A woman was seen in a viral video lamenting bitterly over the current hardship being witnessed in the country.
She complained about how difficult it is to feed and the increase in the prices of food items.
In a video that has now gone viral, the market woman said the Federal government should have mercy on the masses as the suffering is now unbearable.
In the video, the market woman said;
‘’If they do not protest, we the market women will go n@ked and protest. There is too much suffering in the country. Please find solutions for these things. Garri is now N2000. Since my father gave birth to me, I have never bought a paint of garri for N2000. The suffering is too much. A derica of Rice is now N1200. For what reason? It is too much oo..To buy meat now…It is only kpomo (cow skin) we are buying, even the kpomo is now expensive. Three pieces of fish is now N1200. Please have mercy on us, our father. This suffering is too much please”
Chairman Nigerian Union Of Journalists plateau state
Journalists has being challenged to adhered to the ethics of journalism practice by being objective, not subjective in their reportage,and shun an act capable of rubbing the image of the noble profession on the mud.
Further challenged them to operate within the framework of the profession and abide by it ethics as the watchdog of the society to give credence to our report as journalist, and to earn respect.
The Chairman of Nigerian Union of Journalists Nuj, Plateau State Council, Mrs Ayuku Pwaspo give the advice during the Councils get together held at it Secretariat Hill Station Junction 9th February 2024.
In her welcome address , the chairman Mrs Ayuku said the get together availed members of the Union the ample opportunity to fraternize outside the usual reporting of events which journalists are use to.
She charged them to leave above board in the discharging of their duties because the society are looking up to them and can not afford to disappoint them to avoid being judged by prosperity.
However observed a minute silence for members who dead ,and the victims of Bokkos, Mangu genocide attacks that left many killed.
In his goodwill message, the former Chairman of the Union in the state , Katdaba Gokum enjoined Journalists to be professional at all times in the course of discharging their professional duties, and shun the act capable of bringing the profession to disrepute.
Speaking separately, Ladi Emmanuel and Tongna Bawa thank the Excos of the Union for their efforts in organizing the event , said it has give members the opportunity to interact with colleagues.
The Special Task Force Operation SAFE HAVEN (OPSH) would like to address the recent viral video that falsely claimed soldiers attacked a Police post in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State.
It is important to set the record straight and clarify that this video was nothing more than a malicious and deliberate attempt by troublemakers to undermine the collaborative relationship that exists between security agencies.
The OPSH clarification is contained in a press statement dated 8th February 2024 issued by the Media Information Officer Operation SAFE HAVEN, Captain Oya James and made available to Journalists in Jos, plateau state.
To provide the accurate sequence of events, on February 3, 2024, troops who were enforcing the curfew declared by the Plateau State Government in Mangu, came across two men and a lady in front of a hotel. These two men, who were in civil dress, failed to identify themselves as police officers or provide any justification for being outside during curfew hours. When the troops requested that they comply with the curfew, a minor misunderstanding arose, leading to the men in civil dress later identified as police personnel mobilizing their colleagues who subsequently fired teargas canisters at the troops. However, the swift intervention of the Commander of the troops on the ground and the Divisional Police Officer Mangu, led to the amicable resolution of the situation within a few minutes.
Therefore, we would like to make it abundantly clear that the viral video which was made long after troops left the scene suggesting that troops invaded a Police Station in Mangu and released days after the incident is the work of individuals seeking to incite discord between the military and the Nigeria Police Force in Plateau State with the aim of disrupting the harmonious relationship that exists while promoting their own agenda.
These attempts will not in any way affect the existing bond between our troops and other security agencies in their joint efforts to restore peace in Mangu. We urge the public to disregard such malicious and false narratives and continue to support the joint and combined efforts of our troops and other security agencies in maintaining peace and security in the entire state.
The attention of Operation SAFE HAVEN (OPSH) has been drawn to a news reports credited to Daily Post and Daily Trust online newspapers on Thursday, 8 February 2024.
These reports erroneously stated the circumstances surrounding the arrest of nine youths travelling from Bauchi State to Nasarawa State on motorcycles through Jos during the bye-election day in Plateau State .
The military made clarification on the unfounded rumor by the two newspapers in a press statement dated 8th February 2024 signed by
Media Information Officer
Operation SAFE HAVEN Captain Oya James and made available to this medium in Jos.
According to the statement,to set the records straight, On 3rd February 2024, troops received
calls from well meaning citizens on movement of a large convoy of persons on motorcycles traversing Jos East on the day of the bye elections in Plateau State. Considering the prevailing security challenges, they were subsequently tracked and taken into protective custody for profiling.
Following thorough profiling, the travellers were found to be innocent and were released to their family members in less than 48 hours after passing through the necessary security checks.
It is of utmost importance to stress the risks associated with spreading unverified information, taking into account the potential dangers it poses. Security agencies will not leave anything to chance in exploring legitimate means to track down any activity inimical to security with a view to averting any attempt to unleash mayhem on innocent civilians.
We therefore urge all to exercise caution and verify information before disseminating it to the public. We urge the public to continue to collaborate and avail security agencies with credible information that will aid in securing peace loving citizens.
The attention of Operation SAFE HAVEN (OPSH) has been drawn to a news reports credited to Daily Post and Daily Trust online newspapers on Thursday, 8 February 2024.
These reports erroneously stated the circumstances surrounding the arrest of nine youths travelling from Bauchi State to Nasarawa State on motorcycles through Jos during the bye-election day in Plateau State .
The military made clarification on the unfounded rumor by the two newspapers in a press statement dated 8th February 2024 signed by
Media Information Officer
Operation SAFE HAVEN Captain Oya James and made available to this medium in Jos.
