Hon. Timothy Golu, the member, who represented the good people of Pankshin/Kanke/Kanam Federal Constituency at the Lower chamber of the National Assembly in the 8 Assembly has described a recent publication by an online media, credited to the Plateau State Deputy Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Hon. Amos Gombi, as laughable and lamentable, as it directly showcases the ignorance of Hon. Gombi and the Journalist concerning the developments in the state chapter.

Hon. Golu, while reacting in a telephone call put across to him by REALITY concerning a publication titled: “You’re A Liar Sent From The Pit Of Hell To Scatter PDP, Plateau Deputy Chairman, Hon Amos Gombi Tells Hon Golu”, published by an online medium, said, as a journalist, it is expected that the tenses and events been reported by the journalist and his media house should be correlating and communicating, but these were missing in this story and that is why it has been ignored by many.



According to Golu, “I would not have reacted because the events in the report are not correlating. More so, the tenses, events and the history cited by the Journalist and his source, Hon. Gombi, were more horrible. I have read it severally yet, it is not communicating or attempting to make me to know the complaints they want to put forward or intend to tell the people of Kanke, Plateau and myself.

My first advice is for Hon. Amos Gombi, to take time to always choose a better source and platform to communicate to the public, especially, the sophisticated 21st Century people of Kanke LGA of Plateau State.

If you look into the content of the report, in a paragraph, the complaint allegedly made by Amos, is centered on the ongoing Chairmanship election (which one?), in another it is talking about screening (which one again, if I may ask), while in other paragraphs, the report is making complaints concerning stoppage of congresses.



The interview credited to Hon. Gombi by the online medium in part is herein reproduced unedited and it reads:

“The Plateau State Deputy Chairman of the People Democratic Party ,PDP ,,Hon Amos Goyol Gombi has blasted the former Member representing Pankshin ,Kanam and Kanke Federal Constituency at the federal House of Representative as the liar from the pit of hell who don’t have respect for the elders .

“Reacting to the information credited to Hon Timothy Golu on media, Gombi described him as the worst politician who refused to listen to the words of elders.

“Gombi reinterpreted that Golu was rejected by the electoral in Kanke Local Government for his conduct and misbehavior to the party faithful for his lack of regard of party men.

“He said, there was the suspension of Wards Congresses by Prof Gidado, so they are not aware of the new development conducting primaries.

“Anybody who believed Golu ,Golu has been a liar from the pit of hell ,Golu has been close to APC than I myself and Golu was rejected by the electoral.”



Reaction further on the content, Golu said, “You can see that, in another paragraph, the journalist while showcasing his ignorance of the developments in the PDP, was still discussing Ward Congresses among others.

“So, if they boycott the Congresses at the Ward and Local Government levels, does that not indicate that an exercise took place?

“Valentine, I will speak no further, when they correct these anomalies, I will effective respond and constructively too!”

PRESS STATEMENT

NORTHERN GOVERNORS MOURN ENGR. CHRISTOPHER ROBIN De KRETSER (NESCO MD)

The Northern Governors Forum has expressed sadness over the death of Engr. Christopher Robin De Krester, Managing Director of the Nigerian Electricity Supply Corporation Limited (NESCO) First Hydro-Power Electricity Company in Nigeria located in Bukuru, Plateau State, who died at the age of 87.
In a condolence message, Chairman of the Forum and Governor of Plateau State, Simon Bako Lalong, described as painful, the demise of Engr. Krester who has been at the helm of affairs of the energy company over many years.
Lalong said “Engr. Christopher Krester is credited with effective leadership of the first private energy company to have obtained licence for generation and distribution of electricity in Nigeria in such a manner that its pedigree and reputation garnered over a period of about one hundred years is still very high. His management style of prudence, accountability and dynamism during his sixty years’ service to the company has seen the company grow through a period that witnessed various changes in the Nigerian Power Sector”.
Governor Lalong recalls the role of NESCO in the development of the Nigerian economy and in particular, the economy of the Northern Region when it was the sole provider of energy to mining operations in the region during pre-colonial era, which provided foreign exchange.
He also noted the role that the company has played in Plateau State by supplying reliable energy to many parts of the State consistently and also partnering with the Plateau State Government  and other States to supply electricity to many rural areas through a Public Private Partnership relationship.
While condoling the family, Management and Staff of NESCO over the huge loss, Governor Lalong asked them to take solace in the fact that late Engr. Christopher Krester lived a sacrificial life, where he paid so much attention to the well-being of poor people through the supply of power that provided job opportunities, as well as created empowerment windows through the corporate social responsibility programme of the company.
He said the Northern Region and Plateau State will miss his wealth of experience and valuable advice which he willingly offered to many States towards addressing their energy challenges, urging the company to sustain his legacy of commitment to the supply of 24-hour electricity to consumers.
 
