Arewa Youths have Called on NNPCL GCEO , Mele Kyari to resign from office with immediate effect Over alleged reported Cases of Corruption at NNPCL.
Comrade Aminu Haruna Maipampo Chairman, Arewa Youth Alliance for Progress and Development (AYAPD ) and James Ishaku Secretary, AYAPD, the Arewa Youth Alliance for Progress and Development (AYAPD ) in a statement jointly issued on Sunday and made available to Oracle Reporters
said they were deeply concerned about the frequently reported cases of corruption within the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) and have decided to call on the Group Managing Director (GCEO) of the NNPCL, Mr. Mele Kyari, to resign from his position with immediate effect.
According to the duo, they are not happy that NNPCL is always in the news over the allegation of payment of 20bn to ghost contractors apart from another reported case of payment of billions of Naira to GCEO and the Head of Finance of the organisation.
“This is in addition to a reported case of stolen crude oil worth over $2.5b that was found hidden in China which triggered the National Assembly to set up a committee to investigate the matter.”
According to them, while Nigerians are still waiting for the outcome of the investigation by the National Assembly, Sahara Reporters, a reputable media outfit released another report on “System Money” where marketers pay $100,000 to the System to access cheap gasoline.
“We condemn, in the strongest possible terms, the alleged allocation of gas to marketers after taking a $100,000 bribe, which has led to the high cost of the product. This is unacceptable, and it is an indication of the endemic corruption that has plagued the NNPC for years.
“The “System” of corruption that has been established within the Corporation must crumble if our country must make significant progress.”
They alleged that the scarcity of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) before and during the 2023 general election was a case of political sabotage designed with the Corporation to put the Candidate of the ruling party at a disadvantage position.
” This is unacceptable, and it is an indication that the NNPC is being used to advance the interests of a few individuals at the expense of the Nigerian people. We wonder where they suddenly got the fuel that is now available for Sale immediately after the election.”
The Arewa Youth leaders called on Mr. Mele Kyari to take responsibility for the failure of his leadership and immediately step down from his position.
“We demand that the government takes swift and decisive action to investigate the allegations of corruption within the NNPC and bring the culprits to justice.
“If Mr. Kyari fails to comply with our demands, we will have no other option but to embark on a warning mass protest on the eve of the Inauguration of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Nigeria’s President-elect to demand for his resignation and the end of corruption within the NNPC.
“We call on all Nigerians to join us in this fight against corruption and to demand that accountability and transparency in the management of the national resources.
A group under the Platform of Justice for Naraguta B Electoral Ward B of Jos North Local government area of Plateau state has called on Election Petition Tribunal for Governorship and Assembly elections sitting in Jos to order for bye elections at Naraguta B ward , an electoral ward of over 200,000 voters the opportunity to democratically cast their votes for candidates of their choice in the just concluded general elections.
The Chairman of the group,Aso Usman Ahmad and Secretary Solomon Kaiwa in a statement made available to Oracle Reporters on Thursday in Jos, said as body of aggrieved voters, with verifiable membership covering the entire Naraguta B ward, the Nigeria’s single most populated electoral ward with over 200,000 registered voters, their votes should count in any democratic elections on the Plateau.
They regretted that even though the general elections have come and gone, they are worried that the grave injustices committed against them during the election exercise in their electoral ward has not been addressed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and has left them disenfranchised in breach of their Constitutional rights.
They recalled that political gladiators in Jos North LGA particularly the Jos North LGA INEC Electoral Officer’s collated and returned results of the ward , even when the INEC officials of the ward went missing.
“These and many more discredited gestures instigated the controversies that led to the avoidable,denial of our rights to cast votes in the critical elections.”
According to them,'” this adhoc committee was formed in the interest of deepening the message of peace by asking for redressing of the injustice through pleading with the Plateau governorship/House of Assembly petition Tribunal for another chance to also participate in elections through a bye-election in the ward.”
They commended setting up of the Plateau State Elections Petition Tribunal and hinted that With the tribunal in place,, “we believe there is a commitment and resolve to do justice to all those who are aggrieved because of one electoral issue or the other”
. “In Naraguta B Ward, we suffered utter disenfranchisement, for reasons that are not our making. Brazen electoral crimes and offences were unleashed on the entire Naraguta B Ward, as BVAS machines and allied electoral materials were either stolen or diverted to unknown destinations, to the effect that elections could not be conducted in the Ward, in spite of the zeal and readiness of the voting population to participate and exercise their constitutional right.”
They added that for reasons not known to them, alien but certainly strong partisan forces took more than a passing interest in the election and voting in the Naraguta B Ward.
