NORTHERN GOVERNORS FORUM COMMISERATES WITH DG DSS ON DEATH OF MOTHER
The Northern Governors Forum has commiserated with the Director General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Yusuf Magaji Bichi over the death of his mother Hajiya Kareematu Abubakar Bichi who died at the age of 96.
In a condolence message, Chairman of the Forum and Governor of Plateau State Simon Bako Lalong eulogised the late Hajiya Kareematu Abubakar Bichi who served her immediate family and community with the fear of God and lived an extraordinary life of sacrifice.
Lalong said though the demise of the late Hajiya Kareematu creates a vacuum to the family, her good works and positive impact on the community brings a lot of comfort as her legacies will remain fresh in the minds of many who savoured her love.
He prayed that Almighty Allah will receive Hajiya Bichi’s soul and grant the family the fortitude to bear the loss.
Dr. Makut Simon Macham, ANIPR Director of Press & Public Affairs to the Governor of Plateau State and Chairman, Northern Governors Forum. April 26, 2020
PLATEAU STATE RESUMES TOTAL LOCKDOWN MIDNIGHT SUNDAY 26TH APRIL, 2020.
The Plateau State Government wishes to remind citizens that the total lockdown of the State as a result of the Corona Virus Pandemic resumes midnight Sunday 26th April 2020 after the three day window, as announced by Governor Simon Bako Lalong in a State broadcast on 23rd April. To this effect, all citizens are enjoined to abide by all provisions of the lockdown as violators will be arrested and prosecuted accordingly. Further details of the lockdown will be unveiled in due course. The Government wishes to appreciate all law abiding citizens for their support and cooperation in the fight against this pandemic, and assures them that it is doing everything possible to contain the situation, particularly now that the State has an index case. Citizens should therefore disregard fake and unverified information, and seek reliable communication from revelant Government channels at all times.
Dr. Makut Simon Macham, ANIPR Director of Press & Public Affairs to the Governor of Plateau State. 26th April 2020.
“CORONA VIRUS CANNOT REVIVE YOUR POLITICAL IRREVELANCE”, APC FIRES BACK AT PLATEAU PDP.
The world is on the edge because of the catastrophic impact of the Corona Virus Pandemic, which is not only threatening the lives of people, but the economies of nations and dramatically changing livelihoods. No doubt, these are precarious times that have put Governments across the world, including Nigeria on their toes to prevent the spread of COVID-19, ensure treatment of those infected as well as find a cure. Since the first index case was reported in Nigeria, the APC-led Rescue Administration in Plateau State under the leadership of Rt. Hon. (Dr) Simon Bako Lalong took proactive steps to ensure that the disease does not infiltrate the State, and in case of any eventuality, the State is able to respond quickly and robustly to deal with the situation. For Governor Lalong, this emergency requires all hands to be on deck, as the virus does not discriminate against its victims irrespective of gender, tribe, religion, ethnicity, economic status, or even political affiliation. That is why he has continuously engaged all stakeholders in fighting the pandemic and boosting the State’s preparedness. Typical of his all-inclusive Governance style, he has carried all stakeholders along and galvanized the support of all well-meaning citizens of Plateau State in the fight against COVID-19, not minding what divide they belong. However, the good people of Plateau State, and indeed the APC-led Rescue Government has been inundated by the disgraceful and futile attempt of the moribund People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to not only distract the Governor from focusing on the fight against COVID-19, but also hoping to make cheap political capital from the pandemic. SAD! Ordinarily, the Plateau APC would have ignored the shenanigans of the collapsed PDP that has been in the Intensive Care ever since the discerning people of Plateau unanimously rejected it in 2015 and 2019. Since then, the party has continued to attempt to re-invent itself through its old tricks of lies, propaganda, and deceit. Most disgusting is the fact that they have been desperate in trying to use COVID-19 (a global health emergency) as their comeback strategy having lost their last bid to gain any relevance as the Supreme Court finally buried their lost ambition by affirming the mandate that the people of Plateau State entrusted in the Rescue Governor, Simon Bako Lalong. The APC deems it inevitable to put the records straight and clear the doubts of the people of Plateau, Nigerians and the International Community who have followed with admiration the doggedness of Governor Lalong and the Rescue Administration in taming the COVID-19 monster from ravaging the State. Perhaps the PDP has stayed for so long in the ICU and in so much slumber that it woke up in hallucination with an incoherent, disjointed, poorly written and empty “so-called” Press Statement issued by one of its factional Publicity Secretaries by name John T. Akans on Saturday 25th April 2020. In the concoction, it spewed ignorance; outright falsehood; total disrespect for the health and safety of the people and Plateau State; outright disregarded to minimum moral standards; and even attempted to “claim and pretend” that they care. They began with a monumental