CONSTITUTIONALISM, PATRIOTISM AND HOPE IN NIGERIA: LESSON FROM USA

By Ayuba Yilgak'ha

No nation could attain meaningful and sustained development in the atmosphere of turbulence and

chaos. For a nation to achieve progress, there has to be functional set of rules and regulations that moderate and guide the conduct of the citizenry to mitigate the natural tendencies of humans to misbehave in manner that could cause injury to others or distress to the polity as a whole.

Constitutionalism is a political ideology that gives credence to being lawful. It is the process of living according to the dictates of laws or constitution which is always goal specific.

The development of the culture and practice of constitutionalism in the United States of America (USA) is a classic beauty to behold. While most nations, especially developing countries like Nigeria often fail in harkening to basic dictates of constitutional provisions, America has proven itself relatively faithful in doing so. Just recently when the country's President, Joseph Biden Jr was scheduled for what was referred to as "routine medical procedure", the president demonstrated with great patriotism the power of constitution and constitutionalism by way of seamless transmission of power to the Vice President, Kamala Haris through a letter transmitted to the Senate and addressed to the Senate President Protempore, Honourable Patrick Leahy, on November 19, 2023.

Because of the importance of the letter to this discourse, the main body of it is reproduced here and it reads: 

"Dear Senator Leahy,

Today I will be under a routine medical procedure requiring sedation. In view of present circumstances, I have determine to transfer temporarily the powers and duties of the office of President of the United States to the Vice President during the brief period of the procedure and recovery.

In accordance with the provision of section of the Twenty - Fifth Amendment to the United States constitution, the letter shall constitute my written declaration that I am presently unable to discharge the powers and duties of the office of the President of the United States. Pursuant to section 3, the Vice President shall discharge these powers and duties as Acting President until I transmit to you a written declaration that I am able to resume the discharge of those powers and duties.

Sincerely,

Joseph Biden, President of the United States of America." 

As I read and meditate on the soothing contents of this letter, my heart bleeds for Nigeria, my country because I was also reflecting on how difficult it has always been for Nigerian leaders (and followers) to do the needful even in critical and glaring cases of incapacitation. I remember, for instance, how difficult it was for power to be transferred to the then Vice President, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan when Late President Umaru Yar'Adua became very sick I'll and eventually died. In fact, there are clearly indications that most Nigerian leaders would rather prefer to die in power than to die honouring the constitution they sow to protect which should not be the case.

But, by the way, what is the secret of America's breakthrough in constitution and constitutionalism? Coyle (1957) provides a hint as follow: 'The (American) Federal Government created by the constitution was a synthetic sovereign state and it was made, not born; the living flesh that now covers it's bones has been added by men who have made it to work - That is, by Americans practice the art of political and sometimes of statesmanship.' In other words, pramatic - cum -patriotic involvement and engagement of the citizenry is the magic behind America's towering profile in constitutionalism!

The constitution is the ground norm of a society or country. In the profound words of Madison (1957), one of the most respected 'Founding Fathers' and signatories to America's historic Constitution which heralded the country's independence on July 4, 1776, "The aim of every political constitution is, or ought to be, first, to obtain for rulers men who possess most wisdom to discern and most virtue to pursue the common good of the society and; in the next place, to take the most effectual precautions for keeping them virtuous while they continue to hold their public trust." A very noble objective here but,often times, hard to be realised especially in developing countries like Nigeria that seems to be suffocating from many developmental contradictions.

Muhammad, Nazariah and Isa (2019) observed generally that, "The process of evolution/attainment and development of nation/statehood is not achieved overnight mistakes are made, lessons are learned; considerations, concession, compromises, sacrifices, loses, and gains are made; symbiotic, parasitic or commensalism relations and co-habitation occur and do change with time and circumstances; conflicts of different dimensions occur and never ending, while controversies trail some other issues, even wars are sometimes fought and reconciliations made in the long or short run." The scholars further observed that "This is typical to the Nigerian state and her evolution and development process." What this implies is that Nigeria's development trajectory is fractured or dislocated by myriad problems and, therefore, in need of structural face-lift and constitutional coherence through ultruistic motivations and patriotic pragmatism. But what is Patriotism, by the way?

Patriotism is the emotional attachment and love for ones country. It is an intrinsic and instinctive drive toward the achievement of pubic or national interest; instead of parochial or personal interest that is often rooted in greed fed by corruption. Patriotism is the oil that lubricates the wheel of nationalism which can be described, succinctly, as the emotive desire for self determination from all forms of serfdom or slavery. It is the anchor of hope for national liberation and transformation which is in all things most desirable in every given circumstance.