” These forces infiltrated the area and the voting centres and orchestrated hooliganism and brigandage to the extent that the atmosphere became chaotic and not conducive for free and fair elections. “
They demanded that In the spirit of fair play, equity, justice, and good conscience, they are pleading for the understanding of the tribunal order for a fresh conduct of the 2023 Gubernatorial and House of Assembly elections in the Naraguta B Ward..
According to them, fresh conduct of bye election in their electoral ward would enable the needlessly disenfranchised electorates there to exercise their franchise and express their preference as to who should preside over their affairs.
The group leaders said they are looking forward to justice being done in this regard.
They advised and cautioned, with the benefit of hindsight, that alien political forces and actors should stay off their political space completely and charged ; Jos North Local Government Authority to rise to their billing as elected leaders.
They regretted that their experience in the last election in their electoral ward ,points to the anaconda mortgage plans of these hoodlums.
They pleaded with the impartial tribunal to reverse the unarguably, compromised INEC decision on the Naraguta B.Ward polls, and call for a by- election in the electoral ward, stressing that, ‘” it is natural to demand that all elected officials and all other levels of leaderships in LGA, must rise to the quest of accountability and creative action .
“We stand for justice and fair play as we reiterate our call for fresh 2023 Gubernatorial and House of Assembly election in Naraguta B ward.” They stressed.
10th Assembly Speakership: Gbajabiamila faces impeachment over doctored standing rules
Outgoing Speaker of the House of Representatives Hon Femi Gbajabiamila, may be removed from office ahead of the inauguration of the 10th Assembly for doctoring the House standing rules to favour his stooges as Speaker and Deputy.
Alread
, over 100 aggrieved members of the House have signed a notice of impeachment to be served on the Speaker at the resumption of plenary Tuesday Morning.
Tuesday’s session promises to be hot as members have vowed to raised the issue on the floor of the House for immediate retraction of the rigged and doctored document.
The doctored standing rules, refered to as the 10th edition cited by our correspondents, has a new , strange and obnoxious provision for electing the Speaker and Deputy through an open ballot instead of the existing rule of secret ballot that has been in use since 1999.
Section 2 (f) (iii) of the controversial clause captioned “election of presiding officers” stated that, ” every member voting shall name clearly and in the open the candidate of his choice.”
Speaking to our correspondent, a principal officer of the House said: “Yes, i can confirm that an alteration has been done and the document has been printed. But i want to tell you that even as a principal officer in the House I am not aware of this. No such amendment has been officially carried by the House.”
Another member said: “This is a strange departure from our traditional procedure of electing presiding officers in the House which has always produced Speakers and Deputy Speakers through secret ballot system. We have never discuss the issue of amending our rules in this repected in the last four years it must be the gand work of somebody who is trying to be faster than the House. I assure you we will get to the root of the matter immediately so as to save the House from any embarrassment.
Gbajabiamila is being accused by his colleagues of single-handedly manipulating the rules of the House to edge out more credible aspirants in favour of his preferred candidate Hon Abbas Tajudden who is unpopular with members.
Investigation by our reporter reveals that Gbajabiamila believed that this is the only way by which he can impose his candidate on members as Speaker of the 10th House of Representatives.
“The goal is to create fear in members and open them up for victimisation by the new government and the ruling All Progressives Congresse (APC) which is believed to have been zoned to the North West Geo-Politocal zone ostensibly to pave way for the emergence of Abbas Tajuddeen. It is aimed at creating an impression of disloyalty againts members who choose to vote their conscience as against the instruction of the ruling party. This is brazen and reckless by whoever choose to do it. “
“It is a slap on the faces of Hon members and an embarrabsment to the nstitution of the legislature. We will insist that Gbajabiamila should step aside for proper investigation to be carried out on how the rules were doctored. Where is the votes and proceedings of the session and the order paper of the day that the amendment was carries out.
The House will have a Speaker Pro-Tempo who will preside over this investigation until the issue is unearthed.
It is unbelievable that our rules will be altered without recourse to the procedures. As I speak to you even the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives who chairs consideration of reports is not aware of this amendment. This is a serious breach and an unpardonable democratic offence. It is unfortunate that this is coming few weeks to the end of Gbajabiamila’s tenure just because he wants to be controlling the House of Representatives after his tenure.
The chairman of the House Committee on Rules and Business and the Deputy Speaker of the House will be asked to explain their roles in this unfortunate and devastating development.
“It is equally instructive to note that whether Gbajabiamila is aware of it or not a serious branched has been established under his leadership which he must give account of.”
Outgoing Speaker of the House of Representatives Hon Femi Gbajabiamila, may be removed from office ahwad of the inauguration of the 10th Assembly for doctoring the House standing rules to favour his stooges as Speaker and Deputy.
