The Age Newspaper Online

T he Plateau State Stakeholders has unanimously pass a vote of confidence on Governor Simon Bako Lalong over good leadership and his pursuit for peace and security on the Plateau. They also commiserate with the Government and people of the State over the recent attacks which led to loss of lives and properties. They commended the Governor for his doggedness in handling the situation and restoring normalcy. The motion was moved by Majority Leader of the State House of Assembly Hon. Naanlong Daniel and seconded by Hon. Philip Dasun, Chairman House Committee on Information. Photos by Josiah Jenvulu.

The Federal Government has declared a former Navy Commodore, Kunle Olawunmi, wanted over his revelations on Channels Television’s ‘Sunrise Daily’ breakfast programme last Wednesday. He had claimed Boko Haram terrorists mentioned names of current governors, senators and Aso Rock officials as sponsors during interrogation but the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), has demonstrated an unwillingness to go after the high-profile politicians for reasons best known to him. Olawunmi, a Professor of Global Security Studies, had said, “You remember this Boko Haram issue started in 2012 and I was in the military intelligence at that time. We arrested those people. My organisation actually conducted interrogation and they (suspects) mentioned names. I can’t come on air and start mentioning names of people that are presently in government that I know that the boys that we arrested mentioned. Some of them are governors now, some of them are in the Senate, some of them are in Aso Rock...

Plateau state House of assembly on Friday strongly called on citizens of the state  to practically stand up and defend themselves and their communities, as the conventional security design is no longer guaranteeing the safety of the citizens. Addressing Journalists on Friday at the NUJ Press Center Jos on the topic, “PRESENT STATE OF INSECURITY IN PLATEAU STATE PRESENTED BY PLATEAU STATE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY, the Lawmakers sympathize with the Government and People of Plateau State on the barbaric and dastardly killings that have been taking place in different communities of Bassa, Barkin Ladi, Bokkos, Jos North, Jos South, Mangu, Riyom, University of Jos Community and recently that of Yelwa Zangam.  Speaking through, the  legislative’s house committee chairman on information, Philip Dasun and deputy Majority Leader and  member representing Langtang,  Daniel Nanbot, condemned all the killings in totality. The text reads this:  ” We commend the youths on the Plateau for sustained coordinate...

In view of the incessant attacks in Jos and It's environs,The Youth Groups in Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau state frowned in a brutal way innocent people are continuously attacked and maiming innocent people, in a Press Statement which issued in Jos, read thus:  THE GENOCIDE IN    JOS NORTH AND THE URGENT NEED FOR SELF DEFENCE. BY THE AFIZERE,ANAGUTA AND BEROM YOUTH (AFIANABER) JOS NORTH LGA. We, the three indigenous Ethnic groups of Jos North LGA, that's the Afizere,Angatu and Berom. wish to categorically rise against the killings, maiming and massacring of innocent of our brothers and sisters in cold blood within Jos and it's environs. We frown at this heinous act of killing innocent citizens regardless of their faiths and where they come from. Within the period of two weeks alone,over one hundred people loss their lives in Jos North LGA ranging from Attacks and counter attacks.  The Recent skirmishes resulted to the killing of innocent people including the s...

BREAKING: APC Announces Zoning Arrangement Ahead Of 2023 General Elections  The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has announced a zoning arrangement ahead of the 2023 General elections.   The APC also announced its National Working Committee zoning arrangement. The zoning arrangements were announced on Wednesday by Mai Mala Buni, Governor of Yobe State and the Chairman, APC Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee. APC 2023 Presidential Ticket Zoning And National Working Committee President – (South) Vice President – (North) Senate President – (South) Deputy Senate President – (North) House of Reps Speaker – (North) House of Reps Deputy Speaker – (South) APC National Working Committee Zoning National Chairman – (North) National Secretary – (South) National Treasurer – (South) Financial Secretary – (North) Legal Officer – (North) Welfare Officer – (South) Auditor – (North) National Youth Leader – (South) National Woman Leader – (South) Publicity Secretary – (South) Per...

