Tag Archives: Lalong

Plateau Government Declares Three-Day Mourning For Late Commissioner

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The Plateau state government has declared three days of mourning (March 22 to 24), over the death of the Commissioner of Housing and Urban Development, Samuel Galadima.

The late architect, aged 64, died in the early hours of Wednesday during the regular forth-nightly physical exercise at the Jos Township stadium.

He was said to have slumped and died while jogging along with the state Governor, Simon Lalong, at the Rwang Pam Stadium.

A statement signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Rufus Bature, revealed that all public and official activities of the governor have been suspended following the loss.

He therefore enjoined citizens of the state to share in the burden of the loss and also pray for the family to have the fortitude to bear it.

 

Source: Channels TV

Plateau government uncovers ‘579 fake civil servants’

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The Plateau State government says it has uncovered 579 civil servants who have been on government payroll and receiving salaries illegally.

The state commissioner for finance, Tamwakat Weli, made the disclosure on Tuesday at a press conference.

She said that out of the 579 civil servants, 101 persons had been mandated to refund N76.97 million to the government.

“Out of the 579 stated above, 101 persons would make various refunds to government amounting to seventy six million, Nine hundred and sixty seven thousand five hundred and sixty eight naira kobo (76,957,568.96) for over staying in service,” he said.

Mrs. Weli said that the fake civil servants were uncovered by a panel that verified workers’ details.

She said the government needed N4.7 billion to clear salary arrears of civil servants for 2016.

But she noted with joy that the state government recently got N75 billion as its share from the Paris and London clubs debt recently shared to states by the federal government.

“Plateau state government and the 17 local government areas received a total sum of N75 billion as its share from the over deduction on London, Paris clubs debt exit,” she said.

But she said that only a portion of the money had so far been released to the state.

“Of the expected total refunds, only 25 percent of the amount has so far been release to the state in the sum of $37.3 million USD which translates to 10,497,000,000.00 Naira, for both state and the 17 local government areas,” she said.

Afikuyomi Refutes Lalong’s Claim About Tinubu’s Health.

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Senator Tokunbo Afikuyomi, a close ally of the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, has refuted the claim by Plateau State Governor Solomon Lalong that the conspicuous absence of Asiwaju Tinubu at last Saturday’s Ondo State APC governorship rally was as a result of Tinubu’s ill-health.

 

In a press release issued in Lagos on Tuesday and signed by the Senator, Afikuyomi described the claim credited to the Plateau State governor as absolutely incorrect.

 

According to Afikuyomi, “I travelled to the United States of America with Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu to witness the recent US elections. We traversed a number of cities together where we engaged with a number of Nigerians who are genuinely concerned about the state of affairs in our dear country.  Jagaban was in a remarkable state of mental and physical wellness. When we ended our trip, I saw him off to the airport in Chicago from where he headed for Europe again. I still met with him in Europe thereafter.

 

“It is therefore absolutely incorrect and most embarrassing for anyone to attempt to invent such a laughable reason for Asiwaju Bola Tinubu’s absence at the rally. The fact that somebody went for medical check-up does not mean he is ill. In the likely event that Asiwaju, like all mortals, was ill at all, I doubt if Mr. Lalong would be the first to know by reason of relationship, proximity and trust.

 

“Prominent politicians like Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun have been speaking with Jagaban Tinubu. Governor Amosun particularly communicated with him a day before the Ondo rally and he can never claim not to have spoken with him. I have also remained in constant touch with Asiwaju Tinubu since my arrival in Nigeria. We speak daily as a matter of fact.

 

“I have been inundated with calls by friends, associates and other well-meaning Nigerians trying to ascertain the veracity of this ludicrous claim. I hereby ask all friends and lovers of Asiwaju Tinubu to dismiss the claim and know that he is hale and hearty.”

 

Asiwaju Tinubu, former APC Interim Chairman, Chief Bisi Akande and three governors from the South-west-Rauf Aregbesola (Osun), Abiola Ajimobi (Oyo) and Akinwunmi Ambode (Lagos)-were not at the rally.

