PLASU Emphasizes Importance of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention

The Plateau State University Bokkos has urged staff and students of the university to prioritize mental health and seek professional help. Officials on September 9 specifically called for the utilization of the university’s Psychological Counsel Unit for mental health care. 

During a one-day suicide awareness campaign held at the Joshua Dariye Student Centre at PLASU, Acting Vice Chancellor, Professor Shedrack Best, emphasized the significance of addressing mental health issues and preventing suicide. 

Represented by Deputy Vice Chancellor Academics, Professor Moses Galadima Pefa, Prof. Best noted that suicide has become a major concern in society, claiming the lives of many young people due to neglect and lack of support.

The Vice Chancellor conveyed the university’s commitment to collaborating with the Jos University Teaching Hospital’s Suicide Prevention Team to raise awareness and prevent suicide. He encouraged community members to be mindful of each other's needs and seek help when necessary.

The event featured discussions, power point presentations, and a question-and-answer session. 

Doctor Anna Gyang, Team Lead of the Jos University Teaching Hospital Suicide Prevention Team, highlighted the signs of suicide, including self-isolation, expressions of hopelessness, anxiety, aggressive tendency, and depression. She stressed the importance of confiding in someone who can offer support.

Statistics presented during the campaign revealed alarming rates of suicide globally, with 800,000 people committing suicide annually and four individuals taking their lives every second worldwide.

Reverend Father Doctor Andrew Danjuma Dewan, Director of Advancement and Linkages and Chaplain of the Nigeria Federation of Catholic Students, attributed the increasing rate of suicide to broken homes and emphasized the need for families to support each other.

NULGE ELECTION: Group accuse the incumbent President of manipulation ….process of election is in line with union constitution- Arandong

 

By Walbe Orgak

As arrangements towards the September, 17^th Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), Plateau State chapter election gathers momentum; there is growing accusation that is rocking the process.

At the centre of the crisis is the incumbent president of the Union; Comrade Yohana  Arandong who is accused of manipulating the election processes to favour him.

Some of the aggrieved members of the Union in the State led by Comrade Izere Maxwell Igyem on Friday at a press conference in Jos noted that the incumbent president is bent of surprising the voice of the majority by changing delegates list to perfect their selfish interest.

The statements reads “They have violated the constitution by submitting delegates for the State Delegates Conference (SDC) without a Congress meeting or democratic section that was done by the branch chairmen under the guidance of the incumbent president.” 

The aggrieved members insisted that they are committed to contesting the violation through available legal means in other to safeguard the democratic tenet contained in the Union’s constitution.

“We pledge to contest this violation through all available legal channels, engage with fellow members to raise awareness and build support for our cause.

“Advocate for transparency and accountability in our leadership, defend the principles of inclusivity and democracy that our Union was built upon.” They stated.

Igyem further alleged of financial misappropriation by the incumbent president noting that the consequences of the violation among other issues will have far-reaching devastating impact on the Union if allowed to stand.

“They have conducted an unconstitutional screening of candidates which is not part of our Union’s constitution and was rightly not included in the Electoral guidelines given unfair advantage to the incumbent president.

“This will set a dangerous precedent, empowering a small group or individual to unilaterally dictate the course of our Union, undermining the will of the majority and silencing the voice of dedicated members”, he emphasized.

Reacting to the allegation, president of NULGE Plateau State chapter Yohana Arandong said everything in respect to sequence of election of the was done in accordance with new constitution of the Union.

“Congresses were held across the 17 local government areas of Plateau State including the 18 branches that we had. All delegates were drawn from the 17 LGAs.

“Stakeholders were sermon to Abuja and all issues were finalized at the instance of National President of NULGE”, he stated.

On alleged financial misappropriation, the president described the assertion as faulty.

According to him, ” the Union usually deduct 2.5% from the basic salary of each member and remit same to the Mortgage Bank.”

 

Arandong stands out as the top choice for NULGE Election - Campaign Team

By WALBE ORGAK

Supporters for the election of Yohana Arandong as the President of the Nigerian Union of Local Government (NULGE), Plateau Chapter has hold a press conference Monday 9^th at the Plateau state National Union of Journalist, NUJ Secretary in Jos to issues statements as to why Yohana Arandong is the best candidate to be re-elected.

The group, under the name NULGE Tazarche Solidarity Group, said that Arandong’s legacies and accomplishments in his first tenure were outstanding and visible for all members of the union to see.

Leader of the group Hilary Shonwn, listed some of the landmark achievements to include facilitation of seamless promotion of over 8,000 staff as well as conversion and the implementation of their benefits.

Shonwn said that the Arandong-led team lobbied for the upgrade of staff promotion to Grade Level 16, which was the first in the history of local governments on Plateau, and over 150 staff benefitted so far from the efforts.

“He facilitated payment of palliative wage awards by the state government to LG workers. They also facilitated Mortgage Bank loan facilities for workers.

Noting that Arandong was able to establish a cordial working relationship between NULGE and the Local Government Service Commission as well as the Ministry for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.

