The Age Newspaper Online

Plateau State Governor Simon Bako Lalong has charged citizens to promote the culture of peace which is cardinal to development and also important to overcoming insecurity in the country. Governor Lalong was speaking at the annual Ngas Festival of Arts and Culture, Pundung 2022 held at the Pankshin Mini Stadium. While commending the Ngas people for doing their best to maintain law and order within their domain, he warned that Government will continue to confront terrorists and other criminals and those who shield them. Citing the recent incident in Namu, Qua'an Pan Local Government where some hoodlums tried to prevent the arrest of a suspected kidnap kingpin and resorted to destruction, the Governor said security agencies have been mandated to be ruthless with those who delight in creating chaos and sorrow for innocent citizens. Lalong said from the dances, to cultural displays, and the array of food and artifacts showcased during the Pusdung Festival, he was reassured that the desi...

The Radio, Television, Theatre and Arts Workers Union of Nigeria (RATTAWU) Plateau State Council has honoured Dr Patrick Sunday Dakum, the Chief Executive Officer of the Institute of Human Virology Abuja-Nigeria, Leader of the Consolidation for Greater Plateau 2023 Team and the Plateau State All Progressives Congress(APC) Gubernatorial Favourite with a distinguished merit award as the Chief Executive Officer of the Year 2022 at the Pre-May Day Event featuring Symposium and Awards Presentation with the theme "The Role of the Working Class in Building a New Nigeria" on Saturday 30th April, 2022 at the Fox Hotel, 18 Utonkon Road by the National Library, Jos.  Other recipients of the RATTAWU Merit Award were Hon Koomsol Alphonsus Longap,Rt.Hon Saleh Shehu Yipmong, Hon Naanlong Gapyil Daniel, Hon Alex Miskoom Naantuan,Dr Sumaiya Fadimatu Hamza, Mrs Felicia Ibi, Hon Emmanuel Aku and Dr Makut Simon Macham.  Dignitaries represented at the event were Engr Sunday Hyat, Head of Service,...

A Nigerian Army personnel and at least two others have been killed in a fresh attack carried out by suspected Fulani Bandits at Rikwe-Chongu village in the Kwall District of Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State. The spokesman of the Special Task Force, Operation Safe Haven (OPSH), maintaining peace in Plateau and environs, Major Ishaku Takwa, who confirmed the incident on Friday, said that the incident occurred on Thursday night. According to the military spokesperson, troops have been deployed to the community. Pleateau state has constantly suffered attacks by gunmen. Earlier this month, at least 50 people were killed with many abducted by gunmen accross nine villages in the state. Major Ishaku Takwa said: “There was a night attack in the area on April 28; our troops deployed to the community repelled the attack and in the process OPSH lost a soldier. Two other civilians died as a result of the attack as well.” According to the News Agency of Nigeria, the National Publicity ...

The Plateau Frontline Gubernatorial Hopeful, Chief Garba Pwul SAN, was Thursday 28th April, 2022 declared his intention to contest for the Governorship of Plateau State, at the new party Secretariat situated at Kalwa house, amidst pomp and pageantry. Pwul, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, and a God-fearing legal luminary, promised to run an all inclusive government if given the mandate. Addressing Journalists shortly after his declaration in his chambers, the legal luminary said; "Today I was at the party seccretariat of the APC plateau state mainly to declare formerly my intention to contest the number one seat on the plateau namely the office the governor, plateau state. I did this deliberately after a long period of consultation, inner soul searching and thinking including the past, I've come to conclusion that I'll seek this office under the platform of the APC. Now to the question what value did have I added to the APC the answer is not too far fetched, I am the found...

... NUJ vehicle, pilot cars burnt By Golok Nanmwa, Jos Senator representing Plateau South, Prof. Nora Ladi Dadu'ut and 14 Journalists as well as some of her aides on Thursday escaped death by whiskers, when their convoy ran into an angry mob in Namu community in Quaan pan Local Government Area of Plateau State. The incident occurred shortly after the Senator commissioned an ICT Centre/E-Library in the community, leaving the vehicle of the NUJ Plateau State Council burnt and the pilot vehicle belonging to the Senator. Our correspondent reports that some people had stormed the community on Thursday afternoon and whisked away four members of the community. The angry youths blocked the convoy of the Senator and started burning tires, insisting that the Senator must work out the return of the four persons before she is released. It was observed that those trapped in the community including the Commissioner for Science and Technology, Hon Musa Gyang and Director General of ICT Plateau...

