GOVERNOR LALONG CHARGES NIGERIANS TO SUPPORT GODLY ASPIRANTS FOR PUBLIC OFFICE

GOVERNOR LALONG CHARGES NIGERIANS TO SUPPORT GODLY ASPIRANTS FOR PUBLIC OFFICE 

Plateau State Governor Simon Bako Lalong has charged Nigerians to be circumspect and deliberate in their choice of public office holders by supporting candidates who have the fear of God and respect for humanity. 

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Governor Lalong was speaking at the 1st General Assembly of Catholics in Politics and Catholic Business Leaders in Abuja. 

Lalong said Nigerians of all faiths must fully participate in the political process before, during and after elections by ensuring that candidates that vie for public office posess godly principles that will guide them to govern with the fear of God and do justice to all. 

He said bringing Catholic politicians and captains of industry under one roof to discuss their roles in the Nigerian project at this particular time is very significant, because the nation is in dire need of godly men and women to champion the rebirth that will lead Nigeria to achieving its national aspirations. 

The Governor said Christians and indeed Catholics are taught to follow the principles laid out by God in the Bible and the examples left by Jesus Christ, such that they will always make a difference wherever they find themselves. 

He emphasized that the forum provides the participants an opportunity to discuss the challenges confronting Nigeria such as insecurity, corruption, violence, diseases, poverty, and poor infrastructure with a view to peer-reviewing one another and giving stewardship of their responsibilities in various offices. 

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo commended the Catholic Church for organising the General Assembly which is in line with its long tradition of speaking truth to power and creating consciousness among citizens. 

He said the theme of the meeting is hinged on Catholic social teaching which harps on the common good as a basis for public service and governance. 

Osinbajo said the pursuit of the common good pushes people in or out of positions of authority, to seek equal treatment, fairness, justice, and human rights of others outside their ethnic, religious, political and other affiliations. 

He said raising leaders with such qualities in Nigeria will require that parochial interests are put aside in all leadership recruitment processes. This he argued cannot be achieved accidentally because Christians have to fully participate and commit to build bridges across religious, ethnic, social and economic lines. 

Guest Speaker Catholic Bishop of Sokoto, Mathew Hassan Kukah represented by Rev. Fr. Raymond, speaking on the theme "Moral Principles in Catholic Teachings and the Nigerians Political Business Life", said the Catholic social teaching prescribes that participantion in governance is beyond elections. 

He said leaders, particularly those who profess to be men and women of faith must live sacrificially, shun evil, love one another, embrace honesty and righteousness as well as remember always that heaven is their goal as their lives on earth are tenured. 

He warned politicians to desist from using the Church for personal and selfish political gains, stating that the Church is not a political party and embraces candidates of all political parties who are God fearing and ready to serve honestly and build a better nation. 

Deputy Governors of Edo, Osun, Cross Rivers State as well as the Senator representing Plateau South Senatorial District, Dame Nora Dadu'ut gave goodwill messages at the event. 

Dr. Makut Simon Macham 

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

28th January 2022.

PLATEAU STATE GOVERNMENT TO PARTNER WITH SIGHTSAVERS FOR ENEHNCED EYE HEALTH PROGRAM

PLATEAU STATE GOVERNMENT TO PARTNER WITH SIGHTSAVERS FOR ENEHNCED EYE HEALTH PROGRAM

Plateau State Government is to partner with Sightsavers, an international organisation in establishing a comprehensive eye health program throughout the State.

Governor Simon Bako Lalong stated this while receiving the Country Director of Sightsavers Nigeria and Ghana, Dr. Sunday Isiyaku at the Government House Jos.

He said the partnership is based on his earlier visit to the United Kingdom where he interacted with the global leaders of the organisation and a subsequent request for the partnership which is aimed at addressing the challenges of eye health in Plateau State particularly in the rural areas.

Lalong said one of his passions is to see that people who are living with disabilities in any form get assistance and reprieve through deliberate steps such as the one being taken in the partnership with Sightsavers.

He thanked the team for the visit and assured them that the Plateau State Government was ready to play its part in the partnership by paying its counterpart funding and also making facilities and personnel available for training and actual operation.

Earlier, Country Director Sightsavers Nigeria and Ghana Dr. Isiyaku said they were in Plateau on the directive of the global office which responded to the communication sent to it by the Governor for partnership.

He said a three year partnership is being proposed and will support the establishment of a State owned comprehensive eye health program that is well coordinated, accessible, affordable and sustainable based on national policies and guidelines for the over 4 million people of Plateau State.

