* Directs Security Agents to Investigate those Troubling the Peace Of Plateau Citizens.
By Attai Audu Jos
Plateau state governor Barr. Caleb Mannase Mutfwang has raised an alarm over what he called activities of some people who are busy conspiring to scuttle the relative peace the people of his state are enjoying, vowing that his government will not allow them to succeed in their nefarious activities .
Governor Mutfwang in a state broadcast made to the people of his state in Jos, called on them not to allow themselves to be provoked in to making unguarded statements that could over hit the polity .
According to him, ” we must allow the lawful grievance resolution mechanism to be brought to a logical conclusion in an atmosphere devoid of threat or tension as some of their saboteurs would love .
He urged the youths on the Plateau not to allow people with unexplained wealth to instigate them into violence, saying” these are people who occupy positions of honor but are actually dishonourable as their dubious wealth has not brought them the honour the craved for, hence they have resolved to seek the distibilization of our dear state.”
Mutfwang warned that doing the bidding of such miscreants mistaken for honorables will ruin the people’s God given potentials and destiny.
He urged plateau citizens to flee from such leaders who preach and scheme evil, warning that they must not allow the modest gains made in the last three months to be scuttled by a few rascals in their midst who found themselves in positions of honor they do not deserve
On the current political development in his state, Governor Mutfwang appeal for calm and restraint, calling on the people of his state not to pay attention to merchants of distabilization on the Plateau who are bent on reversing the gains made so far by his administration.
” As chief security officer of plateau state, let me sound a note of warning, that l will not tolerate any attempt at unsettling the peace of our dear state and hereby call on any individual or groups involved in such conspiracies to desist forthwith”
He directed security agencies to investigate various leads to track down the sponsors of crime and to promptly deal with any criminal tendencies.
Mutfwang also charged the people of his state to maintain their focus on the part of unity, peace and development.
He appreciated the unwavering support he has enjoyed since assumption of office as he has never been under any illusion that he could run the state on his own capacity alone
According to him, rebuilding the state requires collective action, advising they must be intentional and united in purpose towards building a prosperous plateau where everyone will dare to dream and succeed
“Let me restate that the principles of equity, fairness and justice would continually be our watchwords” promising that his government shall continually be fair to all in respective of party, ethnic or religious affiliation in the state.
He promised to leave indelible marks, build on the successes of the past administration and set a new performance measurement standard for successive leaders on the Plateau.
Member representing Langtang North, North state constituency at Plateau State House of Assembly Hon. Nannim Joseph Langyi has called on his state government to as matter of urgency revamp technical and vocational education in Plateau state .
According to him, skills development for decent work and livelihood is key to sustainable peace and stability of any nation.
He stressed that equipping youths with relevant knowledge and right attitude to work will make them self sufficient and not to depend on white collar jobs which is not even available.
Langyi stated this while presenting a motion on the floor of the Plateau House of Assembly.
He argued that the rate of unemployment among the youths in the state is quite alarming as a result of government neglecting technical and vocational education.
“It is a known fact that Plateau state Government through the ministry of science and technology has established a parastatal under the ministry of education called Relevant Technology board with six training centres located in Laranto, Kwal, Pankshin, Wase, Langtang North and Quaanpan, and Laranto in Jos North LGA, as science equipment production centres but have suffered neglect and in dire need of government intervention.
He calle on the state government to urgently revamp all the neglected technical and vocational centres and make them functional for the teeming youths of the state who desire to acquire skills that will make them self employed and contribute their quota to the socio-economic development of the state.
Responding, the Speaker of the Plateau state House of Assembly Moses Sule mandated the House committee on technical and vocational education to carry out oversight function with the view to visit the neglected centres and report back to the House so that they can present it to the executive for immediate action.
VICTORY OF THE ALL PROGRESSIVES CONGRESS (APC) AT THE NATIONAL AND STATE ASSEMBLY ELECTION PETITIONS TRIBUNAL: A PRODUCT OF FAIR, JUST AND SOUND JUDICIAL VERDICTS.
The attention of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Plateau State Chapter has been drawn to some reckless press statements by the Plateau State Chapter of the PDP and obviously State-sponsored protests aimed at distracting and diverting attention by whipping up ill-motivated sentiments against Judges of the Election Petitions Tribunal in the State.
