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.

Email:alpshospital@gmail.comWebsite: http://www.alpshospitals.com. Phone No: 08138288842, 08087774152KNOW MORE

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.

Attai Audu Jos.

A Chieftain of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Plateau State, Saleh Mandung Zazzaga, has described some of the leaders and politicians from the North Central geo-political zone now calling for the selection of the running mate to Bola Tinubu from the zone as not proactive.

He called on APC Presidential Candidate Alhaji Ahmed Tinubu to pick the Chairman of Northern Governors Forum Simon Lalong of Plateau state as his running mate..

Zazzaga in an interview with newsmen in Jos on Tuesday, said when every other zone were pushing for the zoning or consideration of their zone for the 2023 presidency, most of the leaders kept quiet and allowed only few of them in the struggle until the two major political parties, the APC and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) picked their Presidential candidates from the South West and the North East respectively.

According to him, APC leaders from the North Central region with like minds had pushed for Presidency to come to the region due to the fact that apart from the military era, since the democratic dispensation, the region hasn’t actually produced either the President or the Vice President, despite their tremendously contribution to the democratic growth in the nation.

“We did all we could to achieve this. First, we kicked against the acceptance of a party’s National Chairmanship position by anyone from the region because it would automatically make another region to be considered for the presidency.

“Yet, many North Central politicians were more interested in the National Chairmanship of the parties rather than the Presidency which was our major quest. We could not eventually pull this through as the two major political parties National Chairmanship position was clinched by politicians from the region.

“And in our effort to achieve our aim of clinching the Presidency, we spent our time and resources but without any support from leaders of the region, but surprisingly, now some of the leaders are now pushing for a running mate to the APC Presidential candidate to be picked from the region. That to me they are not proactive, or should I call it an afterthought?”

He stressed that nevertheless, as people who love the region,” we will not ‘throw the baby out with the bathwater’. So we will join our voice to push for the selection of Tinubu’s running mate from the region, and in our own assessment, the Governor of Plateau State and Chairman Nothern Governors Forum, Simon Lalong, is the ideal person,” he said.

According to him, Lalong is a bridge and peace builder, rational, unbiased and an achiever, adding that Lalong’s ability to be able to coordinate the Northern Governors amid this precarious period of security challenges in the region speaks volume about his quality and ability.

He called on all and sundry to join hands with the electoral body in order to conduct a free, fair and credible election, adding that all the party candidates should urge their supporters to work towards violence-free electoral process.

Attai Audu Jos.

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 garbage 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 United Bank Of Africa ( 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 .

Refuting a concoction of lies and mischief

By Makut Simon Macham

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:

1. 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.
2. The Governor attended the Combined Convocation of the Plateau State Polytechnic Barkin Ladi together with Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State.
3. Visited the Polo roundabout and the Vertinary Teaching Hospital of the University of Jos affected by tanker accident.
4. Attended Inter-denominational Church service to mark June 12 at EYN Church Jos.
5. Swore in 4 High Court Judges and 1 Khadi of Plateau State Judiciary.
6. Presided over State Executive Council Meeting where approval was given for completion of Legacy Projects
7. Attended the funeral of former Military Administrator of Plateau State Col. Musa Sheikh Shehu rtd. in Abuja
8. Attended the final meeting on rebuilding of Jos Main Market with Jaiz Bank in Abuja
9. Inaugurated new NASCO Multi billion naira production plant in Jos
10. Presided over another State Executive Council meeting in Jos.
11. 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.

By Hon Sylvanus Namang.

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

FIRST BATCH 2021 MAIN PILGRIMAGE: PILGRIMS ARRIVE AMMAN,JORDAN FROM ISRAEL

Attai Audu Jos

The Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC), has moved Christian pilgrims from Israel to Amman, Jordan, as part of its Israel and Jordan 2021 Main Pilgrimage Exercise.

It would be recalled that NCPC had on Wednesday airlifted intending pilgrims to Israel and Jordan.

The pilgrims first landed in Israel where they spent four(4) days, visiting Holy sites in Israel.

The Federal commissioner representing the North East on the NCPC Board, Rev. Dr. Jidda Gelengu who was among the first batch, while speaking on the ongoing pilgrimage exercise expressed appreciation for all the efforts put in place.