Makut Simon Macham, Ph.D.
Director of Press & Public Affairs to the Governor of
Plateau State & Chairman, Northern Governors Forum
25th March 2020
 

PRESS RELEASE
24th March, 2020
Abuja

NITDA Alerts Nigerians on Fake Websites Pledging Federal Government Grants

The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) would like to bring to the attention of the general public the existence of fraudulent websites trying to capitalize on the Covid-19 pandemic to defraud unsuspecting Nigerians.

In NITDA’s efforts at ensuring a safe and secure Nigerian cyberspace, the Agency’s Computer Emergency Readiness and Response Team (CERRT) identified a number of websites using various phishing tricks to attract Internet users. One of such tricks is misinforming the public that Federal Government has ordered weekly payment of allowances to all citizens above the age of 18 for observing the ‘Stay At Home’ directive. It then requires the user to complete an online form with the personal information including bank details for the payment to be effected.

While NITDA is doing everything possible to shut down the websites identified as well as sanction those behind them, we call on the general public to disregard and report any such websites to the Agency for necessary action.

As a general precautionary measure, Internet users are advised to observe the following:
not to give out their personal information to anyone online;
avoid clicking unknown links;
disregard offers requesting for their bank details; and
know what to do when they become victims of cybercrime.

The Agency calls on all well-meaning Nigerians to support the Federal Government in its efforts at containing the spread of Covid-19 in the country. We are all encouraged to strictly adhere to recommendations given by health experts, and follow updates from relevant agencies handling this outbreak.

The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) is a Federal Government Agency under the supervision of the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy. NITDA was established in April 2001 to implement the Nigerian Information Technology Policy as well as coordinate general IT development and regulation in the country. Specifically, Section 6(a, b, c & m) of the Act mandates NITDA to create a framework for the planning, research, development, standardization, application, coordination, monitoring, evaluation and regulation of Information Technology practices, activities and systems in Nigeria; provide guidelines to facilitate the establishment and maintenance of appropriate infrastructure for information technology and systems application and development in Nigeria for public and private sectors, urban-rural development, the economy and the government; and accelerate internet and intranet penetration in Nigeria and promote sound internet Governance by giving effect to the Second Schedule of the Act.

Mrs Hadiza Umar mnipr, m.apra, mcipr
Head, Corporate Affairs & External Relations
Corporate Headquarters, Garki, Abuja

At least 70 Nigerian soldiers were killed in an ambush on their convoy by Boko Haram terrorists in the restive northeast, military and security sources said on Tuesday.

Insurgents fired rocket-propelled grenades at a lorry carrying troops as it travelled near Gorgi village in Borno state on Monday, two military officers told AFP without giving their names.

“It was a huge loss, at least 70 soldiers have perished in the ambush,” one of the officers said.


“The terrorists specifically targeted a truck loaded with soldiers with RPGs and incinerated the vehicle, killing all on board,” a second officer said.

“So far 70 bodies have been recovered but the toll is certainly more than that as rescue operation is still underway.”

Several soldiers were injured and some others taken captive by the jihadists, the two officers said.