GOVERNOR LALONG LEADS PLATEAU DELEGATION TO 3RD DAY PRAYER FOR LATE SENATOR MANTU  Plateau State Governor Simon Bako Lalong has described the late Deputy Senate President Senator Nasiru Mantu as one of Nigerian's most pragmatic and peace loving politicians who used his influence to bring people together and promote the good of the society.  Governor Lalong was speaking at the third day prayer for the late politician held at his residence in Asokoro, Abuja where he led the political class in Plateau State comprising of former Governor David Jang, Deputy Speaker House of Representatives Idris Wase, past and serving members of the National Assembly, Minister of Women Affairs Paullen Tallen and others former Ministers, as well as other political office holders.  Lalong said "we have lost a gaint in the political arena of Nigeria as the late Senator Mantu was a mentor, proactive and versatile politician who embraced people from all backgrounds and touched their lives positively. Ma...

The National Institute For Cultural Orientation (NICO) in collaboration with United the Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) has organised a 3 day Natonal conference on Culture, Peace And National Security. The event took place at Crest Hotel with the the theme "The Role of Women And Youth" amidst pomp and pageantry. While declaring the 3 Day National Conference open, the Executive Governor of Plateau State Rt. Hon. Simon Bako Lalong, ably represented by his deputy, Prof. Sonni Gwanle Tyoden appreciated the participants for having confident in the peace process of Plateau State. He added that culture is an important element in promoting peace and the role of Women and Youth is vital to achieving peace. The Governor condemned the recent resurgent of attacks in some communities in the State and assured that the security agencies will do all within their power do deal with criminals in the state. The Minister for Information and Culture Alhaji Lai...

  A Political think-tank, the PKK  Political Credibility Group, on Wednesday said that   the Federal  House of Representatives  Member representing  Pankshin/Kanam/Kanke   constituency of Plateau State  Hon  Yusuf  Babayo Adamu  Gagdi deserves to be   re-elected  because of his giant strides in the socio-economic and infrastructural development of his constituency . ",Yusuf  Babayo Adamu  Gagdi is an assent to the people of PKK and should be supported by all  to ensure that he wins his second term bid ." "He has been able to better the lives of the  people of PKK and we believe that his return to the House of Representatives  for  second term  would bring more dividend of democracy to his people.   "With the experience he has  garnered in so far he would be able to do more for the people of the area and the state if re elected ." The group also appealed to the Federal  lawmaker  to  re- contest as they are solidly behind him . "Yusuf  Babayo Adamu  Gagdi  ...

Hon Fanmak By Golok Nanmwa ,Jos Group operating under the aegis of Plateau Liberation Movement (PLM) on Tuesday lauded the Acting Chairman of the All Progressive Congress in the state Hon Enoch Fanmak for uniting members of the party stressing that he is doing excellently well since he assumed office . Spokesman of the group Hon Nanchit Datiri , made the call in a statement made available to newsmen in Jos . The group also praised the decision of the National body of the All Progressives Congress, APC to pick Hon Fanmak as the acting chairman of the party in Plateau , saying it is a step in the right direction of unifying the party. The group further stated that Fanmak’s emergence is just the right tonic the party in Plateau needs in positioning itself for future elections. The statement reads that since assumption of office over one month ago , Hon Enock Fanmak, has done well in taking the party to greater heights . "The All Progressives Congress (APC) is the do...

          Ex Gov. Joshua Dariye The Inspector-General of Police Response Team (IRT) has arrested eight suspects in the kidnap of the father of former Plateau State Governor, Joshua Dariye, 13 months ago. Chibi Dariye was kidnapped in June 2020 in Mushere village in Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State and nothing was heard about him again until last week when the suspects were arrested.  Mr. Dariye was first abducted in 2015 and released after a ransom was paid by his family. That of June last year was the second time the elderly man was abducted in his home town of Mushere. The police spokesperson in the state, Ubah Gabriel, said the suspects were arrested when officers in a joint operation with their colleagues from the police headquarters in Abuja raided the kidnappers’ hideout. The police said 26-member criminal gang to which the suspects allegedly belong had been carrying out armed robbery and kidnapping in Bokkos LGA. “The eight members of the criminal gang arrested incl...

