The Taraba state People’s Democratic Party PDP gubernatorial Candidate Rtd. Col. Agbu Kefas has disclosed that peaceful coexistence amongst Tarabans will be his number one priority if elected as governor of the State come 2023. Kefas stated this today in his Country home Wukari, Wukari local government area in a Mega rally organised by his Kinsmen who welcomed him for the first time since his emergence as the winner of the May, 26th PDP gubernatorial primaries. He said, Peaceful coexistence amongst Tarabans will be his watchword, describing Peace as Catalyst for development. Kefas further revealed that education will top his agenda, adding that he will priotise education and will end insurgency God’s willing. His words ” We will make education sector very conducive for our children from basic to tertiary, we will provide all the students need and provide incentives for the teachers to boast their morale for optimum service delivery, we will make the environment secured and also keep encouraging our children by re-echoing to them benefits of education, we will Make the system conducive to attract our children including school drop-out to admire their peers in schools, so I assure the people of Taraba that we will transform the education sector of the state to meet the global standard” Kefas also reiterated that education was key to training young citizens that would effectively manage the economy and attract development for the state. In a chat with our Correspondent, Hon. Tijani Sale, former Vice Chairman of the Council said they deems it fit to organise rally of such magnitude to welcome home their own who won the PDP gubernatorial primaries landslide hence the need to celebrate him. Our correspondent who was in Wukari reports that the ancient city of wukari stood still for the triumphant entering of Col. Agbu Kefas where he first enter the Aku- Uka Palace and received fatherly blessings from His Majesty Manu. Ishaku Ada Ali before he proceeded to St Mary’s Primary School where he addressed his supporters and party Faithfuls and also unveiled his running mate Alh. Aminu Abdullahi Alkali. It could be recalled that Col. Agbu Kefas who contested alongside 4 others won with a very wide margin of 443 votes while the second runner Hon. Joseph Albasu Kunini Speaker of the Taraba State House od Assembly trailed behind him with 31.
Plateau Governorship Aspirant under the Platform of All Progressive congress David Victor Dimka and Ex Comptroller Of Nigeria Custom Service has tipped the APC presidential candidate to win the 2023 Presidential Polls.
Dimka in an interview with Kwarafa Reporters said Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu is a Political Colossus that believes in the unity and continuety of Nigeria as a nation.
Dimka, noted that Tinubu going by his political tract records, is someone who has what it takes to bring the best for this country looking at his developmental strides that has touched all facets of life across the country.
According to Dimka, Tinubu is a goal getter, a dogged fighter and a politician that is stable even under pressure.
“If it comes to a political play ground, he has what it takes to change the narrative because of his political experience, exposure and connection which he has all over the world .
On the choice of Muslim running mate by Tinubu,. Dimka said he believes in one thing that ” if you have a leader look at the leader and his pedigree and not the person of his running mate because deputies are not elected but nominated ”
He added that in politics whether we like it or not, is a game of numbers, stressing that this is a reality we must face.
” Even If a presidential candidate is a Christian, one thing he has to consider is loyalty, tract record of performance in his choice of running mate” Dimka stressed.
He urged Nigerians to look at the achievements of Tinubu in Lagos while serving as Governor and how he joined forces with Pro democracy groups in the country to bring about the current democracy in to place in Nigeria in 1999 in casting their votes for him in 2023. .
Plateau For Atiku Movement organization made up of Elders, Leaders and Stakeholders of the Peoples Democratic Party in Plateau state , have called on all aggrieved party leaders to sheath their swords and accept the decision of the Presidential CandidateFlag on the choice of his running mate and move to the next stage of reconciliation.
The group in a statement in Jos on Tuesday made available to Daily Independent, implored the Flag Bearer to pay adequate attention to calming all frayed nerves.
The Protem Secretary of the group Professor Shedrach Best who issued the statement on behalf Of the group, said” It is sweeter to continue the discussion in the Presidential Villa than lose out due to spots of grievances as they are exhibited at the moment”
The Movement Commended Alhaji Abubakar Atiku for the courage to select his Running Mate Governor Ifeanyi Okowa in good time,
According to the Plateau group, Atiku choice of running mate has demonstrated the capacity, leadership and readiness of the PDP Presidential Candidate Atiku Abubakar for the general elections and for governance, at a time when his competitors in other parties show hesitation, confusion and lack of readiness.
They said Alhaji Atiku has respect for the diversity and historical experiences of the nation which is commendable.
” His selection of the Delta State Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa as running mate meets the specifications of the office which the PDP Flag Bearer himself once occupied, bringing together attributes of a bridge builder, humility, simplicity, appeal, experience and service, all at a time Nigeria requires healing.”
According to the group, ” We there by stand with this respectable decision.We wish to affirm that it remains the prerogative of the Candidate to select who best he thinks he can work with, albeit in consultation with other leaders and Stakeholders of the Party, and amidst many qualified persons.”
Professor Best, former Secretary to the state government further stressed that this Movement has been concerned about the rising voices of opposition in the Party, either against the person of the running mate or the process leading to his selection.
” This public criticism coming from a section of leaders, some of them too senior to be ignored, is worrisome. We take note that some have been associated with a complexity of issues in the Party, including the zoning of the Presidency, which has come and gone.”