He commended the Executive Secretary of the Commission, Rev. Dr. Yakubu Pam for what he described as good leadership and diversification, for being able to put together a combined pilgrimage destination.

Rev. Gelengu applauded staff of the Commission on the first batch for being true and dedicated to their job.

In his words, “I am happy with the staff here with me as they have been helpful and carried out their task well, in ensuring all pilgrims are always out on time and together.”

Also speaking, the Federal Commissioner representing the South-South on the Board of NCPC, Barr. Forgiven Amachree disclosed that the pilgrimage exercise has been spiritually fulfilling and so far no abscondment has been recorded.

In his words, ‘We are glad to have successfully completed the days in Israel, without recording any abscondment. I am very optimistic that none will be recorded even in Jordan”.

He disclosed that from Amman Jordan, the pilgrims will be going back to Nigeria after having visited the Holy sites in Jordan.

He told Pilgrims that “Jordan has spiritual intriguing sites, so get ready to be spiritually satisfied..

Attai Audu Jos

House of Representatives member Representing Riyom/Barkinladi Federal Constituency at National Assembly Hon Simon Mwadkwon has inaugurated blocks of classrooms in five schools in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau state.

Dr Mwadkwon while inagurating these educational projects at the weekend in Riyom LGA’s in his Constituency, said education is the bedrock of every society, hence he decided to give it special attention as part of his constituency projects.

Dr Mwadkwon stated that” If you look at the topography of Riyom and Barkin Ladi, you will find out that there are little hamlets, and I am coming from the background of hardship and education.

“You can imagine the long distances the children had to travel to where they can access education.

“So we feel it is better we take the schools to their doorsteps as It is the only way we can raise the young ones and make them have access to education,”.

According to him,“It is our desire that every child in Riyom and Barkin Ladi have access to education,” he stated.

Mwadkwon, who is currently the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) senatorial candidate for Plateau North Senatorial District, added that the only way to empower a child is to give him the opportunity to go to school.

According to him, he wouldn’t have been at the National Assembly if he didn’t go school.

The Federal lawmaker added that he was inspired to provide quality representation and democracy dividends to his people as a result of the mutual contract he had with them after the election.

“Basically, I engaged in three main constituency projects – electrification, building of classrooms and provision of books and educational materials, and the building of event centres,” he stated.

Responding to the gesture, a traditional ruler, the Ata Ateng of Ganawuri, Chief Yakubu Chaima, commended Dr Mwadkon for facilitating the construction of classrooms at Community Primary School Bum.

Chaima urged his subjects to support the lawmaker’s senatorial ambition in order to do more for the people.

The traditional ruler noted that the lawmaker has never disappointed them right from when he was the Chairman of Riyom Local Government.

Similarly, the Gwom Rwey Bachit, Chief Gyang Dalyop, thanked Mwadkwon for constructing a block of classrooms at Community Secondary School Bangai.

Dalyop, however, drew the attention of the lawmaker to the deplorable state of the road linking the community.

The lawmaker also commissioned blocks of classrooms at LGEA Sopp and LGEA Wereng Community.

Attai Audu Jos.

Former Minister of State for Information and stalwart of the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) Alhaji Ibrahim Dasuki Nakande has cautioned the leadership of the party to take into cognisance of the country’s perculiarity in the process of chosing a running mate for the presidential flagbearer of the All Progresive Congress Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Nakande in an interview with newsmen in Jos on Wednesday pointed out that anybody who will occupy the office of the vice president of this country should be a person with good antecidents, adding that the country need someone who has a very strong moral character who has the wherewithal and has shown example to lead irrespective of his religion and where he comes from.

According to him, one of the business of any political party is to win election and to achieve that everybody must be carried along.

He said there are so many things that Government can do to be able to address issues concerning marginalization and other forms of injustice in the polity.

He argued that political marginalization should also be addressed so that everybody will feel a sense of belonging stressing that “If a Muslim-Muslim ticket will give the APC the required number of votes to win the presidential election, so be it.” He said

The APC stalwart further said he is very optimistic that Tinibu Will win the presidential election come 2023 most especially as the presidential standard bearer Bola Ahmed Tinubu has gone round to see all those who contested the primaries with him and appealed to those that contested with Tinibu to see the need to work together for the interest of the party and the country in general.

