Attai Audu Jos

The Executives Secretary of the Nigeria Christian Pilgrim Commission, Rev. Yakubu Pam has been honoured with the Award of PEACE AND NATIONAL UNITY by members of the Global Peace and Life Rescue Initiative at the NCPC corporate headquarters, Abuja.

Speaking at the presentation of the award, the Executive Secretary said that he takes delight in people who work and strategize to ensure peace, unity and harmony in Nigeria. In his words,“am so happy that we are beginning to form a community of people who desire that we have an environment of peace for us to co-exist as a people”.

Rev. Pam called on all Nigerians to form peace groups that would handle little crisis in their communities. According to him, “Most Communites have different crisis but when they team up, government will have little to deal with”.

The NCPC boss urged the Global Peace and Life Rescue Initiative to seek more collaborators in the peace mission, adding that this would create an environment for growth and national development.

He thanked the delegation for their encouragement in his pursuit for peace in the country and for honouring him with an Award.

Earlier, the Director of the Global Peace and Life Initative, Ambassador Melvin Ejeh informed the Executive Secretary that their visit to the Commission was to appreciate him for contributing to peace in the Country.”

In his words, “we have come to give you this award to thank you for what you are doing, but there is a need for you to do more”.

He explained that if peace is not embraced, it may lead to anarchy because of the fragile situation of the country in terms of security.

He emphasized the need to celebrate our heroes who have contributed immensely to peace keeping and national development.

According to him, “it is sad that we celebrates our heroes only when they are dead, but we choose to celebrate you and your team on your noble peace efforts”.

He reiterated the fact that our National Anthem recognizes the fact that the labour of our heroes past will not be in vain, so there should be conscious effort to celebrate those Nigerians who are contributing immensely to the stability and promotion of peace in the country while they are still very much around.

Attai Audu Jos.

Industrial Training Fund (ITF) has initiated processes for the procurement and installation of a production line dedicated for that purpose at the ITF Model Skills Training Centre (MSTC), Abuja.

Director-General of ITF, Sir Joseph Ari, disclosed this at ITF Headquarters Jos when he received the leadership of the two in-house Unions in the Fund.

Ari disclosed that since the symbolic presentation of the ITF mobile Phone to President Muhammadu Buhari, the ITF has been inundated with requests for partnership from corporate entities within the country.

Ari said “I have given directive to the Director of Technical and Vocational Skills Training Department, who is also the zonal Director of the ITF MSTC to get all the necessary machines so that we will be able to set up the production line”, he said.

According to Ari, “Since the good news, we’ve also received a lot of requests for partnership, including one from AfriOne, “who want to partner with us. This is good as we cannot do it alone because we are not an island unto ourselves. The main thing is that this product is a home grown product and this lends credence to the fact that we too can do it in Nigeria”.

On the visit by the executive officers of the Senior Staff Association of Statutory Corporations and Government Owned Companies (SSACGOC) and Amalgamated Union Public Corporations, Civil Service Technically and Recreational Employees and(AUPCTRE), ITF General expressed his appreciation to the staff of the Fund for identifying and supporting the Management, saying, “every leader should have a strategic vision.

“But you also need followers that will key into the leaders’ vision and happily, that’s what has happened in the ITF. The Unions have been great partners in progress. You have at all times remodeled, looked at the vision, reviewed it along with us and the areas where you find us going wrong, you took us back on track”.

He stressed the need for continuous dialogue as recipe for industrial harmony.

“The relationship between the ITF, Management and the two Unions gives credence to the fact that it pays to dialogue.

When there is an issue, we look at it critically, where we feel that yours (the Unions) is a superior argument, we bend and go your way. When we feel that you may not have got all the information correct, we invite you for dialogue and you understand. So you are also part of this progress because gone are the days when things were not done in tune with the expectations and the mandate of the Fund. We want to thank you”.

Speaking earlier, the President of Senior Staff (SSACGOC), Comrade Kayode Alakija and Acting Chairman of AUPCTRE, Comrade Lawal Mohammed Ado separately showered praises on the Director General for the milestone achievements and urged the DG to speed up the mass production of the android phone which, according to them, would be another source of revenue for the ITF.

