GOVERNOR LALONG PRAISED FOR PEACE BUILDING IN PLATEAU

 

Governor Simon Bako Lalong has been commended for his peace efforts that have restored confidence and mitigated human disasters associated with violence and conflicts in Plateau State.

Speakers at the launch of a book on Disaster and Conflict in Abuja described the Governor as a peacemaker who has become a shining example for de-escalating violence and creating sustainable platform for mutual understanding and dialogue.

The Book facilitated by the Federal Ministry of Intergovernmental Affairs and Special Duties examined the challenges of disasters that are generated from conflicts in Nigeria and how to mitigate them.

Minister for Intergovernmental Affairs and Special Duties Sen. George Akume said Nigerians need to continue to foster peaceful coexistence as a way of preventing disasters that end up hurting development. He said Governor Lalong has proven to be one of the examples of leaders who can be relied upon to galvanize people to do the right thing by embracing one another.

Former Deputy Senate President Nasiru Mantu also said the search for peace in Nigeria cannot succeed without people respecting one another and realizing that God is the creator of all while differences in tribe, religion, geography and even orientations are matters that cannot be blamed on humanity as people never chose where to be born or the families to be born in.

He said this is why people must be able to accept one another as human beings and stop fighting. He said Governor Lalong has been able to achieve this by enabling people of various backgrounds to have a sense of belonging which has doused tensions and made peace possible in Plateau State.

Governor Lalong who praised the author of the book for conducting the research said peace remains his cardinal objective and as such, he will not relent in making sure that people work together to engender good relations.

He urged all Nigerians to support peaceful coexistence as conflicts do not only cause disasters, but leave a huge burden on development.

Dr. Makut Simon Macham

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

20th April 2021.

GOVERNOR LALONG CONGRATULATES ECWA PRESIDENT ON RE-ELECTION/58TH BIRTHDAY.

Governor Simon Bako Lalong has congratulated ECWA President, Rev. Dr. Stephen Baba Panya over his re-election for another term as well as his appointment as the Chairman, Board of Trustees, Bingham University.

Governor Lalong in a congratulatory message described the re-election of Rev. Panya as well deserved, considering the purposeful leadership he has offered which enabled the Church to make more impact in the lives of its members and the society.

Lalong said the ECWA President's passion for revival has manifested in enhanced mission work leading to the winning of more souls, Church planting and expansion, entrepreneurship development and empowerment, as well as investments in health and education.

While urging him to consolidate on the achievements of the Church over the years, Governor assured him of the support and collaboration of the Plateau State Government towards the progress of the Church.

Similarly, the Governor has felicitated with the ECWA President on the occasion of his 58th birthday. He commended him for devoting his life to the service of humanity and mentoring the youth, praying God to continue to grant him good health, wisdom and protection.

Dr. Makut Simon Macham

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

21st April 2021.

PLATEAU STATE GOVERNMENT COMMENCES ROLL OUT OF NIN REGISTRATION CENTRES

 Following the approval by the Federal Government for Plateau State to participate in the ongoing National Identity Management System (NIMS) which is implemented by the National Identity Management Commission under the Digital Identity Ecosystem project, the State Government has rolled out its first NIN Registration Centre in Jos.

 

The NIN Data Registration Centre located at the JD Gomwalk Secretariat Jos is the first of the State's intervention to ensure that indigenes and residents of the State are enrolled into the National Identity Data Base (NIDB) for the issuance of the National Identity Number (NIN) with ease.

 

The roll out which is expected to gradually be extended to the 17 Local Governments, is being coordinated by the Plateau State Information, Communication and Technology Development Agency (PICTDA) and the Ministry of Science and Technology, who were directed by Governor Simon Bako Lalong to serve as implementing partners after the approval was secured.

 

Already, the agency with the collaboration of the NIMC has trained enrollment officers across the State to operate the enrollment exercise. NIMC officials are also providing support throughout the process of registration and roll out of Centres to ensure the exercise is smooth. 

 

Citizens and residents are therefore advised to approach the Plateau State Secretariat Enrollment Centre situated at the Maintenance Building after the main entrance to the J.D. Gomwalk Secretariat with relevant documents to be captured.

