The Emir of Keffi in Nasarawa State, Nigeria, Alhaji Shehu Chindo Yamusa III, on Saturday October 19, 2019 bestowed on Plateau State Governor, Rt. Hon. Dr. Simon Bako Lalong, esq., the traditional title of GANUWAN KEFFI. The Emir made the announcement when the Plateau State Governor led members of Set 86 of the School for Preliminary Studies Keffi (Now Nasarawa University Keffi) on a visit to him as part of their reunion. The Emir extolled the humility and peaceful nature of Governor Lalong and prayed for him and recalled with nostalgia their days at the SPS Keffi. The title was last held by late Gen Emmanuel Abisoye.
Former member of House of Representatives and PDP stalwart in Plateau State, Honourable Bitrus Kaze, in an interview with ISAAC SHOBAYO speaks on the recent appointment of management committee chairmen for four local governments, especially on the insinuations trailing the appointment that it was a ploy to pave the way for the creation of Emir of Jos among others.
How do you see the recent appointment of management committee for four local governments in the state?
It is very unfortunate. It is a rape of democracy. It is a disaster on the destiny of those local governments and indeed the people of Plateau State. It baffles us for a government to contemplate what the governor did. We are saddened and it is very unfortunate.
Looking at those that were appointed as committee chairmen, are you satisfied with the fact that they were candidates of All Progressive Congress for the local government election that was cancelled in the affected councils?
Section 7 of the 1999 Constitution provides that democratic system should be in place at all level including local government and Supreme Court has given several judgments to that effect. The local government cannot be run by any other means, except democratic means. The claim of change by the APC and next level is a ruse. What next level are they talking about? Is it next level of lawlessness or confusion?
What is the position of your party? Are you calling for election to be conducted in the concerned councils or what is your stand on this issue?
We don’t trust this administration. I said so because this is the first time any elected governor in the state will throw away the destiny of the people in order to pacify personal political interests. Since Plateau was created, we have never seen this level of betrayal by the government that goes by the appellation “Rescue Mission.” I just pray that Governor Lalong, at the end of his tenure, will be able to give us back Plateau just the way it was handed to him in 2015. We are not asking him for anything better, but let him give us Plateau the way he met it. This cannot be a method to achieve peace. He is the man that claimed he has reduced his five-point agenda to three and the first is peace, good governance and constitutionality. The step he has taken so far has turned the first agenda upside down because the law exists to regulate society, to promote wellbeing and security of the citizens. This step that the governor has taken has destroyed every fabric of peace that is expected to be built upon in the state. He has done inculpable damage by this step. To the best of my knowledge, no elected government in the since 1976 when it was created has so destroyed the fibre of thrust as we witnessing today. We are completely disappointed.
Don’t you see the appointment of a non-native as management committee chairman in Jos North as a means of reconciliation?
How can an unconstitutional act promote reconciliation? It is like you want to cool off your environment and you bring fire and claim it will cool the place. It is constitutionality that promotes order and civil obedience. The governor cannot engage in a rape of democracy and turn his back to claim he is promoting reconciliation. Since he claimed there is peace in the state, he should he should conduct election on the basis of this.
People are yearning for development at the grassroots, do you think this can be achieved under this arrangement?
When people show that they believe in the system and we have a government that has demonstrated clearly that personal interest supersedes that of the people, what will motivate them to develop the land? Take for example, the road from secretariat junction to the British-America junction. How many months has it taken? If a government is driven by selfish interest, development will be relegated to the background. Remember this is the governor’s exit tenure and on the basis of this, it is certain that Governor Lalong will not come back to test the governorship. This should be his motivation. If it were in the first tenure, it would have been better. But that he knows that this matter will end with his administration, he needs to do something fast.
Before the governor released the memo to the state House of Assembly for the approval for the appointment of the management committee chairmen, I, along with the state PDP secretariat, had informed the world that the state government was planning to impose the candidates of the All Progressive Congress on the remaining four local governments. I specifically said that the governor had raised a memo to the House which was approved. I need to tell you that, that was step one of their plan. What we are hearing from reliable source is that the imposition of the candidate of APC, especially in Jos North was a test case. Once the chairman of Jos North has been instituted and the people are not complaining, what will follow is the likelihood of the chairman creating a district in Jos North. And what is is expected to follow the district will be installation of Emir in Jos North. All this is to pacify the yearning of people who feel they installed Governor Lalong. What we are seeing is an agenda that is building gradually. It is an agenda that seeks to satisfy a section of people as if they were the only ones that voted for the governor.
