The Chairman, Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), Plateau State Chapter, members of the Executive Council, the State Advisory Council, and the entire PFN family on the Plateau have warmly and heartily congratulated their immediate outgone Chairman, Rev. Dr. Steven Dangana, on his appointment as Special Adviser on Religious Affairs to His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Plateau State, Barr. Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang.
The Plateau PFN in a statement made available to Kwararafa Reporters, described the appointment as well deserved and noted that it didn’t come as a surprise to them considering his Pedigree and track record of hard work and devotion when he served two tenures as PFN Chairman in the State, provided quality leadership and became a bridge between the PFN Churches and other Denominations both within and outside the State.
The PFN Chairman Rev Dimka Gomwalk described the appointment of Rev. Dr. Steven Dangana as Special Adviser to the Governor on Religious Affairs as puting a round peg in a round hole and expressed optimism that he would use his God given office to further unite the Church and bring the Government closer to the body of Christ on the Plateau.
The PFN appreciates His Excellency, Barr. Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang for finding Rev. Dr. Steven Dangana worthy of the appointment and pray for God Almighty to continue to strengthen the Governor as he continues to provide dividends of democracy to the citizens as evident by the infrastuctural development all over the State within less than a year of his administration.
” The Fellowship further urges you, the Appointee to continue to be Its worthy Ambassador and prays for God to grant you exceptional wisdom, good health and strength to use your office to further unite the Church and add value to the Barr. Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang led administration and the, ‘Time Is Now’ movement”. .
Speaker Abbas Calls for Strategic Partnership with Saudi Arabia to Build Refineries, Hospitals, Fight Global Warming.Harps of Balance of Trade
Ogunenwa Otubi Jos
Speaker Abbas Calls for Strategic Partnership with Saudi Arabia to Build Refineries, Hospitals, Fight Global Warming
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas has called for strategic partnership with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to shore up investment opportunities in Nigeria.
Speaking during a courtesy call on him by Saudi Arabia Nigerian Parliamentary Friendship Group on Wednesday, the Speaker who noted the age long diplomatic ties between Nigeria and Saudi Arabia, spanning over 25 years advocated for more collaboration in the areas of trade and investment, tourism, oil and gas and infrastructure.
Represented by the Deputy Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, Abbas said: “We envision robust collaboration that will go across various sectors. These sectors include trade and investment, tourism.
“Oil and gas, we are going to leverage your expertise for mutual benefits. We are tired of crude oil exports. We want to go into refined products and you’ve established yourself in that space. We want strategic partnership along that corridor.
“Infrastructure calls for attention. Mr President has visited Saudi Arabia and other Arab nations across the world inviting investors to come.
“There are specifics to invest in our infrastructure, from railways to standard hospitals, railways that will connect to our economic integration along all economic regions of the country to make marketing of our products easier.
“So, agriculture and agricultural businesses call for partnership between us. Nigeria wants to go more into mechanised farming. Subsistence farming, hand-to-mouth farming is not sustainable. We are looking for strategic partnership that will enhance the productivity of both our people and our land. Our land is arable land, very productive. We are blessed with land that can produce a lot in agriculture.
“And with technology, with the right seedlings, right products, we can produce a lot for the African continent and also for the world.”
Noting a disparity in volume of trade as it concerns minerals resources, Speaker Abbas called for balance of trade between both countries, stressing Nigeria’s determination to grow its Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
“Mineral resources is something that is on top. And the body language of the Federal Republic of Nigeria at the moment is that we want to use some minerals to increase the GDP of the country. The moment, it is being 0.3% to the GDP, it ought not to be so. So the country is looking at increasing it to at least 3% addition to the GDP. And to be able to achieve that, we need more partners to come into the solid mineral space.
“Our relationship has enjoyed an impressive, steady trajectory. I can assure it will be impressive if you consider 19.5% annually since 1995. So, on your side it’s 19.5%, on our side 10.5 %. But you will find a way of balancing it. Like I just mentioned to you, the balance of trade is favoring you more than us now”, he said.