Already, over 100 aggrieved members of the House have signed a notice of impeachment to be served on the Speaker at the resumption of plenary Tuesday Morning.
Tuesday’s session promises to be hot as members have vowed to raised the issue on the floor of the House for immediate retraction of the rigged and doctored document.
The doctored standing rules, refered to as the 10th edition cited by our correspondents, has a new , strange and obnoxious provision for electing the Speaker and Deputy through an open ballot instead of the existing rule of secret ballot that has been in use since 1999.
Section 2 (f) (iii) of the controversial clause captioned “election of presiding officers” stated that, ” every member voting shall name clearly and in the open the candidate of his choice.”
Speaking to our correspondent, a principal officer of the House names withheld said: “Yes, i can confirm to you that an alteration has been done and the document has been printed. But i want to tell you that even as a principal officer in the House I am not aware of this. No such amendment has been officially carried by the House.”
Another member said: “This is a strange departure from our traditional procedure of electing presiding officers in the House which has always produced Speakers and Deputy Speakers through secret ballot system. We have never discuss the issue of amending our rules in this respected House in the last four years it must be the gand work of somebody who is trying to be faster than the House. I assure you we will get to the root of the matter immediately so as to save the House from any embarrassment.
Gbajabiamila is being accused by his colleagues of single-handedly manipulating the rules of the House to edge out more credible aspirants in favour of his preferred candidate Hon Abbas Tajudden who is unpopular with members.
Investigation by Oracle Reporters reveals that Gbajabiamila believed that this is the only way by which he can impose his candidate on members as Speaker of the 10th House of Representatives.
“The goal is to create fear in members and open them up for victimisation by the new government and the ruling All Progressives Congresse (APC) which is believed to have been zoned to the North West Geo-Politocal zone ostensibly to pave way for the emergence of Abbas Tajuddeen. It is aimed at creating an impression of disloyalty againts members who choose to vote their conscience as against the instruction of the ruling party. This is brazen and reckless by whoever choose to do it. “
“It is a slap on the faces of Hon members and an embarrabsment to the nstitution of the legislature. We will insist that Gbajabiamila should step aside for proper investigation to be carried out on how the rules were doctored. Where is the votes and proceedings of the session and the order paper of the day that the amendment was carries out.
The House will have a Speaker Pro-Tempo who will preside over this investigation until the issue is unearthed.
It is unbelievable that our rules will be altered without recourse to the procedures. As I speak to you even the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives who chairs consideration of reports is not aware of this amendment. This is a serious breach and an unpardonable democratic offence. It is unfortunate that this is coming few weeks to the end of Gbajabiamila’s tenure just because he wants to be controlling the House of Representatives after his tenure.
The chairman of the House Committee on Rules and Business and the Deputy Speaker of the House will be asked to explain their roles in this unfortunate and devastating development.
“It is equally instructive to note that whether Gbajabiamila is aware of it or not a serious branched has been established under his leadership which he must give account of.”
The entire APC family in Plateau state , heartily joins Plateau citizens both at home and in the diaspora in felicitating with His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Dr Simon Bako Lalong KSGG, CON, the Executive Governor of Plateau State and Chairman Northern Governors Forum, as he celebrates his 60th anniversary birthday today.
Spokesman of Plateau APC Hon Sylvanus Namang in a statement in Jos which he made available to Oracle Reporters on behalf of his party leadership, said attaining this remarkable and diamond birthday which is God’s grace upon the Governor’s life, is no doubt, worth appreciating God for his mercy.
This is moerso given the so many records of spectacular and uncommon achievements by His Excellency within these sixty years which have placed him at a comfortable and special place in book of fame for achievers.
Though born without a silver spoon in his mouth, Governor Siimon Bako Lalong has by dint of hard work and determination rose from the lower rung of life to a towering level to the admiration of all well meaning and discerning minds.
He started demonstrating his leadership traits as a young man when he became the the National President of Gammai Youth Movement in the nineties.
Joining active politics as a founding member of the Peoples Democratic Party which was then the party with wide national appeal embraced by the people of Plateau state, Governor Simon Bako Lalong contested and won election to represent the good and peace – loving people of Shendam Local Government as Member of the Plateau State House of Assembly.
As the saying goes, ” the golden fish has no hiding place, as it can be spotted even in the deepest level of the sea”, he was easily identified and unanimously elected by his fellow Members as Speaker of the Plateau State House of Assembly in 2000, a position he served with great honour and distinction for a record six years till 2006.