gaffe that they have “independently monitored” the response of the State Government to the Corona Virus Pandemic. How laughable can the PDP be when it is crystal clear to even a toddler that since the outbreak of the disease, they have been busy junketing and casting aspersions on virtually every step taken by the Government in combating the disease without offering a single suggestion, talk more of solution. The PDP not only failed to convince itself on what it meant by the need for “proactive steps” to be taken by the Government, but equally betrayed its hidden agenda by citing States like Lagos, Ogun, Rivers, Oyo, Edo, Cross River and Benue which it claimed have “adequate” health facilities and personnel for COVID-19. What a travesty! Quick questions to ask the Plateau PDP are: When did they carry out this analysis and came to this sumptuous conclusion? How did they go about this assessment despite the lockdown in Plateau State and the States they claim to have assessed? What were the criteria for the assessment? Who validated it? Why did they fail to specify the “fantastic” facilities in these States? Why did they not point out what Plateau State lacks for responding to COVID-19? Let us now educated and shame the PDP who in 16 years damaged and left in ruins every sector in Plateau State before the coming of the Lalong Rescue Administration. For starters, the APC Government has been busy trying to revive the near-dead health facilities across the State since assuming office and it has largely succeeded. Were it not for the past destruction of the PDP, the State would have been far ahead in all facets including the health sector. Nevertheless, Governor Lalong has remained undaunted in rebuilding most health facilities, and even initiated World-Class Health Projects under the Lalong Legacy Projects located in the three senatorial districts of the State. The PDP knows but refuses to acknowledge the fact that apart from taking many strategic decisions, Governor Lalong visited the Plateau Specialist Hospital, Jos University Hospital and Bingham University Teaching Hospital to ensure that the Isolation facilities are ready for the fight against COVID-19. During that visit, he directed the immediate purchase of more Ventilators, Personal Protective Equipment, medicines and other accessories for treatment of Corona Virus. All these have been delivered. In addition, he directed that health personnel should be trained and retrained on the Corona virus disease to make them battle-ready. As the Chairman of the Northern Governors Forum, Governor Lalong led his colleagues in demanding for Testing Centres in the North, which immediately paid off when the NCDC designated the NVRI Vom as a Testing Centre with capacity for over one thousand samples in a day. Indeed, the recent index case for Plateau was detected at the centre and more samples are being tested now. The PDP is blind to all these! Talking about being proactive, has the PDP pondered to ask themselves, or at least those who can educate them on why Plateau State did not record any case months after the disease spread to more than 20 States? What could be more proactive than holding off for that long despite pressures of cross border transmission from neigbouring States who had recorded cases? If you cannot give credit to Governor Lalong, please do not be desperate to discredit him. After all, he is not looking for cheap praises, but doing his job according to the oath of office he took and the social contract he has with Plateau people. If the PDP stopped at these unfounded allegations, it would have been mild. However, they have since deployed their antics of mobilizing the people through misinformation where they orchestrated and stage-managed a failed protest over palliatives in some streets of the Jos Metropolis. Instead of them to cover their faces in shame over this failed attempt, they again made reference to the broadcast by Governor Lalong where he stated that the distribution of palliatives to the vulnerable and weak will commence on Saturday 25th April 2020. Because they were afraid that the Governor’s directive would be carried out and nullify their campaign of calumny as well as thrash them to the dustbin of history, they quickly circulated messages via social and some mainstream media sympathetic to them to deceive the gullible on and organize their members to protest. Unknown to them, the Palliative Committee headed by the Dependable and Loyal Deputy Governor Prof. Sonni Gwanle Tyoden had commenced the distribution of the palliatives beginning with orphanages, people living with disabilities, orphans and the elderly on Saturday 25th April as directed by His Excellency the Governor. When their hired protesters were intercepted and addressed by the Chairman of Jos North Local Government and the Commissioner of Police, they melted away with apologies, and now ready to face the anger of the protesters for deceiving them and taking them on a wild goose chase. Apart from trying to pitch the people against the Government which has failed woefully, perhaps the PDP thinks that the palliatives will be administered in the character and style which is shabby, selective, embezzling and corrupt as they did with public resources during their years of infamy. No way! Governor Lalong has never discriminated against anybody and will never do so, especially at difficult times like this. His directive is that every Plateau citizen that falls into