The State of Plateau

Rallies in Jos, Bauchi in honour of Buhari By Balarabe Alkassim (Bauchi) & Bashir Liman (Jos) Date: Aug 30 2017 The Buhari Campaign Organisation (BCO), yesterday, led youths and women from the 17 local government areas of Plateau State on a solidarity march in honour of President Muhammad Buhari-led administration and Governor Simon Bako Lalong’s of Plateau State. Daily Trust reports that the youths held the rally at the Polo Ground in Jos, where they carried banners with various inscriptions, including, ‘We Support President Muhammad Buhari’s Policies,’ ‘We Welcome You Back From Your Medical Trip,’ ‘Plateau Youths Are Solidly Behind You,’ ‘We Stand By Buhari And Lalong, 4+4 = 8’. The Coordinator, North Central, BCO, Mr Yusuf Izam, who later spoke to journalists, explained that the aim of the rally was to register their support for President Buhari and Governor Lalong for the good work the APC-led government had been doing

FG launches one-stop shop for MSMEs in Jos Date: Aug 30 2017 The Federal Government through the Office of the Vice President has launched a One Stop Shop for MSMEs in Jos, Plateau State, which will be housed by the Plateau State Micro-Finance Development Agency (PLASMEDA). A statement by Technical Adviser on MSMEs, Mr. Tola Adekunle Johnson, who also represented the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, at the launch, said that the one-stop shop was the first of several to be launched across various cities in different geo-political zones of the country this year. He said that the One Stop Shop Programme was the 3rd phase of the Office of the Vice President’s on-going Nationwide Micro Small and Medium Enterprises clinics for Viable Enterprises (MSME Clinics) aimed at providing a platform for convenient, continuous and easy interaction between government and MSMEs whose businesses are based in Nigeria. According to him, one-stop-shop destinations have been provi

Female Hostel at thePlateau State Polytechnic raze by fire Date: Aug 29 2017     The female hostel of the Plateau State Polytechnic, Jos campus, was yesterday gutted by fire, destroying properties and certificates of students. It was gathered that the fire began about 9:30am as a result of gas explosion from room 18, where a female student was trying to cook noodles. It was also learnt that as soon as the gas exploded, the girl tried to quench it but couldn’t as the resulting fire caught the mattress in her room and eventually, razed down the whole building. Nobody was injured in the inferno, except the students’ properties that were destroyed. An ND 2 student of Marketing Department, Comfort Silas, told said that her certificates and other properties got burnt in the fire. “Many girls went for lectures and there were few people around at that time. Before many of the students could come back, the fire has already consumed their

Lalong, Media Trust to improve reading culture through Teen Trust By Lami Sadiq Date: Aug 28 2017 Plateau State Governor, Simon Bako Lalong at the weekend agreed to partner with Media Trust Limited, publishers of Daily Trust and other titles to improve reading culture by introducing the company’s child friendly publication, Teen Trust into the state’s public and private schools. Lalong gave the assurance when a delegation of Media Trust led by the Chief Operating Officer (COO), Mr. Abhay Desai paid him a courtesy visit at the Government House in Jos where he proposed that public schools in the state be encouraged to contribute articles and subscribe to the publication. Lalong, who expressed concern about the drop in reading culture in the state, stressed that he would involve the Commissioner of Education and the Executive Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) to ensure that not only public schools but p

Plateau survive Rivers Utd scare as Enyimba wallop Wikki 4-0 Date: Aug 28 2017  Plateau United League leaders, Plateau United narrowly escaped home defeat yesterday after they came back from the dead to force Rivers United to 1-1 draw at the Rwam Pam stadium in Jos. It took Peter Eneji’s 25-yard shot in the last minute of regulation time to cancel out Emeka Ogbugh’s 14th minute goal that had silenced the teeming supporters of Plateau United. Following the 0-1 defeat suffered by MFM in Umuahia, Plateau United are still leading the table with 63 points with two matches left to play. After walloping Wikki Tourists 4-0 in Calabar, with a goal each from Ikechukwu Ibenegbu, Stephen Chukwude, Chionso Okonkwo and Stanley Dimgba, Enyimba also moved into fourth place on 57 points behind MFM who are in third on 59 points. Akwa United who defeated Lobi Stars 2-1 on Friday in Uyo are in second place on 60 points and are in strong contention for one of the CAF Champions L