Speaker Abbas who also recalled how the global community united to fight COVID-19, urged the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to join hands with Nigeria and fight climate change and global warming challenges in Africa, assuring them of Parliamentary support where necessary.
“As you know, food security is one of the major things in the world at the moment, especially in the face of the climate change problems and challenges. To ignore the impact of global warming is to live in denial. So, it is to embrace the challenges like we embraced COVID. We fought it together. You fought from Saudi, we fought from Nigeria. And the model you put in place, we put in place in Nigeria, the one we put here, you put there; at the end of the day, we chased COVID-19 away.
“The same way, I am calling on Saudi Arabia to join hands with Africa, with Nigeria, let us face the challenges of global warming and the impacts on agriculture.
“And I know, whether through technology, through research, through collaborations, through exchange of expertise, we will be able to provide solutions that will counter the hydra-headed challenging impacts and harshness of climate change”, he said.
Earlier in his presentation, the Acting Chairman of the group and leader of the delegation, Dr Abdullah Hamad Alsalamah said their mission was to ultimately seek new ways to strengthen the partnership with Nigeria in areas of mutual benefits.
“We are gathered here today, to know what we are going to do in the future, in terms of bilateral relations. We look to the country as a strategic partner, Nigeria is very important, its people, its government, its land everything that we are proud of. Therefore we are looking to see this country in more prosperity, economic prosperity. We want to strengthen our strategic partnership, economic and political relationship”, he said.
The International Institute Of Professional Corporate Entrepreneurship and Leadership has Organised It’s 2nd IIPCEL Annual Global Conference Awards and Dinner event in Jos, the Plateau state Capital.
Speakers at the Conference advocated for increased utilization of digital tools in wealth creation.
According to them, the digital economy requires entrepreneurs that would embrace novel digital technologies for new ventures and the transformation of existing business models.
According to the dons, who were drawn from across various Universities in Nigeria, entrepreneurship in the digital economy has made it imperative for entrepreneurs to approach all new ventures and the transformation of existing business models or social value by creating and using novel digital technologies.
The Conference with the theme: “Entrepreneurs and Wealth Creation in a Digitalized Economy-Action Plan” his an annual global event and the flagship of IIPCEL which is the Professional body in Nigeria and Africa for practicing and Professional Entrepreneurs and Leaders.
The event which was the second in the annual series also featured the Investiture of the First President of the International Institute of Professional Corporate Entrepreneurship and Leadership (IIPCEL) Professor Tanko Ishaya.
The Vice Chancellor of the University of Jos, highlighted the shift toward a digital era, creating opportunities for those adapting to new parameters related to digital technologies diffusion.
He outlined the five pillars of digital entrepreneurship which were digital business environment, digital awareness base and ICT market, digital expertise, entrepreneurship culture, and easy access to finance.
The Professor of Computer Science & Information Technology added that modern day entrepreneurship is based on factors and features quite different from established game rules and open unfathomed opportunities for corporate entities and individuals able to adapt at the new parameters and functionalities related to digital technologies diffusion.
He was represented at the event by Prof. Emmanuel Umoru Oki, a Professor of Finance, Banking and Entrepreneurship who is currently, the Director, Centre for Entrepreneurship Studies, University of Jos.
According to him,Digital entrepreneurship fosters innovation and creativity, allowing for the creation of new products and services and as well the development of entirely new business models.
Similarly,The Vice Chancellor of Salem University, Lokoja- Nigeria, Professor Johnson Alewo Akubo, expressed similar position in his presentation with the title: “Trends and Digital Innovations in Education Management and Delivery – Beneficial Impacts on the Economy.
Professor Akubo stressed that studies have shown that entrepreneurial intentions measured in terms of perceived feasibility, desirability and propensity to act tend to promote new venture creation which in turn result to wealth creation through employment.
