PRESS RELEASE

CAN Plateau State on behalf of the church appreciates and thanks Pope Francis for announcing the appointment of a successor to Archbishop Ignatius A. Kaigama on Monday, the 6th of January, 2020. The church heard the announcement appointing Bishop Matthew Ishaya Audu as the Catholic Archbishop of Jos and the Metropolitan Archbishop of Jos Ecclesiastical Province with gladness.
Until his appointment, Bishop Audu was the Chief Shepherd of Lafia Diocese.
May the name of the Lord be praised!
Once more accept our very warm congratulations His Grace, the Archbishop – Elect, with our fervent prayers for the success of your ministry to and among the wonderful people of Jos Archdiocese and indeed Plateau State. We rejoice and look forward to your canonical installation in Jos on the 31st of March, 2020.
I encourage the entire people of Plateau and all to keep the Archbishop – Elect in our prayers.

Rev Dr Soja Bewarang

CAN CHAIRMAN PLATEAU STATE

BEREAVEMENT

With total surrender to the perfect will of God we announce the departure of our Father, Grandfather, husband and Uncle, Rev. Dr. Alexander Mamdip Lar.

He passed away on Friday, January, 3rd, 2020 after a brief illness.

Rev. Dr. Alexander Mamdip Lar was the Chairman, Board of Trustees and former COCIN President.

Funeral Arrangements are as follows:

1. Service of Songs :
   Friday, January 17th, 2020
   Venue: Family Residence, Behind PRTV Studios, Rayfield
   Time: 2pm
2. Funeral Service:
   Saturday, January 18th, 2020
   Venue: COCIN Headquarters Church, Jos
   Time: 8am
3. Interment :
   Pajat, Langtang North Local Government Area.

Announcer

Prof. Uriah Alexander Lar,
On behalf of the family

January 6,2020

Plateau State Governor Rt. Hon. Simon Bako Lalong congratulates Bishop Matthew Ishaya Audu on his appointment as the new Catholic Archbishop of Jos and the Metropolitan of Jos Ecclesiastical Province.
Governor Lalong in a congratulatory message welcomes the new Archbishop as was announced by Pope Francis to replace Archbishop Ignatius Ayau Kaigama who has since assumed duty as the Archbishop of Abuja Diocese.

Lalong describes the appointment of Bishop Audu in a Press Statement Signed by his Director of Press and Public Affairs To the Governor of Plateau State, Dr Makut  Simon Macham  as a worthy development considering his many years of service in the vineyard of the Lord where he discharged his duties with utmost diligence, humility and faith in Jesus Christ.
” We look forward to working with your Grace to continue to intercede for Plateau State and the nation at large and strengthen the gospel of peace, tolerance, compassion and sacrifice which will assist us to consolidate on the stability we have achieved in the recent past” the Governor says.
The Governor also hopes that Bishop Audu will deploy his wealth of experience to work with the clergy and laity under his jurisdiction as well as the body of Christ in the State to propagate the gospel of salvation and reach out to those in need.
Until his appointment, Bishop Audu was the Chief Shepherd of Lafia Diocese.
He was ordained as a priest on
23rd June 1984 and holds a Doctorate Degree in Moral Theology.
The canonical installation is expected to hold on the 31st of March, 2020.

