Attai Audu Jos

Governor of Plateau State, Barr Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang on Friday presented staff of office to new Ngolong Ngas Monarch, a first Class traditional ruler Nde Jika Golit at Pankshin ancient historic town of his state.

The new Ngolong Ngas was crowned on Friday nine years after the demise of the late Ngolong Ngas, Nde Joshua Dimlong.

Mutfwang, while performing the presentation of staff of office and certificate to the New Ngolong Ngas at the Pankshin Township Stadium, praised the Ngas Nation for a rancor-free selection process of the new Ngolong Ngas.

Mutfwang warned mischief makers against needless court actions that are capable of delaying or frustrating the selection and installation of traditional rulers in the state.

He implored the people of his state to always accept the will of God in all circumstances.

“I congratulate the Ngolong Ngas, Nde Jika Golit, on his ascension to the throne of his ancestors. His selection by the kingmakers, through a peaceful and rancor-free atmosphere, is worthy of
emulation by other ethnic groups in the state.” the Governor stated.

“Let me say at this point that it has become very expedient for us to hold this remarkable occasion at this crucial period of our collective existence. As you are aware, a week of mourning was declared in honor of our beloved people who were gruesomely murdered during the cruel Christmas Eve attacks and the days that followed, in Bokkos, Mangu, and Barkin-Ladi Local Government Areas.” he added.

According to Mutfwang, the coronation of the Ngolong Ngas was dear to his administration, inview of the pivotal role of the traditional institutions in deepening peace in their localities and by extention the entire state.

“We are determined to give the traditional institutions their pride of place. Our solemn commitment as a government is to continually strive towards filling all vacant traditional stools in the state in line with my promise and respect for the traditional institutions.”

“I am pleased to inform this respected gathering that the royalty of the Ngas Chiefdom and the Pankshin/Kanke Traditional Council has made us proud by showing a high level of decorum and good conduct during the period of transition and up to this moment that God Almighty has blessed the land with another leader to fill in the vacuum created by the demise of the late Ngolong Ngas.”

He added, “As a government, we are determined to resolve all lingering litigations that have brought setbacks to some communities. This will enable us fill the vacant stools that are left in some parts of the state. Our desire is to move along with all communities in providing tangible development that will improve the living conditions of our people, especially in the rural areas.”

The chairman of Plateau joint traditional council, the Gbong Gwom Jos, Da Jacob Gyang Buba on his part congratulated the new Ngolong Ngas, and announced that the Joint Traditional Council will meet next week to officially welcome him into the Council.

He urged politicians to stop meddling into issues that concerns traditional institutions, saying that “once the ruling house is confirmed as Gazetted as well as the kingmakers, the process of the selection of the traditional ruler should be allowed without interference”

On his part, the Transition Implementation Committee Chairman of Pankshin Local Government Area, Hon. Samuel Go’ar praised the boldness of Govenor Mutfwang for allowing the process of the selection without interference.

He said, “As Nga Nation, we are very proud that today our foundation as a people is being fortified against the erosion of our value system which has suffered neglect owing to the absence of a paramount leader. We are now confident that our bidding as a people shall henceforth be with recourse to our collective interest.”

The New Ngolong Ngas, Nde Jika Golit in appreciation of honor done to him,thanked Governor Caleb Mutfwang for giving the Ngas Nation a leader, and pledged to carry everybody along during his reign to promote peaceful coexistence in the area.
Traditional dancers and cultural groups spiced the event.

Attai Audu Jos

Former Senate Minority Leader Senator Simon Mwadkwon has commissioned multi million naira constituency Projects in Riyom LGA of Plateau North Senatorial district of Plateau state.

Mwadkwon who commissioned blocks of class rooms and Health center in his home local government area to the delight of his people who rolled out drums to celebrate their illustrious son, told his people that he was going to influence more constituents projects to them if he wins the February 3rd Senatorial polls in his Senatorial district.

Mwadkwon who was a one time Local Government Council Chairman in Riyom LGA and 2 times member House of Representatives representing Riyom/ Barkinladi Federal constituency before moving to the Senate stressed that he had several constituency projects in other local government areas of his constituency.
Mwadkwon added that he would Comission some projects in Barkinladi LGA on Thursday and likewise in Jos North and Jos East LGAs on Friday this week for the benefit of his constituents in the affected Communities.

He added that him along side his campaign team with his party leaders were going round the Plateau North Senatorial district LGAs to sensitize the people of his constituency on the forth coming February 3rd fresh Senatorial election in Plateau North where all registered political parties including his party, the ruling People’s Democratic party on the Plateau will feature candidates.
According to him,PDP would be on the ballot and sure of winning again at the polls.