Dr. Isiyaku said in 2021, a survey was carried out which showed that there was a significant gap in eye health in Plateau State which needs to be addressed immediately to save many citizens from going blind. This he said will involve manpower training, improvement of infrastructure and advocacy. 

The Country Director asked the Governor to approve health facilities in the Central and Southern Zones; commit to pay counterpart funds; fund budget lines for eye health; and work towards improving the human resource in the eye health sector.

Head of the Christoffel Blinden Mission (CBM) also assured the Governor that they will partner together with Sightsavers to achieve the mission.

 

Dr. Makut Simon Macham 

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

26th January 2022

 

2023 Governorship Elections: Group Urges Plateau State APC to Adopt David Victor Dimka as Candidate

2023 Governorship Elections : Group Urges Plateau State APC to Adopt David Victor Dimka as Candidate.

Members of Plateau Youth For Better Future (PYFBF) have advocated for the adoption of Rtd.Comptroller David Victor Dimka fsi as the governorship candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Plateau State. 

According to them, the DVD leader has all it takes to succeed Governor Simon Bako Lalong come 2023.

 "He is the most qualified and credible aspirant among all who will be able to galvanize, mobilize and also be acceptable by the people of Plateau State in 2023", they said.

The group's position was made known in Jos, the Plateau State capital,  yesterday when some members of the _DVD_ _Diaspora_ _Movement_ paid them a solidarity visit in their office in Jos.

While welcoming the members of DVD Diaspora Movement in their office on behalf of PYFBF ,the National Coordinator of the group, BarristerTheophilus Paul thanked the DVD Diaspora Movement for their visit, and further encouraged them to continue to show their unflinching support for aspiration of the Leader of DVD Movement vision(David, Victor Dimka fsi,)

"Plateau State needs a leader like DVD who is blessed with the right temparement and support base to manage the affairs of the State. His records of excellent service are there. It is not about our group or members of DVD Movement, but it is about a leader who has the enormous capacity to deliver on the task before him", he said.

In his words, he added that, "We are equally urging the Hon.Rufus Bature led Executive Members of  APC in Plateau State to commence the process of appealing to other aspirants to rally round David Victor Dimka in the interest of the party and for the betterment of Plateau State".

The group therefore, urged His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Plateau State, State APC leaders in the National Assembly, Federal Executive Council, APC Caucus in the State House of Assembly and other critical stakeholders in the State to facilitate this process with high sense urgency.

In his remark, the leader of DVD Diaspora Movement, Da Tony Yanga extolled the virtues of Nde David Victor Dimka saying that,

" the man DVD has all the requisite requirements,  character, and the right temparement, capacity, and intellectual prowess to manage Plateau State for the glory of all citizens.

" Its very true that DVD has engaged Traditional and religious leaders, youth and women groups and others through consultations more than any of the aspirants, and we are so happy that you have put this  request before APC in Plateau for the adoption of DVD as its sole gubernatorial candidate in the forthcoming 2023 election", he added.

KADPOLY ALUMNI,PLATEAU CHAPTER TO MEET ON WEDNESDAY IN JOS.

KADPOLY ALUMNI,PLATEAU CHAPTER TO MEET ON WEDNESDAY IN JOS.

An emergency congress meeting to discuss critical issues concerning the Alumni of the Kaduna Polytechnic summoned.

A statement by Samuel I.Ngumar,the Interim Chairman of the Association,Plateau State Chapter says the need to discuss critical issues concerning its State chapter as well as National elections are billed for discuss at the meeting.

According to the statement,the Plateau Hotel Jos has been picked as venue and meeting to commence by 2pm on Wednesday 26th January,2022.

It further directs all those who have passed through or had a stint of their academic pursuits at the Kaduna Polytechnic to avail themselves for the emergency meeting.

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LATE MISHKAGHAM MWAGHAVUL,AN EPITOME OF HUMILITY..PROF DAKAS.

LATE MISHKAGHAM MWAGHAVUL,AN EPITOME OF HUMILITY..PROF DAKAS.

The Late paramount ruler of the Mwaghavul Nation,HRH Da Nelson Andak Bakfur has been described as an epitome of humility laced with so much qualities that will serve as a point of reference to future generations.

Professor Dakas CJ Dakas was responding to some journalists in Kerang,Mangu LGA of Plateau State where the funeral service of the Late Monarch held.

Asked his views about the  Late Monarch Dakas was quick to point out a few of his direct contacts with him and how simplistic,down to earth and humane the Late traditional ruler had been.