His legislative prowess saw Plateau State enjoying great dividends of democracy, especially in the field of education where given the cordial working relationship between the Legislative and executive arms, several tertiary institutions, including the Plateau State University, Bokkos, College of Agriculture, Garkawa and School of Science and Preliminary Studies, Kurgwi were established with speedy and seamless passage of bills to that effect.
A very humble but deft and calculated politician, Rt. Honourable Simon Bako Lalong won the governorship election in 2015 under the APC and again in 2019 against all odds, as most of the political big wigs never gave him a breathing space.
This to a great extent spurred him to put in his best especially in the area of peace building and its maintainance where he picked up the broken pieces as Captain of the Rescue Team and restored calm and relative peace in Plateau state, a legacy he will long be remembered for after the eight years he has been on the saddle as governor.
As an acknowledged and accomplished politician, he was able to properly launch Plateau State into the national arena with several benefits accruing to the state through the attraction of many institutions especially educational institutions where space and time would not allow us mention in this breath birthday wish for a great and honourable man of peace and bridge builder.
Governor Simon Bako Lalong stands very tall for ensuring as the Director General of the APC Presidential Campaign Council, the victory of the President – elcect, His Excellency Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice- President- elect, Senator Kashim Shettima who would be sworn- in. on 29th May, 2023.
As we join his family, friends and loved ones across the nation and globe in celebrating this quintessential leader, a legislator par excellence, a peacemaker and bridge builder of note, it is our sincere prayer and wish that Almighty God will continue to bless him with abundant health and protection and to elevate him for greater responsibilities in the years ahead.
The Holy Bible in the book of Ecclesiastes Chapter 7 verse 8 says “The end of a matter is better than its beginning, and patience is better than pride” (New Living Translation). This verse does not only convey divine truth that has stood the test of time, but aptly captures the life trajectory of Simon Bako Lalong, KSGG, CON, Executive Governor of Plateau State and Chairman, Northern Governors Forum who turns 60 on 5th May 2023. Incidentally, his 60th birthday is coming as he prepares to handover to the next Governor of Plateau State at the end of his 8 year tenure.
For the man Simon Bako Lalong, fate, fortune and the grace of God are visible all over him having come from an obscure background from his little-known village of Ajikamai, Nyak, in Shendam Local Government of Plateau State. His story is one of grass to grace built on virtues of humility, love, service, tolerance, broad-mindedness and teamwork which have guided him all through life.
Trained as a lawyer, Lalong started his political journey through youth activism within the socio-cultural organisation of the Gamai people, Gamai Youth Movement as well as the Plateau Youth Council which threw some spotlight on him that later blossom and took him to limelight which he enjoys today.
Right from his childhood, Lalong had the innate feeling that he was called to serve and needed to develop himself particularly through education that will give him the capacity to stand among the high and low and effectively add value to humanity. His passion was to become a lawyer. This perhaps explains why despite so many opportunities for a career in football up to the national stage, he chose rather to pursue academics and fulfill his dream of wearing the wig and gown.
Although he had an offer to be a civil servant at the FCDA Abuja after his youth service, he declined and chose to practice his most cherished ambition of law. This brought him back to Jos where he began practice and later delved into politics.
From his election into the Plateau House of Assembly to represent Shendam Constituency in 1999, Lalong jettisoned his early childhood values that were engraved in his heart by his family and the Catholic Church. Those who know him testify of his loyalty, love, respect, humility and compassion which have grown over the years and opened doors for him across the length and breadth of Nigeria and the world at large.
Many recall his sojourn as the Speaker of the Plateau House of Assembly and his travails over refusal to superintend over the illegal impeachment of Governor Joshua Dariye. Because he would not subvert the constitution and tore the path of impunity, dictatorship and criminality, he spent 40 days and 40 nights in EFCC detention. His loyalty to the constitution, the people of Plateau State and Governor Dariye whom he felt should have fair hearing as provided by law was tested and he passed.
This singular act cost him so much and threw him in the cold as his seat was vacated even after he won the election for his recall which was induced by the powers that be in collaboration with Federal Might. However, his good heart and his principled stance to do the right thing coupled with his contentment, trust in God, and love for others was to restore him to limelight again in 2015 when the people of Plateau State remembered his good works as Speaker and chose him to become Governor.
On coming into office, he inherited a myriad of challenges which included insecurity, a despondent and demoralized civil service, uncompleted and abandoned projects, lack of inclusivity in governance, as well as a State that was in dire need of healing, reconciliation and forgiveness. He did not waste time in bringing the people of Plateau State together and addressing the challenges.
He immediately paid 5 months withheld wages under no-work-no-pay policy and cleared inherited salary arrears of 8 months from the past administration. The same story applied to pension arrears of about 10 months which he equally cleared. This earned him the nickname “Governor Alert” bestowed upon by the civil servants.
