The Age Newspaper Online

By Mathew Hassan Kukah By the banks of the Niger river, on the hills of the Plateau, across the lush savannahs of the Middle Belt, we have sat down and wept. We have questions crying for answers: Who are these killers? Where are they coming from? Who is sponsoring them? What are their grouses and against whom? What do they want? Whom do they want? Who are they working for? When will it all end? Why are they invincible and invisible? Who is offering them cover? Those invisible men came to the Plateau again, bearing their gifts of death and destruction. They came from the deepest pit of hell, the habitat of the devils that they are. They are children of darkness, sons of Satan. They opted to extinguish and snatch the light of the joy of Christmas from thousands of people on the Plateau. They imagined they would ignite an orgy of blood, seduce the ordinary peace-loving people of the Plateau and set them on a mission of mindless murder of fellow citizens in the name of retaliation. The wor

In the aftermath of the Christmas Eve attack on communities in Bokkos and Barkin Ladi Local Government Areas of Plateau State, Senator Jonah David Jang has issued a press statement expressing deep grief and emphasizing the urgent need for state police to address the escalating violence. Comrade Clinton Garuba, the Media Consultant to Senator David Jang, conveyed the senator’s condolences to the families who lost loved ones during the heinous attack. The senator condemned the orchestrated act by individuals determined to disrupt the peace of the state, depriving ordinary Plateau citizens of the serenity bestowed by nature. The Christmas Eve massacre, targeting harmless villagers in their homes as they prepared to celebrate the holiday, is described by Senator Jang as the most horrendous wickedness imaginable. The senator highlighted that the killers, seemingly on a cleansing agenda, aim to take over the lands of the people they try to wipe out. Expressing concern over the continuous kil

As part of his contributions to building a society guaranteed a secure future, Politician and Philanthropist, Chief Kefas Ropshik has urged the elite and the political class to be intentional about the welfare of those within the margins in society Mr. Ropshik who celebrated both his birthday and 15th year anniversary in philanthropy and humanitarianism distributed food and other critical items worth millions of Naira to widows and children. Speaking about his sojourn of touching lives so far, chief Kefas said “I thank God for the enablement to do this despite the challenges through the years, it is not easy to do what we’re doing consistently but here we are by the grace of God. “Adopting children that are not related to you directly by blood comes with its down sides because they have their uniqueness. “We are appreciative of the fact that despite all these, they’re doing well, including academically.” He goes further to urge capable citizens to take the challenge of adopting childre

By Jerry Jatdul & Danladi Nanman, Langtang It was a mixture of tears and tributes on Friday, 15th December, 2023 when the remains of the Ponzhi Jat, Rwamko Wuyep was committed to mother earth at his family compound, Kangkur district of Langtang North Local Government Area of Plateau State. Before his final interment, a funeral service was held in his honour at the Ponzhi Jat Palace, Kangkur in Langtang North LGA of Plateau State. Late Ponzhi Jat, Rwamko Wuyep was born on 26th May 1940 and died on Saturday 21st October, 2023 at the age of 83. Speaking at the funeral service, the Acting President Langtang Joint Traditional Council and the Ponzhi Zinni, Nimnan Langnim, condoled with the Wuyep family and called on the children to emulate the virtues of the deceased. Testimonies from the family, uncles, friends, children and Traditional rulers revealed that the Late Ponzhi Jat, Rwamko Wuyep was a selfless paramount ruler, deeply rooted in Christ and pacemaker who always leaves an indeli

THE CONFERENCE OF AUTOCHTHONOUS ETHNIC NATIONALITIES COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATIONS (CONAECDA) 15TH DECEMBER 2023 THE TUDUN BIRI ERROR We received with pains the recent collateral killing of over 100 Citizens of Tudun Biri village of Kaduna State on 3rd December 2023. The bombing of the village which the Nigeria army described as an error is one among many of such errors in the past 16 years of war against terrorist among which are the Boko Haram and the Bandits or Yan-Bindiga terrorist groups. One of the major courses of these “errors” has been the imbedding of these terrorists in communities where they terrorize civilians into silence or instances where the civilians become tacit supporters of the terrorists. Another reason is the perception among Nigerians that some military officers use their offices to deliberately injure communities against which they hold some form of grudges. It is these reasons that often lead sections of the communities to accuse the Nigerian army of bias