The Union leaders commended the ITF Management under the leadership of Sir Joseph Ari for taking the ITF beyond expectation through novel initiatives that have impacted thousands of Nigerians across the country.

He assured ITF management of full support of staff in its efforts to carry the Fund to greater height s.

Reports appearance of strange faces in Tarok land in Recent weeks.

Attai Audu Jos

National Executive Committee Of Tarok natives of Southern Plateau under aegis of Ngwa Ishi O Tarok( NIO) have raised fresh alarm on recorded hate speech credited to the current Minister of Communication and Digital economy, Isa Pantami currently in circulation in the Social Media in which he had threatened to lead a Jihad to Langtang against the Tarok natives of Plateau state.

The President of the Tarok Socio cultural group David Dashe at a press conference in Jos on Wednesday with Community leaders in attendance, alleged that” the hate speach by Mallam Pantami is clearly incompatible with the notion of tolerance as it constitutes Incitement to denigration , discrimination, hostility and violence against our people which could trigger harrasment”

Dashe said the plots against the Tarok people ” have been intensified in recent weeks as terrorists are allegedly perfecting plans to attack us in Wase, Langtang North and South LGAs and other locations where our people are resident in Plateau southern Senatotrial district of our state” Dashe alleged.

According to him, they hope that these latest plots” are not part of the Minister of Communication and Digital economy long standing and widely publicised agenda against our people”

He expressed worry that in recent weeks,Tarok communities in Wase, Langtang and Langtang South and indeed neighbouring communities have continued to witness unprecedented influx of war like strangers in their areas.

According to him, these strangers have been camping at Aving, Jawando, Gwiwa – Gogi-Pino, Timman, Tunga,Nzhi-Nbwai and Zam- Bwarat of Wase LGA.

Tarok natives leader warned that if this threat is left in checked ,it would would worsen the prevailing national security challenges with far reaching implications on food Security as attacks on the farmers will inevitably disrupt agrarian activities, leading to food shortages.
He warned that any attempt to attack to inflict killings of his people will be met with appropriate resistance as Tarok people would defend themselves as expected.

“We call on Government to note the continuous targeting and Profiling of Tarok people by merchants of contact and their sympathizers for attacks”
Dashe hope that Security Agents would deploy appropriate measures that would nip these threat s in the bud in order to avoid another cycle of breakdown of law and order in Southern part of Plateau state especially in Tarok natives communities.

Reports appearance of strange faces in Tarok land in Recent weeks.

Attai Audu Jos

National Executive Committee Of Tarok natives of Southern Plateau under aegis of Ngwa Ishi O Tarok( NIO) have raised fresh alarm on recorded hate speech credited to the current Minister of Communication and Digital economy, Isa Pantami currently in circulation in the Social Media in which he had threatened to lead a Jihad to Langtang against the Tarok natives of Plateau state.

The President of the Tarok Socio cultural group David Dashe at a press conference in Jos on Wednesday with Community leaders in attendance, alleged that” the hate speach by Mallam Pantami is clearly incompatible with the notion of tolerance as it constitutes Incitement to denigration , discrimination, hostility and violence against our people which could trigger harrasment”

Dashe said the plots against the Tarok people ” have been intensified in recent weeks as terrorists are allegedly perfecting plans to attack us in Wase, Langtang North and South LGAs and other locations where our people are resident in Plateau southern Senatotrial district of our state” Dashe alleged.

According to him, they hope that these latest plots” are not part of the Minister of Communication and Digital economy long standing and widely publicised agenda against our people”

He expressed worry that in recent weeks,Tarok communities in Wase, Langtang and Langtang South and indeed neighbouring communities have continued to witness unprecedented influx of war like strangers in their areas.

According to him, these strangers have been camping at Aving, Jawando, Gwiwa – Gogi-Pino, Timman, Tunga,Nzhi-Nbwai and Zam- Bwarat of Wase LGA.