Prof Akubo was represented at the event by Head of Department of International Relations, Salem University, Dr Morgan Ode.
Other speakers from the Department of Business Administration, Faculty of Management Sciences; University of Jos expressed similar positions.
They include Professor Meshach G. Goyit, Dr Reuel J Dakung, and Dr Nanfa D Kusa.
They all argued that digital entrepreneurship encourages innovation and creativity since the resort to digital tools allows for new products or services to be created as well as the formation of an entirely new business model.
In his welcome address at the conference, the Director-General and Chief Executive of the Institute, Chief Godwin Urhie, drew attention to the great potential of Nigeria and Africa as the next frontier of development as world navigate the energy transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources with abundant solar and hydro power sources with boundless entrepreneurial opportunities, providing jobs for Africa’s youthful population.
The Investiture of first President and Award recognition were highlights of the event which includes among other things, the investiture of the First President and Chairman of Council of the IIPCEL. Mr Bitrus Pam Badung, a Doctorate student at the University of Jos who holds a Masters Degree in Medical Microbiology from the same Institution and it was followed by award of recognition of Hon. Dachung Musa Bagos for Excellence in Leadership Award of the year 2023;.
Others are Hon. Ajang Alfred Iliya for Excellence in Business and Leadership Award; Professor Johnson Alewo Akubo, Vice Chancellor of Salem University Lokoja was conferred with the Grand Corporate Entrepreneur and Leader of the Year 2023; Mrs Grace Nanji Chikan, Chairperson of the African Women Entrepreneurs Program, Plateau State Branch conferred with the Woman Corporate Entrepreneur and Leader of the Year 2023; Miss Ritmwan Sitkukka, CEO of AWTIK BEAUTIFIERS, and a recipient of the YouWin Entrepreneurship Grant conferred with the Young Corporate Entrepreneur and Leader of the Year 2023.
The New President of IIPCEL, Bitrus Pam Badung is the Business Development/Country Operations Manager of Sysmex Healthcare Ltd, a world renowned Medical Diagnostic equipment company with the Nigeria Headquarters based in Lagos, who contributed extensively to scientific publications on various areas of Medical Microbiology. He is also a member of the Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria, Fellow West Africa Postgraduate College of Medical Laboratory Science (FWAPCMLS), and Fellow, International Institute of Professional Corporate Entrepreneurship and Leadership (FPCEL
The President in his Inaugural address said he will focus on growing the membership of the Institute by offering a 30% subsidy to new members and usher Nigeria and Africa into a new era of Professional Entrepreneurs and Leaders for sustainable wealth creation and economic development..
The Executive Secretary Nigeria Christian Pilgrim Commission, Bishop Stephen Adegbite has promised to have a robust synergy with the Christian Tourism Practitioners Association of Nigeria (CTPAN).
He made this disclosure during his first meeting with the members of the Association at its corporate headquarters in Abuja on 13th Feb, 2024.
The NCPC helmsman while giving a short exhortation from the book of Romans chapter 12 verse 1-20 recognizes God as the supreme being, who sees the secret of our hearts.
According to him, “we cannot deceive God, we can only deceive man, and so I promise you, it is a new dawn and a new beginning for NCPC and you all will be part of the success story”.
He emphasized the need for synergy between NCPC and the christian pilgrimage operators.
In his words,” we are going to work together and I promise you openness, everyone will contribute its quota because I believe we all are endowed with different blessings,” no one is useless and non is indispensable, as such, we should complement each other”, he added.
Bishop Adegbite commended the efforts of members of CTPAN for being part of the Commission and their resilience even in the midst of undaunting challenges and for filling the gap as implementing partners of NCPC.