According to the group, ” As democrats, we invite all leaders and stakeholders to rise above this seeming draw back to the eminent progress that the PDP is making towards clinching the Presidential seat of the nation. “
They noted that this is a period of selection of running mates all over the 36 states and at the Presidential level, stressing that While some challenges come up in some places, they need not distract the party.
“We find it inappropriate to give conditions to the party for supporting the Party to victory.”
“We wish to specially commend His Excellency, Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State for his unflinching support to the Party at the most trying moments, and for his leadership and doggedness. His sportsmanship in the last Presidential primaries is also worthy of note. “
They also Commended Wikes recent statement showing support to the PDP Candidate through the elections, even after the selection of the running mate, stand him out as a party man and true democrat.
“We look forward to him; to maintain that role until the PDP dislodges the APC from government to bring relief to Nigeria. ” The Movement advised.
The attention of the All Progressives Congress in Plateau State has been drawn to a press release by the People’s Democratic Party of a purported decamping of hundreds of APC members to its camp on Sunday this week. The theatrics of decamping by the PDP in the state is as embarrassing as it brings to the fore the desperation by the party to impress its sponsors outside the state. The other day, it was the story of thousands of people decamping from the APC to the PDP in Langtang South, Pankshin LGA and at a supposed grand rally in Jos to receive decampees, including the former APC Chairman in the state, Chief Letep Dabang who is now left a quandary and serious dilemma. The well orchestrated news of APC followers decamping to the PDP in Mikang on Sunday is one propaganda taken taken too far. What really took place in Tunkus that day was a comic show carefully planned by a former Chairman of Mikang Local Government Council who wanted to outsmart other PDP stakeholders in the state, including a former Speaker of the Plateau State House of Assembly in the sharing of booty from the governor of Rivers State, His Nyesom Wike. The former LGC Chairman who arranged the drama was jolted when he discovered around 2pm on the day set to receive the so-called decampees that the event was collapsing on his head, hurriedly went to town and deceived some youths to go to the stadium in Tunkus under the pretext of giving them financial assistance from an empowerment organisation. On getting to the stadium, they discovered that they had been deceived by the former Chairman. The APC has it on good authority that his action has led to a silent war between him and key stakeholders of the PDP in the local goverment who all boycotted the event. What the PDP described as a harvest of big catch into its fold was, indeed, a non event given the high display of deceit that took place. The persons described as political heavyweights who were received were in reality some inconsequential individuals who were just elevated in the social media to deceive the public. Furthermore, these decampees are the same faces who are being recycled in all the decamping charade by the PDP in the state. For instance, Hon. Barry Tiss who was paraded as the leader of the decampees from Garkawa District was a partime Councillor in the local goverment while Nantok Swadet who is the leader of the decampees from Tehl District is the leader of Hunters Association in Mikang Local Government Area. Stephen Golna’an who was elevated as the leader from Piapung District was a Personal Assistant to the former Leader of the Legislative Arm of Mikang Local Government Area. More curious is Joseph Dalok who was carefully selected from Keoneom District. He is a cousin to Chief Letep Dabang, the former Chairman of the APC in Plateau. The PDP as part of its grand deception keeps on deceiving the public and INEC that it has abided by the court decision to dissolve its state exco with the party being ran by Hon. Theophilus Dakashang, the PDP North Central Zonal Chairman in Lafia. Why then was it Hon. Simon Domle, the party’s former Zonal Chairman, Southern Senatorial District that received the purported decampees on behalf of the Court deposed Chairman, Hon. Chris Hassan with the sacked Publicity Secretary, John Akans still signing its press releases? The APC is watching keenly as time shall tell wether the PDP has learnt any lesson from its exclusion from the last Local government election in the state last year. The high point of the decamping melodrama in Mikang was the crowd renting competition that took place. While the PDP Southern Senatorial District candidate for the 2023 election, Air Vice Martial Napoleon Bali came in with 20 truck loads of PDP supporters who formed part of the alleged hundreds of APC decampees to the PDP in Mikang, Isaac Kwallu the sacked former Chairman of Qua’an Pan Local Government Area came in with 10 truck load of PDP supporters. To add to the scanty crowd of less than 50 people at the stadium were the ones rented by the PDP House of Assembly candidate from Shendam who came in with gullible youth in another 10 trucks. This is in addition to the ones who came in company of the sacked former Vice Chairman, Hon. Simon Domle. The whole thing is that the arrangee decamping event in Mikang was misadventure which has left the PDP in that Local Government Area more divided. The APC in the state is unperturbed by these orchestrated decamping antics by the PDP. The party’s umbrella remains in tatters and is thus not capable of providing shelter to itself not to talk of our members moving into its fold
Signed:
Hon. Sylvanus Namang, APC State Publicity Secretary
RE: THE PARADOX OF IMPUNITY AND EDUCATIONAL COLLAPSE UNDER LALONG AND TYODEN
