Msgr. Prof. Cletus Gotan Congratulates Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda Goshwe

I write to join your many well wishers on your recent appointment as the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and your confirmation by the Senate. This is a significant achievement that reflects your dedication and expertise in addressing critical issues facing our nation.

As you step into this important task, I encourage you to embrace the responsibilities that come with it. Your leadership in formulating and implementing national policies will be vital in alleviating poverty and supporting vulnerable populations. The vital coordination of humanitarian aid and the development of impactful social welfare programs will undoubtedly make a meaningful difference in the lives of many Nigerians.

Your commitment to monitoring and evaluating initiatives will ensure that we meet our objectives effectively. Collaboration with stakeholders and capacity-building efforts will further strengthen our collective response to humanitarian needs. I have every confidence that your advocacy and research will shine a spotlight on the pressing issues at hand, helping to mobilize essential resources for sustainable change.

I applaud this appointment and I encourage you to stay focused. You are a National leader, and this goes beyond party affiliations. No matter the perception the masses have about their leaders today,  I appeal to you to ensure that you stand out and dispel all stereotypes through optimal service delivery,  accountability and honesty. This is the time for you to shine through on the strength of your expertise and character.

I admonish you to make a solid name for yourself that will make the entire Nigeria proud. May you be inspired and empowered as you take on these duties, and may your efforts lead to hope and improved livelihoods across our communities. Prof! Go and stand out !!!

Monsignor Cletus T. Gotan  

Vicar General  

Catholic Archdiocese of Jos.

President Tinubu appoints Major General Olufemi Olatubosun Oluyede as acting Chief of Army Staff

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, has appointed Major General Olufemi Olatubosun Oluyede as the acting Chief of Army Staff (COAS).

 

Oluyede will act in the position pending the return of the indisposed substantive Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja.

 

Until his appointment, Oluyede served as the 56th Commander of the elite  Infantry Corps of the Nigerian Army, based in Jaji, Kaduna.

 

The 56-year-old Oluyede and Lagbaja were coursemates and members of the 39th  Regular Course.

 

He was commissioned a second lieutenant in 1992, effective from 1987. He rose to Major-General in September 2020.

 

Oluyede has held many commands since his commissioning as an officer. He was Platoon Commander and adjutant at 65 Battalion, Company Commander at 177 Guards Battalion, Staff Officer Guards Brigade, Commandant Amphibious Training School.

 

General Oluyede participated in several operations, including the Economic Community of West African States Monitoring Group (ECOMOG) Mission in Liberia, Operation HARMONY IV in Bakassi, and Operation HADIN KAI in the North East theatre of operations, where he commanded 27 Task Force Brigade. 

 

Oluyede has earned many honours for his meritorious service in various fields of operations. These include the Corps Medal of Honour, the Grand Service Star, Passing the Staff Course, and Membership in the National Institute. 

 

Others are the Field Command Medal, the Field Command Medal of Honour, and the Field Training Medal. 

 

Oluyede also received the coveted Chief of Army Staff Commendation Award.

 

He is married and has three children. 

 

Bayo Onanuga

Special Adviser Information and Strategy

To President Bola Ahmed Tinubu

PLASU Mourns with Butura Community over death of its Galadima Mr Bulus Mador.

Plateau State University Bokkos consoles with Butura community over its prominent son and Galadima Mr Bulus Mador,who was the university  community relations leader.

Until his death,Mr. Bulus Mador, the Galadima of Butura was  Chairman of the joint community relations committee for the university and the host community.Mr. Mador played a crucial role in resolving disputes between the university and the Butura community.

Leading the university delegation Professor Best described Mr. Mador's demise as a significant setback. 

"His passing has dealt a deep vacuum and caused a major setback in the university's ongoing infrastructural and academic expansion drive,"

He added ,"He spent the whole day holding meetings with university and community representatives on Saturday [October 26], and was supposed to continue the meeting the following day but passed away before the meeting time," 

The District Head of Butura, Engr. Dr. John Makwal Mallo, and a representative of the deceased's family, Danladi Mahanan, expressed gratitude for the university's solidarity and love, urging for sustained unity between the institution and its hosts.

Mr. Mador's legacy will be remembered as one of unity and cooperation between the university and its host community as his efforts will continue to inspire future generations.

Celebrating a Legend's 90th Birthday

The Kabwir District, under the leadership of PYC Chairman-Elect, Emmanuel Suwa Walbe, joins the nation in honoring General Nde Yakubu Gowon on his 90th birthday.

