The 3rd Federal Government and Progressives Governor’s forum Parley on policy synergy held in Jos ,the plateau State Capital with the theme “strengthening public delivery service” with strategies on Security,Revenue, Universal Basic Education and health. President Muhammadu Buhari was represented by SGS Boss Mustapha who urged the Governor’s under the forum to be people oriented and support the fight against corruption in their various states. Chairman of the Governor’s forum and Governor of Ekiti led other Govenors of the APC under the leadership of Governor Abubakar Atiku Bakudu, Chairman of Northern Governor’s Forum,Rt Hon.Barr Simon Bako Lalong,Governor Nasir Elrufai and the Governors of Edo,Nassarawa,Niger were all in attendance as the deputies of Kogi,gombr and Jigawa represented their Governor’s. The National Chairman of the APC Comrade Adams Oshiomhole led the National working committee of the APC at the parley. Governor Simon Bako Lalong the host Governor Charged his colleagues to be committed in their vision of providing accountable,responsible and responsive leadership to the citizens. Full text of Governor Simon Bako Lalong; ADDRESS OF THE GOVERNOR OF PLATEAU STATE, HIS EXCELLENCY RT. HON. (DR) SIMON BAKO LALONG & CO-CHAIRMAN, GOVERNANCE PROGRAMME STEERING COMMITTEE, AT THE THIRD FEDERAL GOVERNMENT – PROGRESSIVE GOVERNORS FORUM PARLEY ON POLICY SYNERGY HELD ON MONDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2019, AT THE BANQUET HALL, NEW GOVERNMENT HOUSE, LITTLE RAYFIELD JOS, PLATEAU STATE. PROTOCOL 1. It is with great pleasure that I warmly welcome you on behalf of the Government and good people of Plateau State to the third Federal Government – Progressive Governors Forum Parley on Policy Synergy holding here in our beautiful Capital City of Jos. 2. Indeed, it is a great honour for us to host this very crucial engagement organised by the Progressive Governors Forum whose focus is to strengthen public service delivery in APC States and the nation at large. 3. Given our antecedents in hosting high calibre events such as this, and our rich hospitality in addition to the serene and enchanting beauty of Plateau State, there is no better choice than Jos, to host this very important gathering at this time of the year. 4. You may wish to recall Your Excellencies, that the last parley took place in Kebbi State on August 1, 2017 with the theme “Policy Synergy to Ensure Development” which focused on Finance, Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), Agriculture, Education and Social Investment. 5. Your Excellencies, as Governors under the banner of the All Progressives Congress (APC), we are fully committed to our vision of providing accountable, responsible and responsive leadership to our citizens. 6. This is in line with the promises we made while seeking votes from the electorates and the oath of office that we took to serve our people. 7. We are also not unaware of the torrents of expectations from the people we were elected to serve despite the financial challenges confronting our States. 8. The onus is therefore on us, to justify why we were chosen from among millions of Nigerians by devising ingenious ways of meeting the expectations of the public. 9. This underscores the relevance of our meeting here today as we synergize to explore what we can do together, what we can share with each other and areas we can collaborate with one another particularly the Federal Government that has partnered with us all the way. 10. Saddled with the enormous responsibility of moving our dear states forward, we have no option but to constantly engage one another like we are doing here today. Like the proverb says “If you want to go fast, go alone. But if you want to go far, go together.” 11. We must also put on record that notwithstanding the many challenges we face as a country, the APC administration both at the National, State and Local Government levels have recorded tremendous progress in reshaping the economy, rebuilding infrastructure, creating jobs and improving security among others. 12. But we must also admit that there is still more work to be done considering the level of decay we inherited in our various States. That is why we have to commend Mr. President for leading the way in the determination to deliver Change and take Nigeria to the Next Level. 