UNIVERSITY OF JOS, JOS NIGERIA

(OFFICE OF THE VICE-CHANCELLOR)
INFORMATION, PUBLICATIONS, PUBLIC RELATIONS AND PROTOCOL

PRESS RELEASE

UNIJOS GOVERNING COUNCIL APPOINTS NEW BURSAR, LIBRARIAN

The 13th Governing Council of the University of Jos has appointed two new Principal Officers of the University for a term of Five (5) years each.

They are Mr Phillip Fada Umbugala as Bursar and Dr Thomas Akinbayo Adigun as University Librarian.

The University’s Governing Council considered the report of its Selection Board which interviewed candidates for appointment into the positions of Bursar and Librarian and approved their appointment with effect from 14th February, 2020.

The newly appointed Bursar, Mr Phillip Umbugala is currently the Senior Deputy Bursar (Accounts) in the Bursary Department of the University. He obtained his Higher National Diploma (HND) in Accountancy in 1991 at the Federal Polytechnic, Bauchi. Mr Umbugala proceeded to the National Open University of Nigeria to pursue a Post Graduate Diploma in Financial Management which he successfully completed in 2010. He later enrolled in the same institution for a Masters Degree in Business Administration which he successfully completed in 2014.

He joined the services of the University of Jos in August 1994 as an Accountant II from where he steadily rose through the ranks to the position of Deputy Bursar before being promoted to his current rank of Senior Deputy Bursar on 1st October, 2017 and is the Head of Accounting Division of the Bursary Department in charge of Treasury Services, Students Accounts, Salaries and Pension as well as Computer Payroll.
Mr Umbagala is a member of the University of Jos Virtual Office, the Unit responsible for fast tracking and managing Donor Funds in the University. He was the Chairman, Implementation Committee for the Consolidated Health Salaries Structure (CONHESS) in the University and also served as member, University of Jos Pre-Qualification Evaluation Committee. Mr Umbugala has represented the University Bursar and Bursary Department on several Council, Senate and Management Committees among other ad-hoc assignments that he has undertaken in the course of his twenty-five year career in the University.

A member of several professional bodies and associations, Mr Umbugala is a seasoned Accountant and a Fellow of the Association of National Accountants of Nigeria (ANAN). He was Chairman, Church Council, Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, Rahwol Kanang, Bukuru among many other community services he is rendering.

Mr Umbugala who hails from Nassarawa Eggon Local Government Area, Nassarawa State, is happily married to Mrs Cecilia Umbugala and they are blessed with three (3) children.

The newly appointed University Librarian, Dr Thomas Akinbayo Adigun is the 5th (fifth) University Librarian of the University of Jos and is currently the University Librarian in Bowen University, Iwo, Osun State. Dr Adigun has also served as University Librarian Crawford University, Ogun State, Librarian, Africa Rice Centre, Cotonou, Benin Republic, Chief Librarian, Osun State Polytechnic and Principal Librarian, University of Swaziland, Kwaluseni, Swaziland, Southern Africa in his many years of service both within and outside Nigeria.
Dr Adigun holds a PhD in Library and Information Science from Babcock University, Ilishan Remo and a Masters Degree in Library Studies (MLS) from the University of Ibadan. He obtained his Bachelor of Agriculture Degree in Agricultural Economics from the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife (formerly University of Ife) in 1985 and began work as a Librarian (Indexer) at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, Ibadan in 1987. He is well published and widely travelled. His membership of professional bodies includes the Association of University Librarians of Nigerian Universities (AULNU), Nigerian Library Association and International Association of Agricultural Information Specialists (IASL).

