Attai Alogwu Audu Jos.

Vice Chairman Senate Committee on Defence, Senator Istifanus D Gyang on Monday cried out that 16 persons were Killed Sunday night in two local government Areas of his Plateau North Senatorial district.

Senator Gyang in a press statement issued on Monday in Jos to newsmen through his Media Aide Musa Ibrahim Ashoms which was made available to Daily Independent,said these unfortunate attacks and fresh killings came barely a week after the IGP issued a Security Alert on likely terror attacks on Jos and the FCT.

He regretted that ” the blood merchants have visited terror on Dong community adjacent Wild Life Park of Jos North LGA and KWI village, adjacent Yakubu Gowon Airport Heipang of Barkinladi LGA all on Sunday night, 23/05/21 where 16 persons were butchered to death , including children.”

Senator Gyang who is representing Plateau North Senatorial district at National Assembly, lamented that his constituency and constituents have been victims of sustained attacks, loss of lives and displacement of the natives from their ancestral homes”

He condemns in strong terms the renewed attacks as being dastardly, wicked and unwarranted.

Senator Gyang noted with concern that available information to him indicated that some persons at a meeting with the Police the week preceding last night attacks vowed to visit mayhem on helpless Plateau North communities.

” It is therefore incumbent on the Plateau State Police Commissioner to arrest and prosecute these very persons forthwith”

Senator Gyang calls for a decisive action against all those that are known to security agencies, the OPSH, Police and the DSS for the serial killings, displacemment and forceful occupation of ancestral homelands of communities in Plateau North.

He warned that inaction on this matter by the authority concern will be taken as condoning and complicity on the part of security agencies and Government.

He wondered why the peace which the people of Plateau North have been working hard to rebuild is now adversely affected by this dastardly attacks and killings that took place in the Jos North and Barkinladi LGAs of his Senatorial district.

. Gyang appealed to his Constituents of Plateau North to be vigilant and be prayerful for lasting peace to return to Plateau North Senatorial district of Plateau state .

Attai Audu Jos.

Northern CAN Chairman and Executive Secretary Nigeria Christian Pilgrims Commission Rev Yakubu Pam has charged Journalists in Nigeria to be on the watch and to be cautious about their reportage as Nigeria is facing challenges posed by Kidnappers, Boko Haram Insurgency and Acts of criminality in parts of the Country.

Rev Pam gave this charge on Sunday in Jos while delivering a sermon at the thanksgiving service of the Plateau State chapter of the Correspondents’ chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists.

Rev Pam in his sermon, said “we are in the days of perilous times and things are very difficult”!

Rev Yakubu Pam who was the guest speaker during the service which was held at Church Of Christ In Nations, COCIN Hwolshe said Nigeria will ” benefit more if we come together” to fight our common enemy.

Speaking on the topic “The Role of Media in Peace Building: The Biblical Perspective, the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission, NCPC said
Journalists in Nigeria should know that as purveyors of justice, ” the society is looking forward to them to paint a good picture of the country before the eyes of the international community.

According to him,, “we have fanatics in the church who do not want to talk about peace. Who will go out of their way to inflict pains and sorrow to people not minding the negative consequences of their action.

He insisted that “peaceful living is essential and we must be seen to be promoting it”!

Rev Pam said “journalism did not start today but has been there for ages from the biblical accounts of what took place as cited in the scriptures.

Rev Pam added that “journalists and preachers do the same work as not everybody is a preacher nor a journalist unless they under go rigorous training”.

According to Rev Pam “Nigeria is presently facing threats to peace, insecurity, violence and all sorts of criminality.

” Boko Haram, kidnapping, banditry and agitations to split the country have taken centre stage and there are increased tensions including natural disasters and their likes but said “God has reasons for what happens around us”!

He said , the social media has done more damage to our nation but however said, in all this, “the journalist has the responsibility of good reportage to safeguard the nations integrity”.

“The society that we are in today is full of story hiding. Journalists are responsible for speaking the truth, digging out root courses, analyse and proffer solutions if we must make meaningful progress”!