Rather than embark on ego trip of commencing new projects while the State littered with abandoned projects, Lalong chose to complete those inherited even though from a government of PDP. These include the Mararaban Jama’a road which was just about one lane done as well as the Secretariat Junction flyover; old-airport to Rayfield; Rayfield to Bukuru etc. Same applied to abandoned general hospitals such as Riyom, Langtang South, Kanke which he completed. Sadly, this was to be used against him by his opponents who despite enjoying these infrastructures claimed he never did a “single” project in 8 years – a propagandist lie that unfortunately sank into the gullible.
But Simon Lalong whose heart is like that of a child refused to be intimidated or harassed by frivolities and kept carrying out inherited and new projects. Today, the brand new British American Flyover and Dualisation to Lamingo Junction Roundabout has been completed and will be commissioned by President Muhammadu Buhari soon. Same goes for the High Court Complex Headquarters, the Multi-door Courthouse and ADR Centre; NUJ Secretariat, Kalong-Angwan Dadi bridge (longest in Plateau); Shendam bye-pass and internal roads; of Longvel-Yelwa-Mato Junction-Taraba border road among; Legacy projects among others across the State.
When you talk about peace and security, Lalong gave it his best shot by not only dressing the surface, but going down to the root to tackle the causes. His style has been to remove fear and mutual suspicion from the hearts of citizens who had enjoyed peaceful coexistence for decades until crises merchants succeeded in dividing them along ethno-religious lines. While he strengthened the instrument of law enforcement to deal with criminals, he also came up with the Peace Building Agency which is the first of its kind in the country and backed by law. He ensured that crucial laws were enacted and signed such as the Anti-Land Grabbing and Anti-Kidnapping and Violence against persons.
Although there is no absolute security yet, citizens of Plateau State, Nigerians and members of the international community who earlier felt unsafe in Plateau have confessed that Lalong scored a goal in security and peace with abundant evidence to show. Nightlife is back to Jos while “no-go-areas” have drastically faded. Public and privates institutions across Nigeria have once more made Plateau State their conference and events capital as they jostle to host one national conference or the other. Hotel and hospitality businesses are booming while many investors who earlier left Plateau have returned. Even property owners have enjoyed a boom under Lalong as Plateau is once more the true Home of Peace and Tourism.
The footprints of Governor Lalong on the Plateau are very visible across all sectors and all Local Governments of the State. Whether it is the education sectors where he took over a moribund Plateau State University Bokkos and turned it into a 7-Faculty institution with 7 convocations in its kitty and a PG School; or the revamping of the Plateau Specialists Hospital with the acquisition of Ultra-modern medical equipment such as Superstar MRI Machine, 64 slices CT Scanner, 4D-Ultrasound Scanner and Digital X-Ray Machine among others; or the deepening of systems for transparency, accountability and good governance in the State which has earned the State national and international recognition, the man Lalong is leaving large footprints in the political landscape of Plateau, albeit quietly as the silent achiever he is.
While some could have disagreed with him over some of his policies and actions, Lalong has never claimed to be a saint or infallible. Indeed those who know him testify that he is one of the meekest persons on the face of the earth who is not afraid to admit any shortcoming just as he can stick to his convictions even when everyone disagrees with him.
His 60th birthday which comes just weeks before he bows out as Governor makes it a day to pause and thank God for sending someone with his temperament, capacity, intellect, humility, courage and love to the people of Plateau and Nigeria at times such as this. Having done his best to serve and with the best intentions, he is eager to go and have some deserved rest and also spend some quality time with his family.
But whether this will be a reality for him is in doubt because having produced the next President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the DG of the APC Presidential Campaign Council, many expect that he will again play a prominent role in actualizing the Renewed Hope Mandate of Tinubu/Shettima. Also, Lalong who was the leader of the Northern Governors who insisted that power should go back to the south in the interest of fairness and justice remains a strong figure in the ruling APC.
If history is anything to go by, Lalong who is not known to lobby for positions will once again have his past records speaking for him just as they did when he was chosen by his colleagues to serve as the Chairman of the Northern Governors Forum, a position he has used to further demonstrate his capacity on the national stage and also ensure that Plateau remains in national relevance rather than obscurity.
The prayer for this man of peace and love is that God will continue to order his steps and give him more opportunities and make his paths shine brighter to serve humanity which has been his ambition from childhood. As this chapter of his life closes, there is no doubt that God is opening a new phase for him to once again demonstrate that love is the greatest according to Matthew 22: 37-40 which happens to be one of his most favourite scriptures in the Holy Bible.
Happy 60th birthday Your Excellency!