Mwadkwon added that the forth coming election as ordered by court of Appeal in Abuja late last year would bring out more votes for him and his party because of the love and hope his constituents have on him to provide good and quality representation of their interest at National Assembly.
His party leaders from the state, local government and wards who spoke at the event commended Senator Mwadkwon for always having the interest of his constituents at heart by influencing constituency projects to them from Abuja right from his days at House of Representatives.

The party led by its Zonal chairman and community leaders called on the voters in the six LGAs of Plateau North to come out enmasse on February at the polls to return Senator Mwadkwon back to the Senate saying they had seen what Dr Mwadkwon did in less than 6 months in the Senate before the court of ruling for fresh elections in Plateau North.

We are thankful to God as we gracefully walk into 2024 with hope and faith despite the waves of pain that lie deep in our hearts.

The Association of local government chairmen plateau state chapter heartly wish all the good and loving people of plateau state a happy new year.

Your sacred tears on our grieving faces this new year are the eloquent marks of our love for our departed angels. We are comforted with the assurance that “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble”.

We believe as this 2024 comes with its challenges may the good tidings of the new year bring fruitfulness to us all

For each stormy cloud, there is a beautiful rainbow. May this new year relieve us of this pain and fill our hearts with comfort, peace, and joy that comes from above.

May the year 2024 come with new possibilities and opportunities for Plateau State as trust God for a state that is Secure, United, and Prosperous.

Happy New Year

Hon Hamisu Anani
ALGON Chairman
Plateau State.

Attai Audu Jos

The North Central All Progressive Congress (APC) Forum has canvassed support for the creation of the North Central Development Commission in order to accelerate the region’s advancement and to meet their development needs.

Speaking in Jos the Plateau State capital during his new year felicitation and 2024 blue print of the forum’s goals, the forum’s Chairman, Alhaji Saleh Mandung Zazzaga, said establishing the commission will not only make the challenges and other unfortunate security situation of the North Central region to be tackled, but will also enable the region to explore its full potentials, utilize same and occupy its pride of place in the nation.

Alhaji Zazzaga said the North Central region has great human and natural resources, and that it is a strong force to reckon with in terms of national politics, agriculture, education, mining and other mineral resources deposits.

He said even Abuja the nation’s capital is situated in the North Central, and so the region is a full force to reckon with, adding that the region has contributed to the growth of the country in many aspects, and that it still has many more to offer to the development of the nation if properly positioned.

That is why, he said, the APC forum is throwing its weight behind the Senator representing Plateau South Senatorial District and former Governor of Plateau State, Simon Lalong’s push for the creation of the North Central Development Commission.

He said according to Lalong who spoke recently on the floor of the Senate on the motion of urgent public importance moved by Senator Diket Plang (Plateau Central) on the Christmas eve attacks that left close to 200 people dead in Bokkos, Barkin Ladi and Mangu Local Government Areas of the state, he said unless the Government moves fast to stop the carnage and rebuild the lives and economy of the region, poverty and more insecurity will prevail.

He said the position of Senator Lalong on the argument for creating the North East Development Commission and also at the verge of creating the South East Development Commission, that of the North Central Development Commission to address the damage of insecurity in the region is equally valid.

Zazzaga called on all the stakeholders in the region to join hands and push for the actualization of the commission irrespective of political and other differences as the commission is for the benefit of all and sundry.

The Chairman also appreciated President Bola Tinubu for having the region close to his heart and has so far been relating with it in a cordial and sincere manner, adding that the president should do everything possible to see that the commission for the region is established, as any tangible gains recorded by the commission will also be a credit to his administration.

He urged the President to remain focused and continue doing his good works, as his leadership style is unique and will gradually take Nigerians to the ‘promise land’ with a full yield of the dividends of democracy.

• Charge Plateau Citizens to See 2024 As A Year Full of Hope.

Attai Audu Jos

Plateau State Governor, Barr. Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, has announced one week of mourning from January 1st to January 8th, 2024, in honour of those who lost their lives in the Christmas Eve attacks across Bokkos, Mangu, and Barkin-Ladi Local Government Areas.

In a statewide broadcast on Monday morning in Jos, Governor Mutfwang directed that flags should be flown at half-mast and urged citizens to engage in intense prayers for divine intervention against those perpetrating violence in the state.

He specifically appealed to Muslim and Christian leaders to dedicate Friday 5th and Sunday 7th January 2024 respectively for special prayers.