the category of the vulnerable will get the palliatives whether he or she is in PDP, APC, or any other political party; religion; ethnic group or any other affiliation. This is the era of CHANGE and TRANSPARENCY, not business as usual of the PDP era. Talking about transparency, we will not dignify the allegation of the APC for transparency in budget expended by the Government on fighting COVID-19. Needless to say, the APC Rescue Administration is managing all funds prudently and transparently despite the fact that the PDP looted the treasury when it held sway and left little for governance. The people of Plateau State are assured and know that the Lalong administration remains prudent and accountable as the books are open for all to see. PDP should bear in mind that the National Bureau of Statistics last year declared Plateau State as the SECOND LEAST CORRUPT State in Nigeria in its annual report, thanks to the strategies put in place by Governor Lalong. The donations towards COVID-19 have been open and announced on all media platforms. The UBA account where the monies are domiciled is in the public domain even though the PDP and all its members have not donated a dime to it. They are rather eager to generate and propagate lies of the Government spending fictitious 500 million naira on decontamination alone! Kai PDP, ku ji tsoron Allah! Instead of dissipating energy in chasing shadows and attempting a failed misadventure of recuperation using COVID-19, the PDP should rather join in supporting the Rescue Administration in finding solutions to the pandemic. If they cannot do anything, they can at least assist in making the citizens particularly their members in understanding that this pandemic is no respecter of persons whatever their party, religion, tribe, economic status and other affinities. Consequently, they can wisely use their time and talent to help members of the public see reasons why they should abide by Government’s directive for lockdowns, restriction of movement, border closure, adherence to hygiene, sanitation and social distancing which are key to defeating the disease. This will be more beneficial than the unpatriotic act of crying wolf where there is none and trying to make an honest, hardworking and people-oriented Government look bad. We are facing an emergency that can consume all of us if we do not stand together to fight and defeat this monster that has ravaged even the most advanced countries in the world. Not everything is politics! In any case, elections have been fought, won, and lost even at the courts. This is time to govern, and the people’s choice, Rt. Hon. (Dr) Simon Bako Lalong, KSGG, is working hard to ensure that there is no further spread of the disease in the State. He is not only concerned by the health implications of COVID-19, but also working day and night to ensure the economic survival of the State after COVID-19. Let us not distract him please, for the sake of the good people of Plateau State. Let’s THINK and ACT Plateau, stay at home and stay safe! Long live Plateau State.
Hon. Chindo S. Dafat APC Publicity Secretary, Plateau State 26th April 2020.
Mr Makut Alfred Mashat aka Seemo, a blogger and a social media influencer send an SOS to the Executive Governor of Plateau State, Rt Hon Simon Bako Lalong intimating him to engage Health Professionals, Graduates, media managers, technicians and ICT professionals to handle the task force on COVID19 not politicians cause the process will be politicise.
Below is his message to Lalong which Middlebelt Reporters got on social media.
COVID-19 SOS TO LISTENING GOVERNOR LALONG.
Dear Working Lalong,
POLITICIANS HAVE NO BUSINESS IN COVID19 TASKFORCE.
Professional Health Practitioners,Health Workers,Technicians,ICT professionals,graduates and Media managers should be engaged immediately to handle impending cases on the Plateau.
As the health Ministry is overwhelmed.
Let’s think Plateau and Act Plateau To save lives and save the situation.
PLATEAU COVID-19 INDEX CASE: PLATEAU GOVERNMENT INVESTIGATES RESULT LEAK
Plateau State Government is investigating the circumstances surrounding the leak of the confidential laboratory result of some suspected COVID-19 cases carried out at the National Veterinary Research Institute Testing Centre in Vom which have been circulating in the social media. The Government expresses immense disappointment with this unprofessional act which has not only breached ethical medical standards, but also exposed the suspected cases to negative consequences including stigmatizarion and discrimination. Government totally condemns this act which regretably has the tendency of jeopardising its efforts at fighting the Corona virus pandemic that is ravaging the world. In order not to allow that to happen, the Government has since commenced comprehensive investigations into the matter with a view to unraveling those responsible and applying the necessary punishment. Accordingly, the investigation will cover the entire process of the test from sample collection, investigation and result dissemination. The Government assures members of the public not to be deterred by this isolated incident as all measures have been taken to ensure that it doesn’t happen again. Members of the public are advised to continue to abide by all the regulations of social distancing, hygiene and sanitation and also report any suspected case.
Dan Manjang Commissioner for Information and Communications, Plateau State 25th April 2020.