Makut Simon Macham, PhD, mnipr, is the Director of Press & Public Affairs to the Governor of Plateau State.
The Holy Bible in the book of Ecclesiastes Chapter 7 verse 8 says “The end of a matter is better than its beginning, and patience is better than pride” (New Living Translation). This verse does not only convey divine truth that has stood the test of time, but aptly captures the life trajectory of Simon Bako Lalong, KSGG, CON, Executive Governor of Plateau State and Chairman, Northern Governors Forum who turns 60 on 5th May 2023. Incidentally, his 60th birthday is coming as he prepares to handover to the next Governor of Plateau State at the end of his 8 year tenure.
For the man Simon Bako Lalong, fate, fortune and the grace of God are visible all over him having come from an obscure background from his little-known village of Ajikamai, Nyak, in Shendam Local Government of Plateau State. His story is one of grass to grace built on virtues of humility, love, service, tolerance, broad-mindedness and teamwork which have guided him all through life.
Trained as a lawyer, Lalong started his political journey through youth activism within the socio-cultural organisation of the Gamai people, Gamai Youth Movement as well as the Plateau Youth Council which threw some spotlight on him that later blossom and took him to limelight which he enjoys today.
Right from his childhood, Lalong had the innate feeling that he was called to serve and needed to develop himself particularly through education that will give him the capacity to stand among the high and low and effectively add value to humanity. His passion was to become a lawyer. This perhaps explains why despite so many opportunities for a career in football up to the national stage, he chose rather to pursue academics and fulfill his dream of wearing the wig and gown.
Although he had an offer to be a civil servant at the FCDA Abuja after his youth service, he declined and chose to practice his most cherished ambition of law. This brought him back to Jos where he began practice and later delved into politics.
From his election into the Plateau House of Assembly to represent Shendam Constituency in 1999, Lalong jettisoned his early childhood values that were engraved in his heart by his family and the Catholic Church. Those who know him testify of his loyalty, love, respect, humility and compassion which have grown over the years and opened doors for him across the length and breadth of Nigeria and the world at large.
Many recall his sojourn as the Speaker of the Plateau House of Assembly and his travails over refusal to superintend over the illegal impeachment of Governor Joshua Dariye. Because he would not subvert the constitution and tore the path of impunity, dictatorship and criminality, he spent 40 days and 40 nights in EFCC detention. His loyalty to the constitution, the people of Plateau State and Governor Dariye whom he felt should have fair hearing as provided by law was tested and he passed.
This singular act cost him so much and threw him in the cold as his seat was vacated even after he won the election for his recall which was induced by the powers that be in collaboration with Federal Might. However, his good heart and his principled stance to do the right thing coupled with his contentment, trust in God, and love for others was to restore him to limelight again in 2015 when the people of Plateau State remembered his good works as Speaker and chose him to become Governor.
On coming into office, he inherited a myriad of challenges which included insecurity, a despondent and demoralized civil service, uncompleted and abandoned projects, lack of inclusivity in governance, as well as a State that was in dire need of healing, reconciliation and forgiveness. He did not waste time in bringing the people of Plateau State together and addressing the challenges.
He immediately paid 5 months withheld wages under no-work-no-pay policy and cleared inherited salary arrears of 8 months from the past administration. The same story applied to pension arrears of about 10 months which he equally cleared. This earned him the nickname “Governor Alert” bestowed upon by the civil servants.
Rather than embark on ego trip of commencing new projects while the State littered with abandoned projects, Lalong chose to complete those inherited even though from a government of PDP. These include the Mararaban Jama’a road which was just about one lane done as well as the Secretariat Junction flyover; old-airport to Rayfield; Rayfield to Bukuru etc. Same applied to abandoned general hospitals such as Riyom, Langtang South, Kanke which he completed. Sadly, this was to be used against him by his opponents who despite enjoying these infrastructures claimed he never did a “single” project in 8 years – a propagandist lie that unfortunately sank into the gullible.
But Simon Lalong whose heart is like that of a child refused to be intimidated or harassed by frivolities and kept carrying out inherited and new projects. Today, the brand new British American Flyover and Dualisation to Lamingo Junction Roundabout has been completed and will be commissioned by President Muhammadu Buhari soon. Same goes for the High Court Complex Headquarters, the Multi-door Courthouse and ADR Centre; NUJ Secretariat, Kalong-Angwan Dadi bridge (longest in Plateau); Shendam bye-pass and internal roads; of Longvel-Yelwa-Mato Junction-Taraba border road among; Legacy projects among others across the State.