The attention of the APC in Plateau State has been drawn to yet another thrash and unprovoked attack on the APC- led government in the state with the above caption. Ordinarily, the APC in the state would not have dignified the thouroughly confused PDP with a response but we have a responsibility to keep the public constantly informed about the policies and programs of the Rescue Administration and in order to put the records straight. If not mischief, the PDP should not forget in a hurry its decimation of our tertiary institutions during its eight years inglorious reign where the state was run as a one man show. Accusing the Lalong/ Tyoden administration of poor performance in the running of tertiary institutions in the state is a real contradiction. The PDP’s assertion is a perfect description of how it destroyed what was left of our tertiary institutions. At the advent of the APC administration in the state, the government, deeply concerned about the level of decay in these institutions, embarked on a recovery and rehabilitation mission in order to bring back to life these institutions. To effectively do this, Governor Simon Lalong appointed his deputy Professor Sonni Gwanle Tyoden, an accomplished academician and former Vice Chancellor of the University of Jos to double as the Commissioner of Higher Education. Has the now sacked PDP spokesman, John Akans who signed the very misleading press release forgotten how, based on its looting spree and in total contempt for the tertiary institutions and its lecturers, when it invoked an obnoxious ‘no work no pay’ policy on the striking workers? The further lack of human face by that PDP government was demonstrated when the well conceived Plateau State University (PLASU) whose bill for its establishment was passed when Lalong’s was the Honourable Speaker of the Plateau State House of Assembly but which the PDP administration suspended all academic activities throughout its eight year tenure. The PDP lacks the moral compass to accuse the APC administration of poor handling of tertiary institutions. Coincidentally, it was during the tenure of the present Deputy Governor as the Vice Chancellor of the University of Jos that the stranded students who were ingloriously denied the the opportunity to graduate, got admitted and completed their courses of study at the University of Jos. No wonder embarrassed by the shoddy handling of the tertiary institutionsin in the state, one of the major stakeholders in the PDP, the late Alexander Mwolwus described former governor Jang as a real Boko Haram ( hater of western education). Also, the Plateau State Polytechnic narrowly escaped the regulatory body’s sledge harmer based on the PDP poor handling of the institution’s affairs under an unqualified Rector who was appointed not on merit but based on ethnic consideration against the federal government policy of appointing a minimum of PhD holders to run higher institutions the country. Many programs remained unacrredited due to the ineptitude of its leadership and poor funding. The Lalong /Tyoden administration painstakingly put things in their proper perspective to rescue the state Polytechnic from imminent collapse. Most programmes have been accredited with the over 40 year-old institution holding its convocation regularly which was not the case under that PDP administration The College of Agricultuer Gargawa established by the Dariye administration suffered the worst neglect. Since its establishment about 24 years ago, it has not been fully accredited with no convocation held all these years. Under the APC administration, most courses have been accredited while convocation has been approved with funds already released for that purpose. The Lalong/Tyoden administration which is union friendly unlike the hostility visited on the workforce by the past administration where workers had to carry coffins to demonstrate their disaffection, lacks the moral force to condemn the present administration. Governor Simon Bako Lalong’s labour friendliness is not a matter of debate or conjecture. Only in March this year, he was given an award by the Nigeria Labour Congress as the most labour friendly governor in the whole country at Crispan Hotel Jos. The Labour unions in Plateau state can testify that they don’t have the kind of issues they had with the past PDP administration which again, the NLC at the national level had always attested to during its congress meetings . Admittedly, the present goverment has a few internal issues with the unions in its tertiary institutions though some of the industrial actions embarked upon by ASUU NASU, ASUP and COEASU were as a result of directive at the national level. All efforts are being made to resolve grey areas by the government which believes in dialogue. Negotiations have reached advanced stage for the payment of arrears of the third party deductions in respect of union dues, cooperative savings and Federal Morgage Remittances. To demonstrate its commitment, the government intents to remit these deductions as soon as allocation from this month’s FAAC drops. The cluelessness of the analogue PDP in a global environment which is ruled by technology and best practices is palpable. In its last and worthless press release, it frowned at the state government setting up of the laudable PLASCHEMA (Plateau State Contributory Health Care Management Agency) in December, 2019. The unions in the tertiary institutions have applauded the initiative as some have testified how it has really helped them. The PDP needs to be informed that health insurance which the federal government attaches great premium on is a global practice which Plateau State cannot be left out. In fact, the Plateau model which the PDP is ignorantly condemning is reputed to be the best in the country. Where the workers are complaining about is that couples who are both employees of the state should not be treated separately unless on request, so also are spouses who are enrolled in the health insurance policy of the federal government which are being amicably resolved. The APC in Plateau state which will not be tired of properly keeping the people abreast of government policies as enunciated on the inception of administration, strongly calls on the public to be wary of the PDP which desperately wants to come back to power in the state. The leopard, as the late Senegalese sage and former President, Loepold Sengnor, once said, does not change its spots.
Signed:
Hon.Sylvanus Namang, APC State Publicity Secretary
No. 10 Fwavei, Rayfield Jos South Plateau StateEmail:alpshospital@gmail.comWebsite: http://www.alpshospitals.com. Phone No: 08138288842, 08087774152
Who needs IVF?
