. We engage them with the view to make them better breeds. When you ignore peope under any guise, then, you are also added to the rank of habitually bad people in the world!

The quality of our relationships with God, are measured by the quality of our relationships with men. You cannot ignore those on your contact list and claimed to be in right standing with God who brought you together. To acknowledge, embrace and love all people, especially, those on our contact list is the ideal all mortals should live for and possibly die projecting. One love!

As I conclude, let me draw our attention to one of my best scriptural verses, Ecclesiastes 9:11 (NIV): "I have seen something else under the sun: The race is not to the swift or the battle to the strong, nor does food come to the wise or wealth to the brilliant or favor to the learned; but time and chance happen to them all." With this verse in mind, we shall be hopeful and with it, also, we cannot underestimate anyone. 'Time and chance happens to all' - absolutely all!

*(Modest Thoughts with Ayuba, Yilgak'ha, November  18, 2023)*

PLATEAU STATE GOVERNMENT RENEWS COMMITMENT TO THE PURSUIT OF PEACE, SECURITY AND UNITY OF CITIZENS

Plateau State Governor, Barr. Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, has in very strong terms condemned a misleading statement concocted by mischief makers, alleging that his administration is clandestinely recruiting and training militias disguised as Counter Terrorism Operatives. 

The Governor attributes this baseless claim to some individuals, who are crisis Marchants that do not want peace to return to the state, emphasizing its deliberate intent to mislead citizens and instigate confusion.

In a statement in Jos, Governor Mutfwang vehemently refuted these unfounded allegations, pointing out that his administration is committed to reinforcing the established state security outfit, "Operation Rainbow." This initiative, he said is being conducted in collaboration with Federal security agencies and is aimed at enhancing the protection of rural communities across Plateau State.

Governor Mutfwang clarified that the selection of competent and trustworthy youths from the 17 local government areas for training is solely focused on providing early warning signals for prompt interventions by conventional security agencies in the state. He stressed that the ongoing training, initially prioritizing areas facing significant security challenges, will extend to other council areas without delay.

Dismissing insinuations from faceless authors of the statement, Governor Mutfwang reassured Plateau citizens of his unwavering dedication to fostering a united and inclusive Plateau. Emphasizing the administration's commitment to upholding constitutional principles of safeguarding lives and property, he said he remains resolute in the pursuit of unity within the state and undeterred by falsehoods.

Governor Mutfwang called on peace-loving citizens to maintain calmness and extend support to the government's initiatives. Encouraging a harmonious working environment for individuals regardless of their ethnic or religious background, he emphasized the collective responsibility to promote lawful businesses and ensure the well-being of all.

Gyang Bere

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

19th November, 2023.

PANKSHIN OLD BOYS ASSOCIATION CONGRATULATES DEWAN AFTER EMERGING SPEAKER

The Pankshin Old Boys Association,POBA is pleased with the news of one of our own,The Rt.Hon.Dewan Kudangbena Gabriel emerging the new Speaker of The Plateau State House Of Assembly.

The National President,Barr.Steve Abar therefore on behalf of millions of POBITES home and abroad congratulate you at this moment of another phase of the journey in your political life.

This will test your capacity of which we know having passed through the prestigious Government College Pankshin,you will excell above your peers and more.

As you take up this enormous responsibility of leading a group of other eminently qualified Plateau citizens to churn out laws that are meant to benefit the state,POBA will stand and continue to pray for you to continue to stand strong and succeed wherever you find yourself.

The entirety of your alma mater,Government College Pankshin and Pankshin Old Boy's Association are grateful for this opportunity given one of their own.

Congratulations Rt.Hon.Dewan Kudangbena Gabriel,Speaker Plateau State House Of Assembly.

SIGNED

KENZY NGUPAR

NATIONAL PUBLICITY SECRETARY,POBA.

DAYYABU GARGA SAYS COAST IS CLEAR FOR NENTAWE, MORE PREPARED FOR GOVERNANCE

Executive Chairman of Kanam Local Government says he believes the recent judgment of the Court Of Appeal affirming candidate of the All Progressives Congress,Nentawe Yilwatda as Governor of Plateau State is a divine confirmation of how prepared he has been to lead the state.