That these are coming in the wake of the fair, firm and just pronouncements of the First Tribunal, which declared some APC and LP National Assembly candidates victorious, smacks of sheer mischief and blackmail.
We are thus compelled, as bona fide citizens of Plateau State, to react to these spurious allegations and feeble bravados and vituperations by a pack of self-serving individuals and groups whose desperation for power has reached high pitch.
We cannot shy away from reacting to the unfolding political developments in view of the fact that some leaders of our Party are being blackmailed as a deliberate means of giving a dog a bad name in order to hang it.
We hasten to remark here that the unconscionable press statements and protests are regular pastime of these known enemies of peace and democracy in the State. On the whole, their premeditated and pre-emptive actions are a crass exhibition of unnecessary apprehension and prejudice!
The PDP which is obviously behind these ugly developments is disreputed for its hypocritical posture of playing the religious and ethnic card in causing disaffection and nauseating division within the ranks of unsuspecting citizens of the State.
Nothing can be more divisive than its recent allegation that these respected and peace-loving leaders of our great Party are interfering with the activities of the high-heeled Tribunals even when opposite is the case. This amounts to crying wolf where there is none!
However, it is important to state that before the Justice B.M. Tukur-led Tribunals meticulous, fair and just pronouncements, there were previous judgments by the Second Tribunal presided over by Justice Rotimi Williams who ruled against the APC and Labour Party in spite of overwhelming evidence and established position of the law.
Interestingly, in our usual propensity for respect of Court Orders and judicial decisions, though dissatisfied with the judgments, we accepted them in good faith without raising any dust, but preferring instead, to appeal such judgments at the Appeal Tribunal as constitutionally stipulated.
No doubt, it is a shame that the PDP-led Government in the State, as a pre-emptive move and organised mischief is involved in mobilizing hoodlums to harass and intimidate Tribunal judges ahead of the remaining judgments.
In particular, the sponsored protest of yesterday Thursday 14th September, 2023 in Jos by a faceless and self-styled pro-democracy group which calls itself Coalition of Ethnic Youths under the leadership of one Habila Gamji, is simply another crude means of gagging and blackmailing the judiciary and cajoling the judges to abdicate their constitutional responsibilities.
They have even gone further to begin mobilization of their supporters to assemble at the premises of the Jos High Court on the day the Governorship election petition would be disposed of. These are rather a design by a pack of anti-democratic forces hired to truncate our democracy.
We however, thank the authentic Coalition of Plateau Indigenous Ethnic Youth Groups which has, through a press statement of September 14th 2023, signed by its P.R.O Dama Simon Yonmi and Comrade Dekete Paul (for Chairman), dissociated itself from the said protest. This is a further vindication of our position that the protest is ill-conceived.
It is also, indeed, senseless in this democratic clime that the PDP, with its well-known bad democratic credentials, is already choosing which judgment to obey and which one to disrespect. This is much apart from the folly displayed here with the sole aim of scaring the learned Justices from discharging their mandates!
The invariably sinister posture of the PDP and the Plateau State Government is not any different from the earlier sponsored “All Eyes on the Judiciary” protests which featured ahead of the 6th September, 2023 pronouncement of the Presidential Election Petition Court. It is a fact that protests and demonstrations do not give justice; on points of law, only facts and evidence give justice.
It is our candid opinion that heaven will certainly not fall if the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal decides in favour of the APC against the irritant PDP. The demonising and insinuations against the APC should therefore stop forthwith. After all, the PDP’s dismal performance in governance for the past three months is not anything to cheer.
It is most lamentable that a Government which came to power under the mantra of a so-called and deceptive green movement would arbitrarily demolish democratic structures like the elected Local Government Councils under the guise of a trumped-up and sweeping corruption allegations which it has not been able to prove.
Furthermore, the same administration has contemptuously refused to respect Court injunction which ordered it to maintain status quo and allow the elected Local Government officials to function pending the determination of the case between the State Government and the Chairmen.
