Governors under the auspacies of Northern Governors Forum has mourned late elderstatesman Dr. Paul Wantaregh Unongo.
Chairman of the Forum and Governor of Plateau State Simon Bako Lalong said the late Paul Unongo was an achiever who served Nigeria with passion and patriotism.
The Governor’s condolence message is contained in a press Statement dated 30th November,2022, issued by Director of Press and Public Affairs to the chairman of the forum and the governor of plateau state Makut Macham and made available to this medium in Jos, plateau state.
Lalong who described him as a thorough intellectual and notable politician said the deceased played a great role in the democratic journey of Nigeria and will be remembered as one who stood for justice, equity and fairness.
He said as Minister for Steel Development in the second Republic and pioneer Secretary General of the Nigerian People’s Party (NPP), Unongo demonstrated capacity and ability to work with Nigerians from all works of life and different parts of the country towards building a greater nation.
The Northern Governors Chairman also recalled that Unongo was the Convener and former Chairman of the Northern Elders Forum which took special interest in issues regarding the development of the region and the nation at large.
He said such interventions drew attention to, and mobilised support for the plight of the people of the Northern Region particularly in the areas of peace and security, agriculture, education, health and infrastructure among others.
Unongo according to the Governor never failed to speak out on national issues and advance solutions to resolving them.
While commiserating with his family, Government and people of Benue State, the Northern Governors Forum prayed God to grant his soul eternal rest.
Plateau State Governor Simon Bako Lalong is set to make the hitherto occasional celebration of Plateau State Festival Of Arts and Culture(PLAFEST) an Annual events to help in the promotion, and showcasing the rich tourism, culture and hospitality endorsement of plateau state which before now not adequately advertised.
As Lalong also revealed his administration intention to celebrate the return of peace in the state after over 15 years sentarian crisis which almost bring the state social economic development to it lowest ebbs.
Lalong was speaking at Plateau State Festival of Arts and Culture PLAFEST 2022, official opening held at the Rwang Pam Township Stadium Jos, 29th November, 2022.
He further said making the festival celebration an annual event is imperative because plateau State is one of the states endowed with enormous tourism potentials but not adequately advertised , which has not showcased our culture as a state.
Making it an annual celebration is going to be done along side with the celebration of permanent restoration of peace in the state, to create awareness on people within and outside the state who are still having the wrong notions about the Security situation in Plateau, to change their perception , and to know that the state is now Save Haven for doing business.
Lalong stressed that for these laudable objective to be attain, the state government will synergize with the state house of Assembly to sign the bill Into law for legislative backing.
And thank the citizens of plateau state for their support to the Rescue Administration led by APC Government
which make the return of peace possible.
In his keynotes address, Director General National Council for Arts and Culture Olusegun Ronsuwe said plateau state has been so much blessed with enormous tourism potentials more than any other states in the whole of Nigeria.
The Director General however decried the constant face off between the two religion in the state, Muslims/Christians adherence , resulted to killing of one another.
He revealed the geographical vantage location of plateau State , which is over 4,000 above the Sea level,this informed the state favourable weather compared to other states in Nigeria which can be compared to Europe.
He urged the citizens of the state to leave in peace with one another ,and enjoyed the God giving tourism potentials bequeathed to the state by God Almighty.
He lauded the frantic efforts being made by Governor Bako Lalong in restoring Peace in the state ,and adviced the citizens to maintain the tempo.
Earlier in her welcome address, Plateau State Commissioner for Tourism and Hospitality, Cecilia Yilkorah who doubled as the Chairman Central Planning Committee for the event, lauded Governor Bako Lalong for his support to the Ministry of Tourism and Hospitality in the state because of it comparative advantage on tourism over other states of the federation.
The honourable Commissioner further thank the Governor for creating an enable environment for the ministry to flourish and make the occasion possible.
The Commissioner who is less than three months old in the office as Commissioner , said the successful organization of the event has helped to change the negative perception of the people against Plateau State of not save for doing business.
Call on businessmen and investors to come and invest in the state,as peace had finally returned to state, assured them of their personal safety, and their investments.
The Chairman of Chief and Emirs in the state Jacob Gyang Buba ,who is Gbong Gwom Jos , Reiterated the traditional institution readiness to work with the Federal and state government in the promotion of Tourism and Culture in the state.
Dignitaries who attended the event include, Minister for Women Affairs, local government chairmen and host of others.
The high point of the occasion , is the dancing of different troops from the state of the Federation and the Seventeen local government of plateau State who added spices to the official opening of the event.
The Plateau State Festival of Arts and Culture (PLAFEST)2022,has it Theme: Culture Heritage A Tool For Curbing Insecurity.
The Chief of Defence Staff , General Lucky Irabor today 29th November 2022, visited Headquarters Operation SAFE HAVEN (OPSH) to commission some landmark projects initiated by the General Officer Commanding (3) Division Nigerian Army and Commander OPSH, Major General Ibrahim Ali.
Speaking during the commissioning ceremony, the CDS expressed satisfaction with the projects executed. General Irabor stressed that the projects would boost the morale of troops and strengthen their commitment to the fight against insecurity in the Joint Operation Area.
The Chief of Defence Staff disclosed that the visit to OPSH would motivate the personnel and troops across other Theatre of Operations in improving their operational effectiveness and professional conduct. He further lauded the giant strides of the Commander and the resolve to continually improve the welfare of troops under his command.