 The headquarters of Nigeria’s ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) was thrown into confusion on Wednesday as a cash sum of N43 million reportedly disappeared into thin wind at the office premises. The cash which was in dollars denomination totaled a sum of $75,000 and was suspected to be among the funds gathered by the party from the ongoing sales of forms for the 2023 elections. According to reports, the canopy under which the sale of forms is taking place was suddenly dismantled without explanation after the money was discovered missing. It was gathered that the sum of $75,000 went missing amid the crowded struggle at the main entrance to the party premises.   Party sources, however, disclosed to PUNCH that the missing money was in no way connected to the monies from sale of nomination and expression of interest forms as aspirants are expected to make deposits in the designated account numbers before picking up their forms at Buhari House. “It’s actually $75,000. You know there wa...

The trial of former Plateau State governor, Senator Jonah David Jang and a former cashier in the Office of the Secretary to the State Government (OSSG), Yusuf Pam before Justice C. L. Dabup of Plateau State High Court, Jos, continued today April 26, 2022 with a trail-within-trial in which the second defendant, Yusuf Pam, under cross examination by the prosecuting counsel, Rotimi Jacobs, SAN, contradicted himself over claims that his statements were extracted under duress. At the last sitting, Pam had told the court that between January 16, 2017 and May 2018 while in the custody of the EFCC, he was denied access to his phone, his lawyer, and his drugs.  He further said that during interrogation, the Investigating Officer, Musa Sunday slapped and harassed him severally until he was compelled to write what Musa wanted to hear. However, while cross examining the defendant today, Jacobs SAN recalled that the defendant, while being prosecuted before Justice Daniel Longji, never mentioned tha...

The Plateau State Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Hon. Sylvester Wallangko has restated the role of the media in disseminating government business and activities to the people. The Commissioner made the assertion when he received the executives and members of the Plateau Publishers Association (PPA) who were in his office on a courtesy call and media parley. The media executives, were led by the Association's chairman, Chief Amb Nanyah Andrew Daman. (JP), Jarumin Jat and Group Managing Editor of the NewsGate Magazine. Wallangko disclosed that the British America flyover was being funded from internally generated revenue (IGR) and also hinted that the issues surrounding the Governor Simon Bako Lalong legacy projects has been sorted out and that the media would be carried along in all the processes, describing the PPA as partners in progress while noting that the ministry of Budget and Planning was a gateway to every organization wishing to do business with the Plate...

Attention His Excellency Governor Simon Lalong Your Excellency, the ominous signs are becoming clearer and the decibels getting louder that some of your aides are friendnemies. Danger lurks around, regret and gnashing of teeth might be the next obvious manifestation... I hope His Excellency sees through the smokescreen of contrived deception, I hope His Excellency listens beyond the rumbles of chaos. The Ship is Sinking and yet the party is on with cheers and jeers like children on an enchanted horse of a merry-go-round. Those who should care do not even know the the wind has wafted away the caution and restraint they ought to ordinarily exercise. Your Excellency, I must as a good disciple of yours sound the warning knell that your political carrier might just be headed for its vestigial cremation. Your Excellency Sir, I write to let you know that there are many of your aides ( Commissioners, local government Chairmen and other political appointees) who are benefitting big in this ad...

Rev.Shehu Luke OPEN LETTER IN RESPONSE TO YOUR BANK'S BLASPHEMOUS, SACRILEGIOUS EASTER MESSAGE AND YOUR MOCKERY LETTER OF APOLOGY. The Arewa Christians and Indigenous Pastors Association (ACIPA) and indeed all Christians found your Easter advert of Sunday 17th April 2022 at best appalling, disrespectful of Christians and a provocation. We chose restrain, not to respond in view of the spiritual essence and the holy solace we attach to Easter and the memory of the suffering, crucifixion, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Let it be on record that the "meekness" of Christians with reference to Matthew 5:5 should not be taken for granted by your bank, any organization or the government as was the case in the past. We believe your letter of Apology is a public relations stunt, hence it truly depicted mockery of Christianity and Christians. You are aware that the bulk stops at your doorstep and table as Chief Executive and management. Here we are comp...

