The State of Plateau

The Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) yesterday called for stronger collaboration with the Plateau State Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise Development Agency (PLASMEDA) and other SME development agencies across the country for development in the sector. Director General, SMEDAN, Dr. Dikko Umaru Radda said during the agency’s management retreat and strategy session in Jos that this was the first time SMEDAN was partnering with any state MSME agency in organising such as an event, adding that it was necessary for the agency to chart a course for the rest of the year and the coming years if it must remain relevant within the Nigerian MSME’s sector and global MSME space. He commended Plateau state for its approach to SME development, adding that, “Plateau state was one the few states to establish an agency for MSMEs development as soon as the governor came on board. In his address, Governor Simon Bako Lalong said since the establishment

Following the recent hostilities between Fulani and some communities in Plateau State that led to loss of lives and destruction of properties, the Operation Safe Haven (OPSH) on monday organized a peace/mediation meeting between the Fulani and those communities. The mediation was between the Fulani and the communities in Bokkos Local Government Area (LGA) on the one hand and the Fulani and Irigwe communities in Bassa LGA on the other hand. The OPSH Commander, Major General Anthony Atolagbe, said the OPSH, which has the task of protecting Plateau, Bauchi and parts of Southern Kaduna, appealed to all the parties to bare their minds on their grievances and then forgive one another. Speaking, the Secretary of Bokkos LGA, Chief Sylvanus Ayuba, said  all those perpetuating the violence must be identified and held responsible for their actions, as only justice would drastically reduce the problem. In his remark, District Head of Miango (representing the Irigwe) admitted that their

Lalong signs 2018 budget into law, tagged budget of rescue and consolidation 30 Jan 2018 Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau state has signed the 2018 budget into law. The budget which is tagged the budget of rescue and consolidation was signed today at the Plateau State Government House in the company of the Deputy Governor (Prof. Sunny Tyoden), the Speaker (Mr. Peter Azi), the Plateau APC Chairman (Mr Letep Dabang) and a host of the Plateau State House of Assembly Members. The budget (appropriation bill) has a value of 146.3 billion (having been presented as 145.4 billion by Governor Simon Lalong, but revised upwards by the leadership of the Plateau House of Assembly). From our analysis, N75. 8 billion of the budget (i.e., 52.13 per cent) goes to recurrent expenditure while N69.6 billion, representing 48.87 per cent is for capital expenditure. It will be recalled that ViewPointNigeria reported of dissatisfaction from citizens who queries the fast passage of the bill in 9

Plateau State Governor, Simon Bako Lalong, yesterday, said he has surprised the PDP in the state by paying outstanding salaries left by the past administration. He said the PDP was also surprised over his ability to complete most of the uncompleted projects left by ex-Governor Jonah Jang. Lalong stated this at the opening ceremony of a three-day retreat and strategy session of the Small and Medium Enterprise Development Agency (SMEDAN) in Jos. “When we came into office, the first thing they said was that let’s see how they would pay arrears of salaries. But today we have paid all. They said we could not pay pension that was why one December, I hit seven months at the same time and they started calling me the alert governor.” He said the opposition later accused him of leaving abandoned projects, but he said he had completed many so far. The governor assured the people that he would do his best to accommodate everyone in the state, stressing that he took an oath to protect t

By Nanmwa Golok Plateau state Governor, Simon Lalong on today reiterated his administration’s determination to  recover looted funds from the state. He also accused the  immediate past administration  of  the state of capitalising on the ongoing debate on cattle ranches and colonies to divert attention from the missing N2b Federal Government Intervention Fund released to the immediate past  government  by the then President Good luck Jonathan administration. Lalong said at a 3-day retreat and strategy session of the Small and Medium Enterprise Development Agency (SMEDAN) in Jos that, instead of focusing on how to get back the N2b fund which should have been used to set up an agency for the empowerment of the youths, the youths were being used by the former governor to divert attention from the ongoing investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). He challenged the Plateau state Youth Council  chairman, Dr. Fabong Yildam to ensure that youths in the