A spokesman for the Nigerian army told AFP that he was unable to comment on the reported attack.


The convoy had left regional capital Maiduguri on its way to launch an offensive on a camp belonging to jihadists affiliated to the Islamic State group in the area, a member of a government-backed militia fighting the insurgents told AFP.

The Islamic State West Africa Province faction split from Boko Haram insurgents in 2016 and has focused on attacking troops, raiding bases and laying ambush on military convoys.

The group has been accused of increasing attacks on civilians and taking hostages at bogus checkpoints on main roads in the region.


The decade-long conflict has killed 36,000 people and displaced 1.8 million in the northeast of Nigeria.

Fighting has also spilt over the border into neighbouring countries, prompting the formation of a regional military coalition to fight the insurgents.

TEXT OF BROADCAST BY HIS EXCELLENCY, RT. HON. (DR) SIMON BAKO LALONG, EXECUTIVE GOVERNOR OF PLATEAU STATE, TO THE CITIZENS OF PLATEAU STATE ON THE CORONA VIRUS (COVID-19) PANDEMIC DELIVERED ON 24TH MARCH 2020.

1. My dear citizens of Plateau State, it has become necessary to address you on the global health challenge that we are facing today which is the Corona Virus pandemic otherwise known as COVID-19.
2. It is no longer news that this disease is a threat not only to human existence, but also to the global economy. For these reasons, all hands must be on deck to fight it and ensure that people are protected from its deadly impact.
3. Our administration has remained proactive in responding to the pandemic and also liaising closely with the Federal Government and relevant stakeholders to tackle the disease.
4. You will recall that when we received information about some Chinese nationals who arrived Wase Local Government Area after the outbreak of the disease in their country, I immediately directed the Commissioner of Health to deploy experts to investigate.
5. Fortunately, the results came out negative after their period of quarantine and observation, leaving the State with no case of Corona Virus disease to this day. We have continued our surveillance to ensure that any suspected case is identified and addressed appropriately.
6. In addition, we also activated our Public Health Emergency Operation Centre to enhance our monitoring capacity and ability to receive up-to-date information from all the 17 Local Government Areas.
7. With more cases recorded in Nigeria and based on advice of experts, I directed the closure of all schools from pre-primary to tertiary level in the State from Saturday 21st March 2020.
8. Afterwards, we organised a critical enlightenment session with key stakeholders such as religious, traditional and community leaders, civil society, non-governmental organisations as well as health experts, which was chaired by His Excellency, Prof. Sonni Tyoden, Deputy Governor of Plateau State.
9. Thereafter, Government directed all worship centres to reduce congregation to not more than 50 persons with a 2-metre spacing interval as well as provide running water and soap for handwashing and sanitizers at their entrances.
10. We also directed that all funerals, weddings and other social events should have only family members and relations not exceeding 50 people in attendance, while cultural festivals and anniversaries were suspended until further notice.
11. All these precautionary measures were aimed at safeguarding the possible occurrence of the disease in the State. Government appreciates responsible citizens who complied with the directives and commend their sense of duty and patriotism.
12. However, we have noted with dismay the flagrant disregard and disrespect to this directive by some individuals and groups including religious institutions who did not only flout the order, but also dissuaded their followers from abiding by it.
13. Of particular note is the non-compliance to the outright suspension of anniversaries and cultural festivals as well as inability of some schools to close as directed. This is rather unfortunate.
14. Government views this as an attempt not only to test its resolve, but also endanger public safety and risk the lives of innocent citizens. Let me make it categorically clear that such actions will no longer be tolerated.
15. Arising from an Emergency Meeting of the State Executive Council, further measures have been taken. With effect from Wednesday 25th March 2020, all public servants in Plateau State from Grade levels 12 and below are to work from home for the next 30 days.
16. Only workers offering essential services such as security, health, media, street cleaners and water supply and energy are exempted from this directive.
17. In view of the crowds associated with markets, government is directing all markets to close effective 25th March 2020. Only traders selling food items, pharmaceuticals and cooking gas are to remain open. In addition, all street trading, street hawking, and begging are prohibited. The weekly Sunday markets at Ahmadu Bello Way, Bukuru and environs are hereby banned.
18. Social joints, Nightclubs, drinking parlours are to also close effective Wednesday 25th March 2020, while restaurants are advised to prepare take away for their customers to avoid crowding.