 

Supporting document for Enrolment include:

1. Birth Certificate 

2. International Passport

3. Driver’s license

4. Voters card 

5. Private/governmental ID Card.

6. Indigene certificate.

 

The Plateau State Government is hopeful that the roll out of the Registration Centres will further enhance service delivery in payroll and tax verifications, payments, scholarship awards, enrolment in schools, provision of health care especially as related to the PLASCHEMA, land administration, agricultural support and other related services performed by the different Ministries Departments and Agencies in the State. 

 

Dr. Makut Simon Macham 

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

19th April 2021

 

CATHOLIC DAILY NEWS | BISHOP ELECT OF LAFIA DIOCESE CALLS ON NIGERIANS T...

PAAAVARF Advocated for the Use of Sport to Promote Peaceful Coexistence.

 

Sport has been described as a veritable tool in the promotion of peaceful and harmonious coexistence, President of Peace Advancement, Action Against Violence and Rape Foundation Lady Vivien Abara stated this during an event organized by the NGO to marked the international day for sport and development for peace.

The event which had a theme “only together will we play and dance again” took place at Jos Museum Auditorium.

Lady Abara reiterated that sport strengthened social ties and provide sustainable development and peace as well as solidarity and respect through individual’s unique skills and collective power. She said “we can come together and share creative ways to improve our health, wellbeing, our goal and happiness through physical activities like dancing”.

She explained that in celebrating this year event dancing was added because, the foundation was unable to carry out the normal sporting activities because of the restriction put in place due to the Covid 19 pandemic. “This however, provided us the opportunity to invite several other communities across board for them to come together to laugh, discuss and be friends again” she added.

Lady Abara maintained that International Day For Sport And Development For Peace 2021 looked to reaffirmed the place of sport in recovering from the pandemic and beyond, to foster equality, solidarity, communities in team spirit in response to the pandemic, encouraged healthy habit through physical activities and emotional wellbeing and inspire hope through sporting analogy, with collective efforts we aim to strengthened the peaceful coexistence of the people of this state and the country atlarge.

“As we celebrate today I called on all groups and stakeholders in the state to strive for for togetherness to building a unified block of peace, to bridge the gap across all tribes, ethnic group, culture or tribe. Let us continue to play and dance together for development and peace; let us come together and end the fight and leave as one” she noted.    

Resources persons Prince Charles Diction and Kabiru Garba Mai Akwala both said the country need genuine peace and sporting activities are a powerful driver towards harmonious coexistent and nation building.

In a goodwill message The Director General Plateau State Peace Building Agency Joseph Lengman and Matron of the Foundation Professor Patricia Lar of the Department of Microbiology University of Jos both eulogized PAAAVART for organizing the event, while calling on Nigerians to key into the initiatives.

Joseph Lengman noted that the event is very important; saying what the society need to day is social cohesion, noting that over the years the society was too divided, and to repair the fracture relationship and make sure that we understand one another, we need to come together.

He said If there is any event that can push such an agenda is this occasion where you see young people coming together to play to meet people from other religion, tribes and ethnicity this means a lot and that underscores the importance of this event.

Lengman reemphasized that everywhere in the world sport brings people together, noting that sports, arts and music create an opportunity for people to come together. 

 

Professor Patricia Lar said peace is a desire of every community and sport is needed to be organized to allowed room for interaction, saying that sport is indeed a melting point for people coming together. “Peace is a currency for every individual, we need peace to grow, it is very important for the development of our nation. Lack of peace hampers general wellbeing of individuals” she added.   

Other line-up of activities to marked the day was board games and dance competition as while as presentation of awards and certificates.

EASTER: GOVERNOR LALONG CALLS FOR COLLECTIVE ACTION AGAINST INSECURITY AND DISUNITY.

 Plateau State Governor Simon Bako Lalong and Chairman of the Northern State’s Governors Forum has rejoiced with Christians in Plateau State and across the Nigeria for marking another Easter.

 Governor Lalong in a message of felicitation said there is every reason for Nigerians to appreciate God for his mercies over the nation throughout the difficult period of lockdowns and other disruptions occasioned by the corona virus pandemic.

 He said the period of Easter calls for deeper reflection on the grace of God and the strengthening of faith in his love for mankind which is the essence of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

 The Governor therefore urged Nigerians to put aside differences of faith, ethnicity, political and ethnic affiliations in order to forge a common front in defeating various forms of criminal activities that continue to pose serious threats to the nation.