 

Governor Lalong had in his capacity as the Chairman of the Ondo State Governorship Campaign explained that Tinubu was absent at the rally due to ill health.

 

Lalong was quoted to have told State House Correspondents after visiting President Muhammadu Buhari that, “if a leader was not there and he said he was not there because of ill-health, we have prayed that God will heal him.”

 

Signed:
Senator Tokunbo Afikuyomi

Stop running to Buhari over crisis in your party – Lalong tells Mimiko

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Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau State on Monday in Abuja enjoined Governor Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State to stop running to President Muhammadu Buhari for solution to the internal problems of his party, the Peoples Democratic Party.

Lalong said this while speaking to State House correspondents after he formally presented Chief Rotimi Akeredolu, the All Progressives Congress’s gubernatorial candidate in Ondo State, to President Buhari.

According to him, Buhari is the President of Nigeria and not a PDP member or chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission.

He said: “Let me say it was even wrong for them to start running to Mr. President to help them solve the problem of PDP in their party.

“Mr. President is the President of Nigeria and he is not a member of PDP.

“Even when we have problems in APC, we don’t run to Mr. President.

“If he (Mimiko) has a problem in his state, he is the governor, let him stay there and resolve the matter.

“It is a matter between PDP and PDP and those matters are in court.

“So, why should you run to the President?

“Is the President the Chief Judge of Nigeria?

“He is not the INEC chairman either.”

Lalong, who is the Chairman of the APC Governorship Campaign in Ondo State, revealed that President Buhari had endorsed the candidature of Akeredolu as the APC candidate for the election.

‘Why we banned Shiites in Plateau’ – Governor Lalong.

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Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau State has explained that security considerations were “purely responsible for the ban on the activities of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria in the state.’’

 

“Plateau State has laws regulating the practice of religions; we have a duty to ensure that the practice of religion does not constitute a security risk to anyone,” Lalong said in Jos on Monday.

 

The governor, who spoke through his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Dan Manjang, was reacting to allegations by the IMN that he (Lalong) was merely copying what his Kaduna counterpart, Ahmed el-Rufai, did a week earlier.

 

Lalong had banned the group last week following a series of protests that turned violent and led to the deaths of some of the sect members after a clash with security personnel.

Lalong Grants Plateau Residents Amnesty On Arms

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Governor of Plateau State, Simon Lalong, has promised to grant amnesty to  residents in possession of illegal arms who are willing to surrender them  to security operatives.

Governor Lalong made the disclosure during a courtesy visit to the headquarters of the Special Task Force, Operation Safe Haven in Jos, the state capital.

Plateau State has had its own share of crisis in recent times which has claimed many lives, leaving many people displaced while properties worth millions of naira was destroyed.

The unfortunate situation  has paved way for the proliferation of light and small arms which is now the challenge bedevilling security operatives in the state.

Governor Simon Lalong who was on a courtesy visit to the headquarters of the Special Task Force, Operation Save Haven, with some of his officials were taken round the base for an inspection of the environment.

The large arms and ammunition displayed were to said to have been seized in various parts of the state by the Special Task Force deployed to restore peace, law and order in the state.

Governor Lalong who was surprised by the large quantity of the seized arms immediately announce his decision to grant amnesty to any one in possession of illegal weapons either locally made or foreign.

In his remarks the Commander Operation Safe Haven, Brigadier General Nicholas Rogers, suggested that some of the manufacturers of such weapons can be employed by the defence weapons industry if they sincerely come out.

He advised Plateau State residents in possession of illegal arms  to take advantage of this opportunity to surrender their weapons for the sustainability of the peace currently being enjoyed in the state.

Credit:

http://leadership.ng/news/555038/lalong-grants-plateau-residents-amnesty-on-arms

Plateau State Secure, Safe For Investment- Lalong

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The Governor of Plateau State, Mr. Simon Lalong, on Thursday said the people of the state now enjoy peace, having successfully overcome the security challenge that bedevilled it.