Tarok natives leader warned that if this threat is left in checked ,it would would worsen the prevailing national security challenges with far reaching implications on food Security as attacks on the farmers will inevitably disrupt agrarian activities, leading to food shortages.
He warned that any attempt to attack to inflict killings of his people will be met with appropriate resistance as Tarok people would defend themselves as expected.

“We call on Government to note the continuous targeting and Profiling of Tarok people by merchants of contact and their sympathizers for attacks”
Dashe hope that Security Agents would deploy appropriate measures that would nip these threat s in the bud in order to avoid another cycle of breakdown of law and order in Southern part of Plateau state especially in Tarok natives communities.

* Declares Plateau a PDP State.

Attai Audu Jos.

Senator Tunde Ogbeha on Tuesday took over as the Caretaker Committee Chairman Of Plateau state Chairman Of Plateau Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party In Jos.

Brigadier-General Ogbeha rtd who addressed newsmen shortly after his resumption of duty as Party Caretaker Committee Chairman on the Plateau, declared that Plateau remains a Peoples Democratic party state despite the interim take over of the state by the All Progress Party.

According to him, his caretaker team were on the Plateau to do justice to all groups within the party without fear or favour.

He hinted that all grey areas that were responsible for the division within the party on the Plateau would be addressed in order to reposition the party ahead of 2023 general elections .

He also cautioned the headship of the state electoral body (PLASIEC) to be fair to all Political Parties that will be featuring candidates for this October Local Government Polls .

According to him, his management will monitor events as they unfolds at PLASIEC Headquarters in Jos,advising that the local government polls in the state should be conducted under free and fair atmosphere.

He added that his caretaker committee would ensure things are corrected from the electoral wards,local governments up to the state Congress of the party to put in the saddle new state Exco of the party before their assignment comes to an end on the Plateau.

Attai Audu ,Jos

Acting Chairman of the All Progressive Congress in Plateau state Hon Enoch Fanmak ,on Tuesday disclosed that his party is fully prepared for the forthcoming local government elections in the state slated October this year.

Fanmark stated this at his party Secretariat while addressing members of his party screening committee for the 17 LGAs in the state.

According to him, the All Progressives Congress (APC) is the dominant party in Plateau state and waxing stronger daily

Oracle Reporters recalls that the Plateau State Independent Electoral Commission (PLASIEC) had scheduled local government elections in the state for October this year.

Fanmak also stressed that the party would provide a level playing ground for all aspirants seeking the ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to contest in the 17 local government councils of the state .

Fanmak further added that the people of Plateau are 100 percent with the APC because of the good works the state Governor Simon Lalong is doing .

In his words “Our Governor has done well in restoring peace to Plateau as well as completed and commissioned several projects ,i commend Governor Lalong for recently purchasing 50 security patrol vans and 200 security motorcycles in order to tackle insecurity in the state .”

“Our Lalong is a blessing to the state,he has demonstrated beyond reasonable doubt his love and commitment towards a united and prosperous Plateau .”

He scored Lalong high in the areas of transparency and accountability .

“I call on people of the state to continue to support the APC in the forthcoming local government elections like always .”

Fanmak called on members of the party to be peaceful and orderly during the screening exercise .

The University Of Jos Senate has
Recommended the Appointment Of
Of Professor Gray Goziem Ejikeme Acting Vice Chancellor.

Attai Audu Jos.

Senate of the University of Jos has recommended the nomination of Professor Gray Goziem Ejikeme to serve as Acting Vice-Chancellor of the University.

Professor Ejikeme’s nomination to serve in that capacity takes effect from 23rd June, 2021 after the completion of the five-year tenure of the 9th substantive Vice-Chancellor of the University, Professor Seddi Sebastian Maimako.

Senate unanimously nominated Professor Ejikeme to serve as Acting Vice-Chancellor subject to the approval of the Honourable Minister of Education in the absence of a serving Governing Council for the University.