He stressed that the only recognized pilgrimage destination is Israel and no pilgrimage will be complete without stepping into Israel. He further stressed that there would be no cutting corners as every due process will be followed and approval from the federal government would be secured before embarking on pilgrimage. He further stressed the need to evolve a Pilgrimage calendar of activities for easy planning and effective pilgrimage programme.
According to him, “our pilgrimage has to be properly regulated so that we can do everything harmoniously”.
He described pilgrimage is a passion to him and NCPC is a light to this nation”. The NCPC helmsman explained that his administration would enthrone an inclusive leadership structure with CPTAN so that all the concerns of the Association will be well taken care of.
He further disclosed that the issue of abscondment would not be taken with levity in his admistratrion, adding that he would do everything possible to discourage abscondment during Pilgrimage. He assured them that all their concerns would be considered so that together the Commission can move forward.
Bishop Adegbite explained that Pilgrimage is not a jamboree, stating that there must be a fulfilment of the purpose for pilgrimage.
He assured them that he would be a servant leader and would continue to work with dignity and integrity. Earlier, the President of the Christian Tourism Practitioners Association of Nigeria (CTPAN), Rev Dr. Israel Kristilere in his remarks congratulated Bishop Adegbite for his well-deserved appointment as the 4th substantive Executive Secretary of NCPC.
The Chairman described his appointment as a timely rescue and renewal of hope in the pilgrimage history. He further affirmed that it is given to an experienced and well educated.
He admitted that the NCPC Boss has all it takes to take pilgrimage activities to greater heights considering his antecedents and cognate experience in the pilgrimage sub -sector over the years. In his words,” we have a partner in progress”. Rev Kristilere also solicited support from NCPC to open up pilgrimage activities to Israel and Jordan so that they can continue with their pilgrimage activities.
He prayed that his tenure would bring improvement and prosperity and would be recorded as the best in the history of NCPC. He added that the Association has so many issues to be addressed concerning their operations, and they have the believe that with him in the saddle, such issues would be resolved amicably.
Plateau: Group Demands Chief Amos Yaduksu Gizo To Fill Vacant Seat Of Plateau at Federal Executive Council.
Okwuta Audu Jos
Plateau Concerned Citizens for good Governance has Pleaded with President Ahmed Tinubu to fill the vacant space for Plateau state at federal executive Council with Chief Amos Yaduksu Gizo a Prominent and Illustrious Son of Plateau state.
Addressing a Press conference at Jos NUJ Secretariat in Jos on Sunday, Chief Sarki Zailali said Concerned Plateau Patriots routing for Gizo cuts across the 17 Local Government Areas of Plateau State and are pleading with President Tinubu to appoint their son,Chief Amos Yaduksu Gizo to replace Simon Bako Lalong the former Minister of Labour and Employment who resigned his appointment to go to the Senate to represent the good people of Plateau South Senatorial district at the red Chambers .
It would be recalled that Simon Bako Lalong the immediate past governor of Plateau state was returned victorious at the Court of Appeal as Senator representing the Plateau South Senatorial District and has since resigned as Minister and joined his Colleagues in the Nation Assembly thereby creating a vacuum in the Federal Executive Council at the moment with Plateau State having no representation.
” It is on this note that our Forum is passionately appealing to Mr. President to kindly consider Plateau State in the Federal Executive Council by appointing Chief Amos Yaduksu Gizo as Minister”,
According to him,they have explored all options and have painstakingly taking this position because of the tract record of Chief Gizo in Plateau State and Nigeria in general.
” Records available to us show that Plateau Central Senatorial Zone has actually been robbed of Ministerial slots since the inception of this democracy in 1999. For the records Southern Zone has had six slots, Plateau Central one and Plateau North five slots. We pray the God of Justice and equity to touch Mr. President to consider Plateau Central and Chief Amos Gizo In particular as Minister. “
“Chief Amos Gizo is a teacher, a publisher, a businessman, politician of grassroot touch and an employer of Labour who has touched the lives of many Nigerians. The beauty of Chief Amos Gizo is his Pan – Nigerian heart who romances with all tribes, creed and religions.” He stressed.