The illegal appointment of so- called Transition Implementation Committee Chairmen to replace the elected Chairmen has led to very avoidable crises including the dragging of the Inspector General of Police to court for opening the offices for the elected Chairmen to function, a development which has ostensibly pitched the State Government against the Federal Government which it has been rushing to cap-in-hand.
Nothing can be more threatening to democracy than when political parties and Government which are supposed to be guardians of democratic norms embark on sponsoring ill-motivated protests against judicial decisions and judgments.
While calling on the Tribunal Judges to remain resilient, focused and committed to their responsibility of dispensing law and justice, we assure them that nothing untoward will emanate from all law-abiding members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the State and well meaning Plateau citizens.
We wish to further affirm that as firm believers in constitutionalism, democracy and the rule of law, we shall do everything possible to ensure that justice takes its full course. Against this backdrop, we strongly advise the PDP to seek redress at the Court of Appeal if it feels dissatisfied with any judicial outcome.
Finally, we call on the Federal Government and security agencies to quickly intervene in the current attempt to plunge the State into another needless and avoidable cycle of violence and mayhem by especially arresting the ringleaders and perpetrators of these induced protests.
Our hard-earned democracy should not be allowed to be sacrificed on the altar of bad politicking by some desperate and selfish politicians such as the ones we are witnessing in our present clime.
We also call on well-meaning citizens of this great State to discountenance the antics of desperate politicians who resort to whipping up ethnic and religious sentiments to cause confusion and generate bad blood amongst its peace-loving citizens.
Signed:
Hon. Sylvanus Namang, APC State Publicity Secretary
The Transition Implementation Committee Chairman of Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State Hon. Markus Artu has assured People of the entire Council Area of better days ahead under the Barr. Caleb Mutfwang administration in the state.
The Council Boss, gave the assurance on Thursday 14, September during the continuation of the distribution of food items to victims of persistent attacks in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau.
The continuation of the distribution of food items to the to IDPs which took place at the Mangu Warehouse was witnessed by religious and traditional leaders, as well as stakeholders of the Council Area.
While flagging off the second phase of the distribution, the representative of the National Emergency Management Agency, Mr Eugene Nyelong, said the programme is a continuation of the distribution flagged off by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as NEMA has already carried out the first Phase of the the distribution of food items to the Internally Displaced Persons in Mangu LGA.
The gesture according to the NEMA representative, is aimed at alleviating the suffering of the Victims and said NEME will also support the Plateau State state government in the resettlement of IDPs back to their ancestral communities.
The Mangu Internally displaced Persons through their Chairman Mr Zachariah Hosea, appreciated the Mangu TIC Chairman and NEMA, for reaching out to them and pleaded with the government to make arrangements for them to return to their homes.
While also appreciating NEMA for their continued support, the Mangu TIC Chairman Hon. Markus Artu, on behalf of the council area said a Committee is already on ground to ensure that the items are distributed equitably to the victims .
The items distributed include bags of rice, beans, maize Gari and mattress among others.
The Executive Secretary, Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission ,Rev Yakubu Pam has disclosed that his Commission would commence the completion of the 2023 Easter Pilgrimage to Israel and Jordan on the 18th of September, this month.q
Rev Pam made this known during a press briefing with newsmen at NCPC Corporate Headquarters in Abuja on the preparation towards having a hitch free Pilgrimage exercise.
The NCPC helmsman explained that the Easter pilgrimage exercise of the Commission was put on hold due to operational reasons.
He further disclosed that the intending pilgrims from Bayelsa, Lagos, Imo FCT, and self sponsored pilgrims had been mobilized for the exercise.
He thanked President Bola Tinubu for approving the commencement of the completion of the Easter pilgrimage exercise.
He further lauded the No 1 citizen of the country for his support to the Commission.
The NCPC boss seized the opportunity provided by the interactive session with the media to congratulate President Bola Tinubu for his victory at the Presidential Election court tribunal which validated his victory from the 25th February presidential election.
According to him,”the victory of the President is the victory for all Nigerians and lovers of democracy “.
He commended the judiciary for their tenacity and boldness to deliver such landmark judgment.
The NCPC boss also commended the opposition presidential candidates for seeking redress in the court and urged them to demonstrate the spirit of sportsmanship and accept defeat in good faith so that the country could move forward.