National transformation can be seen as holistic and spontaneous change in the structural configuration of a country. It has to do with sustained breakthrough in all facets of a country's life, be it economic, social, political, security and diplomatic relations. This breakthrough, for all intents and purposes, has to be seen to be practically reflecting in the overall welfare and security of the lives and properties of the citizenry. This is exactly the level of development every nation, and Nigeria in particular, craves for obvious reasons.

To be frank, the intense clamour for constitutional revolution or restructuring in Nigeria, especially, in the current democratic dispensation that began in 1999, is a clear pointer that most Nigerians are disinchanted with the slow pace of development in the country, given its abundant blessings in both human and material resources.

Despite Nigeria's huge potentials for development, most of the country's development indices: Human Development Index (HDI) which covers knowledge, purchasing power and Life Expectancy; Macroeconomic Indicators like unemployment and poverty, economic growth, inflation, interest rate, etc.; Terrorism Index and Corruption Index if not all, are showing bad signals. For instance, for  Nigeria's unemployment rate was as high as 33.3 percent throughout the last quarter of 2020 (Olurounbi, 2021). Apart from being rated 'the poverty capital of the world' from 2019 and still maintains status with over 86 million out of the over 209 million of it people living in abject poverty; it is ranked, 146th position out of 180 countries, as one of the most corrupt countries in the world too and also the Third most terrorised countries after Afghanistan and Iraq (World Data Lab, 2021,Transparency [TI] International, 2021 and Institute of Economic and Peace [IEP], 2021 respectively). Hence, the need to make adjustments as passionately convassed by many but nearly frustrated appostles of restructuring in the country. 

The main thesis of this reflective expository essay is that the hope of Nigeria's breakthrough lies in the capacity to make the country's restructuring agenda human driven. This is because the human factor is the single most important resource that could make or mare the ambition to develop. It takes human beings (citizens) to mobilise other resources, make good laws and ensure they are followed to the later. With pragmatic and patriotic citizens who are garnished or baked with sound emotional, social, intellectual and moral capital, changing the relevant aspects of the Nigerian constitution as the first step toward restructuring and living by the laws (constitutionalism) after they have been changed, will be a work over exercise. In other words, with constitutionalism sustained by patriotism, Nigeria's dream of achieving greatness is guaranteed, all things being equal.

We cannot afford to live under the ellusion that all is well in Nigeria; there are challenges, really, "But we must set new aims And go on growing that one day we may be The respected equals of all other nations" as Hendrik Lund (2012) will put it. There is hope for Nigeria: You and I can make the country work and for the good of all of us!

(Modest Thoughts with Ayuba Yilgak'ha, November 26, 2023; SMS: 08116181263; Email: loisayuba420@gmail.com)

References

Coyle, C. D. (1957). The United States political system and how it works. New York: Hansard Society for Parliamentary Government London.

2. Olorounbi, R. (2021). Nigeria's unemployment rate rises to 33%, second highest on global list. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-03-15/nigeria-unemployment-rate-rises-to-second-highest-on-global-list. Retrieved November 26, 2021.

3. IEP (2021). Global terrorism index 2020:  Measuring impact of terrorism. https://www.reliefweb.int/report/world/global-terrorism-index-2020-measuring-impact-terrrorism. Retrieved November 26, 2021.

4. World Data Lab (2021). World poverty clock. https://www.worldpoverty.io/headlines. Retrieved November 26, 2021.

PROF DAKAS COMMISERATES WITH THE IRIGWE DESCRIBES PERPETRATORS OF THE ACT AS DEVILS.

 Professor Dakas CJ Dakas has in strong terms expressed sadness over the deliberate act aimed and
frightening the Irigwe nation into giving up what rightly was given to the by God.

He said this act of wickedness and senselessness in killing people must not discourage the Irigwe and other affected communities but should build their spirits of collective resistance and stand firm as a people created and made to exist by God.

Professor Dakas who described the yet another killing of persons and destruction of property in Ta'agbe Community as sad challenged security agencies to restore some form of confidence in the people by arresting perpetrators of these repeated heinous crimes and bring them to book.

He commiserates with the Irigwe nation and also called for the activation of more synergized and proactive community intelligence gathering and activation of signals as well as prompt response by security agencies to nip such in the bud.

He prayed God to comfort families and grant rest to the departed souls .

PLATEAU TO IMPLEMENT FULL AUTONOMY AS EXECUTIVE, LEGISLATURE & JUDICIARY REACH AGREEMENT

The dust over the implementation of autonomy for the Judicial and Legislative Arms of Government across the country has been settled in Plateau State, with the three arms of Government reaching an agreement after series of negotiations on modalities for its operations. 

Governor Simon Bako Lalong disclosed this at a dinner and lecture to mark Democracy Day 2021 at the Banquet Hall of the New Government House, Little Rayfield Jos on Saturday June 12th. 