Former Minister of Youth and Sports, Solomon Dalung, has dumped the All Progressives Congress (APC). Dalung submitted his letter of withdrawal from the APC to the leadership of the party in SabonGida Ward, Langtang South Local government area of Plateau State. According to reports, the letter dated Friday, April 1, was signed by the Dalung on Monday, April 18. Solomon Dalung who served as the Minister of Youth and Sports during the first tenure of President Muhammadu Buhari-led government from 2015 to 2019 has earlier condemned the ruling party for not living to expectations, sighting insecurities and other challenges facing the country. The former minister’s statement reads in parts: “This is to convey my withdrawal of membership from the All Progressives Congress with effect from the date of this notice. “It is worthy of mention that recent developments in the party conflict with my core principles of values which define the basis of allegiance to the party. “Of note is the fact t...

Despite displeasures from certain quarters on state pardon granted former governor of Plateau state, Joshua Dariye and his counterpart from Taraba state, Jolly Nyame, a chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) , Moses Ayom, has called on them to join the presidential race. Dariye and Nyame were among the 159 convicts granted presidential pardon last week by President Muhammadu Buhari, which drew condemnations from some Nigerians on account of the duo serving jail terms on convictions slammed on them years back by court of competent jurisdiction for being corrupt while serving as governors of their respective states. But Chief Ayom in Abuja Monday while speaking as leader of the presidency agitation, called on the duo to join the presidential race for the actualisation of the Middle Belt Presidency.  Commending President Buhari and the Council of State for the gesture,  Ayom said the two leaders of the Middle Belt suffered the fate because they were minorities, adding th...

By Golok Nanmwa, Jos Plateau state Governor Simon Bako Lalong on Monday denied anointing or endorsing any aspirant for the position of Governor or any other political office in the forthcoming general elections. The Governor told an APC stakeholders meeting in Jos, Monday 18th April 2022 that the process for emergence of candidates will involve wide consultations. More details coming soon...

The Executive Chairman of Jos South Local Government Area, Amb. Gideon Dung Dandereng on Monday April 18th, 2022, performed the foundation laying of the Council's Chapel. The foundation laying and Easter service was held at the Council's Secretariat amidst pomp and pageantry.  The Executive Chairman, who was in company of other christian faithfuls and other notable dignitaries were on ground to worship at the Council's Secretariat and Easter service, with a Theme tagged: "Resurrection Celebration Worship Service/Chapel Foundation Laying". The service exhortation was done by Rev. David Polycarp who came in from Florida of the United States said, he couldn't hide his love for the people of Jos South and Plateau State in general, having known the State for 31 years. He extolled the importance of constructing the chapel as it will signify the acceptance and presence of God in Jos South. The Reverend also expressed his desire to be around to commission the project ...

It's no longer news that the president in the exercise of his constitutional duty as stipulated in section 175 of the1999 constitution as amended has granted pardon to many Nigerians in which former Gov Dariye was a prime beneficiary of this bogus legal bonanza by Mr president. Whatever legal or moral binoculars this reprieve is interrogated or scrutinized, the fact remains that this freedom is legal, lawful and above all it's constitutional, whatever misgivings anyone has about this freedom is completely irrelevant in the eyes of the law.One may input morality implications of this freedom on the anti corruption mantra of the APC government but morality and law are not same, therefore those advancing such arguments are but doing a mere academic exercise. Now with the freedom already bestowed on Dariye which has restored all his legal rights and given his political pedigree of an unrepentant apostle of a minority agenda crusader; the question in the lips of many and my humble ...

By Abubakar Ibrahim As 2023 draws nearer, political atmosphere of who becomes the next House of Representative member at the green chamber for Suleja Gurara and Tafa federal constituency heat up as a front line and astute politician Hon HARUNA ARAFAT Abubakar Magaji Gawu join the race Competent source within the area reviews to this paper that Hon HAAM was call to contest the race by the Gurarans his good peoples We equally gathered that Gurara local government had been politically marginalised and robbed out of the zoning arrangements of that Reps position as Suleja has took it to almost 16 years, likewise Tafa 8 years left Gurara marginalized The Gurarans said enough of all this one sided arrangement that 2023 it is the turn of Gurara to produce reps seat pointing out that Hon HAAM remain their candidate Speaking also was the contestant Hon HAAM said leadership is from God that if giving the mandate as the next reps member to be representing Suleja Gurara and Tafa federal constituen...

Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, presidential aspirant and Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has vowed to end the cold-blooded massacre of citizens of Plateau and other States if elected president in 2023. Governor Wike has also described as regrettable the failure of the All Progressives Congress (APC) led Federal Government to end the incessant wanton destruction of life and property in Plateau State. Wp The governor stated this on Saturday when he visited Jos, Plateau State capital as part of his ongoing consultation with PDP delegates acrossw the country ahead of the party’s convention slated for 28/ 29 May, 2022. He observed that the under the watch of the APC led Federal Government banditry and other horrid criminal activities have been thriving in Plateau State, which is regrettably governed by the same party. “APC is at the Federal Government level. APC is at the Villa. The only Federal Government project in Plateau is banditry. That is the only project that can be giv...