Rev Pam also hinted that the Commission intends to partner with the Federal Ministry of Tourism to develop and promote Christian holy sites in the country.
He averred that the country has some important Christian holy sites which should be developed for in-bound tourism.
He further explained that during the courtesy visit of the new minister of Tourism, Ms Lola-Ade John to NCPC recently, she sorted for the collaboration of the Commission with her ministry in actualizing that feat.
As it has turned out, he was very eager, in a great hurry, to set to work. That was what had informed the adoption of this catchphrase for the government from the onset: THE TIME IS NOW.
There is a ring of urgency about that now. Therefore, there would neither be delay nor procrastination for there was too much that had been left unattended to that needed to be done. That was why he made this solemn pact with the Plateau people on that fateful day of May 29, 2023: “We know you are expecting much from us. Today, it is not just my inauguration; it is our inauguration as it marks the beginning of our collective quest for a new Plateau”.
No doubt, the governor has set out in earnest towards living up to those noble words, now cast in stone. That is, despite the debilitating challenges he met on the ground in the first one hundred days of the emergence of THE TIME IS NOW administration.
Insecurity
Insecurity was the number one problem confronting the State when Governor Mutfwang assumed office. Thus, only two days after his swearing-in, he visited Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps in Riyom and Mangu local government areas. That visit gave hope and confidence to the already despondent women and children who were abandoned for years in the IDP camps and he reassured them of the commitment of his administration to address their plights.
Plateau citizens and indeed the entire country still recall the massacre of more than 100 people that took place in some parts of Mangu Local Government Area on May 15, 2023. Others have since followed in Heipang and Kwi, among others.
The governor did not mince words about this ugly state of affairs when he assumed office. During his inauguration, he put these attacks in proper perspective and outlined the direction his government would take in bringing them to a definite end: “It is an undeniable fact that much blood has been shed on the Plateau for close to two decades now which has retarded the pace of our development. The time has come and The Time is Now, when we MUST say enough is enough,” he had declared.
“We must break this vicious cycle of hate and attacks and refuse to allow people to brand us negatively. That is not who we are. They even labelled such genocide as farmers/herders clash to the chagrin of the whole world. I wish to assure you that the government under my watch will be committed to peaceful coexistence and will work assiduously to secure the boundaries of Plateau State. Criminal elements/invaders hell-bent on destruction will be decisively dealt with.”
That was the first time in the last eight years that the government was taking such a tough and decisive stance against such carnage that had almost become a daily routine in some parts of the State. Moreover, it took no small courage for the governor to officially debunk, for the first time, the familiar narrative that had gained ground during the previous administration that what was happening in the State was a conflict between farmers and herders.
It was in the light of these that he interfaced with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu who graciously gave him a listening ear and promised to do everything possible to help out.
The governor also had a one-on-one interactions with the National Security Chiefs when he visited the Defence and Army headquarters in Abuja on July 12, 2023. As a result, he extracted their firm commitment towards stepping up the campaigns, both kinetic and non-kinetic, against the perpetrators of these heinous crimes.
One of the outcomes of such initiatives was the relocation of the GOC, 3 Division of the Nigerian Army, Jos, who also doubles as the Commander, Operation Safe Haven, OPSH, to Mangu in the wake of the May 15 attacks. The presence of the other arms of the security apparatus was also beefed up in Mangu, Barkin Ladi, Riyom and Bassa local government areas.
During the August 21, 2023, meeting with Plateau Elders, Governor Mutfwang expressed his gratitude and shed more light on the results of these high-level interactions: I want to thank Mr. President and the Security Chiefs because they immediately swung into action and I want to particularly salute the new GOC and Commander of the Operation Safe Haven who came and demonstrated professionalism and didn’t stay in his air-conditioned office for close to a week, he was commanding the troops from the front.
As a further mark of the administration’s commitment to practically confront the hydra-headed monster of insecurity head-on, the governor has convened four Security Council meetings in the last three months. The fourth was held on Tuesday, August 22, 2023. These meetings are very crucial and strategic because they assess current situations on the ground and proffer immediate and long-lasting solutions, among others.