In this article, we will be looking at the steps involved in the IVF treatment itself, answering the question of: How is it done?When a couple agrees to go the IVF way as a means to conception for whatever reason, the procedure is kick started with the stage of growing the eggs. Here, controlled doses of medications are administered to make the woman hyper ovulate. In the normal cycle, the woman just ovulates one egg, but in this case, she needs to do more than that, possibly 5 to 10. This is the reason the medication is administered, to help in doing so. Prior to this, there is the de-sensitization or down regulation process. This involves the control of the ovarian activity by muting it or keeping it quiet. This in turn becomes the precursor trigger for growing eggs when the right medication is eventually introduced. After the preliminary stimulation stage, and the eggs usually with a regular measurement between 17 to 20 millimeters in diameters are produced, the trigger stage follows. Here, a single injection is given which matures the eggs and makes them ready for retrieval.The theatre procedure which is a short and minor procedure, comes after this. Under ultrasound guide, the oocyte (eggs) are retrieved in the theatre through a procedure that lasts just 3 to 10 minutes. The fertilization stage follows this procedure. Here, the embryologist determines or follows a pre-arranged plan with the couple to either go the conventional fertilization way where the retrieved eggs are mixed with the sperm in the petri dish or the Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) where a single sperm is injected into a single egg. After the fertilization stage (with any procedure one decides to adopt), the product of fertilization which is the zygote or embryo, is cultured for a period of time, that is placed in the incubator and monitored to see it develop. This is also called the cleavage stage. This is followed by the last stage which is the embryo transfer stage. The embryos are closely observed and selection is done based on the quality and perceived possibility of doing okay before transfer.
Implantation is expected after the transfer and pregnancy occurs.So basically, we have 6 stages in the IVF treatment procedure. The ovulation control and trigger stage, the egg retrieval stage, the fertilization stage, culturing stage, and finally the embryo transfer stage. The fragmented nature gives it a somewhat cumbersome look but in reality, it is a seamless and pain free process. It can be started and completed between 2 to 6 weeks depending on who is involved and the kind of protocol adapted.There could be a post implantation stage called the luteal stage. Here, some medications are given to support the pregnancy two weeks into the implantation. This is because at this stage, the body has not produced the nutrients, hormones, or chemicals to support the pregnancy. The interference with the spontaneous process that was originally supposed to be is what necessitates the exogenous supply of these hormones and nutrients, all of which are determined even before the embryo transfer. The pregnancy gets fully established in the space of 6 to 8 weeks and external supports are stopped.Now you have the IVF treatment process. Not as complicated as you thought, indeed, it is an amazing process, delivering great results.According to Dr. Kenneth Egwuda of Alps Hospitals, Jos IVF treatments are individualized in Alps, he feels it is that kind of treatment that puts the patients first.Dr. Kenneth Egwuda is always available to help out with solutions to reproductive problems you may need through expert approach, and guide through the process of IVF if that is what your situation may need. Dr. Kenneth Egwuda is a consultant Gynecologist with specialty in Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART). He has over 16 years of practice and experience. He trained in the UK, India, and Germany and he is also a Minimal Access Surgeon. His Hospital, ALPS Hospitals and Diagnostics, Jos, Nigeria, stands at the center stage of Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) in Nigeria. It holds the record of the oldest delivery in Africa after Mrs. Davou 63 was delivered of a baby at the facility in 2018.
To find out more about him and what the hospital does, you can check up the hospital through the official website and other media handles below:FEEL FREE TO REACH OUT.No. 10 Fwavei, Rayfield-Zarmaganda road Jos South Plateau StateEmail:alpshospital@gmail.comWebsite: http://www.alpshospitals.com Phone No: 08138288842, 08087774152, 09025878343Facebook, Instagram, Twitter @askdr.ken YouTube @askdoctorken
Always remember that conception and child bearing is a possibility for everyone.
The Publicity Secretary of All Progressive Congress of Plateau state Sylvanus Namang has condemned in it’s entirety the Plateau PDP usual fictitious scripts and falsehood against the government of Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau state on the Management of the state resources.
Namang in a statement in Jos on Monday which was made available to Daily Independent accused Plateau PDP leadership of issuing reckless releases ostensibly aimed at demarketing the ever focused and hardworking Governor of the state, Simon Bako Lalong and the All Progressives Congress, APC in the state.
According to Namang, “The APC would have ignored these display of rascalism and total disregard for decorum and libellous scripts by the party’s so- called image maker who is unmindful of appending his signature on any gabage prepared for him by some paid commercial junk writers posing as journalists.”
However, he said the APC is compelled by the need of not allowing gullible minds to believe that lies told by the PDP many times could easily be passed for the truth.
“More importantly, the PDP in the state is being hunted and haunted by its past as demonstrated by its spurious and unsubstantiated allegations in its 20th June Press release titled ” Of Governor Lalong’s Rising Corruption Profile and Insensitivity”
” What it did wrongly and what it failed to do while in office for eight years and which the APC government since 2015 has been doing its best to correct, has been a source of sleepless night for the PDP. Its grandstanding which is boundless should not be allowed to persist as our people deserve the right to know the difference between fiction and realities hence this response” . Namang charged the PDP to be more concerned with the issue of its shooting itself on the foot which led to its non participation in the last local government election an issue which still dangles like the sword of damocles. ‘”
“We are watching keenly the manipulation and all the desperate antics by the party to deceive the electoral umpire to believe that all is well with it even in the face of its multiple and ceaseless litigations which still put its fate on the edge. “ . According to Namang, If the PDP is a responsible party, it should be concerned about putting its house in order rather than embarking on a journey in a wonderland.