The Governor described the attacks as premeditated and coordinated acts of criminality, insurgency, and terrorism, emphasizing the need to address them as such. Refuting the traditional narrative of Farmer-Herder clashes, he unequivocally labeled the incidents as genocide.

Governor Mutfwang acknowledged the resilience of Plateau citizens in the face of adversity and expressed confidence that 2024 would bring hope and opportunities in reflection of the inner strength of the people.

The Governor highlighted some of his administration’s achievements since assumption of office, to include efforts to revamp security, clear salary backlogs, and payments of gratuity, death benefits, and pension arrears.

He also announced a fuel subsidy of N10,000 per month for workers from September 2023 to March 2024, pending a federal wage review.

Governor Mutfwang provided updates on the progress of revamping the railway track from Bukuru to Jos, expressing optimism about its commencement by the end of January 2024.

He thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the prompt response and relief efforts over the security challenges that confronted the state.

The Governor expressed hope Plateau State’s future, and said he looks forward for the state to become a global destination, drawing parallels with the transformation of Rwanda after years of internal conflicts.

Attai Audu Jos

Senator representing Plateau South Senatorial District and former Governor of Plateau State Simon Bako Lalong has called for the creation of the North Central Development Commission to fast track the rebuilding of homes and economic activities of people of the region which has been under relentless attacks by criminals and bandits.

Lalong stated this on the floor of the Senate on the motion of urgent public importance moved by Senator Diket Plang (Plateau Central) on the Christmas eve attacks that left close to 200 people dead in Bokkos, Barkin Ladi and Mangu Local Government Areas of Plateau State.

Senator Lalong said unless the Government moves fast to stop the carnage and rebuild the lives and economy of the region, poverty and more insecurity will prevail.

According to him, those who were displaced in previous attacks have not been returned to their places because of the enormity of devastation wrecked on their lands.

“I kept on hammering, just like we created the North East Development Commission and we are about creating the South East Development Commission, we must look at the creation of the North Central Development Commission to address the damage done to the region by various forms of insecurity. That is the only way out because a displaced person for 10 years will definitely be angry. There are people who have been displaced since 2001 and yet to return to their lands. We must do something to ensure they are resettled”.

He decried the response of the security agencies to the distress calls during the recent barbaric killings in Bokkos, Barkin Ladi and Mangu, describing as disappointing the excuse that terrain and distance was a hindrance.

The former Governor said Operation Rainbow which has operated in the State for a long time has troops stationed across the Local Governments Areas particularly those areas which are considered flashpoints.

He questioned the non use of operational assets such as drones, helicopters and even military formations such as the Airforce Search and Rescue centre in Kerang which did not do much even during the last attacks in villages of Mangu, not far from the base.

Apart from dealing with the criminals, the former Labour and Employment Minister said the non-kinetic approach should be also be considered along with military operations whereby peace building is encouraged and disputes are addressed before they get out of hand.

He recommended that the traditional institution should be given constitutional roles in the constitution because they play a major role in addressing issues within the local environment particularly where force or military action is not needed at the particular period.

Senator Lalong promised to re-present the bill on role of traditional rulers which he championed as Chairman Northern Governors Forum, but it failed to be passed by the last Senate.

While concuring with the summon of security Chiefs to address the Senate on the attacks, Senator Lalong thanked the Senate President Godswill Akpabio and his colleagues for their empathy and response to the condemnable attacks.

Attai Audu Jos

Minister of State for Defence Bello Matawalle, the service chiefs, and other officials visited Plateau State on Sunday over the gruesome attacks on some rural communities in the state. reports that the worst-affected places by the Christmas Eve attacks were in Bokkos, Mangu, and Barkin-Ladi local government areas.

More than 200 people were killed, with close to double that figure sustaining different degrees of injuries.

Matawalle, who was accompanied by Betta Edu, Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, told Governor Caleb Mutfwang that the visit was on the directive of President Bola Tinubu.

He assured the governor and people of the state of the commitment of the Federal Government towards addressing insecurity in Plateau and Nigeria in general.

“We are here on the directive of the President to commiserate with you and assure you of our total commitment to securing the lives and property of the people.

“We are also here to see the level of destruction; we shall interact with the people in the communities to have first-hand information. I want to assure you that this incident will not occur again; these criminals will be crushed soon,” he said.

Attai Audu Jos

Plateau former Governor Senator Jonah David Jang Jang advocated that States should be given the power to create, train and equip their police to enable State Governors deal with peculiar security situations in their various states

Jang in a statement in Jos on Saturday through his media Consultant Clinton Garba which was made available to Oracle Reporters said More than ever, the time to heed the call for state policing is now.

