A foundation known as Peter Bawa and Anna Foundation on Friday February 7, 2020 donated several educational and recreational equipment to Government Secondary School Kwande in Quaan Pan Local Government Area of Plateau State
Among items are 6 computer sets, 1500 customised exercise books of 40, 60 and 80 leaves, Biros and 5 prayer books.
Other items included 2 sets of jerseys with 2 goalkeepers wears and gloves each, 5 balls for football and 4 for basketball, 4 sets of basketball nets and 3 ball pumps.

Presenting the items, Larry Peters Bawa, who was represented by Alex Buba said the idea of intervention in the school was based on their believe that you can only rise when you are uplifted, stating that this was their token to the development and enhancement of the educational standard of the people of Kwande.
He called on well meaning sons and daughters of Kwande and others within the state to show interest in school, stating that “together we can develop the school”.
In his remarks, the Area Director of Education in Quaan Pan LGA, Mr Ephraim Yilkong, commended the efforts of the Foundation and other well meaning individuals who have transformed the school.

The Chairman of the school’s PTA, Miskoom Thomas Tuamlong expressed joy that most children of Kwande are coming back home to develop not only the school but other institutions in the town.

The Councillor representing Kwande Ward, Saliyi Daibu said the donations have brought more glory to the school and prayed such gesture will attract more students to GSS Kwande

Receiving the items, the Principal of the School Mrs Victoria Yusuf Totyen, who was full of joy promised to maximize the items for what they are meant for.
She thanked the Peter Bawa and Anna Foundation for the gesture and called on them and other well meaning citizens of the town to always show interest in the school.
She noted that the intervention of sons and daughters of Kwande have brought back more glory to the school.
Mrs Yusuf Totyen commended the zeal of the teachers, especially the Youth Corps members and the determination of the students and assured that the school will not fail them.

The Northern States Governor’s Forum has congratulated the Emir of Zauzau Alhaji Shehu Idris for attaining 45 years on the throne.
In a congratulatory message, Chairman of the Northern Governors Forum and Governor of Plateau State Simon Bako Lalong described the reign of Alhaji Idris as one that has brought peace, prosperity and stability to the Zauzau Emirate, Kaduna State and Nigeria as a whole.
Lalong said “In more than four decades of leadership, Alhaji Idris has displayed passion, compassion, courage and selflessness in ruling his people by paying close attention to their needs and responding appropriately. He has pursued justice, peaceful coexistence, tolerance and nation building in a manner that has made Zaria a home for all”.
The Northern Governors Forum also thanked the royal father for his support and wise counsel to various administrations in the country and in particular, to the Northern Governors Forum especially during difficult moments.
The Forum prayed God to grant him good health, more wisdom and courage to continue to rule his people and serve Nigeria.

Dr. Makut Simon Macham
Director of Press & Public Affairs to the Governor of Plateau State & Chairman Northern Governor’s Forum
8th February 2020.

An army corporal has killed a mobile police officer with an anti-aircraft gun (AAG) after an altercation at Makara Area of Gwoza Local Government Area (LGA) in Borno State.

The army corporal killed Sergeant Rowland Tafida who was among the MOPOL Special Forces Team deployed to Gwoza last August, on counter-insurgency operations.

PRNigeria gathered that the late police officer would have completed his six months anti-terrorism operation on February 8, 2020.

It was also learnt that Mr Rowland, a father of two young girls, had already planned to depart Borno this coming Saturday before he was murdered by the unidentified soldier.

An eyewitness who spoke to PRNigeria described the killing of Mr Rowland as “unfortunate and disheartening”. He said the whole drama started with an altercation between the army corporal and another police personnel over a girlfriend.

The eyewitness, who pleaded not to be named, said: “Some people intervened and settled the matter when the aggrieved army corporal asked a driver of an anti-aircraft gun Hilux belonging to his military base, to turn and directly face the Limankara Police Training Camp.