He said the state government will do everything possible to push for the reactivation of the Inland Dry Container Port being executed by the federal government in Jos, the state capital.

Lalong, who made the statements during a working visit to the management of the Nigerian Shippers Council in Abuja, said that contrary to fears created in the minds of people about the security situation in the Plateau, the entire state now enjoys relative peace and order.

He said Plateau state is about 80% peaceful.

“Apart from the issue of cattle rustling that is also rampant in other parts of the north, the state is now enjoying a peaceful atmosphere, which is good for business. I must say that we have received a lot of cooperation from Mr. President, because anything we ask in terms of security, we always get. So, for now we have a very peaceful atmosphere for people to invest,” he said.

He expressed the hope that as soon as the Inland Dry Port project is completed, actual export and import business will boom  in the Plateau.

He said having been informed of the reasons why the project was kept on hold, his administration would take immediate measures to reactivate it.

“I am personally interested because he said the idea of the ICD was mooted when I was the Speaker of the House of Assembly but was disappointed the project has been abandoned,” he said.

Credit: ThisDay

Prosecute Jang, Others, Lalong Urges EFCC

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Governor S?mon Lalong of Plateau State has called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, to expedite action on former Governor of the state, Jonah Jang, and others who he alleged looted the state’s fund during his administration. Lalong said the call has become necessary in order to recover the funds looted.

It would be recalled that the governor had while receiving report of the State’s Transition Committee in Jos recently, gave the former administration, his appointees and cronies two weeks to return funds taken illegally from the state’s treasury or risk prosecution.

Lalong, who spoke with journalists as part of the activities to mark his 100 days in office disclosed that he had already written to the antigraft agency with “enough evidence about the enormity of financial sleaze that occurred dur?ng Jang’s administration” “We have already briefed the anti-graft agency and we are calling on them to swing into action immediately.”

Read More: nationalmirroronline

Plateau Governor To Past Administrations: “Return All The Money You Stole Within 2 Weeks”

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Plateau state governor, Simon Lalong has given government officials in the last administration led by Jonah Jang two weeks to return all government money they stole while in office or face the full wrath of the law.

Governor Lalong gave the ultimatum yesterday August 11 when he received a report from a 12-man transition committee set up by his administration to investigate cases of misappropriation of public funds during the immediate past administration

“In line with the advice of President Muhammadu Buhari, who urge past government officials to return stolen public funds in their procession, I am giving two weeks to government officials in our state to return monies taken illegally, even before government begins the implementation of the recommendations of the committee.”he said.

Pwajok Wins Round One Against Lalong At Tribunal

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The Plateau State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Jos, on Wednesday dismissed attempts by the All Progressives Congress (APC) to block the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from tendering vital documents to defend its case.

The petition is that of the PDP governorship candidate, Senator Gyang Pwajok, who is challenging the victory of Mr Simon Bako Lalong of the APC at the polls because he alleged foul plays in the election.

In one of the tribunal’s sittings, counsel to the petitioner had pleaded with the tribunal to tender documents for inspection by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to buttress the case. But this was vehemently objected to by the respondent’s (APC) counsel who sensed that allowing the documents to be tendered would jeopardise their case.

The two parties argued their cases citing many legal authorities to drive home their points.
Having listened to all the arguments, the tribunal chairman, Justice Johnson Candide, ruled in favour of the PDP, saying that the tribunal was not convinced by the submissions and argument of the respondent (APC) and accordingly dismissed the objection in favour of the petitioner (PDP).

Read More: thisdaylive

Jos Bomb Blast: Plateau Governor Calls For Return Of Checkpoints In The State

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Plateau state governor, Simon Lalong has called for the return of security checkpoints in the state. The governor made the call while visiting victims of the twin bomb blast that rocked Jos yesterday July 5th.

“Today I have made an appeal to Mr President to allow us go back to our checkpoints. Allow the security to go back. Without security, people can come from all angle to start attacking innocent people” Gov Lalong said

On June 23rd, President Buhari ordered the removal of checkpoints nationwide.