“ADDRESS DEVASTATING HUNGER IN NIGERIA BEFORE IT SPARKS AN IMPLOSION ”. BEIGN THE TEXT OF A PRESS STATEMENT BY CONVENER OF THE INITIATIVE FOR BETTER AND BRIGHTER NIGERIA (IBBN) PROPHET DR. ISA EL-BUBA ON THE 8TH FEBRUARY, 2024.
Certainly Nigeria has been over due for a revolution that for some reasons have not happened but will have to happen.
However with the increasing spate of devastating hunger and excruciating poverty taking a toll on Nigerians, if left unaddressed will give rise to an inescapable full blown revolt by the suffering masses – and this revolution will be so swift that it may not be televised. Why? A hungry man is an angry man- and his angst can snowball to have severe consequences if not checkmated. This partially explains why the average Nigerian is angry and aggressive on the street. For instance, it was in the papers last week that a woman in Port Harcourt who went into another woman’s plantation and stole her plantain in order to feed her hungry children was confronted by the woman who owned the plantain, an altercation ensued between them and the woman who stole the plantain hacked to death the woman who owned the plantation with a machete. This is the sad place we are in, in Nigeria today!
Despite government’s ‘state of emergency on food security’, efforts to curb rising food prices have not yielded results- with a foreign exchange rate that is rapidly turning the naira into a currency not worth the paper on which it is printed, pervasive inflation causing a month by month increase on food prices, neither have government stopped terrorists from chasing farmers away from their farmlands nor has it forestalled attacks and kidnaps for ransom on communities in states like Plateau and Taraba who produce a bulk of Nigeria’s food thereby stopping agricultural activities owing to the massive displacement and movement of people from farming zones to IDP camps in their country. Every other part of the country is feeling this pinch of hunger and hardship due to the recent high cost of energy and its impact on transportation which all leads to an astronomical rise in the price of food items- leading to gnashing of teeth everywhere.
We however, refuse to be hopeless about the situation or government. To help alleviate the severity of hunger in Nigeria in the interim and immediate future – so as to both avert an imminent implosion as well as save the future of millions of Nigerians and the stability of the country,
Government should release grains from its strategic reserve depots, and ensure the grains get to hungry Nigerians at affordable prices, as it crashes the astronomic costs of grains in the market. Previous releases have not been reaching majority of poor Nigerians.
A cue should be taken from China- whom the World Economic Forum reported to have focused on supporting its 250 million smallholder farmers that produce 80 percent of the country’s food by harnessing government and private sector collaboration, and anchored on technology deployment and access to low interest credit- by also, robustly engaging and partnering with strategic and relevant public, private and third sectors by government at all levels for their resources, expertise, and networks to be utilized in transparently implementing hunger alleviation measures such as distribution of released grains from strategic food reserves as well as genuine commodity market boards to monitor and control these food prices, provision of emergency food assistance to persons adversely affected by or at risk of hunger, and of course, direct cash transfers to low-income families in severe need- as sustainable solutions always require collaboration, resources, and long-term commitment from multiple stakeholders. This is worth it because it becomes a great deal and major accomplishment if tackling hunger or food poverty can turn out to be one of the greatest benefits of our democracy today.
State governments are called upon to refrain from the indolence of relying on the Federal government for hunger and poverty alleviation programmes to developing and championing their own local initiatives for same purpose. Again, as can be seen from Brazil in this regard, Brazil adopted national, state-wide, and local policies, including the Zero Hunger programme introduced in the first presidency of Inacio Lula da Silva within 2003 to 2010 which according to the FAO reduced the proportion of Brazilians living in hunger by one-third. Speaking of this, the Governor of Taraba State Dr. Kefas Agbu is setting a pace that is worthy of commendation and emulation in that He is developing a palliative market in his state where food and non-food items will be sold at cheaper rates to residents intentioned at bringing relief to families from the hardship caused by petrol subsidy removal. Nigerian governors should please develop their own marshal plans that align to their local realities to bring relief to their people as state governments ought to be the main drivers of agricultural production and initiatives only to be complimented by federal support.