We salute General Gowon's remarkable leadership, vision, and dedication to Nigeria's unity and progress. His legacy continues to inspire generations.

We wish General Gowon a joyous celebration, good health, and continued service to our great nation.

Signed,

Emmanuel Suwa Walbe

PYC Chairman-Elect, Kabwir District"

14/10/2024

PLASU RECEIVED RESOURCE VARIFICATION TEAM FOR FULL TAKE OFF OF NEW PROGRAMMES- MEDICAL SCIENCE INCLUSIVE.

The Acting Vice Chancellor Plateau State University Bokkos, Professor Shedrack has received two separate Resource Verification Teams that will pave way to kick starting new programmes in the institution.

This is an effort geared towards the expansion of new faculties that will put Plateau State University Bokkos among the committee of the fastest growing institutions in the country.

In his address to the various teams seprerately, the Acting Vice Chancellor pointed out that Bokkos,  where the University is situated is a serene and condusive environment for learning which most tourists often appreciate.

Professor Best acknowledges the rapid growth the university has witness over the years through the contributions of various successive administrators that started with three faculties to nine at a parmernent side.

The Acting Vice Chancellor who shared his vision for the university said, the expansion of programmes is part of his mandate and assured that his administration is poist in leaving legacies that can be remembered in the history of the institution.

He gave the abroximat number of students in the university as ten thousand and expressed his unflinching commitment in providing the enabling environment for Research Teaching and Community Service which is the core mandate of the institution.

The first team that were received by the Acting Vice Chancellor are the team from the faculty of Arts with the purpose of assessing the facilities to start Religious and Cultural Studies, which was led by Professor Ademola Ajayi from the University of Ibadan while Professor Abdulrahaman Ndanusa from Federal University Technology Minna,  Niger State, is for the Department of Statistics and the representative from the National Universities Commission.

Other teams who were received shortly were the team for the verification of School of Medical Sciences,  Phamachology Faculty among others.

The exercise is aimed at assessing the available facilities which is the first step that will pave way for accreditation which is validating the proposed programmes.

A New Dawn for Plateau State University Bokkos

Plateau State University Bokkos has received a significant facelift, as the Acting Vice Chancellor unveiled a brand-new signature that announces the university to the world. 

During the unveiling, Professor Shedrack Best stated that the facelift aligns with his administration's commitment to elevate Plateau State University onto the global stage. “Since my appointment as the Acting Vice Chancellor, I have closely observed everything from the point of entry. One of the earliest things I mentioned was that I did not like the appearance of the university. I believe that a university is a place of knowledge, intellect, and an enlightened community, and the front of the university should convey its pedigree and dignity.”

He further remarked, “I was not pleased with the presence of an electric transformer located where we are standing, so we began discussions on how to address it. The owners of this transformer, despite it being on university land, charged me eight million naira to relocate it. I negotiated with them, and while they were unwilling to budge, I eventually paid seven million naira. I will not pay the remaining balance,” he joked as he proceeded to cut the tape announcing the new signature. He believed it was a fair deal, noting that since the university pays the electricity bill, there was no need to be overcharged for moving the transformer, which has now made way for the new signage.

The Vice Chancellor noted, “When you come to Plateau State University, whether you're leaving or arriving, this will announce the university. Let me also thank those who worked hard to make this possible—from those who facilitated the relocation of the electric transformer to the management of NESCO. After many months, I believe this work could have been completed earlier had the transformer not been in its original location. I want to thank them and the technical team in the Directorate of Works and Physical Facilities.”

Professor Shedrack Best expressed appreciation for the committee led by Architect Richard, who conceptualized the design. He stated, “The entire design, bill of quantity, and construction is one hundred percent internal. 'I commend the technical team from the Directorate of Works for creating this edifice for PLASU. It confirms that, given the right support, we have people who can make PLASU beautiful, and I will continue to promote these efforts.”

Reflecting on his assumption of office, he mentioned that his administration aimed to improve the university's appearance. “When you look around, you will see that we have made significant changes; we removed the tree that obstructed the view of the university's name and gate. This ensures you can clearly see that this is Plateau State University without struggling to read the signage.”

He continued, “We have taken down the tree, restored the university's name prominently, illuminated the area—only those who visit at night will truly appreciate the lighting—and we have installed new flags.”

Professor Shedrack Best sincerely thanked his management team for their support in making these changes possible. He urged Architect Vivian’s team from the Directorate of Works and Physical Facilities to maintain cleanliness around the grassy areas to prevent attracting cows, emphasizing, “If cows start coming here, lured by the grass, it will diminish the value and quality of what we have achieved.”