The Transition Implementation Committee chairman of Kanam Local Government Area of Plateau state, Hon. Ado Yusuf has called on the government of Nasarawa state to see the important needs of revamping Government Teachers College, Keffi in the state. The Chairman said it is important to bequeath a long lasting legacy to our younger children coming up to  know the important roles the college has played in the development of Nasarawa state in particular and entire nigeria in general. The Chairman  who is an old student of the college was speaking in an interview with Journalists during the National Congress / Convention Government  Teachers College (KETCOSA), tagged Plateau 2023, held at De Bridge Ville Hotel and suites opposite Hill Crest School Jos, Saturday 11th November 2023. He said he is participating on the Congress/convention of the College as Alumni so that at the end of it, will can be able to bring on board  a viril EXCO that will pilot the affairs of the college for the next th

A group under the aegis of Plateau Progressive Youths Forum, has expresses its unwavering support and passionate appeal for the consideration of Hon. Rufus Bature as a replacement of the Minister of Labor and Employment, following the recent declaration of the Minister of Labour & Employment, Rt Hon. Simon Bako Lalong as the duly elected Senator to represent the good people of Plateau Southern Senatorial District by the Apeal Court. The group in a statement signed by the spokeperson, Hon. Solomon Samuel Badung, alias auta APC, and issued to The Age, indicates that, "Plateau North Senatorial district elections of 2019, Hon. Rufus Bature, representing the All Progressives Congress (APC), demonstrated commendable resilience, by securing 171,233 votes amidst a closely contested race. This electoral performance, despite the challenges faced, underscores the widespread support and trust vested in Hon. Bature by the constituents". The statement added, "historical context of

By Jerry Jatdul The governor of Taraba state Agabus Kafas has promised to prioritize security which will throng peace and social economic development in the state. He decried the action of the alumni of Theological College of Northern Nigeria (TCNN), for lack of supports for the development of facilities in the institution. Governor Agabus who was a guest at the 59th Convocation of Theological College of Northern Nigeria TCNN, held at the college in Bukuru, Jos South local government area of plateau state on Friday 24th November 2023. He further said aside from security which is currently receiving adequate attention of his administration, the government of Taraba State has also declared state of emergency on education which was hitherto in a sorrow state before the coming of his administration which necessitated the introduction of free education from primary to secondary schools in the state. He said the actions of the government is predicated on the belief that education is the

The three weeks long C Division Inter Schools science quiz competition on Thursday, November 23rd, 2023, has come to an end leaving St. Paul's academy to emerged the first position of the competition over, Tamara's Fairview High school, Faith academy and Solace Model College respectively. The opening and closing of the three weeks long inter schools quiz competition tagged; "C Division Inter Schools Science Quiz Competition 2023" was held at the youth chapel, Living Faith Church Jos, with the attendance of 18 participating schools of Jos North. Delivering his speech at the closing of the ceremony, Plateau state Commissioner of Police ably represented by ACP Abubakar Haruna, Thanked the DPO of C Division for organizing the quiz competition and called on the students not to involved in cheating or exams malpractices and to focus on their studies always as sky will be their limit. He said the role of the Nigerian Police is to protect lives and properties thereby, solic

The Director Support groups for Generation Next heartily felicitates with Your Excellencies, the Executive Governor-elect of Plateau State, Dr. Nentawe Yilwatda Goshwe, and his Deputy, Hon. Pam Bot-mang. I wish to specially congratulate you upon your well-deserved victory at the Court of Appeal recently.   Indeed, Plateau people welcome this God-given victory, as it is the beginning of good things in the entire state. It is my sincere believe that with the rock-solid case we have, the next stage at the Supreme Court is just a mere academic exercise, and you will come out of it unscuttled. We appreciate almighty God for granting us success at this stage and believed that He will be with us all the way to the Supreme court. Signed: Prof. David Pam Yakubu, Director support groups for generation next campaign team, Plateau State.