Government should invest in building rural road systems that links farms to local markets in real time, as well as storage and processing facilities to drastically reduce the post-harvest rot and waste of agricultural produce before they get to consumers, so farmers won’t have to make up for loses.
Long term planning and investments as well as training, mentoring youths, women, and rural farmers to engage in mechanized agriculture and modern farming techniques so they are able to take up farming careers which can boost food production and reduce poverty in the country.
Again, the Tinubu Administration is been called upon to tackle insecurity in real time in Nigeria by consistently deploying leadership- which is what others may call political will. By the way, there’s no such thing as political will- it’s either there is leadership or there is no leadership. The President showing leadership in containing insecurity can have a ripple down effect on all security sector actors as they work together to fight terrorism, insecurity and other forms of criminality in the country copying the posture of their Commander-in-Chief. For instance, if insecurity is curtailed in food producing zones that have been under siege like Mangu and Bokkos to mention but one, it is sure to have an impact on the cost of food in the markets. Again, if government insists that armed militias killing Nigerians in the North-Central and elsewhere in Nigeria like they did on Christmas Eve on the Plateau are arrested and prosecuted- which has so far not been seen, or it (Government) decrees death by hanging for all kidnappers caught- it can send shivers to perpetrators of these criminalities and serve as a deterrent.
Resettlement and restoration of farming villages in especially Plateau and Benue States to their ancestral farming villages who have been initially displaced by Fulani militias with a 20 billion Naira grant – so they can go back and pick up their farming lives and contribute to food security efforts in the country.
May we use the opportunity to call the attention and intervention of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to the return of astronomical prices of cement in the market which is now at 7000 per bag- as this high price also has its pinch of salt in the rising price of food.
Finally, given the precarious situation we’ve found our selves today, I call on all Nigerians to get back to farming in other to collectively contribute to our sufficient food production and self sustenance- growing what we eat and eating what we grow.
Thank you very much and may God save Nigeria from an impending implosion.
Bishop Adegbite Appointment: A New Dawn Of renewed Hope.
Bishop Adegbite (Middle)
Bishop Adegbite Appointment: A New Dawn Of renewed Hope
By Okwuta Audu
A group of Christian Clerics known as Renewed Hope Prayer Fellowship which comprises of Christian Clerics of different denominations, has described the appointment of Bishop Stephen Adegbite, the Executive Secretary of Nigeria Christian Pilgrims Commission as a New Dawn of Renewed Hope.
During a press briefing by the clerics, they expressed their gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for appointing a capable leader to lead the NCPC.
The Clerics who are optimistic of a vibrant NCPC under Bishop Adegbite, stated that he is experienced in the work of God and will work for the progress and success of the Commission.
In a press statement read by the Coordinator of the group, Pastor Timothy Ademola, it quoted Psalm 126v1-2 which states that “When the Lord brought back the captivity of Zion, we were like those who dream. Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing.
As the Clerics gathered they appreciated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his magnanimity in appointing Bishop Stephen Adegbite as the 4th substantive Executive Secretary of Nigeria Christian Pilgrim Commission, an appointment which they say is most appropriate at this juncture in the history of the NCPC
According to Pastor Timothy Ademola, “As you all know, Pilgrimage is an important aspect of the Faith of Jesus Christ as it is one of the few physical ordinances, by which believers in real time, connect by faith and experience to the Holy Land where our Lord and Savior laid the foundations of our faith by dying for our sins on the Cross of Calvary.
” For Mr President at this point to appoint an extremely credible and reputable Christian Cleric like Bishop Stephen Adegbite to head NCPC, is a testimony to the fact that he is indeed a lover of our faith.The Coordinator stated.