He stated, “We must distinguish ourselves from surrounding communities as a university. When visitors come here, they should come to learn something. We cannot import inferior habits and bring them to the university; instead, they should learn from us how to live decently in a modern world.”

At the Faculty of Law, where a new statue of 'Lady Justitia' was unveiled, Professor Shedrack Best remarked, “We have also made efforts to clean the surroundings after erecting the statue. This work was also done entirely by our internal staff at the Directorate of Works and Physical Facilities; we did not contract anyone else.”

While unveiling the Lady Justitia statue, he highlighted that the previous statue was too small, stating, “We needed to create a statue that would not only represent the Faculty of Law but also Plateau State University.” They sourced sculptors to create an imposing statue, resulting in the current 'Lady Justitia', who symbolically represents blind justice, unaffected by bribery. “We hope to train judges in this faculty who will uphold the ethics of the legal profession without engaging in corruption.”

Leading his management team, the Acting Vice Chancellor, accompanied by the university coach Agwom Yohana, inspected the sports complex. He expressed dismay at its condition, describing it as non-existent and unbefitting of a university. He directed the school coach to develop a master plan for a sports complex that reflects the stature of Plateau State University.

In a closing remark, the Registrar of the university, Yakubu Ayuba, expressed gratitude to Professor Shedrack Best for his foresight and commitment to transforming Plateau State University, affirming the administration’s pledge to support him in ensuring the best for the institution.

DR NENTAWE: A JINX BREAKER, HIS RESPONSIBILITIES & PROSPECTS IN NATIONAL POLITICS

Modest Thoughts with Ayuba, Yilgak'ha, 26th October, 2024)

The ministerial appointment of Dr Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda, the Governorship Candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Plateau State, 2023, is a symbolic jinx breaker for Ngas nation. Amongst the major tribes in the State, the Ngas nation was about the only one that never enjoyed any ministerial appointment in Nigeria's chequered history until now. 

Once upon a time, Ngas Nation enjoyed the rare privilege of producing the longest serving Head of State in person of our elder statesman, General Yakubu Gowon (Rtd.). It, also, produced a military Administrator in former Benue/Plateau State, Late Commissioner of Police, JD Gomwalk. These legends have great legacies which continue to ring bells nationally and internationally. However, after about 5 decades of their exceptional leadership representations at Federal and state levels respectively, their kinsmen could not make it to national prominence, especially, in politics.

Under this current democratic dispensation (fourth Republic), all that the Ngas nation produced Senators and House of Representative members representing Plateau Central Senatorial Zone and Pankshin, Kanke Kanam (PKK) respectively, at the National Assembly. The Distinguished Senators the nation had were Late Sen. Satty Davies Gogwim (2007-2011) and Sen. Hezekiah Ayuba Dimka (2019 - 2023). In the House of Representatives, Late Hon. Josiah Gobum (1999 - 2003), Hon. Leo Dilkon (2003 - 2007), Hon. Emmanuel Go'ar (2007 - 2011) and Hon. Dr. Timothy Golu (2019 - 2015) made the list from Ngas extraction.

The Ngas nation has not produced a democratically elected President or a Governor in Plateau State. Until Hon. Dr. Nentawe Yilwatda made the list, it could not produce a Minister under any dispensation - be civilian or military. This ministerial appointment, therefore, is a gate opener for greater possibilities, at least, for the Nation. The appointment is, also, a solemn call to duty: First to Nigerian people; second, Plateau people, and of course, thirdly, the Ngas people. The decision surrounding the appointment of the Minister Designate could never have been based on tribal consideration; but still, the designated Appointee has a responsibility to his ancestral root.

He has moral obligation to provide political leadership for his people, rally them, and make contributions towards national growth and development. Any counsel to the contrary will be a great disservice that will not do him any good. In fact, the love, unity and progress his appointment will bring back home shall be back home shall be the most basic measure of his success in Abuja!

Political appointment in a democracy is a process involving lobby. This means that some political lobbying must have been done with influential persons or power brokers playing overt and covert roles here and there, but ultimately, the Minister Designate is eminently qualified. 'The man in the mirror' has a very rich resume which suggests he has diligently and practically prepared himself for the huge national task. It also means that any contact or lobby that was made in respect of this appointment could have been an icing on the cake and, to the glory of God, it has materialised!