 He said it is only when Nigerians work together in unity and support security agencies and relevant government bodies that insecurity can be overcome to enable the people pursue their lawful businesses in peace.

 On Covid-19, Governor Lalong urged the people of Plateau State to work assiduously towards overcoming the pandemic by availing themselves to be vaccinated and also observing all laid down protocols.

 He said “last year, we marked Easter under a lockdown because of COVID-19. However, we now have some relief with the availability of vaccines and more awareness on prevention. We need to redouble our efforts in making sure that we participate in the vaccination exercise and also sensitise our people to adjust to living under the new normal”.

 While wishing the people of Plateau State and Nigeria a successful Easter celebration, Governor Lalong called on Christians to continue to demonstrate the love of God to one another and people of other faiths and let the light of God manifest in all their activities in order to drive the desired change in the nation.

 Dr. Makut Simon Macham

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

2nd April 2021.

BISHOP DAVID AJANG: An Epitome of Catholism in Izereland!

 Atang Izang

Fate and ambition have been man’s greatest companions; whether as his assets or Waterloo. Fate, we are told, can conspire by calling other oddities to action and throw spanner in the work of humans and shatter it. Ambition, according to the sages, is useful when properly handled but destructive when not properly handled.

Rev. Fr. David Ajang, the newly installed Bishop of Lafia Diocese, comes to mind. He may have had an ambition when he chose the life of celibacy over the conventional one but to think of becoming a higher ranking Catholic priest, that in itself was left to fate to decide and it has been decided.

The Catholic faith and church may have been late arrival in Izereland compare to other denominations. According to church history as regarding Christianity in Izereland, the Church was introduced around 1945 in Jos Jarawa, which is the heartland of the Izere nation by one Irish Rev. Fr. Frances Hughes.

After 76 years the Catholic Church has many adherants of Izere extraction and many of them both males and females have excel well in the church's hierarchy and rankings, i.e., from being Catchists and other layleaders to Rev. Father's/Sisters.

However, with the installation of Rev. Father Ajang to the rank of a Bishop, makes him the first Afizere Catholic priest to attain such a ranking and office in the Church. This of course, calls for celebrations whether you're a Catholic or not so long as you are an Afizere.

With his elevation to the office of a Bishop, it is hope this will signal the beginning for many of our Afizere priests to aspire through hard work and dedication to attain such a rank. It should not only be in the Catholic Church but in other Christian denominations.

For Bishop David Ajang, this should just be the beginning of his Ecclesiastical journey to the summit of the Catholic Church's hierarchy. Who knows may be he will be come a cardinal and perhaps a pontiff?

Monsignor David Ajang was born 31 March 1970 in Zaria, Zaria Diocese.

His journey to priesthood began immediately after his primary and secondary education as he entered St John Vianney Minor Seminary in Barkin Ladi (1982-1987). As a seminarian of the metropolitan archdiocese of Jos, he carried out his studies in philosophy at the St Thomas Aquinas Major Seminary in Makurdi (1987-1990), and in theology at the St Augustine's Major Seminary in Jos (1990-1994).

Ajang was found worthy of ordination as priest on 3rd December 1994 and incardinated in the metropolitan archdiocese of Jos. He was subsequently awarded a licentiate in philosophy from the Pontifical Urban University of Rome (2002-2004) and doctorate from the University of Jos.

After a priestly ordination he held the following offices:

a) Parish vicar of St James in Gombe (1994-1995)

b) Parish priest of St Mulumbain Nassarawa Eggon

c) Vocational Director of the metropolitan archdiocese of Jos

d) Parish vicar of St Theresa's in Jos (1998-1999)

e) Parish priest of the Immaculate Conception Parish in Zaramaganda and Youth Chaplain of the metropolitan archdiocese of Jos (1999-2001)

f) Administrator of the Our Lady of Fatima Cathedral Jos (2001-2002), and,

g) Formator at St Augustine's Major Seminary in Jos (2004-2012)

h) Parish priest of the Ugandan Marty's Parish and Dean in Kuru.

Since 2012 he has served as member of the College of Consultors of the metropolitan archdiocese of Jos; since 2015, Chaplain of the governor of Plateau State and since 2018, Parish priest of the Immaculate Conception Parish and Dean of Zaramaganda.