He commiserated with the families that lost loved ones during the Christmas Eve attack on communities in Bokkos and Barkin Ladi Local government areas of Plateau State.

Jang lamented that “This dastardly act has once again tampered with the peace of our dear state as it was orchestrated by people who are hell-bent on ensuring that the ordinary Plateau man does not enjoy the serenity God through nature has bestowed on him.”

Jang wondered why the evil minded armed men and the enermies of his state choose to murder harmless villagers in their homes as they prepared to celebrate the yuletide, describing the act as the most horrendous wickedness that anyone could imagine

“None of the hundreds of our people who lost their lives in the Christmas Eve attack by marauding terrorists envisaged that their lives would be cut short in such a gruesome manner.”

He lamented that the killings on the plateau would seem to have gone on unabated as the non-arrest and prosecution of perpetrators have bolstered the serial killers to carry out more and more killings.

” Unfortunately, villagers in Bokkos, Barkin Ladi, Bassa, Riyom and Mangu LGAs have continued to bear the brunt of terrorists who seem to have sworn to dispossess them of their heritage at all costs.”

He alleged that these killers are out on a cleansing agenda and plan to take over the lands of the people they try to wipe out is no longer hidden.”

“As painful as these killings are, equally hard and painstaking efforts must be made to put an end to them to restore Plateau to its known peaceful atmosphere which made it home to many people, even in decades past.” He demanded

“While we agree with the President that the culprits must be apprehended and made to face prosecution, we must note that these directives have been issued repeatedly. Yet, neither arrests nor prosecutions have been made in the past. It is therefore pertinent that at this point, there is the need to attend to the call for State police as part of measures for boosting security, ensuring early response in crises and confronting the challenges of insecurity headlong.”

He qurried a situation where State Governors have no powers to immediately deploy personnel to quell attacks and confront marauding terrorists is worrisome.

“The killings are getting out of hand and the State Police option is viable for nipping these massacres in the bud.”

Jang advocated that States should be given the power to create, train and equip their police to enable State Governors to deal with peculiar security situations in their various states.
More than ever, the time to heed the call for state policing is now.

The National Assembly must take this call seriously and rise to the occasion, act in the interest of the Plateau People and consider the issue as a matter of urgent importance.

“While we commend the efforts of the Federal and Plateau State Governments in responding to the recent attacks, we reckon that more can be done to stop the seeming non-stop attacks and needless loss of the lives of innocent villagers who are murdered while in their sleep or as the struggle on their farms to eke a living for themselves.”

“There is more that can be done, the endless killings are unacceptable, and our people must be allowed to stay in their homes, and continue to cultivate their farmlands without any intimidation or fear of unprovoked attacks which leave them homeless or decapitated.”

“We join millions of Plateau people and our well-wishers in sending our heartfelt condolences to the families that have lost loved ones in the recent attacks. We are sore and grieved but consoled that the blood of the innocent will not go unavenged, if not here, in the hereafter.”

He called on the people to cooperate with the State Government which has shown commitment to ensuring the safety of Plateau citizens.

“The killings have assumed a dimension where inhumanity seems to have overtaken humanity but whatever the intentions and purposes of the terrorists, Plateau will survive, thrive and stand tall as the home of peace and tourism.” Jang said

By Attai Audu Jos.

As part of his contributions to building a society guaranteed a secure future, Politician and Philanthropist, Chief Kefas Ropshik has urged the elite and the political class to be intentional about the welfare of those within the margins in society Mr. Ropshik who celebrated both his birthday and 15th year anniversary in philanthropy and humanitarianism distributed food and other critical items worth millions of Naira to widows and children.

Speaking about his sojourn of touching lives so far, chief Kefas said “I thank God for the enablement to do this despite the challenges through the years, it is not easy to do what we’re doing consistently but here we are by the grace of God.

“Adopting children that are not related to you directly by blood comes with its down sides because they have their uniqueness.

“We are appreciative of the fact that despite all these, they’re doing well, including academically.”

He goes further to urge capable citizens to take the challenge of adopting children in order to guarantee a better future for society, pointing that failure to do so can attract consequences.

The business magnet announced the purchase of a brand new house in Jos for his adopted children who were hitherto, living at a rented apartment as well as a bus for ease of transportation.

Over four hundred bags of rice and many more items were given to women who are largely widows to celebrate the festive season.

Chief Kefas who is also engaged in youth empowerment has impacted and touch so many lives, just recently he launched an entertainment hub on the plateau, the distribution of rice and other gift items  which began on Tuesday with people From Pankshin, Kanke and Shandam local Government areas of the State Climax with the Birthday of Chief Kefas Ropshik on Thursday at the Mees Palace event Center Jos, where over 600 widows and Orphans went home with bags of Rice and other Gift.

Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Kefiano Foundation, Chief Kefas Wungak Ropshik, speaking about the insecurity the state is facing raised alarm calling on Plateau people to team up and unit fight the common enemy because the security have failed in protecting their lives and territorial
integrity, and he also call on politicians to stop playing politics with the recent happenings but rather join hands and the unite to fight against the enemy of the state.

Chief Kefas Ropshik made the call recently, in an interview with Journalists on the occasion of his birthday, held at mess Palace, Rayfield, Jos, the Plateau State capital where he distributed food items worth millions of Naira to over six hundred (600) widows, orphans and Persons With Disabilities (PWD).

According to him, “it is a very sad moment and quite unfortunate that this is happening to Plateau State. But, of course, we will always call on government to do the needful especially, we the Plateau people. It is getting to a time that we cannot fold our arms and wait for government.

“We must think outside the box on how our people can be protected, and this goes directly to the state government. We must build our internal security to protect us. Katsina State, today, trained people and armed them with AK 47. I think it is getting to the stage that  Plateau people need to do that. We need to do that!

“They are killing our people like animals and we cannot fold our arms and be waiting for security because, the security have failed us. We cannot imagine these people coming to kill people the first day, come back the second day and the third day. It means they are within the vicinity”, he enthused.

“We must learn to unite and speak one voice and not for political gains. I seriously frawn at it and that is the truth. We are tired of waiting for government. I am a victim of this carnage because I have adopted 20 children whose parents were slaughtered in their presence. How long are we going to continue in that?

He said if the government in power today is APC, PDP or Labour Party, it’s high time everybody came to support the government. Government too should learn how to involve every stakeholder regardless of political party so that, they will contribute to the security and success of Plateau State.

And also speaking with one of the widow Jummai Jonathan who benefited from the items given by chief Kefas said her joy know no bound as the items she received will go along way to feed and take care of her family she also said just recently her son benefited from the scholarship given by Chief Kefas to study at the university, “she send her profound appreciation to God almighty and chief Kefas for the wonderful thing that he has been doing by impacting on lives of the less privilege in the society and pray for God to continue to bless him.

Speaking with one of the widow Jummai Jonathan who benefited from the items given by chief Kefas said her joy know no bound as the items she received will go along way to feed and take care of her family she also said just recently her son benefited from the scholarship given by Chief Kefas to study at the university she send her profound appreciation to God almighty and chief Kefas for the wonderful thing that he has been doing by impacting on lives of the less privilege and pray for God to continue to bless him.

Philanthropist Calls for Unity over plateau attacks

Attai Audu, Jos .

Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Kefiano Foundation, Chief Kefas Wungak Ropshik, has raised alarm calling on Plateau people to team up and fight the common enemy because the security have failed in protecting their lives and territorial integrity.

He made the call recently, in an interview with Journalists on the occasion of his birthday, held at Crystal Palace, Rayfield, Jos, the Plateau State capital where he distributed food items worth millions of Naira to over six hundred (600) widows, orphans and Persons With Disabilities (PWD).

The CEO said, “it is a very sad moment and quite unfortunate that this is happening to Plateau State. But, of course, we will always call on government to do the needful especially, we the Plateau people. It is getting to a time that we cannot fold our arms and wait for government.

We must think outside the box on how our people can be protected, and this goes directly to the state government. We must build our internal security to protect us. Katsina State, today, trained people and armed them with AK 47. I think it is getting to the stage that Plateau people need to do that. We need to do that!

“They are killing our people like animals and we cannot fold our arms and be waiting for security because, the security have failed us. We cannot imagine these people coming to kill people the first day, come back the second day and the third day. It means they are within the vicinity”, he enthused.

Ropshik, however, said that sharing security numbers to the public was not enough because the time of their response to distressed calls was one big question and one major challenge the people were struggling with, hence the need for people to protect themselves.

We must learn to unite and speak one voice and not for political gains. I seriously fraud at it and that is the truth. We are tired of waiting for government. I am a victim of this carnage because I have adopted 20 children whose parents were slaughtered in their presence. How long are we going to continue in that?

He said if the government in power today is APC, PDP or Labour Party, it’s high time everybody came to support the government. Government too should learn how to involve every stakeholder regardless of political party so that, they will contribute to the security and success of Plateau State.

According to him,this is not time for politicking, it is time for governance so all should be invited to contribute what he or she thinks would bring to the success of Plateau State.