Lalong said prior to the clamour for implementation of autonomy across the nation, his administration had put in place structures for autonomy and even implemented some aspects. This include establishing the Judicial Service Commission and the House of Assembly Service Commission which are the administrative fulcrums of the two arms of Government among others. 

He said with the agreement reached on modalities for implementation, he has directed that all funds accruing to the two arms of Government should immediately be transferred to them. This he said will continue to be the practice henceforth. 

Based on the arrangement, after every FAAC monthly allocations are recieved and Internally Generated Revenues ascertained, statutory charges and liabilities will be deducted before each arm of Government are given what belongs to them. 

The Governor who thanked the Speaker of the House of the Assembly and the Chief Judge for their understanding and cooperation throughout the negotiations, said there is no winner no vanquished. He then called on Judiciary and Legislative workers unions to ensure they get back to work immediately as anything short will amount to absence from duty which attracts "no work no pay". 

The Governor also recieved the report of the Judicial Panel of Enquiry on Police Brutality from the Chairman, Retired Justice Philomina Lot who said they recieved over a hundred petitions and struck out a few, but had many petitioners appear to make their cases. 

The Governor assured that the State will implement all the recommendations relating to it and forward those concerning the Federal Government and its agencies appropriately. 

Guest Lecturer Prof. Andrew Zamani, DG ITF Sir Joseph Ari, and acting DG NIPSS Gen. Udaya rtd  all commended Governor Lalong for pursuing peace and tackling insecurity which has brought about investment and development in the State. 

Deputy Governor Prof. Sonny Tyoden and Secretary to the Government of the State, Prof. Danladi Abok Atu used the commemoration of the two years of the second tenure to reaffirm the commitment of the Lalong Rescue Administration to implement all it projects and fulfil its campaign promises. 

Dr. Makut Simon Macham 

Director of Press & Public Affairs to the Governor of Plateau State. 

13th June 2021

PLATEAU STATE GOVERNMENT COMMENCES ROLL OUT OF NIN REGISTRATION CENTRES

Following the approval by the Federal Government for Plateau State to participate in the ongoing National Identity Management System (NIMS) which is implemented by the National Identity Management Commission under the Digital Identity Ecosystem project, the State Government has rolled out its first NIN Registration Centre in Jos.

 

The NIN Data Registration Centre located at the JD Gomwalk Secretariat Jos is the first of the State's intervention to ensure that indigenes and residents of the State are enrolled into the National Identity Data Base (NIDB) for the issuance of the National Identity Number (NIN) with ease.

 The roll out which is expected to gradually be extended to the 17 Local Governments, is being coordinated by the Plateau State Information, Communication and Technology Development Agency (PICTDA) and the Ministry of Science and Technology, who were directed by Governor Simon Bako Lalong to serve as implementing partners after the approval was secured.

 

Already, the agency with the collaboration of the NIMC has trained enrollment officers across the State to operate the enrollment exercise. NIMC officials are also providing support throughout the process of registration and roll out of Centres to ensure the exercise is smooth. 

 

Citizens and residents are therefore advised to approach the Plateau State Secretariat Enrollment Centre situated at the Maintenance Building after the main entrance to the J.D. Gomwalk Secretariat with relevant documents to be captured.

 Supporting document for Enrolment include:

1. Birth Certificate 

2. International Passport

3. Driver’s license

4. Voters card 

5. Private/governmental ID Card.

6. Indigene certificate.

 

The Plateau State Government is hopeful that the roll out of the Registration Centres will further enhance service delivery in payroll and tax verifications, payments, scholarship awards, enrolment in schools, provision of health care especially as related to the PLASCHEMA, land administration, agricultural support and other related services performed by the different Ministries Departments and Agencies in the State. 

 Dr. Makut Simon Macham 

Director of Press & Public Affairs to the Governor of Plateau State. 

19th April 2021

 

PAAAVART Advocated for the Use of Sport to Promote Peaceful Coexistence

 

Sport has been described as a veritable tool in the promotion of peaceful and harmonious coexistence, President of Peace Advancement, Action Against Violence and Rape Foundation Lady Vivien Abara stated this during an event organized by the NGO to marked the international day for sport and development for peace.

The event which had a theme “only together will we play and dance again” took place at Jos Museum Auditorium.

Lady Abara reiterated that sport strengthened social ties and provide sustainable development and peace as well as solidarity and respect through individual’s unique skills and collective power. She said “we can come together and share creative ways to improve our health, wellbeing, our goal and happiness through physical activities like dancing”.

She explained that in celebrating this year event dancing was added because, the foundation was unable to carry out the normal sporting activities because of the restriction put in place due to the Covid 19 pandemic. “This however, provided us the opportunity to invite several other communities across board for them to come together to laugh, discuss and be friends again” she added.