He ensure that all outstanding workers salary arrears are cleared in all local government areas and initiating negotiation for harmonisation of local government workers salaries with state government,” he added.

 

NULGE ELECTION: Group accuse the incumbent President of manipulation ….process of election is in line with union constitution- Arandong

By Walbe Orgak

As arrangements towards the September, 17^th Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), Plateau State chapter election gathers momentum; there is growing accusation that is rocking the process.

At the centre of the crisis is the incumbent president of the Union; Comrade Yohana  Arandong who is accused of manipulating the election processes to favour him.

Some of the aggrieved members of the Union in the State led by Comrade Izere Maxwell Igyem on Friday at a press conference in Jos noted that the incumbent president is bent of surprising the voice of the majority by changing delegates list to perfect their selfish interest.

The statements reads “They have violated the constitution by submitting delegates for the State Delegates Conference (SDC) without a Congress meeting or democratic section that was done by the branch chairmen under the guidance of the incumbent president.” 

The aggrieved members insisted that they are committed to contesting the violation through available legal means in other to safeguard the democratic tenet contained in the Union’s constitution.

“We pledge to contest this violation through all available legal channels, engage with fellow members to raise awareness and build support for our cause.

“Advocate for transparency and accountability in our leadership, defend the principles of inclusivity and democracy that our Union was built upon.” They stated.

Igyem further alleged of financial misappropriation by the incumbent president noting that the consequences of the violation among other issues will have far-reaching devastating impact on the Union if allowed to stand.

“They have conducted an unconstitutional screening of candidates which is not part of our Union’s constitution and was rightly not included in the Electoral guidelines given unfair advantage to the incumbent president.

“This will set a dangerous precedent, empowering a small group or individual to unilaterally dictate the course of our Union, undermining the will of the majority and silencing the voice of dedicated members”, he emphasized.

Reacting to the allegation, president of NULGE Plateau State chapter Yohana Arandong said everything in respect to sequence of election of the was done in accordance with new constitution of the Union.

“Congresses were held across the 17 local government areas of Plateau State including the 18 branches that we had. All delegates were drawn from the 17 LGAs.

“Stakeholders were sermon to Abuja and all issues were finalized at the instance of National President of NULGE”, he stated.

On alleged financial misappropriation, the president described the assertion as faulty.

According to him, ” the Union usually deduct 2.5% from the basic salary of each member and remit same to the Mortgage Bank.”

 

A RESPONSE TO NULGE PLATEAU STATE CHAPTER'S FALSE CLAIMS (A REJOINDER)

The NULGE Plateau State Chapter's recent statement is full of lies and misleading information. They are trying to confuse our members and hide the truth.

Firstly, they said that I Comrade Izere Maxwell Igyem was not present at the Abuja meeting. But that's not the point. The point is that the agreement was supposed to be fair in implementation of both the written and verbal discussions in the meeting. Agreed that I wasn't present in Abuja, but those who were present represented me and many other members, so I was well informed. 

Secondly, they changed the election dates for branch elections and hold unto their manipulated and undemocratic delegates list for unfair advantage. This is against the rules and the agreement. They are trying to cheat and silence opposition voices. No chairman in the seventeen branches will swear that he held a Congress meeting to elect or select the delegates democratically. 

Thirdly, they unfairly disqualified some nominees, including Ezekiel Musa Yelwa, Comrade Dauda Aku and one other. 

In the constitution of Nulge as amended, 2016, it states inter-alia in RULE 21(v),

The national executive council or the state executive council shall have the power to fill relevant vacancy in respect of any office created under this constitution."

This was the provision used by SEC to Elect Ezekiel Yelwa Musa as Young Workers Representative thus, a member of SAC.

By that election, he is eminently qualify to contest election under the provision of the current 2024 constitution as amended.

They used technicalities to silence them. the point is that they should stop the technicalities, if they know that they can win a free and fair elections. 

Fourthly, they claim that I, Comrade Izere Maxwell Igyem doesn't understand the screening committee's role. But that's not true. The committee's role is to serve the members, not the leaders. In any screening situation in Nigeria, there's mop up screening and appeals committees; as far as my brain can recall I haven't heard of any mop up or appeal committee set up by the incumbent leadership. And if this is not a simple witch hunt, why a quick screening reports within the hours of the screening. On this note, I am compelled to agree that the screening was preplanned as it was earlier rumoured and the report was in the system even before it took place. 

Lastly, they are hiding the truth about the Federal Mortgage Bank deductions. Members are still in the dark, and they are not helping. For them to say that the accounts were not open for those who haven't made the requirements, why the continued deductions without contacting them to do the needful in three years? What about those that has accounts with zero balances in three years? Where's the money for those with or without the accounts hanging? If at all these can happen in three years without explanation from either the Union who brought the idea without our prio consent or the bank, then I am forced to conclude that we don't have a responsible Union. 

We urge all members to wake up and see the truth. Our leaders are serving themselves, not us. Let's demand transparency, fairness, and accountability. Enough is enough!

Comrade Izere Maxwell Igyem