  29 January 2018  POSITION OF THE PLATEAU STATE YOUTH COUNCIL ON THE CATTLE RANCH AND COLONY DEBATES The events of these days pasts on the Plateau particularly in Irigwe land, Bokkos and Riyom is yet again another demonstration  of the failure of government in its primary responsibility of securing lives and properties. This carnage has continued unchecked and the impunity is so palpable like never before. This further reinforces our belief that our people had been marked for annihilation. Agreed the farmer/herder conflict represents an existential threat to our people, yet there seems to be no agreed upon policy to curb this impending doom. The Plateau State Youth Council has in recent times, also observed with dismay the rather unfortunate development on the Plateau social media space. These ugly turn of events border around discussions on the so called cattle colonies. While we acknowledge and understand the sensitivity of this issue and the emotions that it evokes i

By Nanmwa Golok Following the clarification made by the office of the governor of Plateau State to the effect that Governor Simon Bako Lalong has no plans whatsoever to cede any part of the State for cattle colony as planned by the federal government, the people of the State in a town hall meeting held on Saturday in Jos, have commended the governor for coming out quickly enough to douse the growing apprehension among the people who had earlier sworn to resist such moves. Those who spoke at the town hall meeting said cattle colonies are a strange concept to the people of the state and that rather than reduce the incessant attacks on farmers and destruction of their farm produce by herdsmen, it has the unmitigated tendency of escalating tension in the state. In a statement released to newsmen at the end of the meeting, and signed by two of the conveners of the town hall meeting, Mr. Fidelis Shainaan and Mrs. Esther Domshak, they said the relative peace currently being enjoyed

DIRECTORATE OF PRESS & PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICE OF THE EXECUTIVE GOVERNOR, PLATEAU STATE The attention of the Executive Governor of Plateau State, Rt. Hon. Simon Bako Lalong has been drawn to the news making the rounds, particularly in the Social Media that “parts of Riyom, Barkin Ladi and Bokkos Local Government Areas have been carved out for the creation of colonies for cattle, in fulfilment of his promises to the Fulani who have pressured him, to either cede those areas or he faces the other side of their viciousness which may cost his aspirations”. The Governor herein after state unequivocally that this thinking is not only the figment of the imagination of its authors, who want to make political capital out of it, but false, malicious and highly mischievous. Governor Simon Bako Lalong has and does not contemplate such action and he further call on all good citizens of Plateau to bury such imagination of these elements bent on throwing the State into confusion. Cattle c

The Plateau State Government has once again been drawn to the fore by elements of mischief who seek to undermine every of its move and action but like a focussed leader, His Excellency Rt. Hon. S.B Lalong will not be derailed by their antics. All peace loving and progress deserving people of Plateau State and beyond are advised to discredit any claim from faceless groups and anonymous sources trying to blackmail Government that is has mapped out portions of #BarkinLadi #Bokkos and #Riyom Local Governments as part of a Cattle Colony. This assertion is nothing but the advancement of false rhetoric in order to undermine genuine efforts of Government in continuously finding working solutions to our peace model which has not only served us in these 3 years but has also become a model copied by other States. We urge all men and women of goodwill to always engage Government directly when in doubt of any information. The Governor is accessible on all major social media platforms ( Fa

Three people have been killed in Josho village of Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State. It was reported that the killings followed a clash between the Ron locals and FulanI herdsmen two days after attacks and counter attacks between Fulani and Irigwe youths in Bassa local government area claimed five people.   Operation Safe Haven (OPSH), the taskforce proving security in Plateau State, confirmed the deaths yesterday. The Media and Information Officer of the taskforce, Major Adam Umar, said the Attacks between the Locals and Fulani in Bokkos had claimed two men and a woman. Umar said after the attacks on locals a man was killed when they saw him excavating clay to mould blocks on a contentious land. “The land has been in contention between the Fulani and the locals and when the two people saw him, instead of alerting security agents, they killed him. The Fulanis also mobilised and came out to challenge the locals and they killed a woman and a man,” he said.  

The Plateau State government is to collaborate with Nigeria Commodity Exchange (NCX) to develop the state’s commodities sector as a means of enhancing its local economy. The state Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Mrs. Linda Barau, said this at the opening ceremony of a 3-day capacity building workshop on product development for solid minerals in Nigeria, organised for NCX’s staff in Jos recently. The commissioner, who extended the appreciation of the state governor, Mr. Solomon Lalong, to the NCX for hosting the workshop in the state, announced that stakeholders in the commodities trading sector in the state would be mobilised to partner with the Exchange in achieving the objective of providing an efficient and transparent commodities trading platform in the area. Earlier in their remarks at the occasion, Mr Emmanuel James Dakas, Chairman of the Environment & Solid Minerals Committee of the Plateau State House of Assembly and his counterpart for the Pub