By virtue of his status as governorship in the last General Elections and appointment as a Minister designate, Hon. Minister Nominee has automatically become the political leader of his Party, the APC in Plateau State, and a representative of the State in national governance matrix. This means that he has the onerous responsibility to build bridges of understanding and love, make deliberate effort at uniting his Party members while serving/representing Plateau people with utmost diligence and commitment. Active collaboration and not competition has a way of catalysing and stabilising any human ecosystem towards collective prosperity!

Given his appointment too, Hon. Dr Nentawe Yilwatda, is a national game player. He is not a novice in the national politics/governance spaces but this new responsibility will certainly increase his visibility in these spheres. His level of engagement with other national, and even international players, will be enhanced hence the need to utilise the opportunity proficiently for the common good!

With his vast wealth of experience in Public Service (former lecturer and former Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Commissioner, Benue State) with vast expertise in Electrical/Electronics, Information and Communication Engineering, etc, which have made him a ranking consultant, he has the requisite potential to be relevant under the Renewed Hope, knowledge-based and technology driven Administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR. The Minister Designate has prepared himself, and his day has come to make even greater difference in the Service of Nigeria!

One good advantage is that the Minister designate is not only vast in knowledge, but seasoned morally and emotionally. He has patience and empathy with great passion for community development. The man is a believer in capacity building, a friend of youth as well as mobiliser of women. He is visionary and sensitive to implications of today's action on tomorrow's outcomes. When these virtuous are combined with intellectual prowess, you get a capable Minister with a human face!

The responsibility of being in-charge of Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, given the economic realities of contemporary Nigeria, is a herculean one. A close look at the Country's economic standing, particularly, as it relates to unemployment, poverty, insecurity and reoccurrence of natural disasters (misery index), will give whoever cares to know a sense of how weighty the responsibility at hand is for this Nominee. 

Highlights on 2022 Multidimensional Poverty Index survey conducted by National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), 'revealed that 63% of persons living within Nigeria, representing 133 million the Country's population were said to be multi - dimensionally poor. The National MPI was put at 0.257, indicating that the poor in this Country have experienced over one-quarter of all possible deprivations'. With the current hike in the prices of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) popularly known as petrol and basic food stuffs, these statistics are not changed for good yet. The Country is still the Poverty Capital of the world after overtaking India in 2019. Thus, the task, before the Hon. Minister designate is that of drastically reducing this alarming rate of poverty in the Country. Synergising relevant Agencies and stakeholder could go a long way!

With recurrent cases of natural disasters (e.g. flooding), raging trends in terrorism, banditry and kidnapping, etc., which have left many Nigerians with daring humanitarian concerns - trauma, hunger, housing and health emergencies, the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction (MHAPR) is expected to intervene to restore hope in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda this present Govenment.This means that 'the man in the mirror' really needs help and support as he takes over the huge responsibility of providing succour to the most vulnerable people amongst us. The MHAPR will be a centre of attraction in view of recent happenings there; hence, the need for prayers for the Minister Designate to succeed - making a difference.

God rules in the affairs of men and destiny is at work in the life of people. The Honourable Minister designate, Dr. Nentawe, politically bargained for governorship seat in Plateau State, but responsibility beckoned on him to at the Federal Executive Council (FEC), and curiously, from a State governed by a Party (PDP) not his own. He is likely the only ministerial nominee that has emerged in this manner in the State's history. What is the magic here: Party politics or God's intervention or just luck? No one could provide accurate answer but God, 'the uncaused Cause and the unmoved Mover'! We can only pray his voice gains frequency, favour and influence, at this level of service to God - 'the greatest Carpenter', and humanity, the focus of good governance!

Suffice to state at this juncture that the Hon. Ministerial nominee is a developing story. He has the prospect of growing taller in politics and leadership. Therefore, doing a good job now will project him, and serve as an ample opportunity for global recognition. A lot needs to be done to make this happen. In other words, the success of the Minister will depend on the quality of the support the citizens will give his stewardship even at the home front: Plateau and Ngas nation!

As we congratulate him on this well deserved appointment, it is imperative to promptly draw the attention of the Nominee to the wise counsel of Master KG in this hit song titled, "Skeleton": "No matter where you go, remember the road that will lead you home." This appointment comes with very high expectations but, we the people have to tame our expectation. We must not ask for to much because the Minister nominee cannot solve all our problems but to give all the best he can. His appointment is worth the patient wait. Congratulations and best wishes to the Minister designate and the colleagues with whom he will be serving up there!