The Clerics who expressed excitement while commending President Ahmed Tinubu, said he appointed the right person to lead the NCPC.
“Bishop Stephen Adegbite credentials speaks for themselves, like my colleague, Pastor Peter Abraham said, it appears that God has given Bishop Adegbite a gift of administration, that is why we are excited. Pastor Ademola said.6
The Clerics welcomed the new Boss of NCPC as they promised to stand by him as he moves and achieves greater success in NCPC.
*Pledges Use Of Tax Revenue For Plateau State Transformation.
Plateau State Governor, Barr. Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, has launched the Plateau Intelligent Revenue Billing System (PIRBS) at the Plateau State Internal Revenue House, Jos on Thursday.
. During the lauch, Mutfwang urged citizens of his state to trust his government by ensuring the timely payment of their taxes in order to fuel the state’s development initiatives.
He underscored the significance of revenue as the backbone of economic progress, stressing its pivotal role in providing essential services and infrastructure for the people.
He acknowledged the shortfall in revenue collection over the years and pledged to streamline taxation processes and prevent duplication of levies in the state.
Mutfwang urged the revenue service staff to intensify efforts to meet the designated revenue targets for 2024.
He cautioned against undermining the newly introduced revenue system that is meant at plugging financial leakages, and called for the cooperation of the staff, promising improved welfare packages as incentives.
“We cannot expect better compensation without enhancing our revenue capacity and efficiency collectively,” Mutfwang stressed.
The Plateau governor advocated for a collaborative approach to bolster revenue collection within legal boundaries.
Earlier in his address if welcome at the event,the Chairman of the Plateau State Internal Revenue Service, Mr. Jim Pam Wayas , expressed gratitude to Governor Mutfwang for his commitment to enhancing revenue generation in the state.
He assured citizens of the state that the Intelligent Revenue Billing System would enhance the state’s revenue base without unduly burdening them.
Pam reiterated the revenue service’s dedication to transparent revenue coordination and creating a taxpayer-friendly environment.
The Global President Evangelical Bible Outreach Ministry International (EBOMI) Prophet Isa El-Buba has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu led government to address the current devastating Hunger In Nigeria before it gets out of hand .
Prophet El-Buba who is also the Convener of Initiative for Better and Brighter Nigeria(IBBN) in Nigeria in a statement issued in Jos on Thursday and a copy made available to Kwararafa Reporters said ” Certainly Nigeria has been over due for a revolution that for some reasons have not happened but will have to happen.”
Prophet El-Buba lamented that with the increasing spate of devastating hunger and excruciating poverty taking a toll on Nigerians, if left unaddressed will give rise to an inescapable full blown revolt by the suffering masses, saying “and this revolution will be so swift that it may not be televised”
According to him, a hungry man is an angry man and this can snowball to have severe consequences if not checkmated.
El-Buba lamented that despite government’s ‘state of emergency on food security’, efforts to curb rising food prices have not yielded results.
” with a foreign exchange rate that is rapidly turning the naira into a currency not worth the paper on which it is printed, pervasive inflation causing a month by month increase on food prices, neither have government stopped terrorists from chasing farmers away from their farmlands nor has it forestall attacks and kidnapping for ransom on communities”he lamented
According to him,in states like Plateau and Taraba who produce bulk of Nigeria’s food, farmers have stopped carrying out agricultural activities owing to the massive displacement and movement of people from farming zones to IDP camps in the affected areas , stressing that every other part of the country is feeling this pinch of hunger and hardship due to the recent high cost of energy and its impact on transportation which all leads to an astronomical rise in the price of food items.
He called on the government to help alleviate the severity of hunger in Nigeria in the interim and immediate future so as to both avert an imminent implosion as well as save the future of millions of Nigerians and the stability of the country.