Plan your activities this 2020 with these dates in mind.
These are the public holidays and observance in Nigeria for 2020.
New Year Day. 1st Jan Wednesday, 2020 (Public Holiday)
St Valentine’s day 14th February Friday (observance)
Women’s Day 8 March Sunday (Observance)
Mothers Day 22nd March (Observance)
Good Friday; 10th April Friday(Public Holiday)
Holy Saturday 11th April, Saturday (Observance, Christian)
Easter Sunday:12th April Sunday (Observance, Christian)
Easter Monday: 13th April Monday (Public Holiday)
Workers’ Day 1st May Friday (Public Holiday)
Id ‘el Fitri 24th May Sunday (Public Holiday, Muslim Ramadan Celebration)
Id ‘el Fitri :25th May Monday Additional holiday (Public Holiday)
Children’s Day 27th May, Wednesday (Observance)
Democracy Day: 12th Jun Friday (Public Holiday)
Father’s Day 21st June Sunday (Observance)
Id’ el Kabir – 31 July Friday Public Holiday Muslim Celebration (Feast of Sacrifice)
Idel Kabir
1st Aug Saturday additional holiday (Public Holiday)
Independence Day: 1 October Thursday (National Day Public Holiday)
I’d ‘el Maulud – 29 Oct Thursday
(Public Holiday- Prophet Mohammed’s Birthday)
Christmas Eve 24 Dec Thursday (Observance, Christian)
Christmas Day 25 Dec Friday (Public Holiday)
Boxing Day 26 Dec Saturday (Public Holiday)
New Year’s Eve 31 Dec Thursday (Observance)

PRESS RELEASE



The attention of the Plateau State Government has been drawn to the news making the rounds in the social and conventional media that it was ready to implement the payment of the N30,000.00 minimum wage without recourse to negotiations on the consequential adjustments.

This statement was purported to have been made by the Honourable Commissioner of Information and Communication, Dan Manjang.

The commissioner has since clarified the statement saying he was quoted out of context. Reacting in a Press Release which was circulated to the media, Mr. Manjang denied the fact that he said that “there was no need for any negotiation with any group of persons before the implementation” having earlier said a committee to that effect had been put in place and negotiation was going on. That would amount to double-speak and serious contradiction.

Mr. Manjang maintained that the state government has set up a committee to negotiate with labour about the consequential adjustments as directed by the Federal Government based on the peculiarity, sustainability and capacity of each state. He reiterated that government was committed to the welfare of its workers. Mr. Manjang appealed to workers and the unions to remain calm while negotiations are on and pending the recommendation of same.


Signed:
Dan Manjang
Hon. Commissioner
Information and communication

Hon.Reuben Setkuk (Aleho)

As part of Hon. Komsol’s collaborative efforts and desire to meet up with contemporary Information, Communication and Technology (ICT) demands in his constituency, Hon. Komsol today, had a meeting with the Director General of the information, Communication and Technology (ICT) in Plateau State, Mr. David Daser.
In the meeting, Hon. Komsol showed readiness and commitments to build ICT centres across Shendam, Qua’an-Pan and Mikang Federal Constituency.
These ICT centres when completed, would train primary and Secondary School teachers, as well as aspiring Jamb candidate in order to
equip them with the requisite knowledge to live in line with the dogma of the 21st century.

Pope Francis has on Monday, the 6th of January, 2020, announced Bishop Matthew Ishaya Audu as the Catholic Archbishop of Jos and the Metropolitan of Jos Ecclesiastical Province.
Until his appointment, Bishop Audu was the Chief Shepherd of Lafia Diocese
May the name of the Lord be praised!
Very warm congratulations to His Grace, the Archbishop – Elect, with fervent prayers for the success of his ministry among the wonderful people of Jos Archdiocese and indeed Plateau State. The canonical installation in Jos will be on the 31st of March, 2020.
Let us all keep the Archbishop – Elect in our prayers.
About the Bishop
Ordinary:
Most. Rev. Dr. Matthew Ishaya Audu
Date of Birth:
7th June 1959
Place of Birth:
Rafin Pa. (Keffi Local Government Area – then)
Place of Residence:
Year of Priestly Ordination:
23rd June 1984
Year of Episcopal Ordination and Installation:
31st March 2001
Qualifications:
Dip. Rel. Studies, University of Ibadan
B.D. (1984) (Urbanian Rome)
Post Graduate Studies License in Moral Theology 1991) Rome, Alphonsiana
Doctorate Degree in Moral Theology, – Rome, (Alphonsiana 1999)
Responsibilities
Assistant Parish Priest, (1984-1988)
Lecturer/Vice Rector, St. Thomas Major Seminary, Makurdi (1992)
Lecturer/Vice Rector, St. Thomas Aquinas’ Major Seminary, Makurdi, 1997-2000
Local Ordinary: 2001.