“Immediately after turning the vehicle, they opened fire and shot at the Camp’s facility. It was at that moment, Rowland Tafida, the late police sergeant, was killed by a stray bullet because he was not involved in the earlier altercation. The blast of the anti-aircraft vehicle totally disfigured his left leg thigh as he was returning to the camp after he went to charge his phone somewhere.

“The young MOPOL officer could have survived the terrible assault, but nobody could take him to a medical facility as he lied in his own pool of blood, bleeding profusely and bled to death.”

Another eyewitness, a woman, stated that other police officers at the Limankara camp swiftly mobilized and immediately came out to protest against the ‘brutal’ killing of Mr Rowland by the soldier.

She added that it took the intervention of an army major, who is the most senior officer in the location, to douse the rising tension.

“It was the army major that came out to beg the aggrieved MOPOL personnel. He was the one who restored order and normalcy, otherwise, a mayhem would have erupted.

“After begging the police officers, the major arrested the “killer” corporal, and thereafter, the Army Theatre Command, contacted the Borno Police Command.

PRNigeria later gathered that both the military and police constituted a joint fact-finding committee to unravel the circumstances that gave rise to the ugly incident. The committee had apprehended the culprit and took him to Maimalari Barrack in Maiduguri. The military has also taken responsibility for the damaged facilities at the police camp.

Sgt Rowland Tafida and Family

Speaking with PRNigeria, his aunt, Zwancit Dazang, said nobody from either the police or army authorities have called to inform them of Mr Rowland’s death.

She said their murdered son was on his way to his police camp at Limankara, last Sunday afternoon, without even knowing what earlier transpired between his fellow MOPOL officer and a soldier when he was shot and died on the spot.

“We only got to know about our son’s tragic death in the social media. He was dressed in combat boot, jeans and a MOPOL T-shirt, with his rifle strapped on his shoulder, when he was shot.”

said Mrs Dazang who wondered why an anti-aircraft gun will be used on a fellow security officer by another security personnel.

She said: “The anti-aircraft truck, which is a lethal ammunition, has the ability to bring down a plane or helicopter from the sky. This is a dangerous firearm or ammunition that can even destroy an armoured tank. That a soldier will use it to eliminate an innocent, but a fellow security officer like him, is unimaginable.”

Mrs Dazang, pointed out that her and the distraught family of Mr Rowland are yet to recover from the grim shock of his death.

She said: “A vibrant police officer, with a very young family, in a twinkle of an eye, was deliberately killed; His life wasted just like that: What was his fault? He wasn’t killed while fighting terrorists but by a soldier while walking, unprovoked and also did not provoked anyone. So, why take his life? That is barbaric, and wicked.”

She added: “As I speak to you now, the late Rowland’s wife is emotionally-broken. She has not seen her husband for so long. And both she and their two lovely daughters of five and two years respectively were looking forward to a reunion with their husband, and father, before this unavoidable tragedy struck.

“What has Rowland done for anyone to take his life? The soldier who killed Rowland must be brought to book. Our son was there in Borno to defend his country. So, why should he be eliminated by someone he never hurt, or offended?”

Attempts by PRNigeria to get reactions from both the spokespersons of the Nigerian Army and the Police, Colonel Sagir Musa and DCP Frank Mba proved abortive as their mobile line could not be reached while text messages sent were not replied.

Source:PRnigeria

Advertisement

The U.S. President, Donald Trump has fired two key witnesses in the impeachment investigation against him, as he started an apparent campaign of retaliation just two days after he was acquitted by the Senate.



Trump fired Gordon Sondland, the U.S. ambassador to the European Union, just hours after dismissing Ukraine expert Alexander Vindman, a decorated Army lieutenant colonel, according to statements released by Sondland and Vindman’s lawyer.

“The most powerful man in the world – buoyed by the silent, the pliable, and the complicit – has decided to exact revenge,” Vindman’s attorney David Pressman said in a statement, adding his client was “escorted” from the White House.

It was an astonishing move by Trump to clear his administration of people who have testified in the impeachment probe, which investigated Trump’s attempt to pressure Ukraine to pursue investigations that could help his 2020 re-election bid.