Professor Ejikeme is to oversee the activities of the University pending the appointment of a substantive Vice-Chancellor by the University Governing Council. A letter to this effect signed by Registrar of the University of Jos and Secretary to Senate, Chief Monday Danjem has been issued to Professor Ejikeme.

Professor Gray Goziem Ejikeme, a Professor of Clinical Psychology and Social Work, is a graduate of Psychology B.Sc. (Hons) from the University of Lagos. Professor Ejikeme obtained a PGDE and M.Sc. in Clinical Psychology, a Master of Science Degree in Social Work (MSSW) and PhD from the University of Jos among a host of other academic and professional certificates. Professor Ejikeme was awarded Fellow of the Nigerian Psychological Association (FNPA) in November, 2014 and was honored with an Award of Excellence in Service to Humanity by the Nigeria Association of Social Workers in recognition of his numerous work to promote Social Work Profession and practice in Nigeria among many other Professional accolades.

A distinguished academic who believes in leadership by example, Professor Ejikeme took up appointment with the University of Jos in 1986 where he began teaching psychologically-oriented Sociology and Social Work Courses in the Department of Sociology, Faculty of Social Sciences. He has held several academic and administrative positions including Head of Department, Sociology; Head of Department, General and Applied Psychology; Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences; Chairman, Committee of Deans and Directors and Senate Representative on the 13th Governing Council, University of Jos among others.
Professor Ejikeme’s higher degree research work in social work enabled him to specialize in a hybrid of two Social Science disciplines, Sociology and Psychology thereby having in-depth and useful insights into the interface between Social Psychology and Clinical Psychology.

The 13th Governing Council of the University of Jos, at its 8th Regular Meeting on 24th March, 2021 had re-appointed Professor Ejikeme as Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration) with effect from 11th December, 2020 for a second term of two (2) years.

Professor Ejikeme has to his credit successfully supervised over ten PhD candidates, supervised numerous M.Sc. research projects, served as external assessor/examiner to several Nigerian universities, attended international conferences in Michigan, San Francisco, Ghana and Monrovia, Liberia, University of North Texas, Denton, TX, USA, and the University of Djibouti. Professor Ejikeme has published profusely and has over sixty local and external/international publications in the fields of Psychology, Social Work, and Social Gerontology/Gerontological Social Work, Emotional and Social Intelligence (ESI), and Sociology of Education. He is the Editor of many journals.

Professor Ejikeme who hails from Afugiri, Umuahia, Abia State was happily married to late Mrs. Theresa Uchechi Ejikeme and they are blessed with three children.

Prof. Gray Goziem Ejikeme ends his important speeches with the following words that reflect his core values: “To God be the glory, Amen.”

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Attai Audu Jos.

National Assembly and State Houses Assembly Elections Petition Tribunal sitting in Jos on Monday, affirmed the election of Senatir Nora Ladi Daduut
of the All Progressive Congress (APC) for Plateau south senatorial constituency.

The tribunal in its judgment, headed by Justice DA Akhobe ruled that the petition filed by George Daika of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) challenging the election of Senator Daduut failed as the petition lacked merit and is hereby dismissed.

Daika had challenged the declaration of (Sen. Daduut) by the Independent National Electoral commission (INEC) as winner of the Plateau Southern Senatorial Bye-Election held on December 05, 2020 before the panel.

Reacting to the victory Senator. Daduut who spoke to newsmen,
expressed her heartfelt appreciation to the people of Plateau South for the mandate given to her to represent them at the Senate .

” I am honoured and humbled for the trust you place on me. “for the ruling of the tribunal , I give thanks to the Almighty God ,the victory is for the people of Plateau South who trooped out en-mass last year to elect me as their representative at the upper chamber. I want to assure them that today’s ruling will further spur me to work relentlessly on thier behalf to help address challenges facing our constituency.

According to Dadu’ut, the ruling of the tribunal was another testament that judiciary uphold fairness and justice. I want to say that with the judgment of today , we are once again reassured of the impartiality of the judiciary as they continue to uphold the ethos of equity and rule of law”

She added that she had the conviction that the ruling will further strengthen democracy not only in Plateau state but Nigeria as a whole.