The Police Command in Plateau has pledged to do its best to address the lingering clashes between farmers and herdsmen in some parts of the state. The Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Undie Adie, made the pledge in Jos on Wednesday at a stakeholders’ meeting on ways to address the incessant clashes between farmers and herdsmen. herdsmen Adie said the meeting was mainly to seek ways of ending the persistent clashes between farmers and herdsmen in the state. The commissioner said the clashes between the two groups had been a serious threat to peace in the state. He said that the state was beginning to regain its lost glory after the conflicts. “We are not here today to apportion blames or call each other names, but I called this meeting for us to fashion out ways that will lead to lasting peace in the state. “We cannot continue like this; we cannot continue to kill and destroy each other’s farm lands, houses and other property. “We have come together as a peopl

The Plateau State Internal Revenue Service (PSIRS), on Wednesday, said it generated N10.8 billion as Internal Generated Revenue (IGR) from January to December 2017. Mr Dashe Arlat, the chairman of the service, made this disclosure in Jos while briefing journalists on the activities of the agency in 2017. Arlat, however, said that the figure fell short of the IGR target of N23 billion for the year. He said the service had a target of N12 billion but only realised N8.8 billion, while the MDA’s were given a target of N11 billion but only generated two billion naira, bringing the total to N10.8 billion. The PSIRS chairman said that the agency had been proactive in the discharge of its duties to ensure that it surpassed its target for 2018. Arlat said that its personnel had started the implementation of certain policies that would help enhance the IGR of the state. He said that the personnel of the PSIRS had been deployed to the nooks and crannies of the state to carry out p

Three people sustained gunshot injuries when men of the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (FSARS) stormed Dorawa community in Jos south local government area of Plateau State Monday night in an attempt to arrest hoodlums. Locals said security agents who went there to make arrest, brutalized innocent residents at a beer parlour and shot at others elsewhere.  However, Plateau state Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Tyopev Terna, told  said that the raid which took place at 8:30pm was at a notorious jungle around Dorowa village where hoodlums were found smoking weed suspected to be Indian hemp. ASP Terna stated, “On the point of arrest, there was an exchange of gunfire between the FSARS operatives and the hoodlums. As a result, three of the hoodlums were injured and taken to Plateau State Specialist Hospital, Jos by FSARS men. Two were treated and discharged while one is still on admission.”

The Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) on Tuesday shared N655.17 billion to the three tiers of government as revenue for January. The Minister of Finance, Mrs Kemi Adeosun, told newsmen on Tuesday in Abuja that the N655.17 billion was distributed under four distributable sub-heads. “The total statutory revenue for the month is N540.44 billion. “It was made up as follows: NNPC contributed N104.3 billion, DPR, N77.61 billion, FIRS collection from the oil sector is N88.37 billion and N116.9 billion from the non-oil sector. “We also generated N51.98 billion from the Nigerian Customs Service. There was also a refund of some excess bank charges to the tune of N1.93 billion. “There was a deduction of seven per cent cost of collection to the customs, four per cent to the FIRS and another four per cent to DPR. “There was also a provision for FIRS tax refund of N2 billion and another refund by Customs to the tune of N8 billion. “So the distributable revenue for the

Traders in Jos main market have been jubilating since the news broke that the Plateau State Government has opened bid for the reconstruction of the market. The main market got burnt in 2002 and since then efforts to reconstruct it had been futile, but last week the state government made good its promise to reconstruct the market by opening a bidding process for it, with two companies: MM Attat Construction Limited and Edil Belmonte Limited submitting bids. Speaking to the state of plateau on their joy about the government’s concrete moves to reconstruct the market, the Chairman of the traders union of the market, Abdulrahaman Jimoh Yusuf, said he never thought the project would come to fruition again because of the past disappointments and the inherent realities of the politicization of the market’s reconstruction. The chairman said when the market was reconstructed it would improve the lives of the traders, give residents better shopping experiences and boost the state’s economy. He