BOI disburses funds to over 1,000 Plateau women  Date: Aug 28 2017  The Bank of Industry (BoI) has disbursed loan facilities ranging from N10,000 to N50,000 to over 1,000 women entrepreneurs in Plateau State, under the Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme (GEEP). Tagged the  MarketMoni Alert, the  initiative is one of the Federal Government’s social intervention programmes aimed at helping micro enterprise operators in the country bridge the gap in access to affordable credit identified as a major constraint to business growth. The GEEP, which is being administered by BoI, seeks to provide non-interest loans raging from N10,000 to N100,000 to 1.6 million beneficiaries in the 774 local governments of the federation. Speaking at the Plateau State edition of MarketMoni Alert initiative at the weekend, the BoI Managing Director, Mr. Olukayode Pitan, said the over 1000 beneficiaries would receive alert through their individual telephones. Pitan,

Plateau United’s Odafe wins 13th VAT Wonder Goal Date: Aug 26 2017  Emmanuel Odafe - Plateau United Plateau United striker Emmanuel Odafe has beaten other contenders to emerge winner of VAT Wonder Goal number 14. He is the first player from Plateau United to win the award since it was re-introduced by the League Management Company (LMC) at the start of the second stanza of the 2016/17 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL). On the two voting platforms, Odafe had stiff contests with each of the other two nominees, narrowly defeating Raji with five votes on the twitter polls while on the website polls; he tied with El-Kanemi Warriors’ Tchoanfine Pade with 15 votes apiece. The Plateau United forward polled combined votes of 77 to edge Raji who secured 66 votes and Pade whose combined total stood at 36. The VAT Wonder Goal of Match Day 32 had all three nominated players scoring off headers.  Odafe connected a powerful header to a free kick in their match

Plateau government employs 5,253 teachers to address shortage Date: Aug 23 2017 The Plateau State Universal Basic Education Board(SUBEB) has employed 5,253 teachers to address the acute shortage of teaching personnel in its primary and junior secondary schools. Mr Michael Gowon, the board’s Director, Planning and Research, disclosed this on Wednesday in Jos, while presenting SUBEB’s achievements under the chairmanship of Prof. Mathew Sule. Sule assumed office in August 2015. According to Gowon, the board opted to regularise the employment of 4,850 casual teachers and also absorbed 403 temporary teachers engaged under the Federal Teachers Scheme, instead of looking elsewhere for new hands. “All the employments took effect last year; the measure has effectively addressed the shortage of teachers which had been our main headache for years,” he said. He said that SUBEB had also procured 6,430 plastic chairs and tables for primary schools, while the Junior Se

DIRECTORATE OF PRESS & PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICE OF THE EXECUTIVE GOVERNOR, PLATEAU STATE. Date: Aug 22 2017 PRESS RELEASE H.E. Excellency Governor Simon Bako Lalong in company of Top Government functionaries undertook an Investment Visit to Alh Aliko Dangote GCON at the Corporate Headquarters of Dangote Group of Companies, Marble House, Ikoyi Lagos on 22nd of August, 2017. The meeting was intended to woo the investment interest of the Billionaire Investor in core areas of Agriculture with emphasis on wheat, rice, tomato and Irish Potatoes on large scale production, solid mineral exploration and processing, the establishment of Agro Based Industries and Capital Injection on a Public Private Partnership into the revitalization of Ailing Industries in the State. The Governor of Plateau State, Rt. Hon. Simon Bako Lalong in his remark informed Chairman of Dangote Group of Companies, Alhaji Aliko Dangote that the Government was willing to do all on her part in terms of pol