NORTHERN GOVERNORS CONDOLE EDUCATION MINISTER ADAMU ADAMU AND FORMER BORNO GOVERNOR ALI MODU SHERIFF
Chairman of the Northern Governors Forum and Governor of Plateau State, Simon Bako Lalong has commiserated with the Minister of Education Mallam Adamu Adamu over the death of his mother, Hajiya Fatima Adamu Baaba who died at the age of 109. In a condolence message, Governor Lalong described the death of Hajiya Fatima as a great loss to the Adamu family, the people of Bauchi State and Nigeria at large. He said, though her death is painful, there is a lot to thank God for, particularly her many years of service, sacrifice and love to both her family and the community in general. Lalong said, “Hajiya Fatima lived an exemplary life that created the right environment for her immediate children and others within the community to be raised with values that have enabled them to achieve greater heights. The Northern Governors Forum deeply commiserates with her six children including the Minister of Education Mallam Adamu Adamu”. Similarly, the Northern Governors Forum has expressed sadness over the news of the death of Alhaji Modu Sheriff, Galadima of Borno Emirate, and the father to former Governor of Borno State Ali Modu Sheriff. The Chairman of the Forum Simon Bako Lalong in a condolence message extended heartfelt commiserations to the family of the Former Borno State Governor, their colleague Governor Babagana Zullum of Borno State, the Shehu of Borno and his Council as well as the entire people of the State over the loss of the octogenarian. The Northern Governors said the testimony of the late traditional ruler who served his people with dignity, love and courage, which endeared him to them. They also commiserated with President Muhammadu Buhari whose daughter, Halima is daughter in-law to the Late Alhaji Modu Sheriff, the Galadima of Borno. The Governors prayed God to grant the family the fortitude to bear the loss.
Dr. Makut Simon Macham, ANIPR Director of Press & Public Affairs to Governor of Plateau State & Chairman, Northern Governors Forum. 25th April 2020.
PEOPLE’S DEMOCRATIC PARTY, (PDP).PLATEAU STATE CHAPTER, 20/2 YAKUBU GOWON WAY OPP NTA JOS.
PRESS STATEMENT.
24th April 2020.
Sequel to the official statement on recent evidence of one (1)confirmed case of COVID-19 in Plateau state. The People’s Democratic party,(PDP) call on the people not to be despondent as a result of this,rather we should collectively come together in support of the effort put in place by the taskforce in fighting this dreaded monster.
As a people we have a lot of work to do in the face of this global Pandemic because this virus has no political color or identity, while we appreciate the effort of the taskforce we equally call on the government to shun politics in the discharge of its constitutional responsibility of protecting its citizens particularly on the planned palliative to be given to all citizens, this should be done across board irrespective of political affiliation, tribe or creed in the state to alleviate the suffering the people are all already going through as a result of the lockdown. The PDP caution the government to be prudent in the use of public funds not to take the advantage of corona virus to (coronize) embezzle public funds
The party also reemphasizes the importance of strictly adhering to the preventive measures the government has rolled out, by staying hygienically safe in our homes, and observing social distancing and frequent hand washing. It would also amount to gross indiscipline, recklessness and irresponsibility for any person to violate any preventive measures put in place by the government in fighting this Pandemic particularly those coming into the state by all means from other States while the state citizens are religiously obeying government directives.
We pray God to help us out of this unseen enemy.
Signed…
John .T. Akans, ksm FICA state publicity Secretary
The Former Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Barrister Solomon Dalung has congratulated Muslims Umma as they entered holy Month of Ramadan. The Former Minister made the called well charging the Muslims to use the period to extend love to another.
“Today, the Muslim Umma commence the Holy Month of Ramadan. To my understanding, Iftar is a period of rededication to Allah in total submission for spiritual benefits for humanity. It is the time to return to Allah for self reflections and reassessment of Ibadat. The Holy Scriptures recorded that there is none worthy of worship except the Almighty God, the Creator of mankind with the entire universe. To Him alone all shall stand in judgement to account for their deeds while sojourning on this planet”.
To the Muslim community, I urge you to dedicate this period of Ibadat for spiritual rejuvenation in selfless prayers for humanity in general especially our beloved country Nigeria, our dear leader, President Muhammadu Buhari, the Federal Executive Council, and the National Assembly for good governance and leadership. I wish the muslim umma good health and prosperous Ramadan period. May Allah the Beneficent and the Most Merciful reward your sacrifices with abundant blessings. May this pandemic that has caused pains and deaths across the world come to an end and may we come out of it stronger and better.
MiddleBelt Reporters 