Mr Kefas Ropshik, Chairman/CEO Kefiano Global Concept has helped 43 inmates of overcroweded Jos Prison to regain their freedom. Ropshik, a philanthropist paid the fines and compensation of the convicts who were wallowing in overstreched prison facility for their inability to pay the fines. The fines totaled about N1 million. Speaking at the event, Ropshik said that he was moved to give back to the society by assisting the needy. He said that he have passion to help people who are helpless like widows, the sick and less previledged. Ropshik said that it is human to give people a second chance by helping them as some of them were led into situation by different reasons. "And as a Christian I am moved by what the bible admnoshed us to do; to assist the needy and visit those in prison. "I want those who are previldged like government appointees to step in and assist because you must not be a millionaire and a billionaire before you can do charity work,"

Audition for the queen pageantry for Jos Carnival where 20 participants are to be selected will hold on Sunday, the Committee Chairman, Mr Henry Goyang has said. Goyang in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Jos, Plateau State said assured that the carnival competition would not upset the culture and morals of the Plateau people. “The queen must be intelligent, single and beautiful, among other criteria,” he said about the eligibility. He also said the contestants would also be empowered through skills acquisition training. “We would train them on making some handcrafts such as making bags, hats, liquid soap and air fresheners among others,” he said. He said selected 20 contestants would be groomed at a boot camp for three days before the final completion on January 28. “The contestants who must be from ages 18 to 26 years would be groomed for poise, educated on the tourism sites and potentials of Plateau, its food and culture amongst others

20th January, 2018 Dr Velle Lohdip, the Acting Chief Medical Director, Plateau State Hospitals Management Board, said on Friday that the board generated N144 million revenue in 2017. Lohdip gave the figure at the defence of the board’s 2018 budget, before the state House of Assembly Standing Committee on Health in Jos. According to him, the amount was generated from fees and levies accruing from the ambulance, mortuary, antenatal bookings and other services. He said: “In 2017, we were able to generate N144 million as revenue, which represents 52 per cent of the total amount proposed for us to generate.” The CMD, who described the revenue performance as below expectations, called on the state government to meet certain needs of the board, to ensure optimal performance. Lohdip attributed the low revenue figure on manpower shortage in the hospitals, noting that the board has 1,155 members of staff manning the 15 hospitals under its supervision. He said that bookings for a

19th January, 2018 By Golok Nanmwa, Jos Plateau Regeneration Group has commended the State governor Simon Lalong, for his efforts at revamping the health sector in Plateau State . This was contained in a statement jointly signed by its National President Nagelu Garba and secretary Pius Hommen and made available to newsmen in Jos on Friday . We must commend the state government for signing  a memorandum of understanding (MOU )with a coy ,Hospital Assist Nigeria Ltd to improve the health services of the Plateau specialist Hospital and also to rescue the health sector of the state . “Lalong is fulfilling his campaign promises as one of the five policy thrust of the Simon Lalong led administration is to provide qualitative health services to the people of the state ” “With this development our governor Simon Lalong  has proven that his administration is determined to upgrade the Plateau specialist hospital and other state owned hospitals in the state. ” “it could be recal

GOVERNOR SIMON BAKO LALONG VISTS BENUE STATE OVER THE UNFORTUNATE CONFLICT THAT OCCURRED. 20th January, 2018. Governor  Simon Bako Lalong of Plateau State alongside the Chairman of the Northern Governors’ Forum, Governor Kashim Shettima (Borno), Mal. Nasir El-Rufai (Kaduna), Mohammed Badaru Abubakar (Jigawa), Yahaya Bello (Kogi) and the Deputy Governor of Osun State, Mrs. Grace Titilayo Tomori  were in Makurdi today the Benue State capital to condole and show solidarity with Governor Samuel Ortom and the good people of Benue State over the sad conflicts that claimed the lives of about 71 persons in the State. They also used the occasion to sue for peaceful coexistence and tolerance.

19 Jan 2018 15 youth from Jos north local government area of Plateau state have graduated from a de-radicalisation project following weeks of transformation training and skills acquisition. The training which was organised by the Centre for Community Actions for Peace and Development (CCAPAD), an interfaith organisation, in collaboration with Mennonite Central Committee was aimed at sensitizing potential radicals from flashpoint communities against religious fanaticism and making them productive members of their communities. The Executive Director of CCAPAD, Ahmed Salihu told journalists at the graduation that after series of research, it was discovered that splinters of Boko Haram insurgents were growing in many parts of the country adding that, “Jos is not an exception.” He said, “We trained them for two weeks and introduced a mentorship programme for another two weeks. We made sure that they stepped down the training on their mentees by assigning them to go