... PLATEAU HIGH COURT PENSIONERS WITH FEDERAL SHARE WIDELY INFORMED- CHIEF JUDGE. By Nanyah Daman, Nanpon Maigemu and Justin Jattim,Jos. The National Judicial Council (NJC) Pension Department arrived Jos for two-day verification excercise to all retired Judges,Judicial Officers and Staff of the Federal High Courts, Appeal Courts and the Plateau State High Court resident in Plateau State from Monday 20th November to Tuesday 21st November 2023 at the new Conference Hall of the Plateau State High Court Complex. The verification excercise by the NJC Pension Department led by Nuhu Bello Dabai who represented Ahmed Gambo, the Executive Secretary of NJC,said the two-day excercise is out to screen pensioners ,capture their photographs and ensure prompt payment of their pension by the 20th day of every month.He clarified that it is only retired Judicial Officers and staff with Federal share resident in Plateau State that are legible to be screened. In his remarks the Chief Judge of Plateau Sta

The governorship candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC) for the March 18th, 2023, in Plateau state, Dr. Nentawe Yilwatda has attributed his victory at the Appeal Court as the will of God. Dr. Nentawe who made the statement through the Deputy Director General of Generation Next Campaign Council, Comr. Jibrin Banchir while addressing thousands of APC supporters who thronged the Secretariat junction Jos the capital city in jubilation on Monday. Dr. Nentawe also called on political gladiators in the state to desist from over heating the political atmosphere and make the interest of the people paramount. According to him, "It is with profound joy and gratitude to God Almighty that I welcome my victory at the Court of Appeal, which declared me as the rightful winner of the March 18th gubernatorial election in Plateau State, having scored the highest lawful votes as thoroughly examined and confirmed by law. “You will recall that immediately the election umpire erred by announcing m

The Government Teachers' College Keffi Old Students Association (KETCOSA), was on Saturday November, 11th, 2023, held its National Congress and convention to elect new hands that will pilot the affairs of the Association for the next two years. The National convention and the Inauguration of the newly Executive Council (EXCO) was held at the Bridge Ville Hotel and Suites, opposite Hill Crest, Jos, amidst pomp and pageantry. Delivering his farewell message at the national convention, The outgoing national chairman of the association, Alh. Abubakar Shehu Usman, who was ably represented by the deputy national chairman, Mr Emmanuel Neeyum, said due to some circumstances beyond the control of the outgoing national EXCO, the convention could not be held in November, 2022 adding that the circumstances include the preparation of 2023 general election, heightened insecurities in the northern part of the country and the paucity of funds due to non payments of annual subscriptions by members

The Government Teachers' College Keffi Old Students Association (KETCOSA), was on Saturday November, 11th, 2023, held its National Congress and convention to elect new hands that will pilot the affairs of the Association for the next two years. The National convention and the Inauguration of the newly Executive Council (EXCO) was held at the Bridge Ville Hotel and Suites, opposite Hill Crest, Jos, amidst pomp and pageantry. Delivering his farewell message at the national convention, The outgoing national chairman of the association, Alh. Abubakar Shehu Usman, who was ably represented by the deputy national chairman, Mr Emmanuel Neeyum, said due to some circumstances beyond the control of the outgoing national EXCO, the convention could not be held in November, 2022 adding that the circumstances include the preparation of 2023 general election, heightened insecurities in the northern part of the country and the paucity of funds due to non payments of annual subscriptions by members

Plateau state government has disbursed bank drafts to 110 beneficiaries being the cash palliative donated by Nigeria’s First Ladi, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, to victims of attacks in Riyom Local Government Area. It would be recalled that Sen. Tinubu had donated the sum of N500 million to 500 displaced families were affected by violent attacks in some local government areas in the state. Barr. Caleb Mutfwang while handing over bank drafts to the beneficiaries, appreciated the First Lady for the gesture, stating that the palliative would go a long way in returning the displaced people back to their communities and rebuild their lives. “Plateau state is happy with this kind gesture, the wife of the president has done something that has never been done in the history of Plateau, through her Renewed Hope Initiative, she has truly renewed the hope of 500 households in Plateau. “She has exhibited love and has shown to be a true mother who loves everyone, in-spite of political, tribal or religious a