Plateau Gov., Lalong, Sets Up Committee To Recover Stolen State Funds

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In his efforts to recover state funds allegedly misappropriated by the Jonah Jang administration, Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau state has directed all government agencies yet to submit their financial statements to the debt management office and the transition committee to immediately do so to a newly constituted committee-led by the deputy Governor Sonni Tyoden.

Governor Lalong gave the order on Thursday in a press release through his Director of Press and Public Affairs, Emmanuel Nanle.

Mr. Lalong had accused the Jang administration of leaving a N104 billion debt for the state.

The governor also directed that all employments, appointments and contractual obligations made in the last days of Jang administration should be put on hold without further delay.

“The Executive Governor of Plateau State, Rt. Hon. Barr. Simon Bako Lalong has directed all Heads of Boards and Parastatals in Plateau State to stand down on all employment and absorption directives issued in the last days of the Jang Administration pending the completion of the Prof. Sonni Tyoden led Transition Committee report,” the statement said.

He, however, assured Plateau citizens that once the committee’s work is completed and its report submitted to the government, the issue of employment will be revisited.

The Jang administration had placed embargo on employment since assumption of office in 2007.
But the former governor allegedly offered employment to some persons without due process shortly before leaving office, and backdated the appointments.

Credit: premiumtimesng

Lalong Appoints Ex-Commissioner Under Jang As Chairman Taskforce On Refuse Dump Evacuation

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The Executive Governor of Plateau State, Rt. Hon Simon Bako Lalong has constituted an Ad-hoc committee (TASK FORCE) to immediately identify and evacuate all refuse dumps within Jos – Bukuru Metropolis.

The allegation of bad leadership trails the names of some commissioners who appeared on Simon Lalong committee on evacuation of refused dump.

As part quick of intervention to the environmental and health challenge posed by the heaps of refuse in the Jos and Bukuru metropolis, Barr. Nankin Bagudu   is appointed as Chairman, others are Bashir Musa Sati,  Santos Ayuba Larab , Engr. Apollos Samci  as members.

Other members are the General Manager Plateau State Road Maintenance Agency Dr. Steven Hirse, Representative of Nigerian Civil Defence Corp – Representative of the Ministry of Health   , Permanent Secretary,Ministry of Environment Secretary

This was content in a press statement sign by Samuel Emmanuel Nanle Director, Press & Public Affairs. The Task Force is mandated to liaise with all statutory Agencies of government to ensure the successful execution of the assignment.

Although the biggest challenge over the list of the people involved were those who contributed to the problem of Jang administration and also served as commissioner.

Credit: universalreporters247

Plateau State’s Lalong Appoints SSG, Chief Of Staff, Others

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Plateau State governor, Simon Lalong, Monday, announced the appointment of Mr. Rufus Bature as the Secretary to the State Government, SSG. Mr. Bature was a former Minority Leader of the Plateau State House of Assembly.

The appointment was announced in a statement signed by Mr. Izam Azi, the Permanent Secretary, Policy and General Services, in the state civil service.

Also appointed were Mr. John Dafa’an as Chief of Staff, Government House, Mr. Yusuf Hawaja, Deputy Chief of Staff, Government House while Mr Silas Vem is to serve as Deputy Chief of Staff, Deputy Governor’s Office.

The statement also named Mr Emmanuel Nanle as Director of Press Affairs, Prof. John Wade, the pioneer Vice Chancellor of Plateau State University, Bokkos, as the new Director-General in charge of Research, Mr Cyril Tsenyil as the state Accountant-General while Mr Cletus Kangkum, former Director, Administration, Jos University Teaching Hospital, was named Principal Private Secretary to the Governor.

Credit: dailypost

Jos North Made Me Governor, Lalong Lauds Electorate

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The governor-elect of Plateau State, Simon Lalong, has said that the votes of Hausa/Fulani community in Jos North made him win the April 11 governorship election in the state.

Lalong, who stated this when the Hausa/Fulani leadership  in Jos paid him a visit at Green House Presidential Lodge in Jos, said  though his victory was from God, he appreciated the contribution of the Hausa/Fulani community in Jos.