Sondland – a political appointee who donated 1 million dollars to the Trump’s presidential campaign – testified publicly that he believed there was a quid pro quo in Trump’s demand that Kiev pursue investigations.

“I was advised today that the president intends to recall me effective immediately as United States Ambassador to the European Union,” Sondland said in a statement, reported by multiple U.S. media outlets.

“Our work here has been the highlight of my career,” he added.

Ukraine expert Vindman – who worked on National Security Council – was one of a number of Trump administration officials that listened in on a July 25 call where Trump asked Ukrainian President Volodomyr Zelensky to do a “favour” and investigate his political rival.

“It was inappropriate, it was improper for the president to demand an investigation into a political opponent, especially a foreign power,” Vindman said during his testimony.



Earlier on Friday Trump – who was acquitted this week on all impeachment charges – indicated that Vindman would be removed.

“You think I’m supposed to be happy with him? I’m not,” Trump said.

According to multiple U.S. media reports, Vindman will be reassigned to a position in the Defense Department.

Trump was impeached in December in the House of Representatives.

He was charged with abusing his office to pressure Ukraine into announcing an investigation of his political rival ahead of elections this year, leveraging military aid to lean on Kiev, and then obstructing the investigation by Congress.

The Republican-controlled Senate acquitted him earlier this week in a vote that was largely along party lines.

-“As usual, the White House runs away from the truth. Lt. Col. Vindman lived up to his oath to protect and defend our Constitution.

“This action is not a sign of strength,” Chuck Schumer, the leader of the Democrats in the Senate said on Friday.

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has alleged that the federal government pays more attention to Boko Haram insurgent than victims of attacks.
CAN said this in reaction to President Muhammadu Buhari’s comment that 90 percent of Boko Haram victims are Muslims.
In a statement, Kwamkur Vondip, CAN’s national director of legal and public affairs, described the president’s comment as “false and provocative”.
Accusing Buhari of trying to justify which religion suffers the most from insurgency, Vondip said no wonder Boko Haram “gets more attention from the federal government in the name of “rehabilitation and de-radicalisation” (pictured) than the victims who lost their lives and those living in internally displaced persons (IDPs) camps.
“The Christian Association of Nigeria notes with pains the President Buhari’s unfounded, false, provocative and misleading assertion that 90% of Boko Haram victims are Muslims, ” the statement read.
“On reading this misleading and provocative statement coming from the number one citizen of the country, one will hardly believe that the President understands the difference between the real victims and perpetrators of the heinous crime against the Church and humanity.
“First of all, it’s so disappointing to hear the President trying to justify which religion is suffering most from the grievous attacks of the terrorists. Are we into any competition with the number of the victims? Is there any life that should not be precious to Mr President.
“Boko Haram from the onset did not hide their mission and targets. From their original name, the video recordings and newspapers reports on their operations confirmed this facts. The sole purpose of Boko Haram is the killing of Christians and Islamisation of Nigeria.
“They clearly stated that they were going to fight both government institutions and Muslims who will not cooperate and support the project.”
He alleged that the insurgents have wiped out Christian communities in different local government areas in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states.
Vondip said Muslims who were victims of Boko Haram attacks were those that spoke against them.
“On attacks on Mosques and Muslims, it’s true that some Muslims have fallen victims of Boko Haram but those victims are few Muslims who speak against the activities of Boko Haram,” he said.
“Nigerians need to know if they have not known the reason why Presidency could not pay ransom to rescue Chibok girls, it is because 80% to 90% of the girls are Christians.
“It’s very sad that instead of the government to apologize to Christians and Nigerians on their inability to defend their lives and property, they are busy playing international politics with the lives of the citizens.
“All the Nigeria Church is asking for is that if President Buhari is still in love with Nigerians, he should stop listening to sycophants and do all within his power to convince Nigerians that he is fighting the killers of Nigerians.”