He said it was forces against the will of the people that rigged the election through pure sentiments and deliberate twist of the will of the people in some LGAs most especially Mangu,Jos South and parts of Jos North.

Speaking to Newsmen in Abuja recently,Dayyabu Garga said now that the coast is becoming clear that by the grace of God the true person whom the people loved is coasting clear,enemies of the state are manufacturing lies of unrest and other forms of tension in the state and alluding it to one cartoon story of fighting for the will of the people that wants to be collected.

He told Plateau people to turn their minds away from such as Nentawe Yilwatda had on ground a template to implement within the short,medium and.long terms that will further propel Plateau State to greatness.

That the ACEES agenda of Nentawe fully encompasses the critical sectors of the economy and basic needs for quick development to be achieved.

On religion and ethnicity,Dayyabu Garga said perhaps there are some few persons in the opposition who do not want peaceful coexistence in Plateau State that is why they will conclude that Nentawe's coming will propel crisis and are going around the country selling those cheep lies stating that those people actually don't want Nentawe as Governor tomorrow to further cement and close gaps in areas that have divided us in terms of religion,ethnicity and politics.

According to the Chairman of Kanam Local Government "wait and see how this man will play the game of governance on the plateau when he takes over.He has a cross cultural kind of mind with non religious bias as well as politically convenient even to the opposition and that was why you see him always calling on his supporters to be peaceful and exhibit decorum when ever the need arises".

Dayyabu Garga told the Journalists that they will see how Plateau will remain peaceful before and after the verdicts to come as they have absolute believe in the Nigerian Judiciary that is why they will not attack it the way the opposition are currently doing knowing it is slipping away from their hands into the rightful owners.

######

Sen. Diket Plang, Congratulates Dr. Nentawe Yilwada over Appeal Victory

The senator representing Plateau Central at the National Assembly, Sen.Diket Plang, joins the APC family and the people of Plateau State in celebrating the victory of Plateau’s APC gubernatorial candidate Dr.Nentawe Yilwada and his running mate Hon.Pam Bot-mang at the Appeal Court’s pronouncement and affirmation.

In a statement issued by the Senator, he described the victory as a victory for democracy and the rule of law.

He emphasized that the victory is a validation of an unwavering democratic process and the strength of the rule of law.

Speaking further, he expressed his joy with the APC family over this significant triumph and accorded all glory and adoration to God almighty, who has since time immemorial been guiding the party and it's candidates on the path of victory.

He equally conveyed his gratitude to the judiciary for standing firm in the face of intimidation.

Finally, the senator urged all APC supporters to celebrate in a peaceful manner giving thanks to God who makes all things possible.

Signed,

Sen. Diket Plang’s Media Team

DAKUM CONGRATULATES HON. NANBOL LISTICK DANIEL OVER VICTORY AT THE COURT OF APPEAL

 

Plateau Labour Party, LP, governorship candidate in the 2023 general elections and also the Chief Executive Officer, Institute of Human Virology Nigeria, IHVN, Dr. Patrick Sunday Dakum, has congratulated Hon. Nanbol Listick Daniel, over his victory at the Appellate Court, to represent Langtang North Central Constituency in the State legislature. 

Dakum who attributed the victory to God and praised him for his mercies, called on Nanbol to see his victory as an act of God and to be magnanimous in success and the discharge of his duty by carrying all his constituents along without recourse to religion, political party and any other consideration. 

He commended Nandol for emerging the best Legislator of the year during his first tenure in the House of Assembly where he bagged the prestigious Plateau State Man of the Year Award by COA Media, as the Best Legislator of the Year 2021.  

Dakum expressed confidence in his capacity to legislate as he did in the 9th Assembly and admonished him to quadrupole his efforts particularly at this time of hardship where the citizens are in extreme burning despair, and dire need of succour, by initiating motions that will bring immense respite to his Constituency, and to pay keen attention to his oversight functions and put smiles in the faces of the greatest population of his constituents. 

Finally, Dakum encouraged Nanbol to glorify God in the discharge of his duty with the Scriptural verse Colossians 3:23 saying, "And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men."

Signed:

Shabul Mazadu

Media Consultant

19th November, 2023