When you talk about peace and security, Lalong gave it his best shot by not only dressing the surface, but going down to the root to tackle the causes. His style has been to remove fear and mutual suspicion from the hearts of citizens who had enjoyed peaceful coexistence for decades until crises merchants succeeded in dividing them along ethno-religious lines. While he strengthened the instrument of law enforcement to deal with criminals, he also came up with the Peace Building Agency which is the first of its kind in the country and backed by law. He ensured that crucial laws were enacted and signed such as the Anti-Land Grabbing and Anti-Kidnapping and Violence against persons.
Although there is no absolute security yet, citizens of Plateau State, Nigerians and members of the international community who earlier felt unsafe in Plateau have confessed that Lalong scored a goal in security and peace with abundant evidence to show. Nightlife is back to Jos while “no-go-areas” have drastically faded. Public and privates institutions across Nigeria have once more made Plateau State their conference and events capital as they jostle to host one national conference or the other. Hotel and hospitality businesses are booming while many investors who earlier left Plateau have returned. Even property owners have enjoyed a boom under Lalong as Plateau is once more the true Home of Peace and Tourism.
The footprints of Governor Lalong on the Plateau are very visible across all sectors and all Local Governments of the State. Whether it is the education sectors where he took over a moribund Plateau State University Bokkos and turned it into a 7-Faculty institution with 7 convocations in its kitty and a PG School; or the revamping of the Plateau Specialists Hospital with the acquisition of Ultra-modern medical equipment such as Superstar MRI Machine, 64 slices CT Scanner, 4D-Ultrasound Scanner and Digital X-Ray Machine among others; or the deepening of systems for transparency, accountability and good governance in the State which has earned the State national and international recognition, the man Lalong is leaving large footprints in the political landscape of Plateau, albeit quietly as the silent achiever he is.
While some could have disagreed with him over some of his policies and actions, Lalong has never claimed to be a saint or infallible. Indeed those who know him testify that he is one of the meekest persons on the face of the earth who is not afraid to admit any shortcoming just as he can stick to his convictions even when everyone disagrees with him.
His 60th birthday which comes just weeks before he bows out as Governor makes it a day to pause and thank God for sending someone with his temperament, capacity, intellect, humility, courage and love to the people of Plateau and Nigeria at times such as this. Having done his best to serve and with the best intentions, he is eager to go and have some deserved rest and also spend some quality time with his family.
But whether this will be a reality for him is in doubt because having produced the next President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the DG of the APC Presidential Campaign Council, many expect that he will again play a prominent role in actualizing the Renewed Hope Mandate of Tinubu/Shettima. Also, Lalong who was the leader of the Northern Governors who insisted that power should go back to the south in the interest of fairness and justice remains a strong figure in the ruling APC.
If history is anything to go by, Lalong who is not known to lobby for positions will once again have his past records speaking for him just as they did when he was chosen by his colleagues to serve as the Chairman of the Northern Governors Forum, a position he has used to further demonstrate his capacity on the national stage and also ensure that Plateau remains in national relevance rather than obscurity.
The prayer for this man of peace and love is that God will continue to order his steps and give him more opportunities and make his paths shine brighter to serve humanity which has been his ambition from childhood. As this chapter of his life closes, there is no doubt that God is opening a new phase for him to once again demonstrate that love is the greatest according to Matthew 22: 37-40 which happens to be one of his most favourite scriptures in the Holy Bible.
Happy 60th birthday Your Excellency!
Makut Simon Macham, PhD, mnipr, is the Director of Press & Public Affairs to the Governor of Plateau State.
Welcome to the Assisted Reproductive Technology series with Dr. Ken. Here, we discuss Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) as a means to tackle the problem of infertility.
In the last article, we answered the million-dollar question of: Are IVF Babies Normal? We established that IVF babies are just as normal as spontaneously conceived babies, and if an extreme side is to be taken, they have the tendency of even more normal. There is absolutely no artificial shade to the IVF treatment whatsoever.
Today, we shall be looking at a seldom talked about factor in reproduction generally: the male sperm factor.
For conception to occur, there must be the fusion of the sperm (from the male partner), and the egg (from the female partner). In our present setting however, most often than not, we tend to forget the immense importance of the male sperm factor and blame the cause of infertility on the woman which may not always be the case.
In reality, the male sperm factor could contribute to the inability to conceive as much as the female egg or body system factor does. We can therefore have infertile men just as we have infertile women. The exclusive use of the word ‘infertile’ for women in religious and societal circles today is not appropriate.
While it is a known fact that the male contributes only the sperm in conception, it is pertinent to note that a whole lot could go wrong which could lead to some abnormalities in sperm production and inability to fertilize the female eggs.