19 Jan 2018 Plateau opens bid for redevelopment of Jos main market By Golok Nanmwa, Jos Plateau state government on Thursday opened   bid for the redevelopment  and enhancing of the Jos main market . Speaking at the occasion the commissioner of commerce in Plateau Eziekel Daju who was represented by the Permanent secretary of the ministry Mr Samuel Ngomar, said” today is a milestone towards rebuilding the Jos Main market,this is a practical effort to rebuilding the main market ” “The market is so dear to Plateau people and the Simon Lalong led administration is determined to rebuild the market. ” Our Correspondent reports that Plateau State Government had in 2016  signed a N230 million worth Memorandum of Understanding with a UK based company; the Roughton International London Limited in collaboration with Cynergy Associates Consortium to commence the first phase of redevelopment and enhancement of the burnt Jos Main market which was gutted by fire 16 year

Mr Pam Dongs, the Plateau Commissioner for Works and Transport, says the state government has embarked on the construction of  16  rural roads to boost accessibility. The commissioner disclosed this on Wednesday in Jos  when he led other staff of the ministry to defend the 2018 budget before the House of Assembly  Committee on Works and Transport. He said  the project tagged,  “Rural Accessibility Project, ’’ was aimed at changing the face of the state from its  rural outlook. Mr Pam Dongs, the Plateau Commissioner for Works and Transport, says the state government has embarked on the construction of  16  rural roads to boost accessibility. The commissioner disclosed this on Wednesday in Jos  when he led other staff of the ministry to defend the 2018 budget before the House of Assembly  Committee on Works and Transport. He said  the project tagged,  “Rural Accessibility Project, ’’ was aimed at changing the face of the state from its  rural outlook. The road projects ar

By Golok Nanmwa, Jos Plateau state government on Thursday signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU )with a company, Hospital Assist Nigeria Ltd to improve the health services of the Plateau specialist Hospital and also to rescue the health sector of the state. Speaking while signing the agreement, the commissioner of health in Plateau Dr . Kuden Kamshak, said “one of the five policy thrust of the Simon Lalong led administration is to provide qualitative health services to the people of the state”. Kamshak said the Lalong led administration is determined to upgrade the Plateau specialist hospital and other state owned hospitals in the state. “The MOU terms   covers that Hospital Assist Nigeria Ltd  would renovate, upgrade and equip the Radiology department of the Plateau specialist hospital. “Plateau would also benefit from manpower development as the coy would also train staff of the hospital. ” Kamshak who lamented the high cost of radiologist services in some ho

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on 16 th of January quizzed a former governor of Plateau State, Senator Jonah David Jang over allegations of fraud while he was governor. Jang arrived at the EFCC headquarters around 10 am and was questioned and released around 8pm. An EFCC source said Jang honoured an invitation to respond to allegations of fraud contained in petitions against him, when he was governor from 2007 to 2015. The source said he was alleged to have siphoned funds released to the state by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). “It was alleged that N2 billion was released by CBN for Small and Medium Enterprises just a month before the expiration of his tenure in April 2015, but the funds suddenly went missing,” the source said. The EFCC is investigating contract for computerisation of the Ministry of Finance to a firm, Nix Technologies, for N97.9 million by the ministry. He was alleged to have gotten N6.1bn from the State Universal Basi

16th January, 2018. The Executive Governor of Plateau State, His Excellency, Rt. Hon.  Simon Bako Lalong, on the 16th of  January, 2018 carried out on the spot inspection of road projects stretching from Old Airport road, Domkat Bali Road, British American junction and all the way to Mararaba Jamai'a. He assured citizens of the commitment of his Government towards completing the road constructions and others around the State. Photo credit by Josiah Envulu.