ABS slow down Plateau United, as Okpotu hits El-Kanemi 3 times . Date: Aug 21 2017  Table toppers, Plateau United were pegged back yesterday when they lost 0-2 to relegation threatened ABS in Ilorin but in Makurdi, Lobi Stars leading goal scorer, Tony Okpotu was on fire as he scored his third hat-trick of the season to hand his side a 3-2 win over El-Kanemi Warriors. Despite the defeat in Ilorin, Plateau United still lead the table with 62 points even as their closest rivals, MFM won 1-0 against Gombe United to reach 59 points. In Enugu, Chibuzor Madu and Christian Madu scored a goal each to hand Rangers a hard fought 2-1 victory over Katsina United. Timothy Danladi scored from the spot in the 45th minute to reduce the tally for the ‘Chanji boys’. Wikki Tourists also eased their relegation worries with a 2-0 victory over Remo Stars in Bauchi just as another relegation threatened side, Sunshine Stars also beat Niger Tornadoes 2-1 to brighten their chances

4000 Nasarawa, Benue, Plateau to get BoI, Oxfam’s N200m loan Date: Aug 20 2017 The Bank of Industry (BoI) under the Federal Government of Nigeria‘s Government Enterprise and Empowerment Program (GEEP) has signed an agreement with the OXFAM Nigeria to disburse N200m to OXFAM’s Village Saving and Loan Associations (VSLA) in Nassarawa, Benue and Plateau states. The Deputy Country Director Oxfam Nigeria Mr. Constant Tchona said that the development was aimed at strengthening the livelihoods capacity and resilience of poor households in rural communities. “The partnership was borne out of the need to target the most marginalized and hard to reach in the rural communities in line with the objectives of the Federal Government Social Intervention policy. “The funds tagged “GEEP MarketMoni” is the first batch of the loans meant to expand the activities of about 500 farmer groups in some communities in the three states. BoI is executing the Federal Government of Nigeria’s microcredit i

Plateau resumes hajj sponsorship with 229 for 2017 Date: Aug 18 2017  The Plateau State Government has sponsored 229 persons to perform this year’s Hajj two years after Governor Simon Bako Lalong announced that he had suspended sponsorship of pilgrims due to paucity of funds. The state government only sponsored the pilgrim officials last year, but Lalong during a farewell ceremony for Plateau State pilgrims yesterday noted that out of the 1,118 pilgrims for this year, 502 persons had been sponsored privately while the state had sponsored 229 and the remaining 387 were those who were deferred by the immediate past government. Lalong who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Prof. Sonie Tyoden, said the payment for the 387 persons deferred had increased the cost of sponsorship and limited the number of those “who by official recognition of their spiritual responsibilities would have been sponsored by government.”

Federal Gov not to tolerate illegal mining sites Date: Aug 15 2017 The federal government has warned that it will no longer tolerate any act of sabotage on the nation's economy Minister of mines & steel development, kayode Fayemi,gave the warning when he led the national security adviser, general Babagana Monguno & governor Simon Lalong on a fact finding visit to illegal mining sites at Campania zurak in wase local government area. The minister and the national security adviser, directed for the immediate closure of all the mining sites while staff of the mining company including Chinese nationals where apprehended & taking to Abuja for interrogation. Governor, Simon Lalong, said the measure marks the beginning of the fight against illegal mining on the plateau. Member representing Wase federal constituency, Idris Maje,alleged that the illegal has persisted for almost a decade with aid of some security agents.

Plateau beat MFM 1-0 as Enyimba, Rivers Utd maul opponents Date: Aug 14 2017 Plateau United yesterday took a bold step towards their first NPFL title as they beat closest rivals MFM of Lagos 1-0 to extend their lead just as Enyimba ran riot in Calabar where they defeated ABS 3-0. Ibeh Johnson’s goal in the 3rd minute of the highly contested top of the table clash in Jos was enough to give Plateau United victory which took their points to 62. In Calabar, Enyimba FC dazzled against ABS with Stanley Dimgba, Eric Frimpong and Mustapha Ibrahim scoring a goal each. However, the best performance yesterday no doubt came from Rivers United who recorded a convincing 3-1 win over relegated Remo Stars in Shagamu. Bernard Ovoke opened scoring for Rivers United in 15th minute before Emeka Ogbuh made it two for the ‘Pride of Rivers’ in the 34th minute.  Esosa Igbinoba put the match beyond Remo Stars when he scored the third in the 65th minute but Salefu Ochowechi sco