The State Government is further boosting the security architecture of the State by revitalizing the moribund State-owned security outfit, Operation Rainbow. The nation’s relevant security agencies would be fully involved in retraining its personnel. The governor has likewise appointed an experienced and renowned expert on Security and Homeland Safety, Brigadier-General Gakji Shipi (retired) as Special Adviser on Security to guide him appropriately in that very sensitive area.
The administration has unveiled the State Security and Information Center where citizens report security concerns through a toll-free line. It has provided an opportunity for the government to get prompt information on burning security issues in rural communities for swift intervention.
It has also set in motion policies towards ameliorating the conditions of the thousands of people forced out of their ancestral lands by the attacks and are currently living in Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps and homes of friends and relatives within and outside the State.
On July 12, 2023, Governor Mutfwang visited the headquarters of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) in Abuja where he made a strong case for the welfare of the IDPs. Based on the promises made by the Director-General, Mustapha Habib Ahmed, some relief materials have started trickling into the State. It is hoped that, soon, the tempo will pick up so that the victims of these attacks can get succour pending their relocation to their ancestral homes.
Also, the Agricultural Services Training Company (ASTC) has been fully mobilized to farming communities in Mangu, Barkin Ladi and Riyom local government areas to assist the farmers in continuing with the farming season which was abruptly interrupted by these attacks. Deploying 29 tractors, about 900 hectares of land have already been ploughed. This intervention is fully complemented by the security provided by the agro-rangers of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps.
Plans are underway to increase the quantum of land and extend the exercise into the dry season to enable farmers to continue to ply their trade even after the rains cease. Subsequently, the Plateau Agricultural Development Project, PADP, and other related government agencies have joined in these efforts.
The governor also undertook an official visit to the Executive Secretary of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) in Abuja. He drew the Agency’s attention to the urgent need to fund schools that have been adversely affected by the conflicts in the State. Most of the schools have been destroyed and others turned into shelters for IDPs.
Unwieldy debt burden/civil servants’ strike and welfare
When the governor assumed office and critically looked at the true state of things, he realized that the situation was far worse than he and his team had imagined. The rot was so deep and widespread in the civil service that government documents were being typed and photocopied at business centres, not minding their levels of confidentiality.
Upon that, civil servants were owed salaries of five months, amounting to over N11 billion, which was one of the reasons that had forced them to proceed on strike. Worst of all, there was an unwieldy debt profile of over N300 billion and many other outstanding financial obligations hanging on the neck of the State government.
The Plateau State Polytechnic was on the brink of collapse as almost all of its courses were long overdue for accreditation. The State government had to source the required N200 million to bail it out. The Mutfwang administration had to raise close to N300 million to save the Plateau State University from having the accreditation of some of its core programmes withdrawn.
At inception on May 29, civil servants who had been on strike insisted that their February and March arrears must be paid before they could call off the strike. When the government met this demand, they resumed work. As we speak, the backlog of June salaries has been paid and it is expected that in a week, the July backlog will be completed and that of August will commence. The State government is certain of continuous and seamless payments because it already has July and August salaries in the bank. Clearing the backlog of salaries, and pension arrears is also on course.
Environment
Plateau State was once reputed to be one of the cleanest and most orderly States in the country, along the line, things changed as refuse heaps became a common sight in the Jos city centre, its environs and all over the State.
By the time Mutfwang assumed leadership on May 29, 2023, the entire State was choked with rubbish and chaos became the order of the day in our communities, our roads and streets. As a result, the government immediately declared a state of emergency on the environment.
Some appreciable level of sanity, cleanliness and orderliness was restored as the government galvanized the moribund environmental sanitation machinery of government into action. Refuse disposal trucks did battle with the mountains of refuse that had piled up in the Jos/Bukuru metropolis and other parts of the state. The administration also reintroduced the monthly sanitation exercise which the governor personally supervised. This has had very commendable outcomes.
Citizens still remember the road accidents caused by pothole-infested roads that led to the loss of lives in the Jos metropolis and outlying towns. To curb this dangerous trend, the State government has commenced work on the maintenance of roads in the Jos/Bukuru metropolitan area.