Dr Adigun is married with children

Signed:

Abdullahi Abdullahi
Deputy Registrar, Information and Publications
University of Jos

The Vice Chancellor, Prof Yohana Izam, on behalf of the Management, Staff and Students of the University join millions of Plateau citizens and Nigerians, to congratulate the Visitor to the University, Rt Hon. Simon Bako Lalong, on his victory at the Supreme Court which has finally laid to rest the legal tussle over the 2019 governorship election in the State. As His Excellency has magnanimously observed, the task of governance now becomes unhinged from previous legal distractions. All eyes are now fixed on the second part of the rescue mission. We congratulate His Excellency for the invitation to all state and non state actors to join hands in the task of moving Plateau forward.

The Plateau State University no doubt, has more reasons to be joyful being a leading beneficiary of the rescue administration’s giant strides in the first tenure which has impacted the University in the following key areas:

1. Sustainance of regular payment of staff salaries and allowances
2. Increased number of accredited programmes
3. Infrastructural transformation occasioned by activation of hitherto non performing Federal/State government projects (faculty of social science, faculty of health sciences, university health centre, mini stadium, mass communication complex, faculty of environmental science annex, faculty of law auditorium) all within the last one year
   4) His Excellency has also through productive engagements secured approval for 3 billion naira TETfund 2019 high impact intervention to the university (first of its kind) which is being applied for the development of the senate building, faculties of law and environmental science respectively as well as endowment of an advancement and linkages block by a friend of the Visitor/University.
4. Completion by the State Government of the University library complex, including the e-library, volumes of current books/journals, remodeling of Senate chambers.
5. Support for the commencement in conjunction with security agencies, of the PLASU Security Situation System (SSS) for increased deployment and increased surveillance.
6. Some kilometers of Road network among others

While wishing His Excellency a more impactful second tenure, PLASU like Oliver Twist will be looking forward to more, particularly in the consolidation of infrastructural projects and staffing which are already receiving attention through budgetary approvals.

The Vice Chancellor, Management and Students of the University remain United with all stakeholders for the sustainance of the irreversible transformation of the University currently on course under the rescue mission.

John K. Agam
Public Relations Officer.

PRESS RELEASE

Once again we are in grievous mourning over the macabre execution of a bright and agile son of Plateau State Mr Daciya Ropvil Dalyep a native of Jing Pankshin Local Government Area, by Boko Haram in a vile video which surfaced on the internet on Wednesday 22nd January, 2020. The student of Biology Education Department of University of Maiduguri who was abducted on 9th January, 2020 on his way to Maiduguri where he schools, was one of us, and his death affects us all.
While we feel the pain from the horror of the kind of death Ropvil suffered, we are now convinced beyond dubitation that it is a dangerous thing to be an indigene of Plateau State living, staying, working, or just passing through Borno State.
In October last year, two of our brothers from Mangu Local Government Area Mr Lawrence Duna Dacighir and Mr Godfrey Ali Shukagham both Aide workers were executed in Borno State about the same way Daciya Ropvil was taken from us. In both instances, the terrorists justified their evil deeds in remembrance of what they alleged Plateau Christians did to their fathers and grandfathers.
Our sister Nurse Jennifer Ukambong must have been lucky to have been rescued from the terror group, and for that we thank God and all the people He used to bring her home to her family. In the same vein, we are praying for Lilian Daniel Gyang, a student of University of Maiduguri from Barkin-Ladi Local Government Area, Bashir Abdulhamis, WHO adhoc staff from Kanam Local Government Area, and indeed all citizens of Plateau State in captivity for God’s secure protection and safety back home.
Consequently, it is now abundantly clear and safe to conclude that we as Plateau people have been targeted by the jihadist Islamic State’s West Africa Province operating in the northeast of Nigeria.
Therefore, we hereby call on the Governor and government of Plateau State, to consider reaching our people in the northeast to begin urgent arrangements for their evacuation and safe return back home. For those of our people who may elect to remain in that region, we call on the organizations they work for, or their institutions of learning, and the Federal Government in collaboration with State Governments of the northeast to take proactive measures to protect them. This is because Plateau lives matter everywhere.
Importantly, the onus lies on the Governor of Plateau State, Rt. Hon. Simon Bako Lalong to do whatever is necessary to protect our lives, properties, and heritage. Since we are not safe here at home from the murderous activities of herdsmen, and outside the State in the northeast, there is the need for a convocation of an extraordinary Plateau Security Summit by our Governor to review the state of our security.
Our condolences and prayers go to the family of Daciya Ropvil Dalyep and the larger family of Plateau people all over the the world. May God comfort us all.