Plateau State Governor Simon Bako Lalong on Wednesday 14th July 2021 signed 4 bills passed by the Plateau State House of Assembly into law at the New Government House, Little Rayfield Jos .  The bills signed into law include Plateau State Legislative Funds Management Law; Plateau State Judiciary Funds Management Law; Plateau State Property and Land Use Charge Law; and the Plateau Geographic Services Law.  While signing the bills into law, Governor Lalong said the new Funds Management Law for the Judiciary and Legislature will guide the implementation of the recently granted autonomy for the two arms of Government particularly in terms of financial management.  According to Governor Lalong, the laws will guide the Judiciary and Legislature on the implementation of autonomy with regards to funds disbursement, approvals and expenditure in line with extant financial regulations.  "These laws will further strengthen the two institutions by ensuring that funds are judiciously applied to...

                Sen. Jonah Jang Former governor of Plateau State, Sen. Jonah David Jang says the state chapter of his party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), will soon resolve its internal disagreements and emerge stronger. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that Plateau PDP has been enmeshed in series of crises that led to the dissolution of the elected state executive committee of the party. The National Secretariat of the party on June 11 constituted an independent caretaker committee headed by Sen. Tunde Ogbeha to resolve the issues and conduct state congress within 90 days. Jang stated this on Monday in Jos while addressing newsmen shortly after a meeting between the party’s elder’s council and the state caretaker committee. The former governor assured supporters that with the coming of the caretaker committee, all parties had resolved to give them all the support needed to resolve the issues. He said: “We will give the committee all the support to ensure the disagreement...

As the clock ticks towards the October 2021 Local Government Polls in Plateau State, I heartily congratulate the APC Chairmanship ticket of Kanam LGA, and pray for their success in at polls. God gives power to whom he desires at the time He wishes without consulting any mortal being. Whatever happens under the sun is divinely designed; hence I salute the wisdom of the APC Appeal Committee for coming up with the vibrant APC ticket in Kanam LGA comprising Hon. Dayyabu Garga and Hon. Bala Haruna as Chairman and Deputy, respectively. This is a no-Victor-no-vanquished scenario, and we submit to the supremacy of the party, as exhibited by the Appeal Committee.  By virtue of my position as the member representing Pankshin/Kanke/Kanam Federal Constituency and political leader of the APC in Kanam LGA, I enjoin all party faithful to sheath their swords and work in unison for the success of the party at the polls, as we look forward to reaffirming APC as the party with the landslide majority in P...

          Rt. Hon. Yusuf Gagdi It's an aphorism that "if the teller of a story is a fool, the listeners are not fools". The trending video of alleged thugs brought to Dengi from Bauchi by Rt Hon. Yusuf Adamu Gagdi to disrupt APC primary election in the local government on 23rd June, 2021 was not as foolproof as the trenders of the video would want the gullible public to believe; hook line and sinker. To start with, Dengi, the headquarters of Kanam LGA is a a semi-urban settlement of not less than 100k inhabitants. Of that number, more than 80 percent of the voting population in that town are members of the ruling All Progressives Congress. If one quarter of the population are of voting age, we are roughly going to have more than 10k APC members who would have converged at U/Goje Primary School Dengi on that day, to vote in the botched APC primary election. Now back to the issue at stake, the supposed thugs who were allegedly imported to disrupt the APC primary election we...

NIGERIA EAGLES SUPPORTERS CLUB DECORATES AND PRESENTS MERIT AWARD TO CHIEF AMB. DR. YOHANNA Y. D. MARGIF AS PLATEAU STATE PATRON              Chief Y.D Margif By Nanyah Daman, Jos.  The Nigerian Super Eagles Supporters Club have completed arrangements to decorate and present a Distinguished Merit Award to Chief Yohanna Y.D Margif, the Wazirin Mushere and the Patron of the Jagaban Vision Movement on the 3rd of July 2021 at Yelwa Club by 11:00am prompt. The invitation card of the decoration of Patronship and Award Ceremony of the Chief Margif is signed by Hon. Sunny Gullong, the National President of the Nigeria Eagles Supporters Club with the Plateau State Patron to be decorated as a host. You will recall a "a letter of introduction of Nigeria Eagles Supporters Club Appointment As a Patron of the NESC and Award of Excellence As a Lover of Sport and pillar of youth Empowerment in Plateau State and Nigeria" was issued to Chief Margif, the Wazirin Mushere on the 13th June, 2021. ...