13. The fact that we are paying special attention to three key areas of Internal Security and humanitarian Services, Health and Education at this parley makes me particularly happy because these areas reflect some of the most challenging issues we are contending with in our respective States and the nation at large. 14. We therefore need to come up with practical and effective ways on how we can tackle insecurity manifesting in insurgency, banditry, kidnapping, farmer-herder clashes, ethno-religious crises and other violent conflicts. 15. We must at this meeting resolve how best to work with the Federal Government and indeed the Local Government system to ensure the protection of lives and property of our citizens. 16. This parley should also enable us to discuss what we are doing in our States about Primary Health Care, Health Insurance, Social Protection for the vulnerable and ensuring that there is quality and compulsory education for our citizens. 17. It is also expected that this parley should provide more insights on how we have fared so far in our synergy with the Federal Government through the Universal Basic Education, National Social Investment Programme, Humanitarian Crises Management, and the National Primary Healthcare Strategy among other programmes that the APC-led Federal Government has rolled out. 18. We cannot talk about Strengthening Public service Delivery without discussing the issues of accountability and prudent deployment of resources. This is where we need to learn from each other on how to generate more funds and judiciously deploy them devoid of corruption, mismanagement and extravagance. 19. Manpower development and human resource re-invigoration that is driven by information and communication technologies is very important if we are to make any progress in governance. We need to dwell on this and also forge the way forward. 20. This may also lead us to taking another look at Local Government system to make it more effective. We all must work together to instill fiscal discipline and transparency in the management of the resources that are so directly allocated to that tier of government. 21. For us in Plateau State, there has been growing synergy among all stakeholders including the three arms of government as we continue our Rescue Mission through the 3-point policy thrust of peace, security and good governance; infrastructural development; and sustainable economic rebirth. 22. We have since come up with a 5- Year Strategic Development Plan which is guiding our Next Level Vision where we are prioritizing various projects in education, health, agriculture, mining and tourism which we believe can turn around the economic fortunes of our State if properly harnessed. 23. We have set in motion plans to host an Economic and Investment Summit where we intend to open up Plateau State to domestic and foreign investors and rebranding our State to what it truly is –THE HOME OF PEACE AND TOURISM. I will shortly be calling on your Excellencies to join us. 24. This parley is therefore apt as it affords us the opportunity of discussing some of our efforts through agencies such as the Plateau Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Plateau Health Insurance Scheme, Plateau Disability Rights Commission, Plateau Peace Building Agency, ICT Development Agency as well as Plateau Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency. 25. Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen, that you are all here for this parley is another endorsement of the efforts we have put in to restore peace to Plateau State which has seen many people coming back and new ones coming in to the nation’s preferred destination. 26. I therefore want to thank specially Mr. President for again supporting us to do what we have done so far even as we remain committed to taking things to the next level. We are grateful sir. 27. Let me use this opportunity to specially congratulate our re-elected colleague His Excellency Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State and our 20th Member, Governor-Elect Chief David Lyon who made history as the first APC elected Governor of Bayelsa State during the November 16th Governorship elections. 28. Finally, as we settle down to the business of the day, I hope we will engage in open and frank discussions that will add value to governance in our various States and the nation at large. I also commend the PGF Secretariat team for the good work they are doing. 29. Thank you for your attention and God bless you all. Rt. Hon. (Dr.) Simon Bako Lalong Executive Governor, Plateau State & Chairman, Northern Governors Forum. 25th November 2019.