Lady Abara maintained that International Day For Sport And Development For Peace 2021 looked to reaffirmed the place of sport in recovering from the pandemic and beyond, to foster equality, solidarity, communities in team spirit in response to the pandemic, encouraged healthy habit through physical activities and emotional wellbeing and inspire hope through sporting analogy, with collective efforts we aim to strengthened the peaceful coexistence of the people of this state and the country atlarge.

“As we celebrate today I called on all groups and stakeholders in the state to strive for for togetherness to building a unified block of peace, to bridge the gap across all tribes, ethnic group, culture or tribe. Let us continue to play and dance together for development and peace; let us come together and end the fight and leave as one” she noted.    

Resources persons Prince Charles Diction and Kabiru Garba Mai Akwala both said the country need genuine peace and sporting activities are a powerful driver towards harmonious coexistent and nation building.

In a goodwill message The Director General Plateau State Peace Building Agency Joseph Lengman and Matron of the Foundation Professor Patricia Lar of the Department of Microbiology University of Jos both eulogized PAAAVART for organizing the event, while calling on Nigerians to key into the initiatives.

Joseph Lengman noted that the event is very important; saying what the society need to day is social cohesion, noting that over the years the society was too divided, and to repair the fracture relationship and make sure that we understand one another, we need to come together.

He said If there is any event that can push such an agenda is this occasion where you see young people coming together to play to meet people from other religion, tribes and ethnicity this means a lot and that underscores the importance of this event.

Lengman reemphasized that everywhere in the world sport brings people together, noting that sports, arts and music create an opportunity for people to come together. 

 

Professor Patricia Lar said peace is a desire of every community and sport is needed to be organized to allowed room for interaction, saying that sport is indeed a melting point for people coming together. “Peace is a currency for every individual, we need peace to grow, it is very important for the development of our nation. Lack of peace hampers general wellbeing of individuals” she added.   

Other line-up of activities to marked the day was board games and dance competition as while as presentation of awards and certificates.

GOV. LALONG DELIVERS 11TH AREWA LECTURE, CANVASSES FOR REDUCTION IN COST OF GOVERNANCE TO FUND DEVELOPMENT

 Chairman of Northern Governors Forum and Governor of Plateau State, Simon Bako Lalong says all tiers of Government in Nigeria must as a matter of urgency cut down on the high cost of Governance in order to fund critical areas of development that will address challenges of Nigerians. 

 Governor Lalong said this while delivering the 11th Annual Memorial Lecture in honour of late Sir Ahmadu Bello at the Arewa House, Kaduna. 

 Governor Lalong whose lecture was entitled "Reducing the Cost of Governance for Inclusive Growth and Youth Development in Post COVID-19 Northern Nigeria" said the high cost of governance has further increased the inability of the governments at all levels to meet the basic needs of the people. 

 He said factors such as corruption, insecurity, large number of Government appointees, high salaries, corruption, among others are among some of the factors that drive the high cost of governance in the country. He insisted that this must be addressed immediately to change the trajectory of growth in Nigeria and the North in particular. 

 Lalong said the high cost of governance has worsened the standard of living in the Northern part of the country which continues to battle with infrastructure deficit, poverty, illiteracy, culture of patronage laziness, diseases and insecurity. 

 He said the Northern Governors Forum has seriously examined the economic situation in the region and is working in unison to address the high cost of governance and other obstacles to development. 

 Chief of Staff to the President, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari who represented President Muhammadu Buhari said the Federal Government has continued to implement various cut-cutting measures to reduce the cost of governance and free resources for development. 

 He said so far, the results are positive and the Federal Government will work with State Governments including those of the Northern region in adopting measure that will reduce huge spending and wastages so that funds will be available for development. 

 Chairman of the occassion, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu said the discourse is timely as the nation needs to prioritise its spending and get more resources towards addressing the problems of the common man.

 The Lecture was attended by many dignitaries from across the country as well as Governors from the northern region. 

 Awards were bestowed on six former Governors of the Northern region who served meritoriouly and founded the Arewa House. Among them is former Governor of Benue Plateau State, late Joseph Gomwalk.

 Dr. Makut Simon Macham 

Director of Press & Public Affairs to the Governor of Plateau State. 

27th March 2021.

 

SENATOR HEZAKIAH DIMKA ON THRESHOLD OF PLATEAU MOUNTAINS

 By Orgak Walbe

Since his inauguration as the Senator Representing Plateau Central Senatorial District at the National Assembly the positive impact of Hezakiah Dimka is undeniable been felt not only in the central zone but the state atlarge.

Working with the conventional calendar, two years might be seeming as too long for the provision of dividend of democracy to be felt, to some it is a mark of failure therefore, changes must be made regardless of whatever the situations. All of these are right in their own ways, but as in all life situations what matters most is not the beginning but the ending.