“Now to the issues raised by the PDP which we feel should be put in their proper perspective. “ The PDP in Plateau state is notorious for quoting outrageous and unsubstantiated figures purportedly to blackmail the government of the day. First, it alleged that the APC government in 2015 spent a whooping N11, 476, 000 000 on fertiliser which was contracted on 5th August 2015 to POPULAR FOODS LIMITED AND MBS MERCHANTS LIMITED which it claimed only 1250 bags an equivalent of two trucks were supplied! In another twist, it stated that no single bag was supplied to date. This is nothing but a grand deception. This was supposed to be three months into the APC administration in the state whose monthly allocation hovered between N2billion. “
Namang queries how feasible could about five months revenue allocation to the state be spent on fertiliser purchase only three months into its tenure as alleged by the spendthrift PDP government which handed over only N96m to it? “
” For the records, the fertiliser expenditure and distribution to the end users in the state for the 2015 farming season and other seasons for that matter, were carried out in the most transparent manner. MBS Merchants Limited was on 5th August 2015 awarded a contract for the supply of 300 trucks of fertiliser made up each of 150 trucks of NPK and Urea at the unit cost of N6,250/bag totalling N1,125 000 000.00 which it supplied. POPULAR FOODS LIMITED was awarded a contract for the supply of 350 trucks made up of 175 trucks of Urea and 175 trucks of NPK at the unit price of N6,250/ bag at the sum of N1, 312, 500, 000.00″
Namang said the exercise was carried out by the state ministry of agriculture in a very transparent manner through ward heads and security agencies.
“All transactions were carried out with bank guarantee by the UBA. The store receipt vouchers, SRV are available for Plateau PDP which thrives in frivolities or to anybody who cares to verify.”
“Under the new APC government, a contract was awarded to Kifiano Global Concepts whose owner is now a defector to the PDP to supply official vehicles to the governor, his deputy, principal officers of the Plateau State House of Assembly, Commissioners and Permanent Secretaries at the cost of N1, 210, 199, 700. 00. in order to enable government functionaries perform their function.”
He wondered why PlateauPDP is irked by the zero potholes project of the Governor Simon Bako -led Rescue Administration saying. Under its watch, potholes took over the entire Jos and Bukuru metropolis while over N50 Billion of over N70Billion it claimed it spent on road construction were concentrated in their principal’s domain where some of the roads which were nylon- tarred don’t have vehicles plying them till date.
” What the Lalong administration did to address this inconvenience to motorists and the lopsidedness was the earmarking of N525, 675, 696. 00 for the rehabilitation of 24.4 km of roads by the Jos Metropolitan Development Board under direct labour and not 4 km roads as alleged at N500 Million to a family member.
The roads covered all parts of Jos and Bukuru metropolis. We don’t blame the PDP as it was and still is the party of family and friends,a subject which we reserve for future discourse . The PDP assaulted the sensibilities of the very knowledgeable people of Plateau state when it alleged that during Lalong’s first year in office the government wasted N97 Billion without being accounted for.
Namang noted that Lalong’s government inherited a debt of N101 Billion which it has been trying its best to settle, having defrayed arrears of eight months salary and nine months pension/gratuity left by the preceeding PDP administration.
He added that the PDP in the State, as part part of its being hunted and haunted by its past, left a legacy of nepotism, clannishness and squandermenia on its trail and would obviously frown at genuine legacies which the current government wants to leave.
” The Lalong administration under the well conceived “Lalong Legacy” in 2018, awarded to Bleneson Services Nigeria Limited contract for the construction of 8No. Primary schools 6No. Secondary schools and 6No. Hospitals at the cost of N59,883, 614, 363.13 and that On 24th August 2020, the government decided to re-scope the project at the cost of N29, 999,998,626.97 due to the current economic realities and that. the contract was terminated due to poor performance by the contractor and . was reawarded to United Integrated Ltd on 17th June 2022 at the cost of N 26,611 202,408.73 after careful assessment and deduction of the work executed by the past contractor.
“Instead of commending the government for the bold step it took in terminating the contract, the PDP is ironically blaming it.”
However,Namang said APC is amenable to genuine criticism instead of the destruction antics and distraction which is the bane of the ailing PDP on the Plateau .
The attention of the Governor of Plateau State has been drawn to a story published by Sahara Reporters on its online platform dated 24th June with the caption “How Governor Lalong Abandoned Plateau For Lagos, Desperately Lobbying, Squandering State Resources To Become Tinubu’s Running Mate – Sources” which is being consumed and circulated by innocent persons that are unaware of its falsehood, mischief and bad taste.
This report which is the perfect case study for fake news, yellow journalism, sponsored hatchet job, and irresponsible reporting totally does not deserve a response, but for the sake of saving right thinking members of society from being misled by this horrible product that is an epic case in abuse of the noble journalism profession.
The story is anchored completely on a fanthom “anonymous source” that provided wonderfully packaged fiction and lies claiming that Governor Simon Lalong abandoned Governance in Plateau State and relocated to Lagos in search of being nominated as Asiwaju Tinubu’s Running Mate. The “Source” also claimed that the Governor is spending billions of the State’s funds for the said endeavour.
To put the records straight, Governor Lalong has not been to Lagos in the last couple of months. The last time he was in Lagos was during the inauguration of the Dangote Fertilizer Plant and the new Murtala Mohammed International Airport Terminal which was performed by President Muhammadu Buhari and attended by many Governors.
We wonder where the so-called “source” got his imagination from about Governor Lalong relocating to Lagos but could not provide the date, time, mode of movement or address where he allegedly relocated to in Lagos. Of course he cannot provide such details because they do not exist even in his fictional contraption.