19. Motor parks are to capture and keep data including contacts of all inbound and outbound passengers as well as adhere strictly to social distancing and mass gathering prohibition order as well as hygiene regulations. Henceforth, all entry points into Plateau State by land and air will be subjected to preliminary tests.
20. The weekly State Executive Council Meetings are hereby suspended indefinitely. However, Council will continue to consult and meet through digital means.
21. I have directed security agencies to begin enforcement and anyone found violating these orders should be arrested. Should the situation continue this way, we shall not hesitate to impose a complete lockdown in order to save the lives of our people.
22. To ensure total compliance, Government has set up a Task Force on Enforcement and Monitoring, which will be personally chaired by me to coordinate, evaluate and review developments on the disease in the State. The Task Force will also give updates to citizens from time to time.
23. My dear citizens, just yesterday, I undertook an inspection visit to the isolation facilities in the State located at the Jos University Teaching Hospital, Plateau Specialist Hospital, and Bingham University Teaching Hospital.
24. From what we have on ground, I am satisfied that we are reasonably prepared to respond to any eventuality. However, the few challenges observed are being addressed as I have directed the immediate purchase of additional ventilators and other consumables for the three Isolation Centres.
25. In addition to this, government is setting up additional isolation centres in the Old JUTH, Pankshin and Shendam General Hospitals.
26. While our prayer and determination is not to record any Corona Virus disease case in Plateau State, we are not oblivious of the national incidences. This calls for more vigilance, sensitization and preventive measures.
27. I have therefore directed that more sensitization jingles and information materials should be produced and disseminated across all communication channels including the social media to reach people at the grassroots.
28. Dear citizens of Plateau State, you may have been following the impact of the Corona Virus disease on the global economy. Nigeria is not isolated and has already been heavily impacted because of the crashing oil prices on the international market.
29. Already, the Federal Budget has been slashed by N1.5 Trillion naira in line with the reality of the times. This comes with consequences for other tiers of Government. Expectedly, revenue accruing to Plateau State from the Federation Account has fallen drastically by over 51 percent.
30. Accordingly, we must brace up for the harsh economic realities and be ready to make necessary sacrifices in the coming weeks and months. Therefore many development projects and programmes will have to be reviewed in accordance to the emerging realities.
31. For the avoidance of doubt, recurrent expenditure other than salaries and pensions will be cut by 40 percent; the processes of fresh employment; implementation of the new minimum wage; funding of on-going projects among others, will be affected in the interim. Similarly, all allowances of political office holders are hereby slashed by 50 percent.
32. These decisions were painstakingly arrived at by the State Executive Council on the strength of the advice of the State Economic Advisory Council. We shall therefore appreciate the understanding of all and sundry in this difficult period, pending when we put this situation behind us.
33. My dear people of Plateau State, this period is one that we must face with optimism, prayers, and above all caution and pre-caution. With what we see around the world especially in countries with higher standards of living, our best chance as a developing nation is prevention.
34. Therefore, I strongly advise all our citizens and visitors coming into Plateau State who recently returned from overseas or know that they have had contact with any of the confirmed cases in the country to self-isolate for 14 days.
35. In the event that they exhibit any symptoms such as cough, fever, and difficulty in breathing, they should immediately call the following emergency toll free numbers to report:
    0703-286-4444;
    0803-542-2711
    0806-548-6416
    0803-577-9917.
    These emergency numbers will be repeatedly announced in different mass media platforms.
36. We should also avoid unnecessary movement. People should as much as possible stay at home and only move around when it is absolutely necessary. In the coming days, we shall unveil further movement restrictions as the situation demands.
37. Markets, Motor Parks, Hotels, Super Markets and restaurants are to strictly adhere to the guidelines for social distancing while providing running water, soap and sanitizers for customers at their entrances.
38. Finally, I urge you all to avoid panic and the spread of fake news and unverified information, which has the tendency to do more damage than the disease itself.
39. Working together and with God Almighty on our side, we can overcome this challenge and face the future with greater prospect. As a people of faith, Let us therefore intensify our prayers to God and not succumb to fear.
40. God bless Plateau State, God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
41. Thank you.
    Rt. Hon. (Dr) Simon Bako Lalong, KSG G
    Executive Governor, Plateau State &
    Chairman, Northern Governors Forum
    24th March 2020.