Plateau State Governor, Barr. Caleb Mannaseh Mutfwang, has expressed his commitment to reorganize the management of all development partners in the state, to ensure efficient service delivery to meet the developmental needs of the people. He highlighted that his administration is diligently working to revamp the energy, agricultural, and economic sectors in the state to combat poverty and deliver the desired benefits of democracy to the people. Governor Mutfwang made these remarks on Monday during a courtesy visit at the New Government House Jos, Plateau State, by the Head of SEDIN Programme and Cluster Coordinator SEDEC GIZ Nigeria, and ECOWAS Country Director, Dr. Markus Wauschkuhn. The Governor expressed his gratitude to GIZ for its significant support to Plateau State over the years, recalling a notable encounter during his tenure as the Local Government Chairman of Mangu Local Government Area. At that time, he said, GIZ supported a storage facility for potatoes for the benefit of

The operatives of the Nigerian Police Force (NPF) Imo State Command have denied involvement in the alleged arrest of the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero in Imo. The Police through the state Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Henry Okoye, made this known to newsmen in Owerri while commenting on the arrest of Ajaero by security operatives in Owerri on Wednesday, during the NLC strike action in the state. According to him, the NLC president who was in Owerri for the mega really in the state was involved in a scuffle at the Airport with some workers and individuals during a picketing process leading to a heated argument and an eventual attack on the NLC president while trying to picket. He said on receiving the report, the command deployed police operatives to the scene where the officer in charge used his discretion by taking the NLC President into protective custody at the State Command Headquarters to ensure the protection of his life. The statement reads:

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has proposed to spend over N6.9 billion on procurement of vehicles for the State House, with the Office of the First Lady getting N1.5 billion for new cars. This is contained in the Supplementary Budget Tinubu sent to the National Assembly for approval. Tinubu had on Tuesday asked the National Assembly to approve the N2.17 trillion supplementary budget. The budget was approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) at its meeting on Monday. The move to spend an extravagant amount on vehicles comes at a time when Nigerians are being asked to make sacrifice This proposed expenditure is also coming at a time when Nigerians are still protesting the decision of the National Assembly to procure N75 billion worth of vehicles. Some young persons had held protests in Lagos and Abuja over the planned spending by the lawmakers at a time when Nigerians are facing a tough economic situation. In the proposed budget, the president plan to spend N1.5 billion on vehicles for

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has denied plans to re-denominate the naira, saying, the statement credited to it on the various social media platforms is fake. Messages making the rounds on social media platforms such as WhatsApp and Facebook claim that the CBN plans to introduce a new naira policy that will see the naira being redenominated. According to the message, the redenomination process will take place by dropping two zeros from the currency or moving two decimal places to the left. The message read, “The name of the national currency will still be the Naira. However, during the transition period, the existing Naira will be referred to as the “Old Naira”, and the new one to be called the “New Naira”. After the transition period, the word “New” may be dropped. For example, the following equivalents will obtain as we re-denominate: “50 kobo Half kobo; N1 = 1 kobo coin; N2 = 2 kobo coin; N5 = 5 kobo coin; N10 = 10 kobo coin; N20 = 20 kobo coin; N50 = 50 kobo coin or note; N100

By Jerry Jatdul My Role Aid Mission, a non profit organisation on Thursday October 26, 2023, held its 2nd annual lectures and  Awards with the theme “Plateau State: The Past and Present Future”.  The lecture and unveiling of the    Magazine was held at the Crest Hotel and Gardens, Old Airpprt Road Jos. His Royal Highness the Mishkaham Mwaghavul Da John Putmang Hirse the President of the Mangu Traditional Council of Plateau State represented by the Barde Mangu, Chief Musa Paul thanked the organisers of the noble programme aimed at finding solutions to problems confronting the state. Delivering his Keynote address at the event with the Topic “Plateau Element”, was Dr. Tanko Ahmed a fellow of the War College, Nigerian Defence Academy NDA, urged Plateau citizens to unite irrespective of tribal or ethnic differences to move the state forward. In her paper presentation, Mrs Helen Dabup who also doubles as the Executive Secretary of the Local Government Staff Pension Board spoke on gender inc