We challenge the “Source” to come up with the details or at least show pictures of Governor Lalong in the “relocated” part of Lagos if he has any.
On the contrary, we have many reports of official engagements of the Governor in Jos and Abuja where he performed his official duties that were widely reported by the media. The “source” who perhaps lives on another planet has either chosen to demonstrate total ignorance or go on with his mischief.
We cite a few of Governor Lalong’s engagements after he returned from the APC Primaries in Abuja:
After a visit to the Villa to meet with Mr. President along with other Governors, the Governor was in Ekiti for the APC Governorship campaign rally.
The Governor attended the Combined Convocation of the Plateau State Polytechnic Barkin Ladi together with Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State.
Visited the Polo roundabout and the Vertinary Teaching Hospital of the University of Jos affected by tanker accident.
Attended Inter-denominational Church service to mark June 12 at EYN Church Jos.
Swore in 4 High Court Judges and 1 Khadi of Plateau State Judiciary.
Presided over State Executive Council Meeting where approval was given for completion of Legacy Projects
Attended the funeral of former Military Administrator of Plateau State Col. Musa Sheikh Shehu rtd. in Abuja
Attended the final meeting on rebuilding of Jos Main Market with Jaiz Bank in Abuja
Inaugurated new NASCO Multi billion naira production plant in Jos
Presided over another State Executive Council meeting in Jos.
Attended the wedding of the son of Sir. Joseph Ari, DG ITF among several others.
We wish to refer the public and Sahara reporters to the official handles of the Government and the Governor’s Directorate of Press ( https://www.facebook.com/plsgdoppa; https://www.facebook.com/PLSGov) for stories and pictures of these and many other engagements of His Excellency.
On the “billions” purported to have been spent by the Governor, it is not worth loosing sleep over because such cheap allegations are without substance. Little wonder the so-called “source” could not quote a figure even after the claim of having collaborators at the office of the Accountant General.
We again challenge him to bring out the figures and any other evidence at his disposal or make such available to law enforcement since he is alleging crime. If and when he does so, we will respond appropriately. For now, we urge members of the public to disregard the fabrication which is totally false and another gimmick sponsored by opponents of the Government.
Finally, we advise Sahara reporters to at least uphold the most basic tenet of journalism which is fair hearing and balanced reporting which demands that two sides of every story are presented to the public always.
In this case, it is highly disappointing and regrettable that they failed woefully by not giving the Government of Plateau State an opportunity to respond to the allegations by this anonymous “source”. Rather, they quoted him copiously as though his fabricated lies were the gospel truth.
Because they did not indicate in their story if they attempted getting a reaction but failed, we are left with no option than to believe that they are hands in glove with the so-called “source” and are all out to damage the hard earned reputation of the Governor and the Government of Plateau State.
Since the opposition party in the State had issued an embarrassing official press statement making similar allegations and even giving the Governor an ultimatum to return to the State before this whitewash story was published based on information provided by the almighty “source”, it is clear that Sahara Reporters has availed the enemies of Lalong their platform for misinformation and mischief.
On the final analysis, we wish to remind those behind this hatchet job to calm all the way down over Governor Lalong’s name being considered for running mate to Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, APC Presidential Candidate. It is not a coincidence or matter of lobby that his name keeps resonating. He fits the post and is ably qualified in his own right.
Lalong has never campaigned for the said position and is not desperate for any elevation in life. His destiny has been driven by God throughout his life and he continously looks up to his creator for the next step. Those who are in the contest for VP should please make efforts and leave him alone.
Lalong was not born with any position and will never tarnish anyone’s image to get one. Even if he does not occupy any office again, he is a fulfilled man. His political pedigree is towering above many who are loosing sleep over him because God has blessed him enormously. He served as Speaker 7years; Governor 7years; Chairman Northern Governors Forum 4years; Chairman, Conference of Speakers 4years; Conference of Former Speakers till date. As at today, he is the APC Senatorial Candidate for Plateau South Senatorial District in the forthcoming general elections.
If God says he will be the next Vice President Nigeria, nobody can stop it. It is up to Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and the APC family to decide. Lalong together with his colleagues have done their part in insisting that power goes to the South.
Let everyone remember that it is God who gives power to whomsoever he pleases. No amount of paid propaganda can change anything.
Head or tail, Lalong wins!
Makut Simon Macham, Ph.D Director of Press and Public Affairs to the Governor of Plateau State. 25th June 2022.