Potholes are being patched and overlaid with asphalt to facilitate free movement of traffic. At the moment, the deep potholes that dotted the Polo Roundabout road to the Police Headquarters have been fixed. Likewise, those at the Gold and Base Roundabout, Rayfield, Dadin Kowa, DB Zang junction Bukuru expressway, Gada Biyu to Farin Gada in Jos among many others. Full maintenance work will be adequately carried out after the rains cease.
Traditional institutions/Plateau elders
At the inception of this administration, the State’s royal fathers, under the aegis of the Plateau State Council of Chiefs and Emirs, paid Governor Mutfwang a courtesy call. Led by their Chairman, the Gbong Gwom Jos, Da Jacob Gyang Buba, these custodians of the people’s cherished cultures and traditions urged the governor to remain focused on leading citizens; prayed that the measures he had put in place to curb the security challenges worked; and pledged their support to always offer wise counsel to enable the State to regain its lost glory as The Home of Peace and Tourism.
On that auspicious occasion, the governor had told the royal fathers: “We have high regard for you as individual royal fathers and collectively as a Council. Therefore, we will always consider you as fathers of the land and always turn to you for wise counsel whenever necessary.”
To further buttress this fact, he reiterated that their attendance at the August 21, 2023 meeting was yet another testimony that the State government can always approach them for their sagely and fatherly advice on burning matters of the State whenever the need arises. He assured the elders that he would strive at all times to keep all channels of communication open between both sides so that whenever they feel they have the necessary input to make, they can reach out.
Appointments/retreat and onboarding
The quality and nature of a government’s appointees determine its success or otherwise because they are the drivers of State policy. Governor Mutfwang had set his mind on using young and vibrant technocrats to drive his THE TIME IS NOW agenda. It is these well-motivated and vibrant Young talents that have been propelling the machinery of the State in the last 100 days.
To further enhance their capacity, a six-day retreat and onboarding was organized for them beginning on August 18, 2023, at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, NIPSS, Kuru, Plateau State. In the end, participants resolved to improve funding to meet the demands of the State by exploring alternative sources of funding, reducing the cost of governance and improving revenue generation for effective project funding.
They also agreed to practice inclusivity and mainstream gender in all government policies and programmes and rise above the years of socio-economic, political and security struggles, build on the legacies of Plateau founding fathers and attain a clear identity to ensure holistic comprehension of THE TIME IS NOW mantra, among others.
Surely, they came away from that retreat with renewed vigour and determination to ensure the attainment of set objectives to take the State out of its present quagmire.
Conclusion
Granted, Governor Mutfwang has personally admitted that the situation his administration inherited was far worse than he expected. But he has so far demonstrated that he did not allow such a bleak reality to dampen his initial resolve to restore to Plateau State its lost glory.
That much he has amply proven in the first 100 days of his administration. On that score, it would not be amiss to declare that, for Plateau people, the next four years promise to bring showers of sustainable peace and giant leaps in economic and social progress. THE TIME IS NOW to build a united and prosperous Plateau.
Gyang Bere is the Director of Press and Public Affairs to the Executive Governor of Plateau State
Dr Paul Enenche, pastor David majiyabo and the entourage welcoming the general overseer at arrival at Yakubu Gowon airport Jos plateau state.
By Attai Audu Jos
The general overseer of Dunamis international gospel center Dr Paul Enenche has Dedicated 3 new Dunamis Church Branches in Plateau state to the glory of God.
The 3 dedicated church sanctuaries are located at Rayfield Jos, Dunamis Church Headquarters at Alheri Jos and Bassa LGA of the state and one other in Jos .
Dr Enenche Private Jet landed at Jos Heipang Airport on Sunday evening and he was received by the Zonal Regional pastor of the Church Pastor David majiyabo who led other PFN Pastors and Plateau top Goverment officials .
Plateau top Goverment officials were at the Airport to honor Dr Enenche, his Wife Dr Becky Enenche and his entourage.Dr Paul Enenche and wife Dr Becky Enenche and pastor David majiyabo at the Yakubu Gowon airport in Jos after arrival for the dedication of the the church in Jos
Speaking in an interview with news men on arrival, Dr Enenche said he was in Jos to Dedicate 3 church Sanctuaries unto God and to release the glory of God upon the land of Plateau state.