The Member representing Pankshin, Kanke and Kanam Federal Constituency, Rt Hon Yusuf Adamu Gagdi condoled the people of Birbyeng, Jahr Chiefdom and Kanam Traditional Council over the demise of the Village Head of Birbyeng, Alh Ahmadu Hassan. Hon Gagdi who eulogised the deceased and described him as his father and an upright gentleman with passion for the development of his land and it’s people, added that the exit of the monarch has left behind a big vacuum to be filled. He prayed fervently for the repose of his soul and for the fortitude to bear the lost.

The member then reassured the people of his plan to renovate the palace of Sarkin Birbyeng and prayed for the people to have a worthy successor who will sustain the leadership style of the deceased and lead the people along the path of unity and development.

Responding to the condolence, the Galadiman Birbyeng appreciated the member for finding time to come despite his tight schedule and thank him for always being there for his people. He also commended the member for what he is able to achieve within five months in the National Assembly and express confidence that more will be achieved during the remaining 43 months.

The entourage of the member comprises of party officials, elders and some critical stakeholders from within and outside the Local Government.

Gagdi Media Team

Despite the cancellation of the booked venue for a witchcraft conference to be held in Enugu state, the organisers insist that they are proceeding as planned and will announce a new venue soon. Director of the B.I.C Ijomah Centre for Policy Studies and Research, Professor Egodi Uchendu, in a WhatsApp message to Gistmania, said the protest and campaign by the Christian Association of Nigeria and Christian students in the University of Nigeria (UNN), Nsukka will not deter them from holding the academic conference. “Freedom of speech is a fundamental human right. CAN and others are free to express their opinions just like we have the freedom to have an academic conference on witchcraft”, Mrs Uchendu, a professor of history said. “I’m delighted that the conference is generating the debate it should across the nation. Nigerians should look critically into the subject of the conference and identify how it’s impeding our national existence and personal experience”. She absolved the UNN of blame for the cancellation of the booking for Energy Centre, as venue for the conference, billed to begin 26 November. She said the centre is owned by the Federal Government and is domiciled in the UNN. Prof Uchendu said; “UNN DID NOT deny us use of Energy Centre. Energy Centre did. Energy Centre is a Federal organ domiciled in UNN. It’s not controlled by UNN. Their decision to deny us their venue may not even be known to UNN”. The conference on witchcraft has generated controversy since it was announced that it would take place in UNN Nsukka. Students, believing that witches and wizards would descend on UNN, during the conference, printed posters decrying the plan. They were joined by the Christian Association of Nigeria, which escalated the opposition and urged Christians in the South East zone to embark on prayers to dissuade the organisers from holding the conference. Chairman of CAN in the South-East zone, Bishop Dr Goddy Okafor demanded that the programme be called off immediately. Okafor said; “I call on all Heads of Blocks, State Chairmen and other Stakeholders of Christian Association of Nigeria South-East Zone to take up aggressive prayers against the planned convention of Witches and Wizards slated to hold on November 26 at UNN. “This convention is not of God and must not hold in Jesus name. Exodus 22:18 says, ‘Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live’. “I hereby direct, all Christian Churches in South East of Nigeria to take up lamentation and pray against this evil movement in all our churches this coming Sunday. “I also call upon all Christian Campus Fellowship Groups and other Christian Students’ Associations to join in this effort and stand up for JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD against this evil development in South East Of NIGERIA.”

Family members , comprising a man , his wife and their son were found dead on Friday in their room located at North Bank , Makurdi , Benue State .
The incident is coming five days after the acting permanent secretary in the state alongside his wife and two children died in a fire that gutted their residence.
An eyewitness , who identified himself as Tondo , said the second child of the family, a girl , was spared as the cause of death remained a mystery .
Tondo said there was no clue to suggest that they were killed because there was no mark of violence on them .
“We woke up this morning and discovered the development . We found the husband , wife and their son dead .
“Ironically , nothing happens to their little girl who should be about two years . Policemen were contacted and they took the corpses away , ” Tondo said .
When contacted, the spokesperson for the state police command , Catherine Anene , a Deputy Superintendent of Police , confirmed the incident .
She said , “We received information from people around the area that three family members were dead . It is investigation that we show us the cause of death because there is no mark of violence on their bodies.
“Unfortunately , the only girl found alive in the room is about two years old and could not say anything about the incident . ”
Meanwhile , the Ogun Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps on Friday said one person died while three others sustained injuries in a road accident on Idiroko Road , Ogun State .
Sango -Ota Area Commander of TRACE , Adekunle Ajibade , made this known to the News Agency of Nigeria in Ota .
Ajibade said the accident which happened at 10 am on Friday around Iyana -Iyesi on Idiroko Road , involved a tipper , a jeep and a tricycle .
He stated that the tipper with the number plate , MUS 217 YL , lost control due to brake failure and rammed into a tricycle marked , LAR 304 VD and an Acura Jeep with the number plate , KTU 636 DQ .
He added said that four persons comprising three males and a female were involved in the accident which resulted in death of one person, while three others sustained injuries .
“The corpse of the male victim has been deposited at the morgue of the state hospital, Ota while the survivors are also receiving treatment at the same hospital, ” Ajibade said .
Ajibade advised motorists and other road users to be careful as the yuletide period approaches to avoid loss of lives and property .