A close confidant and the family members of Sen. Joshua Chibi Dariye,the former Executive Governor of Plateau State have disclaimed,refuted and distanced themselves from the report by Tori.ng news which insinuated that Dariye said " I was unfairly convicted -Ex - Plateau Gov. Dariye Reacts to Presidential Pardon". In the disclaimer,a close confidant and family members wrote , " We write to request that you publish a retraction of this report as it is fake news . Senator Dariye has no media aide by name  Christopher John,as reported by your online medium.  More still,Dariye has not granted any interview to anyone and is not in a position to do so at the time of the purported report and even now. You are kindly requested to retract this immediately,else we take necessary action. Thank you."  Tori.ng powered by Thandiubani on Friday 15th April , 2022 wrote that  "Senator Dariye said he was unfairly convicted and his pardon was a form of vindication".  The rep...

Over 1,502 members Of the People's Democratic party PDP on Friday decamped to the All Progressive Congress APC PDP, in Pil Gani wards' of Langtang North LocalGovernment Area of Plateau state. The PDP decampees were received by the Executive Chairman of the Langtang North Barrister Zulfa Rimven. Speaking on their decision to dump the PDP to the APC, the leader of the decampees, Ringa Nanlok, said they were satisfied with the council chairman Hon Zulfa and the Plateau state Governor Simon Lalong. Our correspondent reports that recently Barr Zulfa Bitrus Rimven had set up a committee to receive the decampees. Speaking while receiving the decampees, Hon Zulfa who was accompanied by the Commissioner for housing Hon Brian Bintim Dadi and all the LGA APC aspirants for the forthcoming 2023 election, assured them of justice and fairness amongst members of the ruling party and called on others who are yet to join to do so. The council boss who described the event as a 'harvest...

Worried by the renewed spate of killings across the North, especially the region, the Middle Belt Forum, MBF, has called on its people to use whatever is available to defend themselves against these bloodthirsty Fulani invaders. The Forum noted that this call become imperative because they have lost faith in the capacity of President Muhammadu Buhari to secure the lives and property of Nigerians. Dr. Pogu Bitrus, the National President of the MBF, lamented in a statement issued Friday in Abuja that the refusal of the government to deal with perpetrators of these recurring killings reveals its complicity in the gale of bloodshed shredding the Middle Belt Region. According to him, “We call on our peoples to be alert and use whatever is available to them to stand firm and resist these bloodthirsty invaders". He said. “We call on our communities to be security conscious as they celebrate Easter. We must never allow ourselves to be caught unawares by those inflicting all forms of barba...

Mr Dennis Yillah, a Europe based philanthropist and business mogul has taken a swipe at Gov. Simon Bako Lalong of Plateau state for late response to the humanitarian crises arising in the aftermath of the recent gruesome attacks on communities in Kanam and Wase local government areas of the state, which left hundreds of persons death and properties destroyed in one swoop. Mr Yillah is particularly concerned that it took the governor five days after the killings of such magnitude, to visit the victims, when as the chief security officer of the state, he was supposed to be the first to call. Such attitude, according to Yillah, is a brazen display of insensitivity to the plights of Plateau citizens and total neglection of the core responsibility of the government to carter for the welfare of her citizens, chief among which is the protection of their lives and property. In a statement signed by the Ngas born philanthropist and made available to newsmen, Yillah said the swift response of th...

The opportunity created by political parties to enthrone geopolitical equity and good conscience is about to be mangled by ethnic fear as fortune seekers attempt to forge an arrangement that is not supported by any historical facts and antecedents. First of all, constitutional matters must be separated from Party privileges and consensual norms. The entrenchment, or creation of geopolitical zones, senatorial districts, federal constituencies, state constituencies, and Federal Wards in the 1999 constitution was to keep the federation intact in terms of political representation. The same constitution is silent on how the tribes within such political demarcations collaborate and coagulate socio-politically. To a large extent, political parties intervene with privileges such as rotation or zoning. But not even the political parties prescribe zoning or rotation along the political prefabrications of Federal, State, or Wards. Rather, ethnic or cultural configuration is the predicate of zonin...