~Mangna Yusuf Wamyil
Convener, Plateau Heritage Movement

PRESS RELEASE
DACIYA ROPVIL DALEP: MURDER MOST CONDEMNABLE-SENATOR DIMKA

The abduction and the madness in the execution by the reprehensible Boko Haram of one Daciya Ropvil Dalep of Jing, Pankshin local government area of Plateau State and student of Biology/Education, University of Maiduguri has further brought to the fore the fact that we are still far away from overcoming our security challenges. If anything, the act is in itself senseless and condemnable.

The pains of the gruesome murder cannot be wished away, having been cut short in his prime; thereby making his dreams and those of his parents to come to naught.
Ropvil was said to have been abducted a fortnight ago on his way back to school; and his whereabouts shrouded in mystery. It was only the video of his execution that was released to the social media space.

While the development has broken my heart and his parents as well as his friends, it has only confirmed our fears for the safety of Nigerians in that part, even as the situation calls for stringent efforts to wipe out insurgency and its attendant consequences; so as to justify the enormous tax payers money already sunk to bring their activities to an end.

Also, recently the travails of one Bashir Abdulhamid from Kanam LGA, as is Lilian Daniel Gyang, a 100 level student of Zoology, Unimaid who have been in the Boko Haram captivity since December 2019 has further compounded all efforts been activated to save such unfortunate victims. Abdulhamid is an adhoc staff of the World Health Organization who was on his way from Gembu to Maiduguri to deliver a polio specimen.

In the light of this, what needs to be done; and quickly too is for more resources to be provided to the security to aid them recover lost grounds in the battle against insurgency. By so doing the state would be seen to be responsible for the lives of personnel that have continued to sacrifice as against the sophisticated fighting power of the insurgents.

It is therefore my fervent prayer that all of these will soon be a thing of the past; and our communities protected with all, whether low or high will be able to walk freely.
SIGNED:
SENATOR HEZEKIAH AYUBA DIMKA,
_Plateau Central Senatorial District,_
_Chairman, Senate Committee on Drugs and Narcotics_
January 22, 2020

BEING TEXT OF A PRESS CONFERENCE ADDRESSED BY RT. HON. YUSUF ADAMU GAGDI, MEMBER REPRESENTING PANKSHIN/KANKE/KANAM FEDERAL CONSTITUENCY IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, AND CHAIRMAN OF THE HOUSE COMMITTEE ON NIGERIAN NAVY, ON THURSDAY, 23RD JANUARY, 2020 AT THE NUJ PRESS CENTER, JOS.

With a heavy heart, I address you this morning concerning the deplorable state of security in our dear country and its devastating consequences on the lives and property of the entire citizenry, with particular reference to my constituency and Plateau state as a whole, which if not checked, will threaten the harmonious coexistence of faiths and ethnic diversities in the state.

We woke up in the morning of Tuesday, 21st January, 2020 to the gory video of the gruesome execution of Daciya Ropvil Dalep, my Constituent, and a 200 level Biology/Education student of University of Maiduguri, who was abducted on the 9th of January 2020 by Boko Haram insurgents on his way to school from Jos.

I want to use this medium to extend my sincerest condolences to his immediate family, Pankshin/Kànke/Kanam Federal Constituency, Mupun nation and to the government and people of Plateau State over this tragic incidence. I pray God almighty to grant the immediate family of the deceased the fortitude to bear this painful lost.