In his remarks, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 3 Division Nigerian Army and Commander OPSH, Major General Ibrahim Ali, said the projects would provide a conducive working environment for troops to carry out their responsibility effectively.
The GOC thanked the Chief of Defence Staff for his leadership guidance and support towards the actualization of the projects.
The Chief of Defence Staff was accompanied on the visit by Principal Staff Officers from Defence Headquarters and senior officers.
Highlight of the visit were the commissioning of Operation SAFE HAVEN reconstructed entrance road, renovated/remodeled car park, inspection of troops’ accommodation, kitchen, presentation of souvenir and group photograph.
The Executive Chairman and leader of QP Project Administration in Qua’an-Pan Local Government Council (LGC) of Plateau State, Hon. Ernest Abner Da’a, has expressed joy over the Conferment of the Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) status on Associate Professor Theodore Bala Maiyaki.
Hon. Da’a described Associate Prof. Theodore Bala Maiyaki’s conferment as deserving, saying it has confirmed his worth as the APC Flag bearer for Qua’an-Pan South Constituency for the Plateau State House of Assembly in the 2023 General Elections.
The Chairman happiness is contained in a press release dated 28th November,2022 , signed by the
SSA Media Publicity and protocol to the executive chairman of Qua’an-Pan, Mathias Yengoet and made available to this medium in Jos, plateau.
The Council Chairman said the contributions of Associate Prof. Maiyaki to nation building and the legal profession has earned him this exalted position.
The Executive Chairman said that the people of Qua’an-Pan LGA are proud to identify with the Legal Luminary, as one of them, adding that the new SAN is a man of proven character and integrity.
Da’a encouraged Maiyaki to handle his promotion with every sense of responsibility and counseled him to use it to provide services to humanity and to the glory of God.
The QP Project Team Leader also prayed to God to give the Associate Professor more wisdom, grace and good health of mind and body to him.
The gubernatorial Candidate of Labour Party LP, in plateau state , Dr. Patrick Dakum has promised to Support both thick and thin Ndi Igbo community in Plateau State , and by extension Nigeria as a whole.
And charged Ndi Igbo community not to hesitate to call on him any day, any time they needed his assistance of any form and promised to always be available.
Dakum made the promise in his response to Chieftaincy title bestowed on him by the Ochi Ndi Igbo 111 of Jos, Chief Basil Ibebuike Udeaja at the 2022,Igbo Day celebration and launching of Five Million Naira Civic Centre held 26th November, 22 at the Rwang Township Stadium Jos, plateau state.
Dakum lauded the lgbos business enterprises in the state and Nigeria in general ,and praised them for their peaceful disposition in the state which without them, the peace which has returned back to the state wouldn’t have been a mirage.
He further stressed that because of the honour bestowed on him by the Igbo community in the state he has subjected himself to the leadership of the Igbo nation and charged them not to hesitate to knock at his door whenever the need arises.
The Ochi Ndi Igbo (111) of Jos, Chief Basil Ibebuike Udeaja said the Igbo Chieftaincy Title is not for sale,and not giving to money bag for financial exchange, but for those who have distinguished themselves in the service of humanity ,which over the years with keen observation of the person of Dr Dakum he possess all the qualities that earn him the Chieftaincy Title.
The Ochi Ndi Igbo of Jos further said the name of the title being given to Dr.Dakum is called “Eze Okechukwu (1) of Jos.
Other notable Persons who were also bestowed with chieftaincy title include Ambassador Chris Giwa and Sadiq Abubarkar aka Sadiq Plaza.
In their separate response, they thank the Igbo community for finding them worthy for the title , and promised not to abuse the trust that earned them the title.
The Director General (DG) APC Tinubu/Shettima presidential Campaign Organization who doubled as the Governor of Plateau State, Simon Bako Lalong , has says the recent successful flagged off of APC Presidential Campaign ahead 2023 General Elections which witnessed mammoth attendance from all worlds of life is an indication that the party is on the right track, and heading for another landslide victory in the 2023 General Elections.
As Lalong said over two weeks after the flagged off, it still remain the talk of town and has given him a pride of place as the chairman Northern Governors Forum anytime they convened for meeting.
The DG campaign for Tinubu/Shettima presidential Campaign ,who is himself vying for Senatorial seat in plateau Southern Senatorial Zone , revealed this in an exclusive interview with journalists in Shendam during the inauguration of his campaign Council and opening of his campaign Office in the Zone.
He said considering the crowd that attended the inauguration of my campaign Council, and the official opening of his campaign Office in the zone is a clear indication that APC as a party and myself who is an apostle of the party has done not just well but extremely well as Governor of the state .
He stressed that he is not surprised with the reception that greeted the event, the governor stressed had been the character of the people of the southern Zone since the coming on board of APC Government in 2015.
“If there is any Zone since 2015 that has remained committed to APC, i think the southern Zone is one of the Zone.With that commitment ,you can see the reflection all over plateau state.”
” You can witness when we flagged off the APC presidential campaign recently at Jos Township Stadium, today when I seat amonge the Governors ,I hold my head high .Till date,after the presidential flagged off, is still the talk of town as people are talking of the flag Off. ”
” This clearly shows the hight of acceptance for the candidate of Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu , on my part , I hold my head high because it all indicates that l have done creditably well”.
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