The social media space has in the past one week been awash with the usual fictitious scripts by the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in Plateau State. Its reckless and shameless releases are ostensibly aimed at demarketing the ever focused and hardworking Governor of the state, Rt. Honourable Simon Bako Lalong and the All Progressives Congress, APC in the state. The APC would have ignored these display of rascalism and total disregard for decorum and libellous scripts by the party’s so- called image maker who is unmindful of appending his signature on any gabage prepared for him by some paid commercial junk writers posing as journalists. However, the APC is compelled by the need of not allowing gullible minds to believe that lies told by the PDP many times could easily be passed for the truth. More importantly, the PDP in the state is being hunted and haunted by its past as demonstrated by its spurious and unsubstantiated allegations in its 20th June Press release titled ” Of Governor Lalong’s Rising Corruption Profile and Insensitivity” What it did wrongly and what it failed to do while in office for eight years and which the APC government since 2015 has been doing its best to correct, has been a source of sleepless night for the PDP. Its grandstanding which is boundless should not be allowed to persist as our people deserve the right to know the difference between fiction and realities hence this response. Before then, methinks that the PDP should be more concerned with the issue of its shooting itself on the foot which led to its non participation in the last local government election an issue which still dangles like the sword of damocles. We are watching keenly the manipulation and all the desperate antics by the party to deceive the electoral umpire to believe that all is well with it even in the face of its multiple and ceaseless litigations which still put its fate on the edge. If the PDP is a responsible party, it should be concerned about putting its house in order rather than embarking on a journey in a wonderland. Now to the issues raised by the PDP which we feel should be put in their proper perspective. The PDP in Plateau state is notorious for quoting outrageous and unsubstantiated figures purportedly to blackmail the government of the day. First, it alleged that the APC government in 2015 spent a whooping N11, 476, 000 000 on fertiliser which was contracted on 5th August 2015 to POPULAR FOODS LIMITED AND MBS MERCHANTS LIMITED which it claimed only 1250 bags an equivalent of two trucks were supplied! In another twist, it stated that no single bag was supplied to date. This is nothing but a grand deception. This was supposed to be three months into the APC administration in the state whose monthly allocation hovered between N2billion. How feasible could about five months revenue allocation to the state be spent on fertiliser purchase only three months into its tenure as alleged by the spendthrift PDP government which handed over only N96m to it? For the records, the fertiliser expenditure and distribution to the end users in the state for the 2015 farming season and other seasons for that matter, were carried out in the most transparent manner. MBS Merchants Limited was on 5th August 2015 awarded a contract for the supply of 300 trucks of fertiliser made up each of 150 trucks of NPK and Urea at the unit cost of N6,250/bag totalling N1,125 000 000.00 which it supplied. POPULAR FOODS LIMITED was awarded a contract for the supply of 350 trucks made up of 175 trucks of Urea and 175 trucks of NPK at the unit price of N6,250/ bag at the sum of N1, 312, 500, 000.00 The exercise was carried out by the state ministry of agriculture in a very transparent manner through ward heads and security agencies. All transactions were carried out with bank guarantee by the UBA. The store receipt vouchers, SRV are available for the lazy PDP which thrives in frivolities or to anybody who cares to verify. This is against the haphazard and scandalous distribution system employed by the immediate PDP administration which saw the commodity as an avenue for dishing out of patronage to its party members and cronies. The clueless PDP also accused the APC government of spending N4.5 Billion, more than two months allocation of the state on what it termed luxury cars for the governor, his deputy and some few officials in 2015. This is a typical case of the PDP being haunted by its past. On being unceremoniously sent out of office, the PDP administration hurriedly carted away all vehicles in its possession without following due process. Under the new APC government, a contract was awarded to Kifiano Global Concepts whose owner is now a defector to the PDP to supply official vehicles to the governor, his deputy, principal officers of the Plateau State House of Assembly, Commissioners and Permanent Secretaries at the cost of N1, 210, 199, 700. 00. in order to enable government functionaries perform their function. The PDP equally alleged that the newly inaugurated government expended N1.4 Billion on GPRS tracking device on 100 cars. On 27th August, 2015, Organised Global Ventures was awarded the contract for the supply of tracking devices at the cost of Eight Million Naira Only (N8, 000 000.00) after going through the standard procurement process again, unlike under the past Administration where their principal’s children operated car shades in a West African country and supplied all government vehicles without following due process. Let them ask their present ‘big catch’ who supplied the vehicles the true position of that contract. The PDP is irked by the zero potholes project of the Governor Simon Bako -led Rescue Administration. Under its watch, potholes took over the entire Jos and Bukuru metropolis while over N50 Billion of over N70Billion it claimed it spent on road construction were concentrated in their principal’s domain where some of the roads which were nylon- tarred don’t have vehicles plying them till date. What the Lalong administration did to address this inconvenience to motorists and the lopsidedness was the earmarking of N525, 675, 696. 00 for the rehabilitation of 24.4 km of roads by the Jos Metropolitan Development Board under direct labour and not 4 km roads as alleged at N500 Million to a family member. The roads covered all parts of Jos and Bukuru metropolis. We don’t blame the PDP as it was and still is the party of family and friends,a subject which we reserve for future discourse . The PDP assaulted the sensibilities of the very knowledgeable people of Plateau state when it alleged that during Lalong’s first year in office the government wasted N97 Billion without being accounted for. There can be no pulling of the wool across the eyes of discerning minds than this. Under the last administration where oil sold for over $140 per barrel, financial recklessness was the order of the day. Under the Lalong Rescue Administration, all necessary processes to block loopholes and leakages have been put in place. Since 2015 the state government has been publishing its financial statements to date which we advise the lazy PDP to go to the state’s website instead of the tissues of lies it feeds the public with. It also accused the APC government of its inability to give account