This unfortunate incident occurred when we were exploring lobbying mechanisms for Federal and State Government’s intervention for the release of one Bashir Abdulhamid, a native of Kanam LGA of Plateau State, and also my constituent, who was abducted by Boko Haram insurgents on 4th December, 2019 at Gambu, while on his way to Maiduguri to take polio specimen for experimentation. Bashir is an adhoc staff of the World Health Organization, who is still being held in Boko Haram captivity.

These two unfortunate incidences involving my constituents within the span of one month has left me devastated, wondering if the efforts of the federal government in curbing the menace of terrorism in the country is yielding the desired results.

Not long ago, a similar video of the gory killing of two Plateau citizens from Mangu local government area was released by the insurgents with similar message of their intention to continually abduct and kill in like manner Christian citizens of Plateau State. Two other constituents of mine were also ambushed and killed along Maiduguri-Damaturu road by Boko Haram on 23rd December, 2019. They are Dauda Gojang Gaskiya of Kazuk village and Joseph Wutuk of Amper village, both in Kanke LGA. May their souls rest in peace with the lord, amen!

As the representative of the good people of Pankshin, Kanke and Kanam Local Government Areas in National Assembly, I found this act of the Boko Haram insurgents as not only condemnable but it is devilish. It is a bad tone that is capable of igniting religious conflagration between Muslims and Christians citizens of Plateau state and Nigeria as a country.

While I challenge the federal government to go beyond lip service to guarantee the safety of Nigerians anywhere within the country, I passionately appeal to the Executive Governor of Plateau State to, as a matter of urgency, set up a machinery in motion by considering the appointment of a delegation to visit the executive Governor of Borno State and the Vice Chancellor of the University of Maiduguri to elicit a convincing plan of action by the government of the state and the school management, of guaranteeing the safety of Christian Plateau students studying in the state. Otherwise, I would strongly advocate that negotiations with JAMB, University of Jos and Plateau State University Bokkos as well as other institutions within the north central be held with the view to securing admission for them outside the northeast, where activities of the insurgents is most prevalent.

This is because, since the insurgents have made it categorically clear that they are looking out for Christian citizens of Plateau State to kill, the last could not have been heard of such gruesome murder of our dear Plateau brothers and sisters. Only the living go to school, we cannot afford to continue to loose our loved ones in their prime to the nefarious activities of those daredevils.

Early last month, one Jennifer, a native of Bokkos LGA and aide worker with an international organization was taken captive by the Boko Haram terrorists. It took the swift intervention of Governor Lalong and rapid response of the federal government to have the lady released after almost a month in their dungeon. It appears the terrorists are now focusing on Plateau citizens as target of a particular sinister agenda, which is to put the country in a religious disharmony.

As the chairman of the House committee on Nigerian Navy and member of most of the security related committees of the house, I am in a vintage position to speak on the commitment of the 9th National Assembly towards the security of lives and property of Nigerians, going by budgetary allocations to the various military, paramilitary and other security agencies in the country. The committees put in place by the Speaker, Rt Hon Femi Gbajabiamila to look into the activities of non-governmental Organizations and other security related issues is a clear testimony to that.

But the festering spate of insurgency in the country leaves one bewildered.
We must as a people give our utmost respect to our fallen heroes who had laid down their lives in defense of the territorial integrity of our nation, the zeal and commitment of the military personnel in the fight against insurgency can better be appreciated by the number of our soldiers who are killed daily in confrontations with the terrorists.

While I do not want to believe that the insurgents are better equipped than military forces, I must admit that dearth of sophisticated technology and weaponry to prosecute the war against terrorism as well as international conspiracies has caused the insurgency to fester.

This brings to fore the begging question why the technologically advanced nations of the world are reluctant in allowing the Nigerian military have access to modern and suffisticated military hardwares and other technological platforms that will help quell the insurgency.