True to type, to some Senator Hezekiah might be slow at the beginning, but that should not in any way be seen as a mark of flaw or letdown because in every life accomplishment most of the actions carried out hastily never stand the test of time, therefore, it is pertinent for any right thinking person to appropriately set exceptional strategies in motion through appropriate planning.

If you failed to plan, then you have failed already and the ending will always be catastrophic; just as a vehicle a changes gears at the start with slow motion and gradually picking up speed so does any good planning and strategies.

Two years at the Senate Chamber was a period of strategizing and planning, Hezekiah Dimka larger than life image as well as his legendry simple and unassuming personality had greatly endeared him to the heart of people that had come in close contact with him.

No sooner had Senator Hezekiah Ayuba Dimka was inaugurated on the 11th June, 2019 into the red chamber to represent the cherish people of the Plateau Central Senatorial District that he embarked on vigorous appraisal of situation on ground with the aim at providing purposeful representation guided with the philosophy of peace, unity and love anchor on the moral obligation that he will never let tribalism, religion nepotism, ethnic biasness or political witch-hunt get in the way of representation.

His scorecards at the senate as seen to the bill for the establishment of the Institute of Information and Communication Technology Kanam, Bill for the upgrade of NDLEA Training Institute, Jos, advocacy and sensitization on Narcotic Drugs and rehabilitation programme, empowerment programme for 150 Youths and Women across the constituency, rural electrification project and solar power project in the senatorial district, employment of youths into federal establishments, this is just to mention a few as over 600 beneficiaries of Federal Government Survival Fund courtesy distinguished Senator Dimka receives their N30,000 grant across the five LGAS of Plateau Central with the assurance that the beneficiaries of the other categories of the Survival Fund would be verified soon and payment effected on time.

The social media propaganda against Senator Hezakiah Dimka is an exercise in futility and has failed woefully because he has proven his mettle at the upper Chamber.

His uncommon spirit of undiluted patriotism for his fatherland, coupled with his abundant philanthropic endeavors’ particularly in his home state, whom he treasured profoundly and so zealously, are indeed potent demonstrations of Distinguished Senator Hezekiah Dimka great and enduring legacies and no political or media conspiracy will take that from him.

Diket Plang's Midas Touch as Member Plateau State House of Assembly

LIST OF APPOINTED BOARD MEMBERS

 

"APC is growing and deepening its acceptability among the people"- Gov. Lalong

TALKING POINTS FOR H.E. RT. HON. (DR) SIMON BAKO LALONG, KSGG AT THE PLATEAU STATE APC STAKEHOLDERS MEETING HELD AT ON 27TH JANUARY 2020.

PROTOCOLS

1. I welcome you to this family meeting of our great party, the All Progressives Congress in Plateau State.

2. Let me first wish us all a happy new year and pray that this year will be a great year for our State, our people and our great party the APC.

3. The last time we met here, we had fruitful discussions and also fashioned out strategies on how to secure victory at the bye-election for the Southern Senatorial Seat.

4. To the glory of God, the commitment and hardwork of our party leadership and members, as well as the support of the electorate, the APC emerged victorious by defeating our opponents with a clear margin.

5. Let me therefore congratulate our brand new Senator, Distinguished Senator (Professor) Nora Dadu’ut on this well-deserved victory and for being the first woman from Plateau State and one of the few in the country to seat in the Red Chambers of the National Assembly.

6. I also thank and congratulate the party leadership led by Chief Letep Dabang and the Campaign Council led by Senator Victor Lar as well as all our party structure throughout the Southern Zone who mobilised our people to victory.

7. This is evidence that our party the APC is growing and deepening its acceptability among the people of Plateau State. We have to continue to build on this trajectory.

8. As an APC led Government, our administration has continued to implement the blueprint of our party despite the harsh economic realities that came up as a result of the Corona virus pandemic and economic recession.

9. Our three point policy of peace security and good governance, infrastructural development and sustainable economic rebirth is very much on course.

10. We have continued to complete abandoned projects that we inherited as well as those we initiated across the State. These cut across health, education, security, infrastructure, social development and the economy. 

11. In health for instance, the abandoned hospitals in Riyom, Kanke, Mabudi are almost completed while ongoing ones including the Lalong Legacy Projects are at various stages of completion. We are building a Teaching Hospital in Shendam to serve the new faculty of health sciences soon to take off at the Plateau State University Bokkos.

12. Apart from establishing the Plateau Contributory Health Insurance Scheme, we recently recruited more health workers including doctors to ensure that our people get access to quality, affordable and timely healthcare.

13. The same is happening in the education sector where we are building and upgrading more schools both under the legacy projects, SUBEB and SDGs. Our tertiary institutions are also receiving attention as we are making them better. 

14. Apart from providing funds for on-going road projects, we recently re-awarded contracts for Tahoss/Ganawuri road, Mangu by-pass road, Shinkwan/Tunkus/ Shendam bye pass road as well as the rehabilitation of Kwande Byen-Byen Road.