A 31 – year- old man , Olasina Olanrewaju , who allegedly beat two officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps and inflicted injuries on them , was on Friday arraigned before an Ile -Ife magistrates ’ court in Osun State .
Olanrewaju was said to have beaten the two officials with a cable .
Addressing the court, police prosecutor, Sunday Osanyintuyi, said the defendant committed the offence on November 22 , 2019, at Ajebamidele, Ile- Ife .
He added that the defendant and others yet to be apprehended , threatened the FRSC officials performing their lawful duty .
He said the defendant unlawfully assaulted Taiwo Alonge and Bello Ishola , using a cable .
The prosecutor further explained that the defendant also tore uniforms of the officials .
The offences contravened sections 356 ( 3 ) , 451 and 516 ( 1 ) of the Criminal Code , 2002.
The Defence Counsel , Mr Ben Adirieje , applied for bail for his client and assured the court that he would not jump bail .

In her ruIing , Magistrate Bose Idowu , admitted the defendant to bail in the sum N 100 ,000 with two sureties each in like sum and adjourned the case until December 6 , for hearing .

Ekiti State CP, Amba Asuquo
Abiodun Nejo, Ado Ekiti
Ekiti State Commissioner of Police , Mr Asuquo Amba , said on Friday that the police have arrested two top officials of a commercial bank attacked by robbers in the state .
Amba said the two officials – the branch and operations managers – had been with the police since Thursday to aid investigations into the incident .
He stated that the “officials were invited to come with us after the incident .’’
The CP also said the Inspector – General of Police , Mohammed Adamu , had ordered a thorough investigation into the attack on the bank and the Oye Police Division .
He spoke at Oye Ekiti during an on -the – spot assessment of the bank and divisional station , noting that the video footage from the CCTV installed in the bank gave indications of insiders’ connivance.
The CP stated that footages from the bank ’s closed circuit television showed that insiders were complicit in the robbery which occurred in Oye Ekiti on Thursday .
He stated , “ We observed that there was consistent entry into and out of the strong room , when we conducted search inside the bank premises , we saw N2 .5 million hidden somewhere and we recovered it. That gave us suspicion that they needed to give us further explanation’’
The robbers dislodged the policemen at the station before heading for the bank , blasting its security door with dynamite and carting away over N 25 m including some foreign currencies .
The assailants killed two persons– a policeman and a seven -year – old girl in the process . Amba said there was close similarity between the robbery attack and the one on a bank at Ise -Ekiti about two months ago .

The police commissioner bemoaned the killing of the police sergeant on guard duty at the bank and the girl, whose mother was a hawker in the bank area .
He said , “What baffles me is that there was nexus between the robbers and insiders in the banking premises . The Oye Police Division is quite about one or two poles from here ( the bank ) . It was the first point of attack. The bankers confirmed that they heard the shots and it took simultaneously 10 minutes before the robbers arrived at the bank from there .
“Within the period, there were some activities that went on inside the bank . It is either there was strict connivance or the bank officials took advantage to carry out their own intention which investigation would prove.
“Between the time the robbers attacked our men and the time the robbery took place , the staff had enough time to escape through the exit door . They were captured by CCTV moving in and out of the vault . The vault was even opened before the robbers came .
“Despite the opportunity , none of them made efforts to escape , they were stuffing money and there was evidence to prove this .
“The staff opened the vault by 3. 05 pm and the robbers blew up the security door at 3 .12 pm , this gave a strong suspicion that there was internal collaboration in this matter .
“What we have seen is that there is a missing chain in the link . It is that missing chain that we are working out . I can assure you that we will mend the missing chain to get the result of our investigation .”
Amba alleged that the CCTV also revealed how the bankers and a customer , who ran inside upon hearing the gunshots , used the robbery opportunity to stuff money into their pockets as they moved frequently into the vault before the bandits blew the security door with dynamite .
He said the robbers had during the attack on the police division used about seven or eight improvised explosive devices .
He said , “The Divisional Police Officer was quite lucky because I went to his office ; his seat was pierced. There was consistent firing . They went to almost all the offices and they attempted to get to the armoury; they were not able to have breakthrough .
“The IGP has directed that there must be a thorough investigation and that this modus of operation must be brought to fore .”