Dasuki also stressed that his party APC under the leadership of president Mohammadu Buhari has tried his best in terms of infrastructural developement noting the only gap is the issue of insecurity which has become endemic that every administration has to cope with.

Speaking on his recent write up where he gave reason why Tinubu should not pick Gov Lalong as running mate, Nakande said just like in his two write up to Governor Lalong, he was talking more abaut issues.

“The fact that we have never had any project on the Plateau that we can say as APC government under governor Lalong that we have started from the beginning to the end that have been commissioned.”

He argued that they have seen the example of what governors like Babagana Zulum of Borno; Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna; Dave Umahi of Ebonyi have done for their respective states.

“If you go round Plateau state nothing have changed in the last few years.”

According to Nakande , all the projects that Governor Lalong managed to commissioned were unfortunately Jonah Jang’s projects adding that he has completed those projects to about 85 percent saying Lalong’s effort is to continue to push and commissioned them.

” The legacy projects has failed completely. Our roads all over the state are terribly bad. The five kilometers roads that he has started has failed woefully, if we are not careful , APC may loose the Governorship election in Plateau state come 2023.”

But in a swift reaction , the state Commissioner of information and Communication Hon. Dan Manjang told Newsmen in Jos that the allegations were not true.

Danmajang queried why is it now that the former Minister has woken up to see the short coming s of Lalong’s administration.

He pointed out that it was the same Nakande that availed them the opportunity of the use of his Unity FM Radio station to sing the song of Lalong’s administration untill recently for whatever reason he has chosen to jettisoned the vice president bid of governor Lalong.

Attai Audu Jos

Leaders of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Plateau State under the aegis of APC bigwigs have called on the governorship aspirants who contested at the last primaries for the upcoming 2023 election but were unsuccessful to put aside any grievance they might have and join hands with the party flagbearer, Nentawe Yilwatda, so that the party would emerge victorious at the secondary polls.

Speaking with newsmen in Jos on Monday on behalf of the bigwigs, in Jos the Plateau State capital after paying a solidarity visit to Yilwatda, Saleh Mandung Zazzaga said the emergence Yilwatda as the winner of the primaries does not mean the other aspirants were not equally qualified be the party’s flagbearer, but that it is because only one person is required to be a flagbearer of any political party.

Zazzaga urged all the other aspirants to therefore put all their grievances before, during and after the primary election behind them so that they can close ranks and work together for the success and survival of the party which they all belong to and cherish so much.

According to him, there is no political party that is crisis-free, particularly after primary elections were those who do not emerge winner become aggrieved, but that true party men quickly resolve their differences and put aside their grievances for the common good of the party.

He stressed that the need to restrategize against the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state who are doing anything humanly possible to win back the governorship seat since the APC defeated them in 2015.

“I want to also use this opportunity to call on all the party members, loyalists and supporters alike who must have been aggrieved one way or the other to put behind them whatever must have vexed them so that we can work for the success of the party. Our party remains a progressive party by structure and nature, which carry all and sundry along. And it remains a formidable party where people successfully build their political careers and flourish. It is also the party for the masses regardless of ones ethno-religious background.

“Again, for the aspirants who were not victorious at the primaries in all other positions, they should understand that it is not the end of their political career, because a loser today can become a winner tommorrow. A clear example is that of our President Muhammadu Buhari, who consted for the President of the country three times, but lost each of the time. But he never gave up and then contested again and won the fourth time, and he is now rounding up his second tenure.

“So, all our party members and aspirants who did not win at the primaries should not give up hope or lose faith in the party as the party strongly appreciates their participation and remain committed to their future aspirations. And it would be unwise now for any of them to contemplate defecting to another party as they may not flourish in other parties as they have done in the APC.

“This is owing to the simple logic that other political parties already have their dedicated members and loyalists and anyone joining them newly would be seen as a newcomer and treated as such. This implies that the hope of our members is much in the APC than in any party they may contemplate to newly join or work underground for; that is by doing anti party,” he said.

He however urged Yilwatda to quickly put a reconciliation team in place and reach out to all the aspirants who contested with him, whether those aggrieved or not, and pursue sincere reconciliation and their support to win the election.

Zazzaga called on their party faithful to endeavour to get their PVC so that they can be able to vote in all their party candidates at the state and national level come 2023, adding that all their members should go about their political activities peacefully and violence-free.