"Our late father will always pay attention to me speaking and then respond with so much understanding placing faults where there are and applauding where need be.That's how he treats everyone equal.He see's all of us his subjects from Mangu LGA as one.Those qualities he also extended beyond the LGA".

Professor Dakas called on God to shield the family he left behind praying that the light of God shines on the path they will take.

He condoled the entire Mwaghavul Nation,Mangu LGA and Plateau State over the loss and prayed God to grant his soul rest.

Professor Dakas CJ Dakas was accompanied to the funeral service by his wife Beatrice,family members,friends and associates.

DAKAS MEDIA TEAM

2023: PDP'S DESPERADO POLITICALLY SPONSORED MEDIA PROPAGANDA AGAINST GOVERNOR LALONG AND APC UNCOVERED.

2023: PDP'S DESPERADO POLITICALLY SPONSORED MEDIA PROPAGANDA AGAINST GOVERNOR LALONG AND APC UNCOVERED. 

Ahead of the 2023 elections, it has been discovered that some desperate politicians who are threatened by the successes of the APC Rescue Administration in Plateau State, have resulted to deception, blackmail  and propaganda as their last resort to discredit the progressive administration of His Excellency Rt Hon Simon Bako Lalong, KSGG. 

It is gathered that in the wake of their desperation and fear of losing elections, they have set other propaganda machinery covertly and also budgeted huge sums of money to embark on media campaign of calumny against the APC Government as well as damage the reputation and integrity of the Governor through peddling lies, fake news, misinformation and disinformation. 

Available and concrete facts show that the infamous strategy is being championed by the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP as they believe that this will revive their destroyed forunes and restore their candidates to winning elections again. They hope that this can only succeed when they bring down the Government of the day and the ruling Party the APC using lies, deceit and character assassination. 

It is worthy to note that democracy has given everybody the freedom of association and speech but sadly, this has been hijacked by propagandists like the opposition party in Plateau State who are bent on doing everything mischievously misinform the people with a view to clinch to power by all means. 

Instead of the opposition to go beyond fault-finding to give or invent a vision of their own on  how they intend to make Plateau State and the nation better, they are stuck with old tricks and wailing propaganda. All that they seem to give the public is destructive and disruptive actions coated with hate speeches, falsehood, adverse, comments and vitriolic attacks on Governor Lalong and his Rescue administration. This act if not checked poses danger to democracy in the State. 

Although their plan is to use the mainstream media, bloggers and social platforms to perpetuate their evil acts, the Press on the Plateau must be commended for their act of selflessness, professionalism, diligence and unbiased stand on issues which has not allowed the opposition to use them to achieve their their selfish desires. We encourage them to remain independent, objective and faithful to facts. 

We are also aware that some prominent politicians outside Plateau State have committed huge sums of money to members of the opposition parties to sponsor media war and propaganda against the Governor and the APC with the sole aim of bringing it down. 

We strongly belief that the media on the Plateau who have been partners with the progressive government in the restoration of peace and good governance in State will not be distracted or induced with money by any group of people to carry out any evil propaganda against the State. 

We also advise the PDP to concentrate on promoting its obscure and faded image and market its aspirants, rather than embarking on vicious disparagement of the APC government through baseless and empty write ups and press releases that serve no good than to disparage the State and expose its citizens to ridicule in the eye of the country and the world at large. 

The people-centered ruling APC continues to question the PDP’s credibility and moral justification in planning such a humongous and expensive media propaganda when their sixteen (16) improvident years in power was characterised with a legacy of deep-seated insecurity,  poor and equal welfare to our Civil servants, Pensioners and Plateau people. 

Because of the shaky foundation upon which their party stands, they have in addition to planning this vitrolic media propaganda agenda, Possibly resorted to recruiting aggrieved, desperate and disgruntled APC members with the hope using them for mischief. Their thinking is that they would receive cheap popularityn cto revive their misfortunes. This will definitely fail just as they failed in using the Local Government strike, Endsars Protests, Abok impeachment saga and the attacks in some parts of the State to sway people to their side. Plateau people are wise and know that Governor Lalong and the APC mean well for them. 

Already, the propaganda has failed woefully because some of the alleged ruling party "decampees" have since recanted and confessed that they were misled and exploited.  They reject being used and further re-assured the APC of their loyalty and commitments to the ideals of the party which has mechanisms for settling disputes. 

Our conclusion is that what is giving the opposition sleepless night is the fact that they are aware that good governance has become one of the yardsticks for evaluating proficiency and efficiency, and Governor Simon Lalong administration has from every indication established that keeping a campaign promise is possible. 