Fire has gutted down the 10-hectare Daje Palm Oil Farm in Sabon-Gida, Langtang South Local Government, Plateau State, licking up more than 4,000 palm trees. Also burnt by the weekend fire were 500 cashew trees, 200 improved varieties of mango trees, among other plants. A correspondent, who visited the 10-year-old farm owned by former Chief Medical Director of Gwagwalada Specialist Hospital, Abuja, Dr. Nandul Durfa, found that most of the plants had been totally destroyed by the inferno. Also destroyed were new palm oil seedlings being packaged for fresh planting to expand the farm Durfa, who described the fire disaster as “devastating”, said that he had lost hundreds of millions to the inferno. “Palm trees are resilient; if you water the burnt trees, they could come back to life, but this year’s proceeds are gone. “There are also new seedlings that we have been treating for the past five years which have been consumed. Each seedling was purchased at N350 and we bought mo

About 400 cattle belonging to herders were on Monday rustled in Miango, Bassa local government area of Plateau State. However, it was gathered that while security agents have recovered 32 of the cattle, the carcass of 25 have been discovered. Plateau state Chairman of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Nura Muhammad told journalists that additional six cattle have been recovered alive but severely injured. Muhammad explained that, “the incident occurred Monday evening. The attackers assaulted the herders, but they escaped alive while the attackers left with the cattle. "We immediately reported to Operation Safe Haven (OPSH) in the area and they deployed their men to go after the assailants, that was when they found the dead cattle and recovered some. Security agents are still out there trying to track the attackers.” OPSH Media and Information Officer, Major Adam Umar did not respond to phone calls or a text sent to his phone at

His Excellency, Governor Simon Bako Lalong was the  Special Guest of Honor at the Laying of Wreaths to commemorate the 2018 Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration today 15th January 2018 at the JD  Gomwalk Secretariat. The Armed Forces Remembrance Day 2018 was held in spectacular style in Jos, Plateau State. The Plateau State Governor Rt. Hon Simon Lalong Inspected a guard of honour before later placing wreaths at the tomb of the unknown soldier. Top government officials also took turns to lay wreaths for the fallen heroes.  Some included the Commander operation Safe Haven, Speaker Of the House of Plateau State House of Assembly, Peter A. Azi, representative of the GOC 3 division, Leader Of the Nigerian Legion in Plateau State Col. Rwang Dung Rtd, Chairperson Of The Ex Military Service Men Wife’s Association Amongst others

Last season’s Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) title winners Plateau United Football Club and Niger Tornadoes, yesterday opened their 2017/2018 league season account with victories away from home. While the defending champions piped hosts Nasarawa United FC 1-0 at the Lafia Township Stadium, Tornadoes on their part defeated new comers Kwara United 2-0 at the Kwara Sports Stadium in Ilorin. Plateau United’s new boy Raphael Ayagwa stunned the home crowd with a last-gasp winner in the 87th minute. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the tightly-contested affair saw both sides displaying good football artistry, but it was Plateau United who were more impressive in terms of possession. The result meant Plateau United became the first title-holders to win their opening match day since 2013. None of the champions since 2013 had won their opening game of the season, since Kano Pillars defeated Wikki Tourists 1-0 in Bauchi. Kano Pillars (in 2014 and 2015

Plateau State Governor, Simon Lalong,  has tendered his unreserved apologies to the people of Benue State and Nigerians over the comments he made following the murder of over 60 people by herdsmen in two local government areas. Lalong had told newsmen that he warned Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue against passing the anti-grazing law which was believed to have caused the deadly killings by the herdsmen. The governor’s statement was widely criticised as highly insensitive and suggestive of justifying the killings and grave injuries inflicted on the villagers by the unidentified herdsmen. However,  Lalong, at the weekend in Abuja,  told newsmen that his comments would not in any way help in the resolution of the crisis. While expressing his belief in the sanctity of human lives,  the governor said Plateau State has a strong affinity with all states in the Middle Belt, especially Benue which was carved out of Plateau State, noting that his initial comments were misconstrued and

DIRECTORATE OF PRESS AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS PLATEAU STATE GOVERNMENT HOUSE. ============== PRESS RELEASE. BENUE KILLINGS: LET NIGERIANS NOT SPIT ON THE GRAVE OF THE VICTIMS. The Executive Governor of Plateau State Rt Hon Simon Bako Lalong has expressed serious displeasure at the manner in which reports making the rounds on social media and some broadcast stations, concerning the interview he granted to members of the Press, after his meeting with President Mohammadu Buhari at the Aso villa Abuja of Thursday the 11th of January 2018. The Executive Governor in his clarification on the statement credited to him, in which he was quoted as having said  he warned Governor Ortom of Benue state  not to implement the anti open grazing law,  said it is sad that his expression which bothered on the plateau situation, in which he said he was waiting for the provision of the  ranching alternative ahead of the total ban on open grazing in the State, was taken out of context and completely misqu