“The victory of today is for all of us and for my brother Hon. George Daika I want to say there’s no Victor and there’s no vanguish. Let’s join hands to advance development of Plateau South.

She further thanked the Plateau state Governor Simon Lalong and her Party the APC for their support.

Attair Audu Jos

The Inspector-General of Police Ibrahim Alkali Baba on Monday, joined
Governor Simon Bako Lalong at the premises of the New Government House in Rayfield Jos to Commissioned 50 new patrol vehicles and 200 security motorcycles procured by the Government of Plateau State.

Speaking at the event,Governor Lalong described the event as a momentous occasion that is aimed at boosting the capacity of security agencies in the State towards tackling criminal activities and resurging attacks on innocent citizens.

According to Lalong “to a very large extent and without sounding immodest, we have made giant strides in restoring peace in Plateau State by bringing down the level of insecurity and restoring confidence of the citizens as well as attracting investors, visitors and tourists who continue to troop into the State in large numbers”.

However, he noted that they have realised that while ” we consolidate on the peace, the crises merchants are not sleeping as their source of business has been obstructed due to the actions we have put in place to restore stability. Therefore, they are restless and trying various methods to breach the peace.”

Lalong said these criminals have in recent times resorted to isolated attacks in various communities which are carried out in a hit-and-run fashion.

” In the last two years, such cases were recorded in Kulben, Mangu LGA; Kwatas in Bokkos LGA; Foron in Barkin Ladi LGA; Kwall in Bassa LGA; and recently in Dong in Jos North and Kwi in Riyom LGA among others. While some of the perpetrators have been arrested, others are still at large.”

While commending the security agencies for doing their best to tackle such attacks and other criminal activities, he expressed deep concern over the inability to prevent isolated killings or arrest the perpetrators in some cases.

He told the police and other security agencies that he does not want to hear unknown gunmen again in Plateau State

On his part, Inspector General of Police Ibrahim Alkali Baba commended Governor Lalong for his efforts at restoring peace and security in Plateau State and also consolidating it with the acquisition of vehicles and providing other logistic requirements for the police and other security agencies.

He assured that more police personnel will soon be recruited to boost the manpower of the force while the training of the personnel is also being accorded serious attention.

Jos Monarch,Gbong Gwom Jos Da Jacob Gyang Buba appreciated Governor Lalong for his continued support to security agencies, assuring that the traditional rulers will always give maximum support to all security agencies by mobilising their subjects to gather intelligence.

Over 3,000 Plateau State Joint Civilian Operatives personel were unveiled by the Governor Lalong

The IGP equally advised them to be involved in intelligence gathering and also pass the same to the security agencies.

Attai Audu Jos.

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has threatened to embark on another strike over the refusal of the Accountant-General of the Federation, Ahmed Idris, to pay the salaries and remittance of check-off dues of over 1,000 staff for 13 months.

Dr Lazarus Maigoro, the ASUU chairman, University of Jos, stated this in a press statement made available to Daily Independent in Jos, Plateau State capital at the weekend..

Maigoro also accused the AGF of causing discord between the Federal Government and the Union.

The statement partly read: “Despite the directive given by Mr president to pay the salaries of all lecturers, the AGF has refused to pay their salaries ranging from four to 13 months respectively.

“Many of our members in the University of Jos and across the country have not been paid salaries from February 2020 to date.

“The AGF has completely violated the terms of the agreement signed between our union and the Federal Government.

“Ahmed Idris, from all intent and purposes, is bent on withholding the salaries of over one-thousand members of ASUU spread across Nigeria with more than a hundred of such lecturers being members of our Branch in the University of Jos.

“More worrisome is the fact that while Idris is refusing to pay these salaries, his staff in the OAGF are busy calling the affected lecturers and insisting they’ve to register with IPPIS before they are paid; some are even asked to forfeit a part of their salaries in order to be paid. So it’s very clear that this is a deliberate act on the part of the AGF and his staff.”