Fanmak APC Acting Chair The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Plateau state has set up a four man committee to accomodate all complains rising from the conduct of it primaries across the 17 local government areas of the state. In a media parley with Journalists at the party secretariat, the acting Chairman Mr Fanmak Enoch said this became necessary as APC is a party that accomodate all without fear or favour. Mr Enoch reiterated "all party men who have complains can come from 8-4pm daily, all party men should be calm as we are working on how to make the party accomodating and United for all as a progressive unit". when asked about the outcome of the primaries and the announcement of the results,He said " The party has recieved all results collated by the local government returning officers and the party is working on the results collected and will soon make it known to the public". The work of the committee starts immediately even as the party is yet ...

The Executive Governor of Plateau State and the Chairman of the Northern Governors Forum Rt.Hon Barr Dr Simon Lalong KSGG has charged the political class in the State and the country to make democracy worthwhile for the common people by being selfless and focusing on making their lives better. The Governorcontinued "If we do not put them first, then we run the risk of alienating them and making politics uninteresting" Lalong made this known while speaking at the presentation of midterm report by the Hon Yusuf Adamu Gagdi , the member representing Pankshin ,Kanke ,Kanam federal constituency to mark two years held at the Pankshin Stadium . Lalong further said " As a Member of the ruling APC, the greatest party in Africa, our legislator, Yusuf Gagdi is making us proud and showing that the trust of the people is not misplaced. Some of the evidences are before us today to see and touch. We should support and encourage him to do more and make our party, the APC the envy of a...

SOEMLAT ATTRIBUTES SIX YEARS OF LALONG'S SUCCESS TO GOD'S FAITHFULNESS. As Nigeria marks 22 years of uninterrupted democracy, Plateau State Government under the leadership of Governor Simon Bako Lalong has held a special Thanksgiving service on Sunday 6th June 2021 in commemoration of the June 12 democracy day celebrations.  Dr Mrs Regina Soemlat who spoke to a select Media Executives  at the Government House Chapel Rayfield, Jos,posited that as the Commissioner of Finance, Plateau State,we give God the glory  as we mark  six years of Governor Simon Bako Lalong's Rescue Administration  and 22 years of uninterrupted democracy nationwide with a Thanksgiving Service. Soemlat revealed that "it is not by our strength, but I can tell you it is the doing of the Lord especially here on the Plateau.When we first came in,in 2015, it was not easy but God in His infinite mercies upheld us up to this day.I know God has a hand in bringing the Rescue Team on board. I know God chose a...

  A digital rights group, Paradigm Initiative, has pushed back on Federal Government’s ban on micro blogging social platform, Twitter. It described it as a brazen affront on citizens fundamental human rights and advised its users and other social media platforms in the country to download virtual private networks (VPNs) to enable them continue to use the platforms for their economic survival and social and political engagements while the “push back on this draconian order by the Nigerian government.”   In a statement, the group said: “Today, the 4th of June 2021, the Federal Government of Nigeria announced its suspension of Twitter operations, that the application can be used as a platform for activities capable of undermining Nigeria’s corporate existence. “Many Nigerians read the announcement of the ban on Twitter as a reflection of the importance of the platform and other digital (social media) platforms to Nigerians in accessing information and disseminating the same. “The directiv...

By Golok Nanmwa, Jos   Leadership of the Joint Campus Committee(JCC) of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) Plateau State Chapter at the weekend  frowned  at the highest level of disrespect and arrogance  exhibited by the Members of the plateau state house of Assembly to the Government and good people of the state by boycotting the public hearing on the amendment of the constitution by the federal house of representatives  A statement signed by Comrade Mattew Jerry NANS JCC Chairman  Plateau State and made available to newsmen in Jos reads that This singular act is the most unfortunate thing that has ever happened in our entire history. It reads that "As Students and leaders of tomorrow, we wonder the kind of lessons they are trying to teach the younger generation." "Most annoying is the fact that Mr Governor being a former speaker and member of the Assembly has been very supportive in the activities of this current assembly right from it inception. ...