Council to support credible youths for Plateau LG polls Date: Aug 14 2017 The Plateau State Youth Council (PYC) has said it will support credible youths in the upcoming local government election. Chairman of the council, Dr. Fabong Jemchang Yildam, at the weekend, told journalists that the council would encourage youths to contest in the election and stand behind those who demonstrated the quality to deliver irrespective of their political parties. Governor Simon Bako Lalong had last week signed the Plateau State Independent Electoral Commission (PLASIEC) bill into law, and gave the commission the go ahead to conduct local government election. PLASEIC had hinted that elections into the third tier of government would be conducted before the end of the year.

Plateau United donate foodstuffs to orphans Date: Aug 12 2017  Some of the food items donated by the team to the Aisha Manna Orphanage Home in Jos yesterday Photo: Bashir Liman The Management, technical crew and players of Nigeria Professional Football League, Plateau United of Jos have paid a visit to the Aisha Manna Orphanage Home and donated assorted food items such as bags of rice, cartons of indomies, soft drinks, detergents, clothing and an undisclosed amount of money for the upkeep of the orphans. The Head coach of the team, Kennedy Boboye while giving the good items in Jos recently pointed out that the gesture is aimed at putting smiles on the faces of the inmates and giving them a sense of belonging. The former coach of Abia Warriors also tasked government, companies, NGOs and individuals to assist less privileged, orphans, widows and physically challenged people. Boboye also charged his players to give him excellent performance du

Plateau govt, sacked councilors disagree over N1. 5bn allowances Date: Aug 11 2017 The counsel to Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau State, Garba Pwul (SAN), has debunked the claim by sacked councilors that the government is to pay them severance allowances of N1.57 billion as a result of a court judgment. The lawyer representing the councilors, Gyang Zi, had earlier said the Plateau Government was to pay the sum as severance allowance to the sacked councilors in the 17 local government areas of the state, following a court judgment which faulted their dissolution in 2015. Zi had told newsmen, “By the judgment of the High Court last Friday, my clients, 271 of them, are entitled to N1.57 billion, as their severance allowance from the state government and the 17 local government councils. As we speak, we are already preparing our letter demanding the payment as their entitlements for the remaining nine months in their two-year tenure as elected repr

Gov. Lalong signs electoral commission, revenue bills. Date: Aug 10 2017 Plateau State Governor Simon Bako Lalong yesterday signed into law the long awaited Plateau State Independent Electoral Commission (PLASIEC) bill which seeks to regulate the conduct of local government elections and other related matters. Lalong said after signing the bill at the Little Rayfield Government House that with the law now in place, it was up to the commission to execute her primary mandate in line with the provisions by conducting local government election. The governor also signed the Plateau State Revenue Consolidated law which would provide for the reinforcement of the state’s revenue collection system through a functional administrative structure as well as harmonize the various rates, levies and taxes collected by Ministries, Departments and Agencies, as well as by the LG councils. “The PLASIEC law will not only regulate the conduct of election

Plateau State University to get additional hostels, clinic soon – VC Date: Aug 8 2017 The Vice Chancellor of the Plateau State University Bokkos, Professor Doknan Sheni, yesterday said as soon as resources were made available, the school would construct more hostels, a clinic and stadium for the students.  Sheni said while interacting with the new leadership of the Students Union Government (SUG) that the architectural designs for the buildings had been completed but stressed that the major constraint was the lack of funds but assured that the buildings would be made a priority as soon as funds are made available.  He urged the new EXCO of SUG to remain focused and avoid corrupt tendencies while assuring students that rumours that the university had increased fees by 50 percent was false and that the institution had no such plans.    In their separate remarks, the SUG President and Speaker of the Students’ Parliament, Comrades Izang