He said “there are red lines and the journalist has to be cautious to guard against incitement.

He charged journalists to expose the truth and speak to the authorities where it matters through their writings.”

According to him journalists must ensure they do thorough investigation and bring out hidden stories that have been dragging the nation backward.

He said government on its part needs to listen to the people as journalists represents the people and always serve as their voice.

He cautioned those who are hell bent in trying to destabilize this country to “think twice” as any out break of war will tell on the country’s territorial integrity.

He said as citizens we must avoid tendencies of sentiment and the rise of ethnic agenda, warning that “ethnicity has taken over today as we promote our individual ethnicity rather than building bridges of peace. This is the biggest problem.”! He said.

On Peace building, he said the purpose of the media is not only to report but to give an accurate account of events so as to encourage and promote peace.

Acccording to Rev Pam, the power of God is always demonstrated when we seek His face.

He said sensational reportage always inflame tension, conflict and insecurity.

He added that as religious leaders and journalists, we all have the role to play when it comes to peace building.

Attai Audu Jos.

Northern Governors Forum has expressed deep shock over the death of Chief of Army Staff Lt. Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru, his aides and crew members in an Airforce Aircraft near Kaduna Airport.

Chairman of the Forum and Governor of Plateau State Simon Bako Lalong in a statement, said the Forum is shocked over the sad incident which claimed the lives of the Army Chief and other officers and men of the Nigerian armed forces who were on an official assignment in the cause of advancing the security and peace of the country.

Lalong said this is another sad day in the history of the nation as it has lost patriotic Nigerians who gave their lives to the defence of the territorial integrity of the country, and also ensuring that its citizens live in peace and security.

He said ” Lt. Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru was a committed soldier whose passion for defending Nigeria was very clear throughout his military career even before his appointment as the Chief of Army Staff. Since his appointment, we have engaged him as Northern Governors Forum and individually as Governors towards enhancing the security and safety of our States, region and the nation at large. Within the few months he held sway, we have seen improvements and high resolve to bringing an end to insurgency, banditry, kidnapping and other criminal activities. We had been working on consolidating this before this tragic incident that took his life and that of others working with him. We are highly shocked and pained”.

Lalong while condoling with the the President and Commander in Chief Muhammadu Buhari, the Nigerian Army, families of the deceased officers and men, as well as the entire Nigerian Armed Forces said the sad event is deeply regrettable but should not deter the Armed Forces from giving their best in the service of the nation just as the deceased COAS, officers and men did before their tragic death.

He prayed God to grant the deceased eternal rest and comfort their families.

Attai Audu Jos.

The Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Christian Pilgrim Commission, NCPC Rev Yakubu Pam has assured the states Pilgrimage Leaders and Managers of a hitch free 2020 Pilgrimage exercise to Jordan.

He made this known recently in Abuja during a meeting with the Conference of States, comprising states Chairmen and Secretaries of the states Pilgrims Welfare Boards, and FCT.

According to the NCPC Chief Executive,” the Commission was working round the clock to ensure a smooth airlift of intending Pilgrims to Jordan ”

He explained that the official commencement of the Pilgrimage exercise was earlier scheduled for 29th May in Jos, but however added that the date would no longer be feasible due to operational reasons.

However, he was optimistic that the flag off would take place in early June.

He urged them to join forces with the Commission to ensure that the planned Pilgrimage to Jordan is realised.

The NCPC Boss further admonished them to shun anything that would jeopardise the chances of executing the Pilgrimage programme to Jordan.

In his remarks at the meeting, the NCPC Director of Operations, Rev Amos Yohanna, hinted that each intending Pilgrim was expected to undergo three levels of COVID 19 tests forty eight hours before departure.

He further explained that two of the tests would be done in Nigeria and one on arrival at the Amman International Airport, Jordan.

Speaking at the meeting, the Chairman of the Conference of States, Rev Isaiah Magaji, said they were prepared for the journey to the Kingdom of Jordan.

He assured Rev Yakubu Pam of their unalloyed support and cooperation.

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Attai Audu Jos.