According to him, his coming to Jos would among other things enable him to launch attack on the forces of darkness and send them from their realm back to the kingdom of darkness and release God’s agenda upon the land of Plateau..
Dr Paul Enenche playing drums and dancing to the glory of God at the reception at the Yakubu Gowon airport Jos plateau state.
On current economic hardship in the country, the General overseer of Dunamis International Gospel Center Abuja,said his church has done what could do over the years to assist the less privileged in the society .
Dr Enenche noted that Nigerian economy had been in bad shape for a very long time and urged the people not to give up but rely on God to right the wrongs in the Nation and System
He advised those in leadership to know that a day is coming that they stand in judgement before the judge of the universe that can not be compromised to give account of their stewardship.
According to him, Dunamis has been in the place of prayer for the nation and trusting the Lord for a very big intervention in the way only him can do, stressing that as a church, they will keep on praying and in what ever little way they could be of assistance or help to cushion the effects of the hardship on the people,they would continue to offer.
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Pastor Dr Paul Enenche having a discussion with pastor David majiyabo during his arrival of the dedication of the 3 centuary in Jos plateau state.Dr Paul Enenche in an interview with journalists on arrival at the Yakubu Gowon airport in Jos plateau state.
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The programme for the dedication of the church at rayfiel, Bassa, and alheri The general overseer Dr Paul Enenche who dedicate the church said he dedicate it to the glory of God.
A team of Agric.experts with the support of Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development have met with stakeholders of the Nigerian Fishery and Aquaculture sector in Abuja and sought for more contributions from the stakeholders before finalizing the policy draft, validating and launching it to operate from 2024 to 2028.
This first ever Fishery and Aquaculture Policy for Nigeria (2024-2028) is being developed by the former Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD) supported by the International Food Policy Research Institute as part of National Policy Strategies (NPS) of the One CGIAR Initiative in collaboration with WorldFish and Agricultural Policy Research Network (APRNet).
During the workshop, concerns were raised about where the new Policy on Fishery and Aquaculture being drafted should be domiciled and where the Fishery and Aquaculture Division will be situated in view of the creation of two new Federal ministries relevant to the divisions and the policy.a
Speaking to newsmen after the event, the Policy Drafting Team Lead, Professor Anthony Ojonimi Onoja, a Professor of Resource and Environmental Economics at the University of Port Harcourt and a Professor Extraordinarius at the University of South Africa, who also is the President of Agricultural Policy Research Network (APRNet) bore his mind on the matter.
According to Professor Onoja , there is no better time to properly situate the Fishery and Aquaculture Division and the new policy on aquaculture and fishery than now.
Professor Onoja advocated for the divisions of Fishery and Aquaculture to be moved into the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy where these divisions can optimize their potentials in propelling economic growth and development of the blue economy.
According to him, Aquaculture and fisheries are both operated in marine and other blue resources (freshwater) such as lakes, rivers, pools and ponds) and in oceans too.
” Given that the new Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security needs to focus more on food crops and livestock as well as their derivatives’ supplies to ensure food and nutrition security in the country, the fishery and aquaculture sub-sector risks being crowded out under this ministry”saying already this sub-sector is financially marginalized.
He hinted that the Federal Government of Nigeria under the leadership of His Excellency, Chief Bola Ahmed Tinubu has taken the bold initiative of building a new Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy and charged President Tinubu to use this Ministry as a launch pad for optimal drive to achieve the aspirations of his declaration of a State of Emergency in the Nigerian Food sector.
Professor Onoja noted that It would also be more expedient for the new Policy on Fishery and Aquaculture for 2024-2028 that is already at an advanced stage of its drafting be domiciled under the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy.
Speaking on the same issue Dr Ebinimi Ansa, the National President of the Fisheries Society of Nigeria (FISON) and a member of the Fishery and Aquaculture Drafting Team held that “the creation of the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy is a giant step in the right direction that will lead to creating jobs, providing blue foods from the Fisheries and Aquaculture resources and sustaining livelihoods of their fishers and fish farmers.