He said: “My victory is from the Almighty God and is for all the people of the state, but I must appreciate and thank the Hausa community of Jos for the love, fellowship and support for my candidature. My little daughter had consistently asked me what is Jos North, as many people who come to my house come from Jos North, but I have tried to explain to her and, at the end, I told her that people of Jos North are the ones that made me the governor of Plateau State.”

“During our campaign, the Jasawa promised to vote for APC and you have fulfilled your promise, it is now our turn to fulfil our pledges and, God’s willing, we will fulfil ours by doing justice to all the people of the state. I want to assure you that I will not discriminate against any community in Plateau State.

 “I want to thank the people of the state for their confidence and trust in me to lead them. Under my leadership, our government will carry all the people along and we will be just and fair to all, irrespective of ethnic or religious background. Peace had been restored in Jos. Jos is now peaceful, my appeal to you is to preach peace and work to consolidate the peace process.”

In his remark at the event, President of Jasawa Community Development Association (JCDA) Shehu Masalla, called on Lalong to reconstruct the Jos Main Market and pursue policies that would enhance business in the state.
He advised the governor-elect to create a new district in Jos for administrative convenience.

Credit: dailytrust

Plateau Governorship Election, How Jang Lost…

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Governor Jonah Jang’s bid to exchange positions with Senator Gyang Pwajok in the Plateau governorship and House of Assembly election comes unstuck after voters shot down his proposal to position his alter ego as his successor

Many residents of Plateau State are still basking in the euphoria of the victory of the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Barr. Simon Lalong in last Saturday’s  governorship election as they go about celebrating the victory with drums and songs waving brooms as they go round the city.

Residences of the winner at the Federal Low Cost area and that of his deputy, Prof. Sonny Tyoden at the Rayfield area are being besieged by supporters who dance to various tunes in celebration of the election victory.

Besides the politicians, citizens also show solidarity waving brooms as they stand in front of their houses cheering the convoy of vehicles carrying supporters round the city and discussing the factors that led to the upset victory of Lalong over the establishment candidate, Gyang Pwajok of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP

Many who are unhappy with the defeat of Pwajok blame incumbent governor, Jonah Jang for “bringing the APC to Plateau State because of his selfishness.”

It would be recalled that several pleas for the governor to rescind the decision of making Senator Pwajok his successor fell on deaf ears hence the decision of the people to give their votes to the APC candidate.

However, the chances of the candidates were not unconnected with different affiliations the people had as reflected in the manner in which the votes were cast.

Read More: vanguardngr

Lalong Of APC Sweeps Over Plateau In Guber Election Victory

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Rt Hon Simon Lalong of All Progressives Congress (APC) has emerged as the winner of the gubernatorial election in Plateau, after defeating five other candidates.

The Returning Officer, Prof. Emmanuel Kucha, Vice Chancellor, University of Agriculture Makurdi, declared the results in the early hours of Monday. Kucha said that Lalong polled a total of 564 913 votes, to defeat his closet challenger, Sen. Gyang Pwajok of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), who scored 520 627, winning by a margin of 44 386 votes.

Other contestants were Mr Samson Adamu of All Progressives Grant Alliance (APGA) with 1 408, Bagudu Hirse of Labour Party scored 1 770 votes, Elizabeth Yirse Mega Progressive Peoples Party 1 035 votes while Anuma Agudu of Social Democratic Party got 260 votes. “Rt Hon. Simon Lalong having satisfied the requirements of the law and scored the highest number of votes in the election, held on April 11, 2015, is hereby declared the winner,” Kucha declared.

The APC won in 11 out of the 17 local governments areas,while Pwajok won in six. Lalong, a lawyer by profession, is a former speaker of Plateau House Assembly, who served for two terms when Joshua Dariye was the governor of the state.

He was back into the legal practice after he left office in 2006, and decided to vie for the number one seat in the state on the ticket of the APC. The governor elect hails from Shendam Local Government Area in the Southern Senatorial District of Plateau.

Credit: NAN