15. In the area of security, we have commenced the implementation of the Community Policing with the training and deployment of the first batch of 592 constables. We have reinvigorated the Operation Rainbow and also provided more support to security agencies for better performance.

16. To address the ugly cases of kidnapping, land grabbing, cultism and other violent crimes, we passed and signed into law the bill that provides death sentence for anyone convicted of kidnapping in Plateau State. We are waiting to make an example and I am ready to sign the death warrant for anyone convicted.

17. We have equally pushed on with our human capital development initiative to train, empower and re-orientate our citizens towards entrepreneurship, job creation and independence. Thousands of youths and women have been trained and empowered by PLASMIDA with support from the ITF on various skills.

18. We have kept faith with the regular payment of salaries despite the economic crunch and have also gone ahead to implement the new minimum wage for workers. 

19. We are taking a bold and historic step to settle the issue of pension, gratuity, death benefits and other liabilities of our retired civil servants through a partnership with some financial institutions. This we hope to implement with the issuance of promissory notes to willing beneficiaries. Of course when the discussions are concluded, the initiative will be totally voluntary and there will be no compulsion.

20. I have taken time to highlight these among many of our achievements because of the propaganda by our detractors and the opposition who are bent on discrediting our good work. As members of the APC, it is our collective responsibility to project our achievements wherever we find ourselves.

21. As we set out to revalidate and register more members into our party, we should realise that it is our works that we speak for us and that our opponents will naturally stage their propaganda to try to dissuade people from registering. The people of Plateau State know where we took over from the PDP and the difference we have made. There is substantial peace and more visitors and investors are coming into the State.

22. We have to consolidate on these gains and draw in more people into our party during this exercise. Let us not allow our individual interests and ambitions to interfere with the process as clear guidelines have been set out by the national leadership of our party for a smooth exercise. 

23. As stakeholders, we must show good conduct and lead by example to deny out opponents any window of distraction.

24. I wish to draw our attention to the ravaging impact of Covid 19 particularly in this second wave. As at today, we have lost about 53 people to the disease in Plateau State including VIPs. Myself, the Party Chairman and many of us seated here are victims who were lucky to survive. 

25. Let us please talk to our followers to observe the protocols and also show an example to them. The rate of infection is growing and we cannot afford another lockdown.

26. Finally, I wish to commend some of our members who got appointed into various positions at the Federal and pray that more of those appointments will come. 

27. Thank you and God bless Plateau State and our great party, the APC.

Rt. Hon. (Dr) Simon Bako Lalong, KSGG

Executive Governor, Plateau State.

27th January 2021.

NORTHERN GOVERNORS WELCOME APPOINTMENT OF NEW SERVICE CHIEFS

The Northern Governors Forum has welcomed the appointment of new Service Chiefs by President Muhammadu Buhari and also commended the outgone Service Chiefs for giving their best in the service of the nation. 

Chairman of the Forum and Governor of Plateau State Simon Bako Lalong in a statement commended the President for taking the decision and asked the new Service Chiefs to put in their best not only to meet the expectations of the Commander-in-Chief, but also that of Nigerians who have high expectations for enhanced security and safety of lives and properties. 

He charged them to build on the successes of their predecessors and also learn from their challenges in order to address the lingering problems of terrorism, insurgency, banditry, kidnapping and other violent crimes that the nation has been battling to contain. 

Lalong assured the Service Chiefs of the support and collaboration of the Northern Governors Forum in addressing insecurity in the region and the nation as a whole in order to enable the citizens pursue their legitimate businesses without any hindrance. 

He appealed to Nigerians to support and pray for the new Service Chiefs as they provide leadership for the patriotic officers and men of the Armed Forces to put up a final onslaught against protracted security challenges. 

Governor Lalong also thanked the former Service Chiefs for their courage, sacrifices and commitment to protecting Nigeria's territotial integrity and dealing with internal threats during their stewardship, and wished them well in their future endeavours. 

Dr. Makut Simon Macham 

Director of Press & Public Affairs to the Governor of Plateau State and Chairman Northern Governor's Forum. 

27th January 2020.

“APC IS REPOSITIONING TO ENSURE ITS VICTORY IN 2023” CHIEF LETEP DABANG

The Chairman of the Northern states and Plateau State All Progressives Congress (APC) Chief Letep Dabang said, the party has concluded all the necessary arrangements to register new and old members.

He called on those who wish to join the party to seize this opportunity and register.

Letep stated this in his welcome address when the Chairmen of the Northern states APC met in Jos to deliberate on how best to handle the registration exercise and to move the party forward.

Letep affirmed that the Party is poised for authentic membership data base that would enhance its victory in 2023.

“This assignment has been given to us so that an approved data of party members is enhanced, adding that this task is a serious affair in which we the leadership of the party have to ensure that members are properly mobilize and registered in their various locality and wards.”