National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives ,Plateau state council on Monday called on the Federal government , state government and all relevant authorities to work to ensure the release of Jennifer Ukambong Samuel from her abductors .
Addressing newsmen in Jos the state Chairman of the council Comrade Briskilla Dabit further expressed sadness over the unjustifiable abduction of the Aid Worker and Plateau indigene, Jennifer Ukambong Samuel by the Boko Haram sect and considering the fact that several indigenes had been previously executed by the sect stressing that government must do everything thing possible to ensure the release of the present Aid Worker and others in captivity in Borno State.
She said “The body wishes to express their gratitude and appreciation to the government of Plateau state under Governor Simon Lalong for the swift response and attention given to the unfortunate abduction of our colleague Nurse Jennifer , who is a aide worker attached to Alliance for International Medical Action (ALIMA ) a humanitarian organisation saddled with the responsibility of providing health care services in the North east part of Nigeria “.
She said “As a professional body responsible for the welfare and wellbeing of Nurses , We wish to call on Governor Lalong to use his exalted office as the Chairman Northern Governors forum to secure the unconditional release of Nurse Jennifer as well as other citizens who are also in captivity .”
“According to our findings , quite a number of the aid workers in the North East are either citizens of Plateau state or schooled in our dear state , recently we received a delegation of Jennifer Ukambong,s colleagues and classmates at our office lamenting how they feel unsafe working in the north east , we are aware that plans have been underway since last year to recruit nurses in Plateau . “
“We are appealing to government to expedite action and avail this opportunity for our teeming applicants “
we call on Plateau state government to employ nurses ,we are appealing to the state government to totally lift the embargo on employment .
As a listening Governor , we believe Governor Simon Lalong will look into issues raised and give directives for recruitment of workers in a bit to cushioning the emotional and psychological stress given to our colleagues who are in the North east
The group further charged the Federal Government to provide adequate security to aid workers in the north east

PRESS RELEASE

NORTHERN GOVERNOR’S FORUM MOURN PROF. SIMON MALLAM

The Northern Governors Forum has expressed deep shock over the death of the Chairman, Nigeria Atomic Energy Commission, Professor Simon Mallam, his son, and three others at Sabon Tasha area of Kaduna on Saturday following a gas explosion.
In a condolence message, Chairman of the Northern Governors Forum and Plateau State Governor Rt. Hon. Simon Bako Lalong described the incident as extremely unfortunate and painful.
Governor Lalong said ” This is a huge loss to the entire people of the Northern Region the immediate family of the deceased and Nigeria at large as we have lost one of our brightest minds who has contributed enormously to the development of our people”.
“We send our heartfelt condolences to the family of the deceased and pray God to grant their souls eternal rest as well as give the family the strength to be comforted”
Lalong also described the loss of Prof. Mallam as a major setback to Nigeria’s quest for energy sufficiency given his vast knowledge and experience which he has been deploying as the Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission.
The Northern Governors Forum therefore called for stringent supervision of gas handling in Nigeria so as to tackle the incessant cases of accidents that have become a source of concern.

Dr. Makut Simon Macham ANIPR
Director of Press & Public Affairs to the Governor of Plateau State.
6th January 2020.

Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Michika Local Government Area of Adamawa State, Lawan Andimi has been declared missing after a foiled Boko Haram attack on Thursday January 2.
District Head of Michika, Mr Ngida Zakawa disclosed that Andimi was seen among strange men as he received a delegation of the Adamawa State Government who paid a sympathy visit to the community.
Zakawa said;
“We did not lose any civilian life but some shops were looted by the insurgents while the whereabouts of CAN chairman is unknown, except that some women claimed they saw him boarding a Hilux van with unknown occupants.

As at press time, details about the missing CAN CHAIRMAN is still sketchy, meanwhile security forces are on top of the situation.