Even the recent transaction to acquire Super Tucano fighter jets, is yet to come to fruition as the jets are yet to be delivered to the federal government of Nigeria. I am privy to the terms of the transaction, and the nondelivery of those fighter jets has obviously hampered the success of the fight against insurgents. But why?

It is on record how the insurgents are ambushing our military forces due to lack of modern military hardwares. why?

These are the questions I want to assure you that I will work together with other National Assembly members from Plateau with our other colleagues to challenge the Federal Government to provide answers to.

Just like most of my colleagues from the National Assembly and particularly those from the Northeast, I am wary of the activities of some international nongovernmental organizations operating in the northeast. Federal government must widen its intelligence network to identify the source of funding of the activities of the insurgents, the source of their firearms, the source of their petroleum products to power their vehicles and sundry other supplies to the insurgents in their hideouts. The biggest problem is their source of intelligence and how they gather information regarding the movements and plans of the military forces.

Mr President, and by extension, the federal government of Nigeria must come out and make a definite diplomatic statement regarding the activities of international nongovernmental organizations operating in the northeast and Nigeria as a whole. Some of them have direct links with the insurgents and are secretly aiding their heinous activities through financial and logistics support.

I want to appeal to my fellow Plateau citizens that even in the face of this needless persecution and threat to our harmonious existence, let us not be divided by the antics of the insurgents. Their mission is to set the nation on fire by any diabolical means. They have not spared the Muslim citizens either, but making inflammatory comments in videos while executing Christian victims from Plateau state, is not only provocative but it is satanic.

Let us collectively mourn our loss, and refuse to be pitched against one another on the pretext of religious or ethnic differences. This is one sermon I will never get tired of preaching. We should be more concerned about what unites us, rather than what divides us. I would also caution politicians not to try to make political gains out of this tragedy, as such would be callous and inhuman. Let us guide our utterances and actions in this period of mourning.


Thank you for listening

CONDOLENCE MESSAGE
The National President, Com. Nensok Gonet, on behalf of the National Executive Committee and all the members of Ngas Youth Movement (NYM) with a heavy heart commiserate with the Mupun nation, Pankshin LGC and Plateau State over the senseless killing of a young, aspiring Plateaunian, Mr Ropvil Daciya, a 200 level student of the University of Maiduguri.

This is another sad chapter in our lives and we stand with Mupun Youth Movement, the family of the deceased and the people of Plateau over this unfortunate incident.

Ngas youths worldwide condemn this action by senseless and devilish persons who are out for nothing noble but to cause pain, sorrow and anguish to Nigerians. We call on all and sundry to forget our differences and stand together to face the common enemy.

We call on governments at all levels to immediately nip the security challenge in the bud so as to prevent any reprisal that may arise to jeopardise the already dire and relative peace we are managing. This trend of killing Plateau Christians by this group should be stopped immediately and the perpetrators be brought to justice.

May God rest the soul of our departed brother and comfort his family.

Andrew Amos Gogwim (JP)
National Publicity Secretary

Mr Oswald Rinkat From Mangu Northeast Constituency Flag Cheerfully Donated 7000 ( Seven Thousand) Exercise Books To Students And Pupils Of 66 Various Schools Within The Constituency.
Mr Oswald Rinkat Represented By Stanley Smiles Mani Witness The Event And Officially Flag Off The Distributions Of The Books Donated By Mr Oswald Rinkat In 4 Various Community/Schools Out Of The 66 Schools Designated For The Distributions.
The Official Flag Off Which Include His Native Town (NIYES).
L.E.A Nursery/Primary School Niyes Comunity.

Cocin Nursery/Primary School Niyes.

L.E.A Nursery/Primary School Kopal Central And L.E.A Nursery And Primary School Dengkwahas Respectively.