What I am saying is that the chairmanship in Jos North in particular will lead to the creation of district for a particular people, which will in turn lead to the emergence of Emir for a particular people in Jos North. I want to use this opportunity to call on the people of Plateau to hold their elective representatives, especially in the state Assembly responsible because a creation of new district in Jos North is not possible except with the consent of the House of Assembly. This is based on the experience we saw in October 2019. We can see that PDP lawmakers in the House walked out in protest against the obnoxious policy, but the APC lawmakers have the tenacity and propensity to do the bidding of their party without considering the consequences of their actions. So, it is very important for Plateau citizens to hold their elected members of the state Assembly responsible before we wake up to see Emir of Jos impose on the people of the state.
What is your assessment of the House of Assembly?
If you read what happened on the floor of the House, it was reported in the media that members of the PDP raised a matter of concern with regard to the imposition of APC standardbearers instead of election but by fiat. PDP members also raised a concern as to the tendency for such illegality to lead to a breakdown of law and order, but members of the APC in the House led by the speaker insisted that it must be passed. They had their way, at the detriment of the state. I want to say that they have written their history in a very bad light. They have done what no any House before them had done. It is unfortunate that the people that are supposed to protect us are the ones working at cross purposes in line with our aspirations.
What is the way out?
The way out is for Lalong to conduct local government elections in these four council areas, that is the way out. He must conduct elections in Jos South, Jos North, Barakin-Ladi and Riyom Local Government Areas because what he did by appointing caretaker chairmen was imposition. He said they would be there for three months, but the law did not recognise such arrangement even for twenty four hours. So, it is incumbent on the governor to retrace his steps and abide by the constitution and conduct election to promote peace, good governance on the Plateau as claimed in his three-point agenda.
In case this does not happen, what step will your party take?
We are law-abiding people. We will continue to agitate, but will do everything within the ambit of the law to ensure that we have democratic government in those four local government areas.
In what appears to be her modest contribution to humanitarian services and the development of Plateau State, Hon. Na’anyil Magdalene Dakogol a politician, business woman and philanthropist has concluded all plans and modalities to start a cancer foundation in Jos Plateau State. The underlying mission is to express love and care to those in need given the astronomical rise of cancer over a couple of decades killing many and ravaging homes. As a prelude to the holistic actualization of the cancer humanitarian campaign, plans are on top gear for a cancer awareness walk and financial donations for cancer patients slated to take place on the 26th of October 2019 by 6:30 AM at Secretariat Junction under bridge Jos, Plateau State. The cancer awareness walk will feature among other things, the donation of cash and material gifts to cancer patients at the Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH) as well as practical sensitization on the causes, symptoms and possible prevention of the disease. It is a fact that when cancer symptoms start manifesting, please take action and report to your doctor. Early diagnosis is important. Scientists at the Havard School of Public Health estimate that upto 75% of cancer deaths can be prevented. Meg Cancer Foundation has already been incorporated with the Corporate Affairs Commission and has received the endorsement of likeminds and progressives in society.
Carrying 10 to 20 tubers of yam on their heads, Jos women yam hawkers walk as far as 10 kilometres, mostly under the intense scorching sun and sometimes drenched in the rain with a baby strapped to their backs. It is the life they’ve always known, but now wish better for their daughters.
There is panic around Zoo Road area of Kano metropolis as lion escaped its enclosure in Kano Zoological Gardens on Saturday night.
Sources told our correspondence that the incident happened when the big cat overpowered rangers trying to put it back to its cage after agricultural show outing
Although the zoo officials could not be reached for comment, the spokesman for Kano Police Command, DSP Abdullahi kiyawa, confirmed the incident.
He however said the lion was still within the zoo area.
He also said that a search team has been deployed to look for the lion, adding that policemen have been deployed to the area to maintain law and order.
Mr Kiyawa said no reported injury so far on the part of the rangers or other officials.
The Senator representing Plateau South in the National Assembly, His Excellency Ignatius Datong Longjan has congratulated former Head of State, Gen Yakubu Gowon on the occasion of his birthday, Governor Simon Bako Lalong on the conferment of Ganuwan Keffi and the wife of Deputy Governor, Mrs Rhoda Tyoden who added a year to her age on Saturday October 19, 2019. Senator Longjan who described General as an epitome of unity and a man of great compassion, said Nigerians should Genera Gowon’s humane and humanitarian posture despite been a former Head of State. The Senator pray God to guide and give the the General more strength and wisdom to continue to be the shining light and example of leadership. Commenting on the title bestowed on Governor Lalong, Senator Longjan expressed delight saying that the title coming from another state is a manifestation of the Governor’s leadership qualities and urged him to remain steadfast in the discharge of his duties. Congratulating Mrs Rhoda Tyoden on her birthday, Senator Longjan hopes that the new age of the wife of the Deputy Governor would energies her for the task ahead and pray God to showing more blessings upon her
The Senator Representing Plateau Central Senatorial District In the 9th Assembly,Nde Hezekiah Dimka joins millions of Nigerians,Plateau State Citizens and the good people of Plateau Central Zone to celebrate with an elder statesman and a father figure of Nigeria Unity and Togetherness.