His Excellency Gov. Simon Bako Lalong pays a charity visit to Plateau State. Orphanage Home Formerly. Among the orphanage he visited where Aisha Manna Orphanage Along Zaria Road and Zambiri/Nentapmwa Outreach and Child Care Centre Owned by Mrs Gloria Kwashi, Wife of the Anglican Archbishop of Jos, Benjamin Kwashi. Yesterday the 9 January 2018. The Governor assured the orphans that his administration will support their welfare and upbringing of less previlege in the state including all orphanage. The Gov encourage the orphans to take the educational career choices so serious as to enable them become future leaders of tomorrow. He visited their dometries and also play with the kids, offering relief materials to encourage the orphanage home on thier go work to the society.

President Muhammadu Buhari has ordered the Inspector-General of Police, Mr Ibrahim Idris to move to Benue, to restore law and order, prevent further loss of lives and forestall the crisis from escalating. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that herdsmen on New Year day had attacked and killed 50 persons in Logo and Guma Local Government Areas of Benue. A statement by the Force spokesman, CSP Jimoh Moshood, said the order followed the recent unfortunate killings of innocent people in Guma and Logo Local Government Areas of the State. Moshood said that in compliance with the presidential order, the I-G is moving with additional five Units of Police Mobile Force making a total of 10 Units deployed to the State. “More Units of the Police Special Forces, Counter Terrorism Units, and Conventional Policemen are already being deployed to the State as at this time today to comply in totality with the Presidential order,” he said. He said that other units of the force

The Ikkukumung Development Association (IDA) and Jolex Construction Company Nig. Ltd have asked Governor Simon Bako Lalong of Plateau State to pay N218 million compensation for the 35 houses affected by the construction of Kabong-Ikkukumung-Tudun-Wada Road in Jos North Local Government Area. The work of the road which covers 6.9 kms and was awarded to Jolex Construction Company last year has been moving slowly owing to non-payment of compensation to affected people. The Chairman of the association, Mr. Fidelis Ngwan, said, “The contractor has tried his best. What we want is for government to release more funds to him, so that he can settle the compensation and continue his good work.” The Project Engineer of the Jolex Construction Company, Mark Ajobe, said, “In the assessment we have done with the Plateau State Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, we marked 35 houses to be demolished and estate valuers estimated N300 million as compensation, which was later cut

About 2,000 youths selected from the 17 local government areas of Plateau State have started apprenticeship training as part of efforts by the National Directorate of Employment (NDE) to make them self-reliant. Similarly, the directorate said it had commenced training of 2, 000 young women and men on cosmetology and other vocational skills in Gombe State. We gathered 2,000 youths in Plateau State are part of 76,400 people selected from across the country by the NDE to benefit from its special Basic National Open Apprenticeship Scheme. Plateau State NDE Coordinator, Mark Mato said that out of the 2,000 slots allocated to the state, 1,400 youths were undergoing training in cosmetology which consists of learning to make liquid soap, air fresheners, body creams and others. “The remaining 600 are undergoing training in computer repairs and application, welding, barbing, carpentry and others. While the training in cosmetology is expected to last two weeks, the remaining

Over 400 women and physically challenged people in Kanke local government area of Plateau Friday 5th January benefited from several food items and clothing distributed by the state Commissioner of Finance, Tamwakat Weli. The beneficiaries were given bags of rice, clothing materials, shoes, bags, liquid soaps and other items at the Ekan Primary School Tuwan in Kabwir District of Kanke.     While presenting the items, Weli assured the people that the administration of Governor Simon Bako Lalong was determined to better their lives as well as ensure that youths, women and vulnerable children were well trained.

President Muhammadu Buhari has given a bold hint that he will seek re-election next year by naming former Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, Minister of Transport, as the Director-General (DG) of his campaign. The appointment was made at a meeting this week, sources have told our reporters. It was disclosed that Mr. Amaechi, was picked over Mr. Rochas Okorocha, governor of Imo State, who was said to have actively sought the position. Mr. Amaechi held the position in 2015, when President Buhari won the presidential election. Also named as members of the team are Mr. Simon Lalong, Plateau State governor;  Mr. Nasir El-Rufai, Kaduna State governor; Mr. Tanko Almakura, governor of Nasarawa State and Mr. Mala Buni, National Secretary of the ruling All Progressives Congress  (APC).