There is no doubt that these seasons are the seasons for Love of Rt Hon.Yusuf Adamu Gagdi and the over 90 percent majority of people of Pankshin/kanke/kanam (PKK) are sufficiently afflicted with his Love for humanity. There is nothing anyone can do about it.

I have tried to apply the proverbial Hausa statement which says, “Sarki Goma zamani Goma” meaning, ten Kings demands ten kingdoms for effective independent operation.

There are factors that are responsible for the love and care for the Gagdiphilia, a contagion that has gone deep into us and gaining momentum speedingly. It is not longer rumor that Rt Hon.Yusuf Adamu Gagdi, garnered courage and zeal of doing the best for his constituents and beyond and he is the solution to all the teething problems of PKK, the desired accountable representation the youths, men and women of the PKK desperately needs.

Good governance has major components which the Rt Hon. Danmalikin Kanam, has successfully covered with greater eastment since assumption of office, even those who didn’t vote for him and even went ahead and campaigned against him at the last general elections, have a course to confessed that Danmaliki has won their minds by his philanthropist tendancies and all inclusive representation.

To be fair to History, his approach of representation has been participatory, consensus oriented, accountable, transparent, responsive, effective, and efficient, equitable and inclusive, in accordance with democratic tenets and the rule of law.

No gainsay, he is responsive to the present and future needs of the Pankshin/kanke/kanam, exercises Prudence in policy setting and decision-making in the best interest of people at the grassroot while the sound opinion and interest of the stakeholders are reputably taken into consideration.

On the other side of the opposition, they constituted ten percent vocal minority, who have access to social media and traditional media and say all sorts of things. See nothing good and critized good things unconstructively. They are the unproductive elements of PKK because we have tested them and they had failed. They are the Adamuphobia, Gagdiphobes, and loathes Yusuf for nothing.

Rt Hon Yusuf Adamu Gagdi is a Victor, conqueror, moving with the majority.
Sometimes you must live with the masquerade, smile with the unyielding bedfellow, and ride on the crest of the waves, to sail on!
The Earth’s promise is a battle, not peace ☮️
a punch not a handshake,
Victors are born, not in gardens.victors are offsprings of battlegrounds.

Some elements have refused to understand that they are now followers. At a time one will be a leader and another time a follower. If you failed to come to reality of what life teaches,then one is doomed to goof.

Now, hear me and listen well.

If you say we are praise singers, I personally agreed its a positive word ascribed to a Worthy man. What of you, who are wailers?

If you like tell the world that Gagdi didn’t have PhD and went to almajiri school.
We still love Gagdi because he productive to us.

If you like tell the world, Gagdi is a local boy, primitive and you are the biblical metasullah, we don’t care because your years were neuaseating, unproductive and a waste.

We still love Gagdi who is impactful.

If you like tell me you made/created heaven on Earth for people while in power, while Gagdi denied and does not attract contracts.

We still love Gagdi because he is transparent and accountable.

If you like tell the world Gagdi is a Muslim and many are Christians.

We still love Gagdi because he does not discriminate.

If you like tell me that Gagdi is into witchcraft, that he sponsors all the witches and wizards of PKK for a meeting in Dubai.
We still love Gagdi because he is performing!

We still love Gagdi.
Save your words,save your energy,save your keyboards, save your time and leave me alone.
Is Gagdi we love!