” At this time therefore, it is pertinent that the Honourable Minister ensures that a full fledged Department of Marine Fisheries Resources and Aquaculture be created in the Ministry with full compliments of Professionals to work in the Department and ensure that the new National Policy on Fisheries and Aquaculture 2024 – 2028 is given attention and implemented. ‘”
According to him, the policy document covering all areas of Fisheries and Aquaculture provides all that is needed to move the Sector forward with an increased number of value chains that will see a wide variety of indigenous home grown fish species, processed and packaged on our market shelves and on our plates.
“Diversification of the aquaculture production of fin and shellfish species, sea weeds and other marine foods would also be considered as activities to be promoted by the Ministry. “
” In addition, the Ministry through her Research Institutions should explore the possibility of fish cage farming as an energy and water saving system for fish production in the Blue Economy. He stressed
North Central Youth Coalition an NGO from North Central Nigeria has canvassed for additional Ministerial Slot for Plateau state to give room for one of the Youths from the state emerge as a Minister under the current administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The group norminated Hyacinth Horvel Turnoe , from Plateau State for the position.
The North Central coalition Youth group at a press conference in Jos on Thursday said they are unanimous in their demand that additional Ministerial Slot should be given to Plateau State since the current minister of Labour from the state Simon Lalong was chosen as a result of his role as Director General of the Tinubu Presidential Campaign Organization .
National Coordinator of the group, Engr. Julius Inedu, who hails from Benue state, said the President Tinubu having satisfied political considerations by appointing Lalong as a minister, he can nominate another minister from the state based purely on technical competence and capacity to serve as Minister of Youths in the country.
According to him, President Tinubu needs a strong youth mobiliser to galvanise the youths in the country, stressing that after careful consideration on who best fits the description, the youths in North Central Nigeria, have come to the conclusion that it is not other person than Mr Turnoe.
Reeling out previous efforts of Mr Turnoe, the youths recalled that he has been a great asset in mobilising the youths to develop their skills and talents through various interventions which he had both personally sponsored and helped organise in the state.
As the deputy director of security and Intelligence Youth & Women Presidential Campaign Council 2019, the youths described Turnoe as a great contributor to the youth support the APC is enjoying through his advocacy for productivity and profitable engagements among the youths.
“His tenure as Director of Operations for Good Governance Ambassadors of Nigeria and his involvement in diverse political and leadership capacities affirm his dedication to a holistic approach to national development.
“His dedication to youth development, as evidenced by his association with the Youth Sport Federation of Nigeria and his leadership of the Horvel Prime Football Academy, underscores his fervent commitment to nurturing the latent potential of our nation’s youth,” the group’s coordinator stated.
He maintained that as a graduate of Georgetown University, Harvard University, and the Israel International Security Academy, Mr. Turnoe comes as well equipped to help Mr. President achieve his vision for the youths in Nigeria.
Engr. Inedu urged the President not to miss the opportunity of adding value to his cabinet with the nomination of Mr. Turnoe as minister saying that it is the right thing to do as far as youths in the country are concerned.
A Non Governmental Organization, Cleen Foundation, has organised a training for security personnel, and goverment officials and members of Civil Society Organisation’s (CSOs), onl human rights protection and civilian safety in conflicts situation in Jos the Plateau state capital.
The two days training exercise had the theme ”International Humanitarian Law, Civilian Protection and Oversight Mechanism”.
Speaking at the event on Tuesday in Jos, Mr Gad Peter, the Executive Director of the foundation, stated that the training is aimed at sensitising the participants on ways to protect the rights of civilians in conflict situation.
Comrade Peter said the exercise is supported by International Alert and Open Society Initiative for West Africa? (OSIWA).
”This engagement is to sensitise security personnels and other stakeholders towards promoting cordial relationship between the security agencies and the civil populace.
”Often times, we hear complaints from civilians on human rights violation during conflicts situation.
”The security personnel who are supposed to defend the people during conflicts are accused of violating the rights of civilians.
”So, we are here to sensitise these stakeholders, particularly the security personnel on the need to protect the rights of the civil populace during arm conflicts,”he said
Peter explained that the exercise would particularly educate the participants to safeguard the rights of women and children while performing their function of providing security for the people.
The executive director of CLEEN Foundation, however, advised the civil populace to support and cooperate with the security personnels in their bids to tackle insecurity in the country.
Kwararafa Reporters 