Plateau Utd draw 1-1 with Pillars to stay top Date: Aug 7 2017  Plateau United’s Peter Eneji controls the ball during the match against 3SC in Jos ...as Abia Warriors wallop Lobi Stars 4-2 in Makurdi Table toppers, Plateau United were yesterday forced to 1-1 draw by Pillars in Kano just as Abia Warriors walloped Lobi Stars 4-2 at the Aper Aku stadium Makurdi to end the Benue State team’s 80-game unbeaten run at home. At the Sani Abacha stadium, inform Johnson Ibeh had given Plateau United the lead in the 17th minute before Hamza Abba Tiya saved Pillars from another home defeat with the equaliser in the 52nd minute. Plateau United now with 59 points are closer to their first league title as their closest rivals, MFM FC played out 0-0 draw against Enyimba at the Agege township stadium. However, it was a sad day for Lobi Stars and their teeming supporters as they were torn into shreds by visiting Abia Warriors who white-washed them in Maku

Capture peace corps in 2018 budget, Plateau speaker tells FG Date: Aug 4 2017 Following the passing of the bill establishing the Nigerian Peace Corps (NPC) as a para-military outfit, the Speaker of the Plateau State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Peter Azi, has said the House will give the corps legislative support needed to excel in the state. Speaking when the officers and men of the corps visited the House in appreciation of the National Assembly’s adoption of the bill, Azi called on President Muhammadu Buhari to be quick in signing it. The speaker who also called on the Federal Government to capture the Peace Corps in the 2018 budget, charged the corps to eschew corrupt tendencies. In his remark, Chairman House committee on Security, Hon Daniel Dem, said the Peace Corps would contribute to the positive development of Nigerian youths. The Plateau State Commandant of the corps, Sunday Joseph, said their duties as peace corps was to compliment the efforts o

Women go topless in Bisichi, Foron to protest grazing on their farmlands Date: Aug 05 2017 Berom women took to the streets around Bisichi in Foron  District of Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State yesterday to protest against what they described as “illegal grazing” by herders on their farmlands. The protesters dressed in black clothes blocked cattle routes, preventing herders from gaining access which prompted the Operation Safe Haven (OPSH) Commander, Major General Rogers Nicholas, to visit the area and appeal for calm. OPSH Media and Information Officer, Captain Umar Adam, told our correspondent that the women had complained that they were tired of illegal grazing on their farmlands but that the commander assured them that the state government would address their grievances. Capt. Adam told our correspondent that as at 1pm, the area was calm and the women had returned to their homes. Heads of security agencies in Plateau State, leaders of Berom and

Plateau, BlackPace sign $65m MoU to increase potato production Date: BlackPace Africa, an Africa-focused investment management and advisory firm, and the Plateau State government have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) towards a joint development arrangement to upscale potato production in the state and set up a potato processing facility in Jos, the state caapital. The facility will produce French fries, potato flakes and potato crisps within the next eight months. This agreement was executed recently, after several meetings with the state executives, including the Governor of Plateau State Simon Lalong, commissioner of agriculture and rural development, Lynda Barau, and commissioner for commerce and industry, Ezekiel Daju. According to Governor Lalong, “We are willing to provide the enabling environment to support this laudable project based on the fact that Plateau State accounts for over 90 percent of potatoes produced in Nigeria. In addition we believe the p

ALL PROGRESSIVE CONGRESS COMMITTEE ON RESTRUCTURING HOLDS ITS MEETING.   4th August, 2017. The All Progressive Congress (APC) Committee on Restructuring held it's meeting today in Abuja the 4th of August 2017. The meeting was chaired by Governor Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai of Kaduna State who is the chairman of the committee. Also in attendance was  His Excellency Governor Simon Bako Lalong of Plateau State and other members of the committee. It will be recalled that the All Progressives Congress (APC) had last month set-up a 10-man committee to articulate the Party’s position on Nigeria’s restructuring. The Committee held their first meeting on Thursday, the 20th of July and agreed to focus its work in the following areas: i) Devolution of Power. ii) Review of Revenue Allocation Formula. iii) Citizenship. iv) Review of the 2005 and 2014 National Conferences.