He called on his fellow APC chairman to braced up and confront all challenges that might come their way with wisdom and tact because, the task before them is an enormous one, “if we handle it well, the party would stay well, but if we handle it wrongly, we might have ourselves to blame, he added

"Our party is set to welcome new members into our growing fold and this exercise will be done at the various poling units across the states," he said

"All modalities have been put in place to ensure the registration exercise is hitch free.”

He reiterated that Nigerians have embraced the party and are always willing to support the party at all times, noting that there is a rising clamoring by Nigerians to join the party which necessitated the recent membership registration exercise to help coordinate the party properly before the party primaries next year.

Letep called on APC stakeholders and members to zealously help monitor the exercise to avoid the hijack of the process by enemies of the party for their selfish interest.

PLATEAU STATE GOVERNMENT TO COLLABORATE WITH PPA ON INFORMATION DISSEMINATION

 

Plateau state Commissioner of Information and Communication Hon. Dan Manjang has said the Ministry will partner with Plateau Publishers Association (PPA) on information dissemination.

Hon Manjang stated this in his office at J.D. Gomwalk Secretariat in Jos, when the officials of the Plateau Publishers Association led by its chairman, Shabul Mazadu, paid him a courtesy called.

Mazadu emphasized the significance and benefits of engaging Plateau Publishers Association on information Dissemination, saying “It must be reiterate that our members own on-line media platforms, newspapers, magazines and other forms of news broadcast with wide circulation to the entire 17 LGA’s of Plateau State and the Nation at-large”

On the advantages and the need for Plateau State Government to patronize the PPA, Mazadu said it is sad that the laudable achievements of Governor Lalong are under reported, this has made some mischief’s’ makers in the state to peddle falsehood and misinformation which to a large extent projected the state in bad light thereby discourages prospective investors from coming to invest in the state.

Mazadu applauded the Plateau State Commissioner of information Hon. Dan Manjang for engaging the PPA on the activities of his ministry.

In his response, Hon. Manjang appreciated the PPA for the visit and promised to partner with the body on information dissemination of government's activities noting that the Lalong led Rescue Administration has achieved a lot both at the state and local government's levels.

He urged the publishers to continue with good work they are doing in supporting the government efforts in tackling the state challenges, saying Plateau State belong to all of us and we have a duty to bequeath a greater Plateau to our children, “our diversity should be our source of strength” he added

Among the PPA officials that visited the Ministry were the Chairman, Shabul Mazadu, Secretary, Daniel Bok, Publicity Secretary, Genius Nanfa, the Treasurer, Mrs. Helen Bok and the Auditor, Orgak Walbe.

GOV. LALONG HOLD STAKEHOLDERS MEETING:

“By that law, anyone convicted of kidnapping in Plateau State will be sentenced to death”
“Criminalize any denial of the existence of COVID 19 in the State, urged senior citizens to go for test”
“Grant full autonomy to Local Government”- all funds belonging to that tier of Government go straight to them”

True to type Governor Lalong has recorded another milestone in the history of Plateau state thus engraving his name on historical landscape of the state. His constant engagement of stakeholders in decisions making has proven that Governor Simon Lalong administration is an exemplar of good governance.

Governor Lalong has over the years, combined wisdom, humility and intelligence, in the task of administering a multifaceted State like the Plateau, thus changing the narrative in governance and thereby eliciting respects and confidence.

The Governor had on the 14^th January invited stakeholders to intimate and engaged them on discussion in seeking ways to curtail the second wave of COVID-19 and security issues held at the Victoria Gowon Hall, New Government House, Little Rayfield Jos.

Welcoming stakeholders at the meeting Governor Lalong Said “I have invited you here again for us to rub minds on very important issues that border on the security and well-being of our people. I want to thank you for honouring this call which again demonstrates your commitment to the progress of Plateau State”

He said “As you may be aware, we are experiencing the second wave of the corona virus pandemic where there is a resurgence of cases across the nation including here on the Plateau. As a result of this, we are recording more daily cases in the State than previously. Sadly, we are also recording increasing number of deaths that is very worrisome. In the past weeks, we have seen some prominent persons in Plateau State and indeed across Nigeria die from COVID-19.

Lalong noted that mostly we hear of the big names but do not get to hear of the others involving people that are less prominent. This should give us serious concern because it means that the situation is bigger than what we seem to know.

He lamented that the most worrisome point here is that despite this situation, most citizens appear to be careless and reluctant to observe the COVID-19 protocols. In fact, many have abandoned and refused to observe simple protocols of wearing face masks, maintaining social distance and washing hands regularly.

Governor reiterated that this worries him a lot because this recklessness is further exposing more people to the virus and then increasing the casualty figures. While we have no intention of imposing another lockdown to avoid further damage to the economy, some members of the public are not helping us.