Some aggrieved members of the National Executive Committee of the All Progressives Congress , numbering 43 , have demanded the resignation of the National Chairman , Adams Oshiomhole.
The aggrieved NEC members at a press briefing on Friday night in Abuja after NEC meeting accused Oshiomhole of abruptly ending the NEC meeting .
The Zamfara State APC Chairman , Lawal Liman , who spoke on their behalf , said most of the goodwill acquired by the party at inception had taken a downturn under the former Edo State governor .
He said , “The APC was founded as a platform for the progressives in Nigeria in 2014, with ‘change ’ as the slogan of the party.
“The party was positively embraced by the citizens of Nigeria , culminating in record – breaking victory of President Muhammadu Buhari , as the first opposition leader to defeat an incumbent President .
“Most of the goodwill acquired by the party , by reasons of its religious adherence to the provisions of its constitution and the tenets of internal democratic practices has taken a downturn , principally due to dictatorial and despotic tendencies of the national chairman , who has usurped the powers of the national Executive Committee of the party.
“This may have been responsible for the admonition of Mr President who insisted that the party organs , at the state , LGA and ward levels , must be strengthened and accorded due respect with regards to the powers and responsibilities conferred on them by the constitution of the party .
“Most unfortunately the facade presented by the national chairman , today , at a National Executive Committee meeting , leaves much to be desired . He completely ignored Mr President ’s advice and rather defied all known rules for meetings by precluding contributions from members and ending the meeting abruptly , without achieving anything . This is most unfortunate and undesirable .
“Arising from the foregoing and having regards to the huge responsibilities bestowed on us as officers of the party and in the overriding interest of our members , we are left with no option but to demand that Adams Oshiomhole resign his position as national chairman , in order to stem the slide and provide an enabling environment for genuine healing , reconciliation and the practice of true democracy , within the party across the country . ”
The signatories to the call for Oshiomhole’s removal included Bala Kangiwa ( Kebbi Chairman ) , Habibi Sara ( Jigawa Chairman ) , Ade Adetimehin ( Ondo Chairman ) , Abdullahi Abbas ( Kano Chairman ) , Abba Yaro ( Benue Chairman ) , Omotoso Paul ( Ekiti ) and Mohammed Iman ( Niger Chairman ) .
They also included Anslem Ojezua ( Edo Chairman ) , Philips Shekwo ( Nasarawa Chairman ) , Air Com Ikeda ( Kaduna Chairman ) , Letep Dabang ( Plateau Chairman ) , Shitu Shitu ( Katsina Chairman ) , Isah Acida ( Sokoto) and Zonal Youth Leader ( South West ) , Lawal Bolade .

