The Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees NULGE Langtang North Local Government Council Branch are currently on streets of Langtang protesting over non implementation of their new minimum wage by the state government .
The Chairman of the Council ,Hon Joshua Ubandoma Laven in a telephone conversation says ,the situation has been brought under control but the situation is still unbearably .
He said the local government Union leaders presented him with their letter of dissatisfaction over non implementation of the N30,000.00 new minimum wage which was signed into since law since year 2019.
According to him ,they embarked on a peaceful protest and their letter was copied to all the security agencies in Langtang North LGA demanding for full implementation of rate .
Hon. Laven who said ,as a member of the committee on salary review ,he is working toward implementing the law on new minimum wage to the staff of the Council but one of the biggest challenge for now is that some local governments have low record of internally Generated Revenue, IGR .
Hon Joshua Ubandoma expressed optimism that with the low income generation government is looking for better ways of addressing the welfare of staff for better productivity .
We are employing strategy to ensure that civil servants working in Langtang North LGA are better improve and to function effectively to improve on their well-being, he explained.
He disclosed that the Council has concluded plan to launch the Council Radio station on 3rd December, 2020 ,we are now test running for see the booster outreach .
However, the situation is claim now but I have to address the protesters by telling them, we are making adequate arrangement to effect payment soon ,if government harmonize the salary structures .
There is a popular saying that “the evil that men do lives with them, what goes around comes around. “
There was mild drama at a motor park located in Dange-shuni local government of sokoto state, as a driver reportedly identified the kidnapper who kidnapped him two months ago
The suspect unknowingly boarded the car belonging to one of his kidnapped victims, with the hopes of traveling to kano. But the driver of the car that he boarded turned out to be the person that he and his crew kidnapped on the busy sokoto-kano highway two months ago.
According to daily trust online, the kidnapper unsuspectingly entered the car not knowing that the driver was one of his victims. The driver quickly recognized him, as the incident is still fresh in his memory.
The driver was smart enough not to raise any immediate alarm, instead, he quietly got down from the car and pretended as if he wanted to ease himself. As soon as he was out of sight of the kidnapper, he informed members of the local driver’s union who called the police.
The suspect was arrested by the police. He confessed to being a member of a kidnap syndicate which specializes in terrorizing passengers of the sokoto-kano road.
He had kidnapped the driver two months back, and his crew only released the driver after a ransom money was paid. He had no idea that the car he boarded belonged to someone he kidnapped in the past. He pleaded for mercy.
Photo above shows the suspect sitting in the front sit.
NORTHERN GOVERNORS CONDEMN KILLING OF BORNO FARMERS
The Northern Governors Forum says it is appalled by the killing of rice farmers in Zabarmari, Borno State by Boko Haram insurgents.
In a statement, Chairman of the Forum and Governor of Plateau State Simon Bako Lalong said the entire country is deeply saddened over the killing of the innocent rice farmers who committed no crime, except to go to the farm to earn their living.
He said the tragic incident is a great setback to the efforts of Nigeria to attain domestic sufficiency in rice production as well as food security.
He said the Forum has consistently worked with the Federal Government, security agencies and local support groups to ensure that farmers are protected in order to enable them carry out farming activities.
Lalong said despite this condemnable act, the Forum will not relent in its support to security agencies to deal decisively with the terrorists and other criminals.
The Governor commiserated with the families of the deceased farmers as well as the people and government of Borno State over the unfortunate incident.
Dr. Makut Simon Macham Director of Press &Public Affairs to the Governor of Plateau and Chairman Northern Governor’s Forum 29th November 2020.
Comrade Ambrose Kudu is a native Rukuba, Bassa Local Government of Plateau State.
He is an Accountant and an erudite Unionist with over 10 years experience as a State Executive Council Member of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Plateau State. Comrade Ambrose Kudu voluntarily left the Services of Plateau State Government to join the Labour Movement due to his passion, activism and quest for workers welfare/development.