Lalong noted that as a government, we cannot fold our arms to witness people dying over a situation that is largely preventable. I hope we shall see a change of attitude going forward as we resume more vigorous level of enforcement of all the protocols.

He further warned that for those who are in denial and continue to misinform others that COVID-19 does not exist, I want to warn them to desist. I as the number one citizen of the State was a victim and God helped me to come out of it. I can tell you that it is not a joke and I do not wish even my enemies such experience.

He said that is why at the last State EXCO meeting, we decided to criminalize further denial of the disease in the State. In other words, if you deny the existence of the disease, keep your denial to yourself because if you are caught propagating it or instigating others to follow you, you will be arrested and prosecuted no matter how highly placed you might be.

Again, we have to re-strategize and embark on more education and sensitization particularly at the grassroots. The previous approach where we talk to stakeholders and expect them to take the message down seems to be less effective at the moment. Therefore, we are taking the message by directly engaging the people.

Governor Lalong said |I have directed that my Commissioners and other senior government officials go down and engage the people henceforth. We want to break the resistance and ensure that the people own the response. COVID-19 is a personal matter that affects people directly. They need to be involved”.

On the issue of vaccine, “I have already heard some people peddling conspiracy theories. I want to say that I will be the first to take the vaccine whenever it is available in Plateau State. Let us be careful of promoting unsubstantiated rumors”.

He noted that by the way, we are still hopeful that the drugs being developed by the Plateau State Medical Research Team which are currently undergoing clinical examination will pass the necessary approvals. This will also give us another option for prevention and treatment. At least, this is our own initiative and there is no conspiracy theory attached.

On the issues of security Governor Lalong said security remains the first priority of his administration. “We have continued to pay attention to the security of lives and property by adopting various measures to foster peaceful coexistence and also deal with crime and criminality”

He said the Government is working hard with the security agencies and stakeholders to ensure that the ugly incidences are tackled. Last month, I signed the Anti-kidnapping, Land grabbing, Cultism and Violence-related matters bill passed by the State House of Assembly into law. By that law, anyone convicted of kidnapping in Plateau State will be sentenced to death while cultism and other violent crimes attract various terms of imprisonment.

Also in December last year, we inaugurated 595 Community Police constables who were trained and deployed to the 17 Local Government Areas to assist law enforcement agencies, particularly the police in intelligence gathering and other security operations. Now that it has taken off, I expect to hear from you how best we can domesticate and own the initiative at the grassroots.

He said security is a collective responsibility, I charge you to assist the Government sensitise and mobilise all citizens to always be security conscious and take measures to protect their vicinity against criminals. Apart from exposing them, they should also embrace techniques to provide the first line of alarm and defence before security agencies respond.

“I have repeatedly said that I do not want to hear of any incidence of “unknown gunmen” terrorizing our people. We have to collaborate with the security agencies to ensure that we achieve this. They cannot do it alone. Now that we have community policing constables, we expect better security as we all support them to work.

“You may be aware of the recent alert by the Department of State Services of a threat to cause inter-religious violence by some criminal elements. We have to take this alert seriously and ensure that we report any suspicious activity to the security agencies. I also advise our people not to succumb to the divisive antics of such elements who exploit the fault lines of religion, ethnicity, politics and other sectional interests to create chaos”.

On the issue of the implementation of the new minimum wage for Local Government Employees. The Governor said I understand that they have concluded negotiations on modalities for implementation; I still need to make a few clarifications because of the misinterpretation and misinformation out there.

Those who want to be objective and say the truth know that I will be the last person to frustrate the implementation of the new minimum wage to Local Government employees having been one of the first and few Governors to agree on its implementation. Besides, I was part of the negotiation at the Federal level after which other tiers of Government were advised to go and negotiate with their employees.

He explained that following the prolonged clamour for financial autonomy of the Local Government system nationwide, the matter was finally resolved. As a result, I approved that Local Government autonomy in Plateau State should be implemented immediately. Therefore, all funds belonging to that tier of Government go straight to them. It is therefore the duty of the Local Governments to negotiate the new minimum wage with their employees based on their capacity to pay. This is the same thing that happened at the Federal and State levels.

I was therefore shocked that despite my intervention to ensure that the matter was quickly resolved through a Technical Committee, the workers embarked on protests which caused hardship to other citizens. They have also called me unprintable names forgetting that I have a soft spot for workers.

I do not need to repeat what I inherited as their salary arrears for 8 months, unpaid “no-work-no pay”, promotions of over 20 years, among others when I took over. All these they seem to have forgotten because of politics. Let me again put it on record that I am not holding local government salaries and no one should therefore call me names.

As this engagement unfolds, I expect to get feedback from you and have some of my Commissioners and relevant officers intervene where necessary.