Three persons have been arrested by the police in Lagos for allegedly defiling a 14 -year -old girl at Eyita, Ikorodu area of the state .
The police are also on the trail of a fourth suspect , a secondary school pupil , said to be involved in the crime.
City Round learnt that the suspects reside in the neighbourhood and usually waylaid the victim when she was sent on errands and had sex with her .
It was gathered that relations of the victim , who lives with her grandmother , observed she had been wayward lately and started monitoring her closely .
A neighbour recently chanced on four boys reportedly molesting the girl at a dark spot close to her residence. They were said to have fled on sighting the man .
Our correspondent gathered that the neighbour notified the victim ’s relations about the incident and she was queried .
It was learnt that she mentioned the suspects and the case was reported at the Sagamu Road Police Station .
An uncle of the victim , Tunde Animola , told City Round that the girl had been living with the grandmother since her childhood .
He said , “She has been wayward lately . After studying her closely , we discovered that some boys have been having sex with her. Recently a neighbour sent her on an errand and she didn ’t come back in time . It was in the process of searching for her that the man saw her with some boys . The following Saturday , November 16 , around 7. 30 pm , the neighbour caught the boys at a dark spot molesting her.
“We then reported the case to the police . Four persons were involved and one of them is also a secondary school pupil who is still at large . Her parents have separated and remarried . She lives with her grandmother . She is in SS 3 .”
Animola added that a medical test had been carried out on the girl and submitted to the police .
A rights activist , Okla Gogo , who is on the case , said an investigation police officer at the Sagamu Road Division , one Inspector Ariet , initially wanted to treat the incident as a case of indecent assault and not defilement.
He said , “The IPO said the survivor was not a virgin so she can only charge the perpetrators with indecent assault not defilement. She ( the IPO ) also threatened to check if the girl was acutely raped or not. ”
“We appreciate the area commander and all parties that helped on the case . If not, the Sagamu Division IPO would have released the perpetrators ,” Gogo added .
The spokesperson for the police in the state , DSP Bala Elkana , had yet to reply to a message sent to him , seeking an update on the case .

President Muhammadu Buhari will arrive Jos, the Plateau State capital for a two- day meeting with governors elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress .
The meeting is scheduled to hold between Sunday and Monday .
Secretary to the Plateau State Government , Prof Danladi Atu , confirmed the development at a press conference in Jos on Friday .
Atu said that other dignitaries expected at the meeting included the Senate president , Ahmad Lawan, Speaker of the House of Representatives , Femi Gbajabiamila and at least 17 ministers .

According to him , the meeting will provide an opportunity for the APC governors to share ideas on how to deepen governance in their respective states and provide dividends of democracy to the people .
He said , “The latest meeting of the APC governors coming up in Jos is the third in the series after the previous ones in Ekiti and Kebbi States . The essence is for the governors to share ideas and learn from each other on how best to provide good governance to the people in line with the APC manifesto .
“And that is why Mr President has accepted to be part of the meeting . The Senate president and the Speaker of the House of Representatives , as well as about 17 ministers , will also be in attendance. ”

Zamfara governor Bello Matawalle and former governor, Abdulaziz Yari
Maiharaji Altine, Gusau
Governor Bello Matawalle of Zamfara State said he would arrest a former state governor , Abdul ’aziz Yari, if there were any further killing of innocent people in the state .
Matawalle said this on Friday in a statement while receiving some firearms surrendered by repentant bandits at the Government House , Gusau .
Matawalle alleged that it was anytime Yari visited the state that there were attacks and killing of people .
“I decided to take this action against the former governor because I observed that whenever he visited the state , there would be attacks and killing of innocent people immediately he left,” he alleged .
According to Matawalle , the recent killings in Karaye village was the third time the former governor visited the state . He alleged that his predecessor’s visit was followed by a security breach, which he described as “too much of coincidence . ”
He said , “Security is the responsibility of all and I wonder why some people such as the former governor and his followers are not happy with the current development in which the security of the state has significantly improved.”
The governor , therefore , instructed security agencies in the state to arrest and prosecute anybody found to be responsible for the killings , saying he would not allow “some failed politicians ” to destroy the state for their personal interests .
When contacted for comments , the Special Adviser to Yari on Media , Alhali Ibrahim Dosara , declined to comment , stressing that only the Publicity Secretary Committee Chairman of the All Progressives Congress , Alhali Ibrahim Magaji , could comment on the matter .
However , several attempts made to speak with Magaji did not yield any result .
Meanwhile , the suspended Chairman of Shinkafi Local Government Area of Zamfara State , Alhaji Garba Galadi, on Friday said the state House of Assembly did not follow constitutional procedures before suspending him.
The House had suspended the chairman for alleged misappropriation of funds to the tune of N 23 m and asked him to hand over the affairs of the council to his deputy.
However , in a swift reaction, the House threatened to take drastic action against Galadi for still parading himself as the chairman and refusing to hand over to his deputy.