Political Leaders at all levels of government in Nigeria have been charged to provide Purposeful Leadership to the governed if Nigeria is to overcome the current challenges facing it.

The call was made sermon Rev Yakubu Pam Northern CAN Chairman at the Assemblies of God Church, Northern Nigeria, AGNN, Hwolshe, Plateau State while delivering a sermon.

Rev Pam who is also the Executive Secretary Nigeria Christian Pilgrim Commission, NCPC, noted that the problem of this country is buried in the self ambition of politicians who only think about themselves and not the people.

He said “if our politicians can only accept the spirit of good sportsmanship, most of the problems we pass through in the country, including security challenges, kidnapping and banditry would have been solved”

According to the Executive Secretary, “we are suffering because individuals have taken their ambitions too serious because of selfishness”!

Rev Pam who was speaking on the topic: Living Bigger Than Yourself and taken his text from the book of Nehemiah 2:1-10 said “the story of Nigeria will change if our politicians learn to behave like the Prophet Nehemiah who stood firmly in defence of Jerusalem when his opponents were trying to belittle his efforts in the rebuilding of his country”.

He said” we have limited ourselves and we are not prepared to grow”insisting “living bigger means living a sacrificial life for your people”!

According to Rev Pam “politicians are not patient and they are neither disturbed about the growth of their country.

” Prophet Nehemiah was disturbed when he heard that the walls of Jerusalem had fallen flat and he sought the permission of the king to rebuild it’s walls and not seeking protection for himself alone”!

Acccording to him ” great leaders do not think about themselves but rather think about their people deemphasizing “I” as the high point of self esteem”.

Answering questions from newsmen after the Church service, Rev Pam “decried the call for secession by agitators who are doing so to promote their ethnic interest above other considerations.

He urged agitators to reflect back on the back ground they all came from to form one nation Nigeria”.

He said the declaration of prayers and fasting by the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, “was to seek the face of God to intervene in the nation’s security problems as the government has done it’s best to curb the ugly situation but to no avail”

Insecurity: Government Alone Can not Sustain Peace – NCPC Boss Rev Pam.

Attai Audu Jos.

The Executive Secretary Nigeria Christian Pilgrims Commission,( NCPC,) Rev. Dr. Yakubu Pam has advocated that Nigeria needs peace if it has to develop.

Acccording to him, the insecurity situation in Nigeria needs the participation of all as government alone can not sustain the fight against insecurity.

He said if the citizens, stakeholders and Non Governmental Organizations, NGOs must be involved.in the much needed peace process in the country.

Rev Pam stated this on Saturday in Jos while in audience with God’s Project 777(GP777). a Non Governmental Organization based in Jos, plateau state, North Central Nigeria.

According to Rev. Pam, “the voice of the government is not enough in the fight against insecurity in the country if we all decide to withdraw.

“Traditional rulers, community leaders, citizens and concerned NGOs must all come together to fight insecurity.

” Insecurity is everywhere. We used to think it was the fault of the government, but government alone can not sustain
this fight if we show indifference.

” Soon, there will be a Peace programme that will be carried out in the six geopolitical zones of this country which will involve the youths, women and other stakeholders .

He assured the organization of collaboration and involvement especially in women programme when the time comes”!

Earlier, the leader of the delegation, Dr. Mrs Stephanie Akpanaci, Sauraniya Matasa Arewanci and Managing Director of GP777 said they were in the residence of the ES to identify with him and seek areas of collaboration.

She told her host that GP777 was an Ngo purely financed by her organization and that they are into charity offering free medical services to communities and helping widows and youths attain their lofty dreams.

According to her, the organisation runs a football club where youths are engaged.

She also said the Ngo is working closely with the girls and will soon launch “Face of Peace Project” which requires collaborative synergy with the NCPC to attain their goals.

She further revealed that her organization is embarking on a housing to ease accommodation problems of many poor people in the society.

Attai Audu Jos.

The Executive Secretary, Nigeria Christian Pilgrim Commission, Rev Yakubu Pam has charged the widow of the late Chief of Defence Staff and one time ECOMOG Field Commander, Mrs Esther Dogonyaro not to remain in mourning mood but be focused and courageous as she and her children mourn the death of their father.