El-Buba suggested that in the interim, the federal Government should also release grains from its strategic reserve depots, and ensure the grains get to hungry Nigerians at affordable prices to crash the astronomic costs of grains in the market.
He however regretted that the Previous releases did not reach majority of poor Nigerians.
He advised government to take cue from China whom the World Economic Forum reported to have focused on supporting its 250 million small holder farmers that produce 80 percent of the country’s food through government and private sectors collaboration anchored on technology deployment and access to low interest credit.
He also called on State governments to refrain from the indolence of relying on the Federal government for poverty alleviation programmes but to develop and champion their own local initiatives for same purpose.
Prophet El-Buba Commended Governor of Taraba State Dr. Kefas Agbu for setting a pace that is worthy of commendation and emulation for developing a palliative market in his state where food and non-food items will be sold at cheaper rates to residents intentioned at bringing relief to families from hardship caused by petrol subsidy removal.
” Nigerian governors should please develop their own marshal plans that align to their local realities to bring relief to their people as state governments ought to be the main drivers of agricultural production and initiatives that should be complimented by federal support.”
” Government should invest in building rural road systems that links farms to local markets in real time, as well as storage and processing facilities to drastically reduce the post-harvest rot and waste of agricultural produce before they get to consumers, so that farmers won’t have to make up for loses. ” He advised.
Prophet El-Buba also suggested long term planning and investments as well as training, mentoring of youths, women, and rural farmers to engage in mechanized agriculture and modern farming techniques so that they can be able to take up farming careers which can boost food production and reduce poverty in the country.
He also called on Tinubu Administration to tackle the issue of insecurity in real time in Nigeria by consistently deploying leadership which he said is what others may call political will.
According to him , it’s either there is leadership or there is no leadership.
He added that the President should show leadership in containing insecurity or failure to do so might have ripple effect on all sectors of the economy.
He called on all Nigerians to come together to fight terrorism, insecurity in the country .
El-Buba called on the government to Resettle and restore farming villages in Plateau and Benue States to their ancestral farming villages with N20 billion grants to enable them pick up their farming lives and begin to contribute to food security efforts in the country
He equally called on Nigerians to go back to farming in other to collectively contribute to food production and self sustenance.
& 4 Other Heads Of State Institutions Sacked In that Order.
Audu Otubi Jos
The Vice Chancellor of the Plateau State University, Professor Bernard Matau has been sacked from office by Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau state.
Matau was appointed as the Vice Chancellor of the state university while serving as the state Commissioner for Higher Education in the last administration led by former Governor Simon Lalong.
It was learnt that the vice Chancellor whose tenure is yet to elapse was removed from office alongside four other heads of tertiary institutions in the state including the Rector of the Plateau State Polytechnic, Barkin Ladi; Provost, College of Health Technology, Pankshin; Provost, College of Health Technology, Zawan as well as the Provost, College of Education, Gindiri.
A statement issued by the Secretary to the State Government, Samuel Jatau, confirmed the development on Tuesday.
The statement read in part “His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Plateau state, Barrister Caleb Mutfwang has approved the dissolution of the Governing Council of the Plateau State University, Bokkos with immediate effect. Similarly, the governor has also approved the removal of the following heads of tertiary institutions: Plateau State University, Bokkos; Plateau State Polytechnic, Barkin Ladi; College of Education, Gindiri; College of Health Technology, Zawan and College of Health Technology, Pankshin”.
The statement which offered no reason for their removal said all affected heads should take note and hand over any government property in their possession to the next most senior officers in the institutions immediately.
It added “The governor has also approved the cancellation of recruitment earlier conducted by tertiary institutions in 2022 and early 2023 that have been under suspension.
“Consequently, applications for an all-inclusive recruitment for all tertiary institutions would be advertised.”
The statement quoted the governor as thanking the chairman and members of the Governing Council for the services rendered in the state and wished them success in their future endeavours.
Kwararafa Reporters 