Speaking On Behalf Of The Recipient, The Headmaster Of L.E.A Nursery And Primary School Niyes Mr Joshua Gufwan Thank Mr Oswald Rinkat For Identifying With Pupils And Students Of His Constituency And His Quest To Move His Constituency Educational Standard To The Next Level. He Also Commented Mr Oswald Rinkat As The Only One Who As Attended To There Needs In Education By Providing Enough Exercise Books For There Students And Pupils Which Is Good Tidings To Them In The Comunity, Are They Are Soliciting For More Supports And More Upliftments To The Donor. The Staff And Pupils Of The Schools Express There Joy And Supports To Mr Oswald Rinkat For Identifying With Them. Mr Rinkat Also Said Through Closing Remark, That His quest is to ensure increase in enrolment, retention and completions of primary schools pupils in public and private schools across our constituency.

A major educational milestone has been reached and irrevocable as well as irreversible steps has been taken to make education accessible, affordable and equitable to all our constituent.

We will continue to march ahead towards the goals of education for all anywhere, anytime and through any appropriate and convenient means.

The National and Expanded Executive of Ngas Development Association(NDA) is saddened by the unfortunate death of one of Plateau’s promising Sons, Ropvil Daciya Dalep in the hands of Boko Haram. The Association in a Press Statement, noted that the gruesome murder of Ropvil Daciya Dalep a 200 level Biology Student of the University of Maiduguri, by Boko Haram is unfortunate and despicable. While calling for a stop to these targeted attacks said proactive measures must be taken by security agencies in finding the perpetrators of this dastardly act.It therefore commiserated with family of the deceased and the Mupun Nation and pray God to grant the soul of Ropyil Daciya Dalep a peaceful rest. Wika Gofwen,
National Publicity Secretary,
Ngas Development Association
January 22, 2020.

The Plateau State Deputy Speaker sympathies with plateau state over the gruesome murder of their son by Boko Haram Sect.
IN HIS SPEECH
I am deeply saddened by the loss of life caused by the deathly terrorist (Boko Haram sect). My family and constituents join me in conveying condolences to the immediate family, people of
pankshin and plateau at large over the gruesome murder of a brilliant young man, Ropvil Daciya Chinaan who is from the Mupun extraction.
The incident is a stark reminder of the threat posed by terrorists to peace and security in the North-East region of the country and the need for neighboring States to sustain cooperate and maintain vigilance to counter the menace.
This act is barbaric and inhuman, We on the plateau are peace loving people regardless of ethnic extraction or religion divide. I am calling on all those people promoting hate to desist from it because no any religion promote hate or killing.
I am appealing to the central government to facilitate the release of Bashir, a native of kanam who is a staff of primary health care in plateau state who was abducted since December last year alongside other abductees in boko Haram custody. As plateau citizens, this is a time for sober reflections and time to unite so as to building confidence with one another regardless of our differences in order to repeal the distraction by terrorists who don’t want to see us together as a people.
Once again, accept my heartfelt condolence. May the soul of all the faithfuls departed through the mercy of God rest in peace.
Rt. Hon. Saleh Yipmong.
Deputy Speaker PLHA,
Member Representing Dengi Constituency.

PRESS RELEASE

I recieved With great shock and tremble, the news of the gruesome murder of a harworking constituent,a Nigerian and a Plateau son Ropvil Daciya Dalep by Boko Haram.

I am saddened that a young man Ropvil a 200L Biology student of the University of Maiduguri who was abducted while returning to school two weeks ago is cut-off at his prime in pursuit of education for self-development.

This is barbaric and a sad commentary of what our nation had become, a valley for thirsty blood marauders and terrorists.

It is worrisome that a CAN pastor was also beheaded by the terrorists,this is a pointer to some hidden motives targetted at a group of people to incite and provocate.


Our religion all preach peace, that some will toe the path of extremism and bigotry to end innocent lives is condemnable.

Justice must be done in finding the perpetrators in any way possible on the part of the security agencies.

This targetted attacks must be stopped.

I want to sincerely commiserate with the family of the deceased.


Nde Hezekiah Dimka
Senator Representing
plateau Central Senatorial District