As people age, they become more valuable, and full of wisdom to positively impact their society,this is a task the humble General has been doing own his own good intent.
The peace Loving former head of state has been in the forefront of championing peaceful co-existence and tolerance in the face of the challenges that we are faced with as Nigerians.
Your insistence on Nigeria’s Unity with total faith in the corporate existence of Nigeria as one Nation is the bond that unites us with the blessing in diversity.
Do not relent in giving your fatherly and timely advice to the nation in whatever capacity you deem fit as a Pan-African Statesman.
I will want to Pray that God will grant your heart desires at 85 with many more years of his blessings and infinite mercy.
Signed: Sen. Hezekiah Dimka Plateau Central Senatorial District.
On behalf of the Distinguished Senator, Plateau Central Senatorial Zone, Sen. Hezekiah Dimka and family, the Good people of the Senatorial zone, his Legislative Aides and supporting staff, heartily rejoice with our quintessential loving mother, Her Excellency Mrs Rhoda Tyoden, wife of His Excellency the Deputy Governor on this special day of her birthday.
Birthdays are a new start, a fresh beginning and a time to pursue new endeavors and new goals. You’ve always been the shining thread in the beautiful tapestry. May this day usher in renewed joy in your life and family and may your light never dim.
Happy birthday our Mummy
Signed
Mr. ND Shehu Kanam
SLA to the Distinguished
On behalf of the good people of Pankshin, Kanke and Kanam Federal Constituency, we want to join millions of Nigerians and numerous others around the world in celebrating a true Nationalist and a Pan African, Gen Yakubu Gowon (Rtd) on the occasion of his 85th Birthday.
His 85 years has been well spent in the service to our great nation and humanity in general having ruled during the most turbulent times of the Nigerian Civil War and fought gallantly for the unity of the country. At the age of 31, Gen Gowon was already the Head of State and Commander in Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces following Kaduna Nzeogwu led but unsuccessful coup d’etat in 1966. His giant stride in salvaging the then 6year old independent Nigeria from the forces of secession and his swift reaction to create the first 12 states from the erstwhile 3 regional states in the country has been the watershed in the anal of history of Nigeria. It marked the very foundation of a united, indivisible and prosperous Nigeria.
A detribalize leader and a highly respected statesman, Gen Gowon has been a father and a role model to all and sundry and a very big pride of the PKK family. He is a source of inspiration to the young Nigerians and a symbol of hope and progress for the country. Verily his life and times called for celebration.
While wishing him more years of good health and prosperity, we also want to seize this opportunity to remind us, in the spirit of the birthday of this detribalized leader, that we can still be one people as exemplified by Gowon, despite the difference in our tribes and dialect. Even though the differences exists, it has the advantage of increasing our numerical strength as a people with which we can influence a lot of good things to ourselves as a constituency.
Happy Birthday our hero.
Signed Gagdi Media Team
For Rt Hon Yusuf Adamu Gagdi
Member Representing Pankshin, Kanke and Kanam Federal Constituency, Abuja
DIRECTORATE OF PRESS & PUBLIC AFFAIRS, OFFICE OF THE EXECUTIVE GOVERNOR, PLATEAU STATE
PRESS RELEASE
PLATEAU STATE GOVERNOR SALUTES GEN. GOWON AT 85
Plateau State Governor and Chairman of the Northern Governors Forum Rt. Hon. Simon Bako Lalong says former Head of State Gen. Yakubu Gowon is a rare gift not only to the State, but to Nigeria and the world at large because of his exemplary lifestyle and enormous sacrifices towards nation building and global peace.
Governor Lalong in a statement by his Director of Press and Public Affairs Dr. Makut Simon Macham to felicitate with him on his 85th birthday (19th October 2019), describes Gen. Gowon as a distinguished Statesman, Gentleman, Prayer Warrior and Bridge Builder, who continues to provide inspiration and hope for the Nation as it wades through its challenges.
While wishing the celebrant good health, God’s grace and divine strength, Lalong urges Gen. Gowon not to relent in deploying his wealth of experience and knowledge in the pursuit of unity and national integration.
The Governor says Plateau State is proud of the former Head of State whose sense of duty and responsibility throughout his military career and other national and international assignments remain a shining example for generations to come.
Dr. Makut Simon Macham ANIPR Director of Press & Public Affairs to the Executive Governor of Plateau State 18th October 2019
MiddleBelt Reporters 