The Forum of Local Government Deputy Chairmen has a sole mandate of brainstorming and discussing pertinent issues that will complement the roles of Local Government Chairmen toward better service delivery. The Plateau State Chapter of the Forum in its maiden meeting held on the 8th and 19th of April, 2022 respectively, after long deliberation on the progress of the various councils on the Plateau reeled out some of its resolutions to include: ✓ Zoning of the furum's positions equally across the three senatorial zones of the state. ✓ The adoption of Consensus. Sequel to the aforementioned, candidates were hitherto nominated and presented to the house for adoption through a motion moved by Hon. Ayuba Jagaba and seconded by Hon. Samson Gimba which saw the emergence of the following persons as the new executives of the forum; 1. Hon. Williams Titlong - Chairman 2. Hon. Hassan Garba - Vice Chairman 3. Hon. Ayuba Jagaba - Secretary 4. Hon. Bala Haruna - Organising Secretary 5. Hon. Nancy...

By Golok Nanmwa, Jos  Member representing Pankshin Kanke Kanam in the Federal house of representatives Hon  Yusuf Gagdi, on Thursday said he has moved a motion for the setting up of permanent military bases and a Mobile Police Squadron in Kanam, Plateau. Gagdi further said that his motion in the National Assembly received approval and military bases would be established in strategic areas particularly where Kanam share boundaries with other states. The lawmaker made this known when he paid a courtesy call on Chairman of Kanam Local Government, Alhaji Dayyabu Garaga. He described the Sunday night attacks in Garga district as a sad and difficult moment for Kanam people. The Federal lawmaker told the chairman that he sought for the establishment of Mobile Police Squadron to be situated in the area. Gagdi who is the House of Reps Committee Chairman on Navy said that prior to the attacks, Kanam used to be safest and most peaceful area in Plateau.  "We don't know why they attacked u...

The Director-General of the National Institute Prof. Ayo Omotayo yesterday Wednesday 13 April 2022 paid a courtesy visit to five secondary schools in Jos metropolis. The schools visited include: Government Science Secondary School, Kuru; Government Science Technical College, Bukuru; Government Secondary School, Hwak Kuru; Government Secondary School, Kanadap; and Berom Community Secondary, Kuru. The DG, who was accompanied on the visit by some management and senior staff of the National Institute, reiterated the importance of education in nation-building. He, therefore, pledged to support the secondary schools in the provision of quality education, adding that all hands must be on deck to build a better society.

The former Governor of plateau state, Senator Joshua Chibi Dariye has been released from prison. The senator has been pardon at the council of State meeting held at the presidential villa today 14th April,2023. The meeting had in attendance of Ex Presidents which includes Gen. Yakubu Gowon,Gen Abdulsalami Abubakar and Dr. Good luck Ebele Jonathan in attendance. The former Governor of plateau state was sentence for corruption related offense by Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCCt) when he held sway as governor of the state. However, the story is still sketchy as at time of filling this report.

Chief Amb Nanyah Andrew Daman, Jarumin Jat and Group Managing Editor of the NewsGate Magazine as well as the Chairman of the Plateau Publishers Association (PPA) led the Executive Council and Members of PPA to a courtesy call and Media Parley to Prof Ayo Omotayo, the newly appointed Director General of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies Kuru and his Management Team. In his remarks, Chief Amb Nanyah Andrew Daman said the association is requesting for partnership and retainership with the prestigious institute in dissemination of information about its activities to critical stakeholders and the nation. Daman said as Members of the fourth estate of the realm, they own both print and online publications carrying out businesses with sole aim of educating,informing and entertaining the general public at a moderate cost. Daman on behalf of the association heartily congratulate the Director General of NIPSS over his well deserved appointment. In his response Prof Ayo Omot...

 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), stakeholders in Kanke Local Government Area of Plateau State said in the interest of equity and fairness, the zoning arrangement should be sustain in respect of the State House of Assembly seat by micro-zoning the party’s ticket to Langshi Ward under Ampang Garram zone. The stakeholders further agreed that any candidate from Ampang Garram zone the PDP stakeholders present to the party for the State House of Assembly election they will support such a candidate provided that the candidate’s emergence is peaceful. Recall that Kanke local government has been maintaining zone arrangement both in respect of elective and appointive positions since Nigeria returned to democratic system of governance and all wards under the Kabwir, Amper and Ampang Garram zones have benefited from zoning arrangement except Langshi ward under Ampang Garram zone. Speaking separately, the party’s stakeholders commended Honourable Lengwe Wushangka from Langshi ward under Ampang Garr...