Rev Pam stated this on Saturday, When he paid a condolence visit to the Rayfield residence of the late Defence Chief, Lt. Gen. Joshua Nimyel Dogonyaro who died early hours of Thursday at JUTH, at the age of 80 .

Rev Pam recalled how the late General worked toward promoting peace and organized the civil community and participated in communal works after retirement.

Acccording to him, the late General left behind a good name and played the role of the real Joshua in the bible by leading his people to self realization and awareness through his active involvement in Church based organizations.

Responding on behalf of the family Barr. Nanpon Joshua Dogonyaro, son of the deceased.said they were encouraged with the visit of the ES and said they will surely promote the ideals of their late father by living exemplary lives as they have learned so much from him.

He told the ES that the family were planning to release programme of the burial of their late father and that they were so grateful their father did not die in the war fields but at home.

At hand to receive the ES were wife of the late Defence Chief, Esther Dogonyaro, his immediate younger brother, Alh. Abhbakar Dogonyaro, sons, daughter and grand children of the late General.

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Audu Ogwunenwa Jos.

The spokesman of the minority caucus Of the House of Representatives Hon Otta Agbo has commended Southern
Governors for banning Open Grazing,.

Acccording to him, by this Collective decision of Southern Governors, Benue state ,Governor Samuel Ortom
has been vindicated .

Hon Agbo who is the House Chairman on Drugs and Narcotics in a statement through his Media Aide Andrew Agbese made available to Daily Independent,said the resolve of the Southern Governors against open grazing is another vindication of the Defender of the Benue Valley and Governor of Benue State, Dr. Samuel Ortom.

According to him, ” “today, most people, some of his ardent critics who had condemn Ottorm for banning open grazing, have now turned 360 degree to commend him for seeing tomorrow.

The Benue State Governor banned it and backed it by law which originated as an Executive Bill to the Benue State House of Assembly. It is called Open Grazing Prohibition & Establishment of Ranches Law, 2017″ Agbo stressed.

He added that many State Governors had individually replicated the Ortom model in their various states, the capstone of which, was the adoption of the ban of opening grazing by the 17 Governors of the defunct Southern Region.

” The ban is to be backed by law, fashioned after the Benue legal architecture.

The Benue Governor indeed rose from being a villian to hero in the highly murky Nigeria space”

Hon Agbo added that ” Ortom reminds me of the famous postulation of the legendary Indian Leader, Mahatma Gandhi.
First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win…”

” As spokesman of the Minority Caucus, I can authoritatively say that all lawmakers of the Minority political parties will organically collaborate with the Governors to ensure the success of the ban! I also call on all Nigerians to support this lofty ban”

Acccording to the federal law Maker who is of Idoma stock from Benue state, the establishment of Ranches for cattle is the best global practice, arguing that open grazing is archaic, u sustainable and above all, antithetical to Nigeria’s development and peaceful co-existence.

” The ban is therefore, for the good of man and country” Hon Agbo stressed.

Audu Ogwunenwa Jos.

The Executive Secretary, Nigeria Christian Pilgrim Commission, NCPC, Rev. Dr. Yakubu Pam has expressed sadness over the death of one time Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff and ECOMOG Commander, Major General Joshua Dogonyaro.

Rev Pam in a statement issued on Thursday through his Media Aide Ayuba Pam and a copy made available to Oracle Reporters, described the death of Gen Dogonyaro as a huge loss not only to his family but to Plateau state and Nigeria as a whole.

The NCPC boss said General Joshua Dogonyaro’s death will no doubt affect the peace building process in the land as he was a man of peace!

“I recall how we have worked closely with him on issues of peace and he was always available whenever I come to him for counselling.

” He did not pretend about his love for this country haven served in various military capacities and even after retirement he was still very active and forthcoming on peace matters.

“Indeed, Plateau state and Nigeria has lost a rear gem. A quintessential personality and a gallant soldier.

He prayed God to grant his immediate family, the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss .