News
Lalong insists on peace, security in Plateau
By Moses Mark
Plateau State Governor and Chairman Northern Governors Forum Barr. Simon Lalong said his administration is focused and determine to continue to place a high premium on peace and security of the state.
He stated this during an emergency peace and security meeting he convened under the Plateau State interreligious Council to address rising insecurity in the State held at the Crest Hotel at the Weekend.
Lalong who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Danladi Atu decried how criminal elements are taking the State for granted and destroying the peace gained.
Our Correspondent report that the emergency meeting is coming barely few weeks following the spate of attacks, killings, kidnapping, destruction of farm crops and livestock as well as other criminal activities within the State.
The Governor said his government will continue to deploy the non-kinetic approach to issues of peace and security and ensure that people in the State carry out their legitimate activities peacefully.
He said government has taken the bold step to fully enforce the ban on motorcycle operations with Jos/Bukuru Metropolis and regulate the operation period for tricycles popularly known as “Keke NAPEP” to 7pm in order to curb the security challenges and other criminal activities bedeviling the State.
The peace meeting brought together religious leaders who are working across religious lines to foster unity, peace, genuine forgiveness and beneficial reconciliation through interfaith dialogue as well as discuss better ways to address the rising insecurity and how to achieve lasting peace in the State.
The Chairman of the Plateau State Interreligious Council (IRC), Rev. Prof. Pandang Yamsat decried the escalating insecurity challenges saying deliberate actions on the part of the citizens, government, religious leaders and communities are needed to arrest the rising trend of insecurity.
“The insecurity is getting worse by the day, for it is consuming the big, the poor in villages and the rich and the religious Leaders of any faith affiliation.”
“Farmlands, crops and livestock, wanton killings of sacred lives are on the increase, with its bandwagon effects on the socio-economic lives of the people is one that calls for concerted efforts by all of us.”
Rev. Yamsat said government must hold security outfits and community and traditional leaders accountable for the destruction of lives and property in their communities.
The Director General of the Plateau Peace Building Agency, Mr. Joseph Lengmang said the growing insecurity has given serious concern to stakeholders and necessitated the emergency meeting to proffer ways to achieve peace.
He said the ICR which was constituted and inaugurated by the Governor comprised of persons with gravity and greater influence in the various faiths which underscored the commitment to peaceful coexistence and harmonious living.
He disclosed that the Council is to respond to emerging trend of conflict and violence as well as attacks and counterattack in order to achieve peace.
He further stressed that religious leaders have significant roles to play in influencing their followers positively and said it is important that the outcomes and resolutions of the meeting are taken to the grassroot.
He hinted that there is need for the people to work for peace and to break the conflict traps and step into a new social compact that will herald an era of peace.
The President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio has commended Senator Basheer Lado, for redefining the Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Senate Matters, stating that, for the first time in a long while, the office is fully meeting its expectations.
Speaking during his visit to the office of the Special Adviser to the President on Senate Matters accompanied by distinguished senators, Akpabio described the visit as a significant step in strengthening Executive-Legislative relations.
He praised the Special Adviser and his team for maintaining the confidentiality of communications between the President and Senate, and also, ensuring a seamless flow of information. He further emphasized that the office is now more result-oriented.
Additionally, he acknowledged the office’s diligent efforts in tracking all Bills passed by the Senate and assented to by the President, underscoring its critical role in legislative efficiency.
Expressing his satisfaction, Akpabio noted that he and the Senate delegation were proud of the office’s achievements and looked forward to sustaining the existing cordial and productive relationship between the Executive and the Legislature throughout the administration.
In recognition of his exemplary leadership, Senator Lado presented an Award of Excellence to Senator Akpabio.
In his remarks, Senator Lado reaffirmed his commitment to fostering a harmonious working relationship between the Executive and the Legislature. He lauded Akpabio for his unwavering dedication to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda—defending it with clarity, articulating it with passion, and advancing it through legislative action.
Ahead of the 2025 political party Congresses, Plateau State Chapter of the Labour Party (LP) stakeholders has endorsed the defection of the candidate of the party in the 2023 general elections and the leader of Justice and Rebirth, Barr Gyang Zi SAN, to the All Progressive Congress (APC) with the view to key into the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu.
They made the call in a communique issued at the end of the enlarge meeting of the stakeholders from Plateau North senatorial zone at the residence of Barr. Gyang Zi in Rayfield Jos.
The communique which was jointly signed by Dr. Ayiki Sati Director General, Justice and Rebirth and
Barr. Samuel Galadima- 2024 Chairmanship candidate of Jos East LGA among others said the call became imperative on the sideline of the leadership tussle at the National Level which violates the core principles and values for the formation of the Party as an alternative for Nigeria for the protection, sustenance of democracy and Social Justice.
They regretted that the leadership tussle has also divided the party into factions leaving party loyalists and supporters in the state of despondency and confusion not knowing where they belong.
Our correspondent reports that the gathering included LP candidates from the 2023/2024 general elections, party executives, and support groups from the six local government areas of the Northern Senatorial District.
Besides, the focus of the discussions was centered on the state of the Labour Party at both national and state levels and the need for political realignment ahead of the 2025 party congresses and conventions.
The stakeholders further frowned at the structural weaknesses in LP and resolved to advise Barr Gyang Zi, to leave the party and join the APC while expressing confidence that the APC would provide him with a platform to advance good governance in the state .
The communique also emphasized the importance of political consultations, particularly with APC leaders at both state and national levels. It called for collaboration with Plateau State APC leaders, including Minister of Humanitarian Affairs Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda Goshwe, Sen. Simon Bako Lalong, Sen. Diket Plang, and other party officials.
According to the communique, supporters of Barr Gyang Zi also pledged to mobilize grassroots support for the APC, stating that their leader’s defection would strengthen the party in the state.
They urged the APC leadership to formally receive Gyang Zi and his supporters into the party, marking their official transition from the Labour Party.
Stakeholders also reiterated the need for inclusive governance, ensuring that youths, women, and less privileged individuals are sidelined in the democratic process and accordingly officially denounced their membership in the Labour Party, declaring their support for the APC.
They assured that all LP structures aligned with Gyang Zi would follow suit, shifting their loyalty to the ruling party in the state and at the National level.
Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo, has extended his heartfelt felicitation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, on the occasion of his 73rd birthday.
Governor Ododo in statement signed by his special adviser on media, Ismaila Isah described President Tinubu as a statesman whose leadership and dedication to national development continue to inspire hope and progress across Nigeria.
He commended the President’s unwavering commitment to the Renewed Hope Agenda, which is driving economic reforms, strengthening national unity, and advancing the nation’s democratic values.
“On behalf of the government and people of Kogi State, I celebrate Mr President and our father on this special day. Your resilience, visionary leadership, and patriotism have laid a strong foundation for Nigeria’s growth. We deeply appreciate your tireless efforts in repositioning our country for sustainable development,” Governor Ododo stated.
He further reaffirmed his support for President Tinubu’s administration and prayed for continued wisdom, strength, and good health for the President as he leads Nigeria toward greater prosperity, sustainable development, peace and stability.
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