Comrade Ambrose Kudu has been described by many as an “outstanding Public Servant” an innovative and gallant Unionist, “diligent, amiable, intelligent and humble Patriot of impeccable antecedence”, Generous & passionate investor in Youth/Student/Community Development ventures.
He has distinguished himself and proven to be sagacious, ingenious & possess rare and exquisite skills, equipping him for the immense & outstanding services he has hitherto rendered for workers struggle, via manifold assignments and oversight capacities in the Nigeria’s Labour Movement.
Due to his unmatched and unparalleled antecedents in the public space and his burning penchant for a sane society, irrespective of gender, tribe, religion or any affinity of any kind, he wants to throw his hat into the 001 position of the biggest Youth Umbrella Body of Plateau Youths, being *PLATEAU YOUTHS COUNCIL.*
Comrade Ambrose Kudu is armed with a vision, mission and a realistic blueprint to pilot Plateau Youths Council beyond speeches, but actions and more actions.
*VISION* _REDEFINING YOUTH DEVELOPMENT IN THE CONTEMPORARY SPACE_
*=YOUTH EMPOWERMENT* Comrade Ambrose Kudu believes that the key reason why youths become vulnerable and gullilble is because over the years, youths empowerment has fallen below expectations. When the Youths are economically empowered by the state Government and societal philanthropists, youth dependency will drastically reduced. This in practical term can be realised through partnership and empowerment schemes from Government, NGOs, Civil Society Organizations etc.
These professional bodies will be contacted to synergize with PYC to empower Plateau youths. Once there’s a will, it is highly realisable.
= *YOUTH EMPLOYMENT* Comrade Ambrose Kudu intends to achieve this through a dogged lobbying from top agencies, departments and ministries to employ qualified Plateau Youths to reduce the alarming rate of unemployment in the state. Also, the pursuance of grants and soft loans that will enable those who want to be self employed, to be solely self employment and become business tycoons on the Plateau.
*=BUILDING YOUTH LEADERSHIP CAPACITIES*
A nation’s future is determined by the readiness of its young and teeming youths to take over the mantle of leadership. As such, Ambrose Kudu intends to synergize with reputable leadership institutes both within and outside the country with the help of patriotic sons and daughters of Plateau State who will assist in accessing scholarships in these Institutes for the youths of Plateau. These scholarships will avail Plateau State the opportunity to have a crop of youths who are well trained and mentored in the business of leadership.
Aside this, mentorship and leadership programmes will oftentimes by organised to arm the youths with the prerequisite knowledge of leadership from Plateau sons and daughters who are symbols of good leadership and mentors.
= *PLATEAU UNITY PROJECT* Oftentimes, people had cause to ask if the tribal diversities on the Plateau is a blessing or a curse. This diversity is God’s own way of making Plateau unique amongst others. Though, it has been wrongly used. We still have high hopes in the Plateau Unity Project. Through the Plateau Youth Council, Comrade Ambrose Kudu intends to bring Youths together into healthy discussions and advocacies across the seventeen Local Governments of the state to disabuse the minds of our younger ones from growing up with chronic tribal sentiments and ideologies.
= *YOUTH INCLUSIVENESS IN GOVERNANCE*
The Youths of Plateau deserve to be in the governance of the state. Com. Ambrose Kudu intends to chat a way through, into serious sensitization of the youths for the need to get actively involve in the politicking and governance of the state.
= *FINANCIAL LITERACY* Most Plateau Youths have been involved in one form of business or the other. But oftentimes, these youths will get frustrated and abandon the businesses. Mostly, this happens due to lack of business incentives and proper business Financial management.
Comrade Ambrose Kudu intends to have Plateau Youths involve in Financial Literacy trainings. Financial Literacy as the name implies, is a way of training the youths to be Financially literate. This knowledge of Financial Literacy will help the youths to manage the finances of their small and medium scale businesses, to avoid collapses and frustrations.
In sum, with the solidarity of Plateau Youths, having a prosperous, progressive and highly business driving youths on the Plateau is absolutely realisable; if Comrade Ambrose Kudu is given the opportunity to serve *PLATEAU YOUTH COUNCIL* in the capacity of the position of the 001.
GOVERNOR LALONG, GOLFERS EMBRACE LOCAL FABRICS AT NAFEST 2020.
The 2020 National Festival of Arts and Culture set another record in Jos on Saturday 28th 2020 when golfers adorned native attires to play at the oldest golf club in Nigeria, Rayfield Golf Club-1913.
Governor Simon Lalong, Senator Satty Gogwim, DG NCDC, Chairman NBA Plateau State and the Captain Rayfield Golf Club all participated in the kitty.
Governor Lalong said NAFEST has provided another opportunity for Plateau State to demonstrate its hospitality and rich historical anticidents in arts, culture, entertainment and sports.
DG NCAC Otumba Segun Runsewe commended Governor Lalong for devoting his attention to cultural renaissance and promotion of peace which is attracting tourists from within and outside the country.
Dr. Makut Simon Macham Director of Press & Public Affairs to the Governor of Plateau State. 28th November 2020
GAGDI CONDOLES WITH THE FAMILY OF LATE ALH BAKO TUNGA AND THE PEOPLE OF KANAM LGA OVER THE DEATH OF ALH HASSAN BAKO TUNGA (H.H).
The member representing Pankshin, Kanke and Kanam federal constituency and the chairman house committee on Navy, Rt Hon Yusuf Adamu Gagdi (Danmalikin Kanam) received with shock the death of Alh Hassan ABT yesterday after a brief illness.
The law maker condoles with immediate family of the deceased, friends and the entire people of Kanam over the unfortunate loss.
He described the late business man and community developer as an entrepreneurial giant and a philanthropist of note through whom many lives were touched which his positive impact will greatly be missed.
Gagdi prayed that may Almighty Allah forgive his shortcomings and grant him Jannatul Firdausi for the examplinary life he lived in the services of God and to humanity.
He shared in the grief of the immediate family in this their sad moment and with the entire people of Kanam LGA and pray that may we all be comforted by the positivities the deceased extolled while alive.
The event will be preceded by a golf tournament at the Rayfield Golf Club. Tee off time is at 7:00 a.m. with the presentation of gifts and trophies at 4:00 p.m.
The closing ceremony will be televised live on both NTA and PRTV both Radio and TV.
All are enjoined to appear in the attire used during the opening ceremony please.
Concerned by a wide range of issues surrounding the performance of the Senator Representing Plateau State Central Senatorial District and Chairman Senate Committee on Drugs and Narcotics Distinguished Senator Nde Hezekiah A. Dimka, the National Body of Ngas Youth Movement (NYM) had audience with the Distinguished Senator to address some of the issues.
Interestingly, the Distinguished Senator gladly subscribed to the request. It was more or less an interactive session held to that effect with the National Executive Council (NEC) of the Ngas Youth Movement (NYM) on 22nd November, 2020 at the National Secretariat of Ngas Development Association (NDA), Pankshin LGA. In a meeting chaired by the National President of NYM and which lasted for over 3 hours, the youth body welcomed the senator and went straight to the business of the day. A potpourri of issues that have been at the front burner within the context of representation and performance of the Distinguished Senator came up for discussion.
The Senator’s reaction to the issues are set out in the following paragraphs.
On the question of the resignation of one of his Aides, Distinguished Senator Nde Hezekiah A. Dimka revealed the reason given in the resignation letter which was to “pursue a career in Political Consultancy”. The Distinguished Senator however feels that, such resignation may not be unconnected with some changes in political interests occasioned by certain preveiling circumstances within the political space. It would be recalled that, Hon. Samson Dewan made a press statement titled “I Move On” which was circulated on various media platforms to communicate his resignation as an Aide to Distinguished Senator Nde Hezekiah A. Dimka.
On the question of the news going round on non payment of his aides Salaries, the senator said constitutionally he is entitled to five (5) persornal aides whom are being paid regularly by the government, but others whom out of his benevolence opted to be paying stipends are the ones raising non payment issues; unfortunately against his initial expectations things didn’t worked out as planned, but as things stabilises with time he would resume his commitment to them. In this regard the National Executive of Ngas Youths enjoined the senator to further cement his relationship with his aides to avoid creating public suspicion of poor staff management on his part.
On the question of his poor performance at Red Chambers, the Senator refuted the accusation while arguing that no Senator in Plateau Central Senatorial District has been able to record the kind of achievements he had achieved within his short stay in office. To this end, he took time to outline some of such achievements to include but not limited to the following: a. Bill for the establishment of Federal University of Technology, Kabwir (awaiting second reading) b. Bill for the establishment of the Institute of Information and Communication Technology, Kanam (a degree awarding institution) c. Bill for the upgrade of NDLEA Training Institute, Jos d. Advocacy and Sensitization on narcotic drugs and rehabilitation programmes e. Empowerment programme for 150 youths and women across his Constituency. f. Ongoing rural electrification projects in the senatorial district. g. Solar power projects among many others.
On the challenges faced, the Distinguished Senator noted that, his biggest challenge was lack of cooperation from the immediate past Senator of the Central Zone, Senator Joshua Dariye. He recounted some complications that have hindered him from breaking grounds in infrastructural development otherwise known as “Constituency Project”. Such complications resulted in his inability to access funds approved for such projects in 2019 before he took over from his predecessor as the Ninth Assembly Senator of the zone.
The Distinguished Senator further used the medium to call on all members of the Senatorial District and Youth Organisations to be patient while his regime would fetch lots of achievements to the constituency in no distant time. He frowned at a group he called “faceless political foes group” who claimed to be advocating for his recall on non-performance when he is less than two years in office.
The National Executive Council (NEC) of Ngas Youth Movement (NYM) took turns to offer varied forms of advice to the Distinguished Senator which focused on, encouraging him to keep pushing despite daunting challenges. The National President of NYM, Comrade Nensok Luka Gonet appreciated the Senator for demonstrating a high sense of humility to grant such audience, noting that such accommodative spirit accounts to his credit as a true Democrat. To this end, the President enjoined Distinguished Senator Nde Hezekiah A. Dimka to create a forum similar to this interaction in the form of regular town hall meetings with the good people of Plateau Central Senatorial Zone to have their opinions as guide. He concluded by challenging the Distinguished Senator to settle for nothing less than ground breaking achievements or risk being a victim of a political space that has been saturated with high competition in performance and battle for survival. The meeting ended in good atmosphere with exchange of pleasantries.
Comr. ANDREW GOGWIM National Publicity Secretary Ngas Youth Movement
Forum of Plateau Mothers task parents on responsible parenting
*Lauds Gov Lalong on peace efforts
*Hails Operation Safe Haven on professionalism, human rights adherence and security of lives and property
Mothers in Plateau State have appealed to parents not only to put their eyes on their wards but also to adequately guide them against engaging in social vises detrimental to their future and the development of the society.
The mothers, under the aegis of Forum of Plateau Mothers commended the state governor, Simon Lalong,for his efforts aimed at enthroning long-lasting peace in the state,saying they were appreciative to him for leading the way for a peaceful Plateau by supporting the security agencies.
In a statement, Thursday, under the aegis of Forum of Plateau Mothers,they also applauded the Commander of Operation Safe Haven,OPSH,a special military taskforce in the state,saying his determination and commitment in the Plateau peace efforts has to a very large extent brought peace back to the once crisis area.
In the statement signed by Barr. Mrs Rebecca Pam, as their Chairperson, the Plateau mothers also commended officers and men of OPSH and all other security agencies in the state for their good collaborative efforts in fighting crimes and criminality in the state,saying the development had paved way for the peace the residents are enjoying at the moment.
They tasked the state government to urgently fashion out programmes that can actively engage the youths, just as they called for urgent creation of jobs for the unemployed youths with a view to taking them from the streets.
Charging parents to live up to their responsibilities, the Plateau mothers, in the statement, added:”The first line of training of any child is effective parenting and not government. A child becomes criminal from home first before coming out to the street in most cases. So, the morals must start from us as mothers.”
The statement read in full:” We wish to applaud the Executive Governor of Plateau State, Barr. Simon Bako Lalong, for leading the way for a peaceful Plateau State. There is no denying the fact that his efforts openly and covertly are paying off for the Plateau of our dream.
“We appeal to the governor not to relent in this noble cause no matter the distraction from some fifth columnists. We also urge him to continue to support the security agencies.
” We also wish to use this opportunity to commend one of the greatest implementors of Plateau peace road map in the security sector, the Commander of Operation Safe Haven,a special military taskforce set up to manage the internal security challenges in Plateau State, Sounth Kaduna and some parts of Bauchi state, Major General Chukwuemeka Okonkwo and his officers and men for the exceptional role they have been playing since his assumption of office.
“These officers’ style of work is professionally unique and must be commended by us.
“While not trying to undermine some previous state and non state actors in the Plateau State peace process ,especially in the security sector, who laid the solid foundation that the operation is building on, we must admit that OPSH has greatly improved from what it used to be.
“Their quick response to any threat now is commendable. Their human rights records has greatly improved, their civil military relationship has stepped up ,allowing free flow of information on criminals hideouts and social vices by residents.
” The unusual peace on the Plateau throughout this year is no doubt the act of God Almighty.
“We are happy for the exceptional and committed efforts of the Governor and his team, Operation Safe Haven and other security agencies to see to the realisation of restoration of total peace in the state. This must be commended by us all.
“We recall that before now, we were always on the streets protesting the killings of our people by gunmen, sometimes caused by the action or inaction of the the security agencies. But to the glory of God ,all that is in past now.
” The professional handling of the #EndSARS peaceful protest that was later hijacked by criminals elements, by officers and men of Operation Safe Haven, helped greatly in deescalating the crisis on the plateau.
“Worthy of mention is also the recent massive clamp down on some suspected cultists within Jos metropolis, this has greatly cubed the menace of these misguided youths.
” As mothers, we deem it fit to commend these great icons of peace,who are making daily sacrifices for peace in our state and the nation.
“However,let’s not forget why we are here. We should all go back home and begin to carry out responsible parenting irrespective of our economic situation.
“The first line of training of any child is effective parenting and not government. A child becomes a criminal from home first before coming out to the street in most cases. So, the morals must start from us as mothers.
“While not trying to exonerate government of any blame,we must do our work as parents so as to prevent our children from being deviants that pose danger to the society and even their immediate families.
” Instead of blaming government all the time for our failures, we must rise up and take responsibility as mothers instead of allowing our kids to become liabilities after which we start pouring our frustrations on the government.
“Finally,we urge government at all levels to quickly move to avert these imminent threats being championed by the youths. This,it must do by discharging its duties with full commitment and the fear of God.
“We enjoin the government to also urgently create avenues for skill acquisition and jobs for the teaming qualified youths.”
His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Bauchi State, Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed Kauran Bauchi has congratulated the former Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar on his 74th birthday anniversary.
The governor said his enduring democratic ideals, contributions to nation building as well as his quest to move Nigeria forward are what distinguished him to be one of the most vibrant politicians in Nigeria.
Governor Bala said the political sojourn and active participation in nation building of the former Vice President will continue to be celebrated by Nigerians.
Governor Bala prayed to Allah to continue to guide, protect and give Alhaji Atiku Abubakar wisdom to serve the nation and humanity.
Lawal Muazu Bauchi Special Assistant (New Media) to Governor Bala Mohammed Nov. 25th, 2020.
Plateau Reporters 