of present debt profile in the last seven years. This is a crass demonstration of ignorance by the PDP. If not, it ought to know that domestic or foreign debt repayment is a continous exercise from one administration to the other. The government inherited a debt of N101 Billion which it has been trying its best to settle. The government defrayed arrears of eight months salary and nine months pension/gratuity left by the preceeding PDP administration. The PDP in the State, as part part of its being hunted and haunted by its past, left a legacy of nepotism, clannishness and squandermenia on its trail and would obviously frown at genuine legacies which the current government wants to leave. The Lalong administration under the well conceived “Lalong Legacy” in 2018, awarded to Bleneson Services Nigeria Limited contract for the construction of 8No. Primary schools 6No. Secondary schools and 6No. Hospitals at the cost of N59,883, 614, 363.13. On 24th August 2020, the government decided to re-scope the project at the cost of N29, 999,998,626.97 due to the current economic realities. The contract was terminated due to poor performance by the contractor. It was reawarded to United Integrated Ltd on 17th June 2022 at the cost of N 26,611 202,408.73 after careful assessment and deduction of the work executed by the past contractor. Instead of commending the government for the bold step it took in terminating the contract, the PDP is ironically blaming it. This is curious as a contractor who clearly defrauded the state would be defended by the opposition party. We are aware that some PDP members who took part in the botched contract are having sleepless nights beceause they have nothing to ‘chop’ from again since the conduit pipe has been blocked. Also as earlier stated, the bottom line is that the PDP is jolted as the completion of the Lalong Legacy Projects will silence or dwarf everything they claimed to have achieved during their wasteful eight years of mismanagement of our commonwealth. Let them be rest assured that the Legacy Projects would be completed in time under the new contractor and not a friend of some members of the PDP who did everything to frustrate government’s efforts by taking money without delivering on its contractual obligation. In order to rubbish or blackmail the government, it also stated that no contractor has been mobilised to sites. The government, based on due process is still processing the work to enable the full and seamless take -off of the projects. The re-awarded contract sum was computed at the market rates taking into cognisance the current exchange rate. The issue of the governor spending N14.3 Billion on chartered flights is as mischievous as it is laughable. Perhaps the PDP is referring to what the immediate past governor under its watch expended on such chattered flights as it is common knowledge that his family operated for the purpose of siphoning government resources chattered airline in faraway South Africa. The truth is that the governor worked hard and brought the services of Max Arline to fly the Abuja – Jos route as a cost saving measure and to reduce the hardships of Plateau citizens at a very affordable rate and which the governor patronises a lot till date. The outrageous amount alleged by the PDP, can purchase several aircraft which is never the priority of the APC government in the state. On the allegation of the rebuilding process of the Jos Main Market which got burnt down in a very suspicious manner in 2002 and which former Governor Jang was never in support of its rebuilding, he refused to have anything to do with it except it was relocated to his community. Now that the rebuilding contact is about to commence, the PDP has embarked on a wild goose chase with the fanthom allegation of N4 Billion being spent on the demolition of the wreckage. The true position is that on 4th February, 2019, the contract for the demolition/implosion of the burnt Jos Main Market was awarded to MAMKO INVESTMENT AND ENGINEERING LTD at the cost of N1,188, 000 000. 00. After due process. The MoU is about to be signed for the construction of one of the once most expansive and most beautiful markets in the West African sub region which instead of receiving commendation from the PDP, it is surprisingly condemning it. When reconstructed, this once reputable edifice will revamp the economy of the state and boost the income of its citizens and residents thereof. Again, the PDP is not comfortable with the mechanisms put in place by the Lalong Administration and would prefer the old ways of doing things where leakages and other financial malfeasances were the order of the day. The Lalong administration has put in place several machinary of ensuring checks and balance. This is the first time in the history of Plateau state that the audited financial statement of the state from 2015 till date has been published consistently online for both local and international audiences including embassies of foreign governments which have been commending the Governor Lalong administration. Also the local goverment Final Account for the year 2021 has been audited and is presently online which again we refer the cantankerous PDP image makers to visit. The Lalong Administration has also strengthened the Fiscal and Financial Policy by working very closely with the Workd Bank to achieve the State Fiscal, Transparency Accountability and Sustainability ( SFTAS) Program For Results. The state budget has been refined which has earned it award by the World Bank. Also, the state Accounting System has been tightened through the federal government policy ot Treasury Single Account ( TSA) Other commendable policies embarked upon by the government include the creation of Debt Management Arreas Framework, Open Government Partnership (OGP), Efficiency Unit, Passage of the Public Procurement Law and the constitution of the Liquidity Management Committee among several others. The PDP in the State which swam in excess crude oil, Paris Club refunds in addition to other cheap funds is blaming the state government for borrowing money to pay salaries. This is not peculiar to Plateau State as based on the current global economic meltdown, many states including the federal government have recently resorted to borrowing to pay workers salaries. With regards to Plateau state, the state government inherited from the Jang administrationas earlier mentioned, a balance of a meager N96M in all Government Accounts in the midst of eight months backlog of salaries which the present goverment cleared in its first few months in office leading to the workers giving Governor Lalong the nomenclature of Governir Alert. Regretably due to challenges being faced by the NNPC, the government which has been reputed for prompt payment of workers salaries has challenges which has led to delay which it is working in earnest to settle. The Plateau State government sees workers welfare as a priority. Finally, the APC the strongly advises the PDP government to desist from its notoriety of spreading falsehood and play the role of an opposition party in the state with decorum. The APC is amenable to genuine criticism instead of the destruction antics and distraction which is the bane of the ailing PDP in our beloved state.
Kwararafa Reporters 