The family of late Simon Azi Izang of Tina Junction area of Jos North local government area of Plateau State has cried for justice for their son who w
The family of late Simon Azi Izang of Tina Junction area of Jos North local government area of Plateau State has cried for justice for their son who was allegedly tortured to death by operatives of Operation Save Havens.
The family alleged that Izang was tortured to death by the personnel of OPSH, a multi task force in charge of security operations in Plateau, Bauchi and parts of southern Kaduna State.
The family said Izang was killed by the operatives during a misunderstanding over a N50 (fifty Naira) egg at a relaxation spot at a place known as Las Vegas at Tina Junction.
The leadership of OPSH said it was not aware of the incident.
Read Also: No room for Amotekun in Nigeria ―FG insists
Our correspondent gathered that trouble started after a quarrel ensued between late Izang and the egg seller over the price of an egg he was alleged to have broken.
Our reporter gathered that the egg was initially bought by a customer, but the person later rejected the egg after Benjamin broke it for him.
After the initial buyer of the egg rejected it, Benjamin was then left with no option but to purchase it; but upon delay in paying the money, argument ensued between him and the egg seller, which led to fisticuffs.
The egg seller called personnel of OPSH who took Benjamin away to torture him, and it eventually led to his death.
Speaking with our reporter on how Benjamin died, his elder brother, James Izang said his brother died from injuries sustained during the torture.
He alleged that upon reporting his brother to the OPSH personnel by the egg seller, they came and stripped him naked, forced him into the gutter and broke his legs with irons.
He said, his late brother was brought home by sympathisers upon his release by OPSH, and then died when they got to the hospital for treatment.
He said they have reported the matter to the police and some eye witness are ready to testify, adding that they could not approach the OPSH as there are fears that the operatives were willing to still hurt anyone.
James said they will take all necessary actions within the law to seek Justice for his brother.
When contacted OPSH Media Officer, Major Ibrahim Shittu, said he was not aware of the incident.

PRESS RELEASE
DSS DISMISSES FALSE REPORTS ABOUT TERRORISTS’ MOVEMENTS AND ATTACKS ON LUXURY BUSES
The attention of the Department of State Services (DSS) has been drawn to false reports being circulated on the social media that the Service had alerted the public about the movement of terrorists into the FCT and other parts of Southern and Middlebelt regions of Nigeria.
Another misleading report relates to the alleged hijack of luxury buses of three major transport companies on the Lokoja-Okene Road by persons suspected to be championing an ethnic agenda.
The alert purportedly issued by the Service on the arrival of Boko Haram and other terrorist elements to the aforementioned places has been in circulation since 2013 when it was first created by mischief makers whose handiwork is to cause chaos. Similarly, the report concerning alleged attack on the luxury buses conveying a particular ethnic group to their local base was first created some years back to deceive and incite unsuspecting persons.
The public is urged to disregard these fallacious narratives and reports in their entirety. As fake news that they are, the DSS wishes to dismiss them as non-existent and therefore describe them as figment of the imagination of their creators. The illusive stories are merely designed by some zealots to instigate ethno-religious and political crises of violent and destructive dimensions across the country.
It has, however, become obvious that the main aim of engaging in these undesirable actions is to also undermine national security for the achievement of some ulterior goals.
The Service frowns at the continuous exploitation of social, religious and tribal differences by purveyors of doom to ignite extreme violent actions among the populace.
While security and law enforcement agencies are totally committed to sustain maximum efforts in ensuring public safety in the Nation, citizens are enjoined to disregard these deceitful reports that do not emanate from the Servcie and go about their normal businesses.
Considering that security is a collective responsibility of all and sundry, everyone is advised to be more committed in this regard and report suspicious persons to relevant security agencies nearest to them.
Meanwhile, the Service will continue to collaborate with sister agencies to ensure adequate protection for the people, government and critical infrastructure. It will also not fail to make defaulters face, within the ambit of the law, consequences of their illicit activities.
Peter Afunanya, Ph.D
Public Relations Officer,
Department of State Services,
National Headquarters,
Abuja
7th February, 2020

SPEECH BY HIS EXCELLENCY, THE EXECUTIVE GOVERNOR OF PLATEAU STATE, RT. HON. (DR) SIMON BAKO LALONG AT THE PLATEAU STATE FORGIVENESS AND RECONCIALITON DAY HELD AT THE GARDEN OF FORGIVENESS, OPPOSITE OLA HOSPITAL, JOS, 7TH FEBRUARY 2020.

PROTOCOLS

Today marks yet another significant step for Plateau State as we continue our journey towards peace, reconciliation and forgiveness in the quest to rebuild our State from the ashes of violence of the past.

As we mark the second annual Forgiveness Day, we are conscious of the efforts that have been put in to ensure that our people live in peace and harmony, as well as find a new narrative that does not only prevent conflict, but also encourage dialogue and reconciliation.

This Day should therefore enable us to think beyond our past and present agonies, to consider the fate of generations yet unborn who shall one day rise to celebrate us for taking the path of forgiveness and breaking the cycle of violence and bitterness.

This is not to suggest that people should pretend that bad things did not happen, or that people are still not living with the scars and losses that were recorded in the crises that engulfed our beloved State some years back.

What I believe and advocate is that we look to the future and rise from the ashes of disappointment, to a place where we are strong to take up the challenge of rebuilding our lives and living decently again.

On a day such as this therefore, I stand before you by the grace of God as the Governor and Chief Executive of Plateau State to on behalf of all the good people of our dear State, ask for forgiveness from everyone who has suffered one loss or the other.

The picture stares us in the face where we have children who lost parents, wives who lost husbands, parents who lost children, husbands who lost wives, relatives who lost loved one, friends who lost associates, as well as people who lost property and means of livelihood.

Though the losses are huge and unquantifiable, the one thing that the Day of Forgiveness should not make us loose is Hope. When we have hope, then God can heal our hearts and make us live productive, purposeful and happy lives once again with amazing results.

That is the path that our Rescue Administration has been working to encourage and strengthen through our style of governance which is all-inclusive. We believe that justice, fairness and equity will hasten the healing process of our beloved State.

Over the past four years, we have pursued policies that are tailored towards creating harmony and rebuilding confidence in our people, and reassuring them that they can live and pursue their legitimate businesses peacefully.

This has made many people who initially ran away because of crises to return, while new people (both foreigners and Nigerians) are coming in almost every day to make a living and settle in this serene, temperate and well-endowed State.

While we look forward with great expectations, we must also be on our guard, knowing fully that the State is still faced with some security challenges because of the activities of criminals.

We are still grieving over the shocking killings in Kulben, Mangu Local Government, and Kwatas in Bokkos Local Government where innocent lives were lost while others were injured and properties destroyed. We must support the security forces to fish out those criminals so they can be punished.

At the end of last year, we flagged off the permanent resettlement of IDPs to their ancestral lands and we are continuing. Last month, I met with the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs in Abuja to solicit for more assistance to enable them settle back seamlessly to their ancestral lands.

These and more initiatives will definitely help us to re-build broken relationships, enhance resilience, resettle and reintegrate victims of conflict, so that they can forgive the past and reconcile with one another.

Let me at this point pay special tribute to members of the security agencies that have worked tirelessly to return peace to our State. Some have even paid the supreme price. On this solemn day, we cannot forget you. Indeed, we as a State also ask for forgiveness from members of your families.

May I also appreciate members of religious organisations, the civil society, humanitarian bodies, non-governmental organisations and well-spirited individuals and groups, who have done so much to bring succour and relief to victims through counseling and provision of jobs, items and so on. Plateau State cannot thank you enough.

I end my speech by referring all of us to two popular sayings that no one to my knowledge is yet to disprove. The first says “TO ERR IS HUMAN, AND TO FORGIVE IS DIVINE”.
The second is from the Lord’s Prayer that Jesus taught His disciples which says: “FORGIVE US OUR TRESSPASSES AS WE FORGIVE THOSE WHO TRESSPASS AGAINST US”.

Plateau State is rising again, and the gates of violence, hatred, vengeance, fanatism, terrorism and bigotry shall never prevail against it.

Long live Plateau State, Long Live Federal Republic of Nigeria.

It is now my privilege to formally declare open the 2020 Forgiveness and Reconciliation Day in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Thank you.

Rt. Hon. (Dr) Simon Bako Lalong, KSGG
Executive Governor, Plateau State &
Chairman, Northern Governors Forum.
7th February 2020.

REMARKS BY THE EXECUTIVE GOVERNOR OF PLATEAU STATE RT. HON. (DR) SIMON BAKO LALONG AT THE 2ND NATIONAL SUMMIT ON PEACEFUL COEXISTENCE AND NATION BUILDING PLATEAU 2020 HELD AT HILL STATION HOTEL JOS ON 7TH FEBRUARY 2020
PROTOCOLS

I am honoured to be invited as Special Guest to the 2nd National Inter-faith Summit on Peaceful Coexistence and Nation Building organised by the Da’awah Coordination Council of Nigeria (DCCN) here in our beautiful city of Jos

The theme of this Summit which is “Leadership and Good Governance: Bedrock for Peaceful Coexistence” is no doubt timely and relevant to the present reality in our nation today.

Let me therefore commend the organisers for conceiving this all-important summit and choosing Plateau State as host. I am also excited by the calibre of participants that have been invited across faiths and diverse callings to discuss the concerns raised about peaceful coexistence of citizens through good governance and leadership.

No doubt, this is a topic that will continue to be on the front burner in our country until such a time when we get it right, and ensure that leaders serve according to terms of engagement and expectations of those they govern.

Being an inter-faith gathering, I expect that issues around leadership values and recruitment, reward system, accountability and responsibility will be thoroughly discussed and solutions advanced.

The current challenges of poverty, corruption, insecurity and inadequate infrastructure across our country, certainly calls for sincere and frank discourse that will motivate us to action in finding lasting solutions.
So much of our challenges as a nation have been blamed on poor leadership and bad governance which increases the tendencies for conflicts, insecurity and unrest, while at the same time exacerbating poverty and desperation among the people.

For us in Plateau State, the desire is to provide a leadership that inspires confidence, and motivates the people to work towards peaceful coexistence and development, has been our focus since the inception of our Rescue Administration in 2015

Many are aware that when we assumed office, Plateau State was devastated by crises that deeply divided the citizens along religious, ethnic and political lines as well as brought economic activities to an all-time low.

The first thing we did was to begin a process of healing and reconciliation through confidence building, driven by an inclusive governance style which facilitated peace-building and reduced mistrust among the people.
Our belief that peace is the bedrock of development, saw us quickly establishing the Plateau Peace Building Agency which became the lead agency in driving our efforts to genuine reconciliation.

I am happy to say that our efforts have yielded positive results and today, many States have since come to learn from us seeing that our State is now regaining its status as the Home of Peace and Tourism.

While this is being consolidated, we are continuing our collaboration with security agencies in dealing with criminals and evil persons and groups that appear determined to cause havoc in our State, as witnessed in the last killings in Mangu and Bokkos Local Government areas.

As we discuss leadership and good governance, let us all remember that the duty of every good leader is to bridge the gap and reduce the factors that trigger mistrust, hatred and bigotry between different ethnic nationalities and religious adherents.

This can only be possible if there is genuine commitment to truth, justice and faithfulness to the oath of office and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, especially by those who are elected to serve everyone.

We must not always exploit the fault lines of politics, religion and ethnicity which can easily make us derail and create disharmony among the people. If we do justice to all irrespective of differences, there will be peace and progress. Anything contrary, will make us slide deeper into chaos.

Another area where leadership and good governance needs to be critically looked at, is the management of public resources in a prudent, accountable and equitable manner. This will facilitate the creation of jobs and economic opportunities as well as reducing crime.

This is exactly what we have been doing in Plateau State in the last four years where we have reduced wasteful spending, ensured transparency and created many jobs through the Plateau Small and Medium Enterprises Agency (PLASMEDA) and other agencies.

At the end of last year, the National Bureau of Statistics declared Plateau State as the second least corrupt State in the country. We intend to be number one in the next report by the Grace of God.

Before I end my remarks, let me use this forum to repeat my call to leaders of thought, religious, traditional and political leaders to avoid suing divisive and inciting language in their utterances.

Because many followers look up to us, let us preach love ad tolerance and not hatred. Through love, we can live together peacefully.

I wish you a very successful summit.

God bless Plateau State, God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Rt. Hon. (Dr) Simon Bako Lalong, KSGG
Executive Governor, Plateau State & Chairman, Northern Governors Forum.
7th February 2020.