The Plateau people are admonished to continue supporting the administration of Lalong as he remains resilient and resolute in his approach to governance. He remains firm and focused on the pact with Plateau people and refuses to be intimidated nor be bullied by the enemies of peace and good governance, and no amount of campaign nor propaganda would take that from him. Plateau people are wiser and will not be deceived again. 

Diket Plang 

Special Adviser to the Governor of Plateau State. 

21st January 2022.

DVD Movement The Unstoppable Wind on the Plateau

DVD Movement The Unstoppable Wind on the Plateau

By Boniface Kassam

Scientifically, it is believed that gases move from high-pressure areas to low-pressure areas. And the bigger the differences between the pressures, the faster the air will move from the high to the low pressure.

That rush of air is the wind we experience every day. And movement of air from high pressure to low pressure happens in nature all the time: Things always try to even out, and such a siituation is called DIFFUSION.

Diffusion in the simplest definition is the movement of individual molecules of a substance through a semipermeable barrier from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration.

This aptly defines the current surge by the DVD Movement across the length and breadth of Plateau State. 

The wind-blowing is reaching out and very fast too.

It is, therefore, obvious that in a democratic environment, political opinions depend largely on which way the wind is blowing.

The wind in this context is not that of a tornado which often destroys and unsettles things. Rather, it is the one that shapes the thinking of people as to the direction of political development which our dear State is passing through as 2023 draws near.

The above scenario also describes the level of acceptability of the DVD Movement by many citizens in Plateaus State. Every day, drums of massive support are hitting every nook and cranny of the State by lovers of this democratic movement, while voices of acceptability synchronized with harmonious dance steps are enough signs to showcase the arrival of this God-sent leader that the State has been waiting for.

His calmness, calculative accuracy, and experiences drawn from exposure to national leadership and governance place him far above others.

A personality that does not talk much but act more to the admiration of many. He possesses an inner mindset that drives his vision which is fashioned out, “To Build a Secured, Prosperous and United Plateau that is anchored on the Fear of God”.

The testimonies coming from far and near since his expression of interest to contest for the number one seat in Plateau State are legendary and cut across every tribe and religion. 

For instance, last year after I was officially announced as the Head of Media for the DVD Movement, I started receiving phone calls and text messages from people I never anticipated would ordinarily call or chat me, given their personalities and the distances that separate us. But more heartwarming was the fact that, such calls and messages were embedded testimonies and goodwill messages that further define the character and personality of the leader of the DVD Movement, Nde David Victor Dimka fsi.

A senior lecturer with the University of Pretoria, South Africa, Dr. Sunny in a telephone conversation with me said; “My brother I am happy to hear that Oga Victor is aspiring to become the governor of Plateau State in 2023. This man is God- sent and I strongly believe that from the purest of his heart, God will surely make it possible. I am in South Africa today courtesy Victor Dimka, and I can name so many out there that have benefited immensely from his goodwill. This is a pay-back time for us! We are patiently waiting for when the flag will be handed over to him. I urge Plateau people not to miss this detribalized Nigerian who will certainly restore the past glory of the State and move it to higher heights”.

This is just one out of the so many testimonies I have received and still receiving from well-wishers in and outside of Plateau State on the support given to them by this compassionate individual.

During the recent Christmas and new year celebrations, his endorsement by various groups and individuals further increased to an unbelievable level. Located on a hilltop in Kabwir District of Kanke LGA, is Kanke Resort where he spent much of his time to receive visitors. The resort was a beehive of well-wishers during the yuletide period. Different groups of men, women, youth, professional bodies, and artisans were received on daily basis throughout his stay in the village. Indeed, the traffic was uncontrollable such that aligning the visits with other external engagements became a herculean task for the DVD team officials.

After attending to some of the major events which include cultural festivals, wedding ceremonies, and thanksgiving services in some of the local government areas of the State, he returned to his base in Jos where he celebrated the new year. 

Since then, he has been engaged with series of courtesy visits to some elder statemen, traditional and religious leaders, organized trade, and union officials in the State. This is aside other solidarity visits by various groups and individuals who throng his Rayfield office on daily basis.

The overall impact of

 these visitations and engagements by the leader of the DVD Movement in Plateaus State is that they have deepened the understanding of his personality, vision, and the philosophy behind the DVD Movement among the numerous supporters in the State.

There is this strong believe that for Plateau State to move beyond where it is today, there is need to have a strong-willed personality that is acceptable both within and outside the State as a governor. And that person is Nde David Victor Dimka fsi.