MY CHOICE AND SUPPORT FOR HON MANJI B D GONTORI FOR GOVERNOR PLATEAU STATE 2023,TRUTH AND NO SENTIMENT….PART 1….

After the 2019 elections,I began to get concern about who takes over the baton from his excellency Rt.hon Simon Bako Lalong as the Governor of plateau state come 2023.i wasnt worried but concerned.plateau state is so dear to me and it’s God’s heart beat in Nigeria hence my quest to finding out who the cap fit come 2023.in one of my write-ups ,I did say”to some people,it’s too early to talk of 2023,yet to some,there is no time”both groups may be right depending on the angle you are coming from.for me,I became so concerned and decided to do a little survey and I concluded,Hon Manji B D Gontori from Kanke LGA of plateau state of ngas extraction is the right man for this job.
The question that comes to mind is:why GONTORI??

I have heard many say”Governorship race is not for young men like Gontori”to some “where was this man Gontori before now?a lot of interesting questions kept floating and I have taken the time to brief you today.
Getting close to this rare gem,Hon Manji Gontori,I have discovered that he has not only the capacity to lead plateau as the Governor come 2023 but he is very ready to turn the fortunes of the state into reality.permit me to say,don’t let any man sitting somewhere deceive you with lies and propaganda of politics.i see Gontori as the 2nd J.D.Gomwalk coming on board to change the narrative.development of the state and liberation of people from abject poverty is what GONTORI stands for.

We were driving down the hilly and rocky slope of Garram district in Kanke LGA with him one of the days and he looked round and repeated what he told me the day we drove down to Angware ,the headquarters of Jos East LGA,he said”we are living on wealth ,yet very poor”he added”our people are left to their fate by those that control the resources of the nation”if God take us to the seat of power come 2023,we will explore all these wonderful mineral deposits God has given us that we don’t even know about and change the lives of our people by sending poverty away”
I was amazed at the afore mentioned.i noted this in my heart without him knowing.i see a visionary leader who is coming not to take from the people but give the people what rightly belong to them.

Plateau ,we must not make mistake as we carefully pray and wait for 2023.i tell you what?Gontori is the man without any sentiment.as he goes round the state meeting the people ,his eyes are open to the realities on ground and he is well prepared to take the bull by the horn.
Gontori make donations many places he goes to help the people in their quest to develop their communities but I hear some ignorant may be,people and wicked so-called land lords of the state saying”he gives as if he doesn’t want his money”some say”he is just wasting money”as if it’s their money and the people collecting those monies will throw it inside the fire!
Kai jama’a!!

Plateau,rise and don’t be fooled by those people who don’t have u at heart.many of them who are thinking they will be in government House come 2023 are sitting in their comfort zones now saying,we won’t waste our money now,when the time comes we will use it to buy the people and their votes.but this gentle man ,Gontori is going round intimating his people,am sure you are a witnessed to this,don’t be fooled my people.

Thank you for reading.
Am coming with the part 2 of this write-up,God bless you.

HON Titus Obadiah Gomam for Gontori support groups 2023…..