In the last projection made during a convention of global fertility experts held in India in 2019, where I was personally in attendance; it was projected that the male race could go extinct owing to the steady decline of male sperms. There was a time when the number of sperms in an ejaculation numbered about 20 million. We are now down to 15 million, and a continuous decline is expected.
Even though the extinction projection may not necessarily happen because of sperm freezing opportunities available in our time and age, it buttresses a reality that the sperm factor is increasingly becoming the cause of infertility more than ever.
In our society today, the mere mention of the reality of male infertility punctures the pride and ego of men and stands in the way of everything society defines as being a man because it is generally perceived as a man’s world.
However, poor sperm morphology, and low sperm count resulting from disease conditions or social factors like high consumption of alcohol, smoking, stress, obesity, excessive masturbation, and exposure to certain radiation, as well as other factors, is the reality for many men today, making them infertile.
The situation can be treated medically and through the adoption of better lifestyle choices in the way of healthier diets, healthy weight maintenance, and elimination of bad habits. This is critical to the reproductive well-being of couples and the actualization of their reproductive potential.
Assisted Reproductive Technology in any case still finds relevance in making conception possible.
Donor sperms can be used in the case of low or no sperms.
The sperm rejuvenation process could also serve as a treatment option in making conception a possibility.
Thank you for staying with me today. I am always here to provide expert information on Assisted Reproductive Technology, and how this can help make your dream of a complete family a reality.
Until next time, stay fine, and always remember that conception and child bearing is a possibility for everyone that so desires.
Dr. Kenneth Egwuda is a consultant Obstetrician and Gynecologist with a specialty in Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART). He has over 16 years of practice and experience. He trained in the UK, India, Bulgaria, Italy, and Germany. His Facility, 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 first-time delivery mum in Africa through IVF at the age of 63.
Ahead of the November governorship election in Kogi State, the different interest groups, individuals and organized bodies routing for the governorship seat to Kogi Eastern zone have been called upon to harmonize their various interests .
This call was made by the Former Minister of State for Health, Arc Gabriel Yakubu Aduku, who is also the Chairman of Ukomu Igala Organization (UIO), as well as the Chairman of Aggregated Igala Elders Platforms (that is Kogi Easterners leading Group Chairman).
Aduku in a statement made available to Oracle Reporters on Wednesday, said all the political groups from Kogi East zone on different platforms should report to the traditionally approved Committee on all decisions for final vetting and pronouncements.
He advised that having all the interest groups and bodies under a central supervision which he oversees, will ensure a clear-cut direction and progress, and also put Under check any parallel activity from any quarter that would be inimical to the common cause of the zone.
“After our recent deliberations and meetings, it has been agreed upon that I reach out to all Igala groups of Kogi East routing to take decisions on the Kogi State Governorship race coming up in November, and enjoin them all to report to the traditionally approved Committee on all decisions for final vetting and pronouncements.
“Our committee stands endorsed by the Traditional Council, the Elders groups and a myriad of, Socio-cultural organizations, and it is imperative to bring all decisions from quarters to one central table before any pronouncements.
“So, we seek the cooperation of all stakeholder groups on this issue, and we commend all those who have risen to the political challenges Kogi East at the moment.
“We pray for strength, understanding, selflessness, steadfastness and focus for every group and all those pursuing our common cause. We pray also for the progress of our state in general,” the statement partly read.
Plateau state Internal Revenue service has generated the sum of Six billion naira (6billion naira) within the first quarter of 2023.
Chairman of the State Internal Revenue service Arlat Dashed Dasogot disclosed this to newsmen at Jos Revenue House on Tuesday in Jos while addressing newsmen on the achievement of the State Revenue service.
Dasogot noted that the Staffs of the revenue service have been trained and still undergoing retraining and being motivated to achieve their 2023 state target of 26billion naira as internally generated revenue if all things been equal.
He charged companies and organisations to keep proper records of their operations to enable tax collector’s on assessment duties give accurate taxes to the companies, agencies, ministries and departments.
He added that even though it is difficult to pay tax in this part of the country and the world, people should be encouraged to pay their taxes to enable government provide security and social services to the people.
He lamented that alot of house owners in Jos and other parts of his state are yet to accept to pay property tax to the government to enable it carry out more infrastructural development for the people.
He added that the issues of multiple taxation is being addressed by the state Revenue service,adding that tax payers should pay their taxes to the appropriate authority as at when due to boost the internal revenue generation of the State.
He promised to look into consumption tax, property tax, development levy and several other areas from where more revenue can be generated to enable government execute more projects and provide social services to the people of the State.
Dasogot added that before the end of 2013, if his staffs continue their drive for revenue generation with the speed they have taken, the state Revenue service might surpass the N26 billion target for the year
Oracle Reporters 