The Plateau State Deputy Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party ,PDP ,,Hon Amos Goyol Gombi has lambasted the former Member representing Pankshin ,Kanam and Kanke Federal Constituency at the federal House of Representative as a liar from the pit of hell who doesn’t have respect for the elders .
Reacting to the information credited to Hon Timothy Golu on media, Gombi described him as the worst politician who refused to listen to the words of elders.
Gombi reiterated that Golu was rejected by the electorates in Kanke Local Government for his conduct and misbehavior to the party faithfuls and his lack of regard for party leaders in Kanke.

He said, there was the suspension of Wards Congresses by prof Gidado, so they are not aware of the new development conducting primaries .

Anybody who believed Golu ,Golu has been a liar from the pit of hell ,Golu has been close to APC than I myself and Golu was rejected by the electorates in 2019.

He has ten polling units in his ward and won 7 and Babayo got 159 votes and he Golu manage to escape with (300) three hundred votes in his own ward is embarrassing to him as a politician .
Gombi explained further that he has never diverted to any political party and Golu has been going about blackmailing him and he even took to court in 2015 but I won the case .
He warned Golu to push his fake lists of exco into the trash bin because the tenure of the Kanke Local Government PDP excos would expire in 2021 so any attempt to bring change of excos won’t work .
The suspension of the ward congresses can’t be answer by me ,”Iam not the Chairman of PDP ,the cancellation of the ward congresses was done to stop the wide spread of corona virus epidemic but to our surprise some group went ahead to conduct a kangaroo Congress to the best of my knowledge the exercise is consider null and avoid .
Gombi advised the former Rep member to stop parading himself as a politician ,now going about accusing people of his unpopularity .
He pointed out that he is a man of integrity who have built confidence in his supporters not like Golu that failed to deliver his own polling unit.

Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN) has suspended all church activities, Sunday services  to guard against the dreaded coronavirus disease.

A circular issued by the Secretary General of the Church, Rev. Dr. Amos Mohzo to all Churches and Secretariat staff  directs all Sunday services to be held at Zonal Fellowship Centers or Prayer Houses and cells, with not more than 50 people in attendance.

The circular reads in part:

“Headquarters will run essential services within the period that has been announced by the Government.

“Finance Department will run skeletal Services, Church Security and Hospitals will be at their duty posts.

“Sunday Services will be carried out at Zonal Fellowship Centers or Prayer Houses and cells, where you have more than 50 members at the prayer house and cells, it should be split into more cells.

“All Services (Bible Studies, Midweek Prayers) shall be supervised and coordinated by the Pastors and Ordained Pastors/Elders.

“Churches should make provision for hand sanitizers at strategic places within church premises.

“All major gathering by Church Groups are hereby suspended.

“Both Pastors and members should avoid unnecessary travel for now.

“All Pastors should work with their medical Committees in Education, Prevention and identifying/referring members who may show symptoms of the disease.

“In an event that there is no medical committee, this should be constituted.”

The circular solicits prayers for government and those sick with the disease.

Hon Yakubu Choji, Former house of assembly member representing Jos North West was arrested yesterday by men of Operation Safe Haven (OPSH) Headquarters Jos on the orders of Hon Mrs Esther Dusu, House member representing Jos North West in the state house of assembly and Choji is still under detention at STF Headquarters in Jos since yesterday.

Details later……

BURIAL ARRANGEMENT OF THE LATE RT HON.PROF DAKUM G.SHOWN.

The remains of Late Rt Hon. Prof.Dakum Shown has arrived the Airfoce Hospital Mortuary Jos.

He will be buried in his hometown, Tongfom,Mile 8 in Pankshin Local Government Area of Plateau State on Friday 27th March,2020.

This will be done in accordance with the regulations set by government as a result of the outbreak of the dreaded corona virus.

The family enjoins all sympathizers and the public to remain at home and pray for the repose of his soul.

The family uses this medium to thank all those who stood by them during this period.

Baba we love you but God loves you most.

Sleep on till we meet at Jesus’ feet.

SIGNED
HON SETLE DAZE
FOR THE SHOWN FAMILY