According to the statement,to set the records straight, On 3rd February 2024, troops received
calls from well meaning citizens on movement of a large convoy of persons on motorcycles traversing Jos East on the day of the bye elections in Plateau State. Considering the prevailing security challenges, they were subsequently tracked and taken into protective custody for profiling.
Following thorough profiling, the travellers were found to be innocent and were released to their family members in less than 48 hours after passing through the necessary security checks.
It is of utmost importance to stress the risks associated with spreading unverified information, taking into account the potential dangers it poses. Security agencies will not leave anything to chance in exploring legitimate means to track down any activity inimical to security with a view to averting any attempt to unleash mayhem on innocent civilians.
We therefore urge all to exercise caution and verify information before disseminating it to the public. We urge the public to continue to collaborate and avail security agencies with credible information that will aid in securing peace loving citizens.
Group under the aupacies of Convener of Better The Initiative For Better and Brighter Nigeria , (IBBN) prophet El-Buba has send stern warning to the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria ,Bola Ahmed Tinubu to address the devastating hunder in the country before it sparks of uncontrollable implosions in the country that the government may not be able to handle.
As Prophet El-Buba said the need for the president argent intervention is imperactive following raising agitation across the country as families can no longer eat one Square meal a day , school fees is doubled by three and medical bill has gone beyond average Nigerians.
The leader of (IBBN) Prophet El-Buba call to the president is contained in a press statement dated dated 8th February 2024 and made available to Journalists in Jos, plateau state capital.
According to him,Certainly Nigeria has been over due for a revolution that for some reasons have not happened but will have to happen with the increasing spate of devastating hunger and excruciating poverty taking a toll on Nigerians, if left unaddressed will give rise to an inescapable full blown revolt by the suffering masses – and this revolution will be so swift that it may not be televised.
He added that a hungry man is an angry man- and his anger can snowball to have severe consequences if not checkmated.
This he said can partially explains why the average Nigerian is angry and aggressive on the street. For instance, it was in the papers last week that a woman in Port Harcourt who went into another woman’s plantation and stole her plantain in order to feed her hungry children was confronted by the woman who owned the plantain, an altercation ensued between them and the woman who stole the plantain hacked to death the woman who owned the plantation with a machete. This is the sad place we are in, in Nigeria today!
He lamented that despite government’s ‘state of emergency on food security’, efforts to curb rising food prices have not yielded results- with a foreign exchange rate that is rapidly turning the naira into a currency not worth the paper on which it is printed, pervasive inflation causing a month by month increase on food prices, neither have government stopped terrorists from chasing farmers away from their farmlands nor has it forestalled attacks and kidnaps for ransom on communities in states like Plateau and Taraba who produce a bulk of Nigeria’s food thereby stopping agricultural activities owing to the massive displacement and movement of people from farming zones to IDP camps in their country. Every other part of the country is feeling this pinch of hunger and hardship due to the recent high cost of energy and its impact on transportation which all leads to an astronomical rise in the price of food items- leading to gnashing of teeth everywhere.
Further add that Nigerians refuse to be hopeless about the situation or government. To help alleviate the severity of hunger in Nigeria in the interim and immediate future – so as to both avert an imminent implosion as well as save the future of millions of Nigerians and the stability of the country.
However urged Tinubu lead Federal Government should release grains from its strategic reserve depots, and ensure the grains get to hungry Nigerians at affordable prices, as it crashes the astronomic costs of grains in the market. Previous releases have not been reaching majority of poor Nigerians.
Called on the president to take cue from China- whom the World Economic Forum reported to have focused on supporting its 250 million small holder farmers that produce 80 percent of the country’s food by harnessing government and private sector collaboration, and anchored on technology deployment and access to low interest credit- by also, robustly engaging and partnering with strategic and relevant public, private and third sectors by government at all levels for their resources, expertise, and networks to be utilized in transparently implementing hunger alleviation measures such as distribution of released grains from strategic food reserves as well as genuine commodity market boards to monitor and control these food prices, provision of emergency food assistance to persons adversely affected by or at risk of hunger, and of course, direct cash transfers to low-income families in severe need- as sustainable solutions always require collaboration, resources, and long-term commitment from multiple stakeholders. This is worth it because it becomes a great deal and major accomplishment if tackling hunger or food poverty can turn out to be one of the greatest benefits of our democracy today.
The initiative for better and Brighter Nigeria called on the State governments to refrain from the indolence of relying on the Federal government for hunger and poverty alleviation programmes to developing and championing their own local initiatives for same purpose.
As can be seen from Brazil in this regard, Brazil adopted national, state-wide, and local policies, including the Zero Hunger programme introduced in the first presidency of Inacio Lula da Silva within 2003 to 2010 which according to the FAO reduced the proportion of Brazilians living in hunger by one-third. Speaking of this, the Governor of Taraba State Dr. Kefas Agbu is setting a pace that is worthy of commendation and emulation in that He is developing a palliative market in his state where food and non-food items will be sold at cheaper rates to residents intentioned at bringing relief to families from the hardship caused by petrol subsidy removal.
Nigerian governors should please develop their own marshal plans that align to their local realities to bring relief to their people as state governments ought to be the main drivers of agricultural production and initiatives only to be complimented by federal support.
“Government should invest in building rural road systems that links farms to local markets in real time, as well as storage and processing facilities to drastically reduce the post-harvest rot and waste of agricultural produce before they get to consumers, so farmers won’t have to make up for loses. “
Further said for long term planning and investments as well as training, mentoring youths, women, and rural farmers to engage in mechanized agriculture and modern farming techniques so they are able to take up farming careers which can boost food production and reduce poverty in the country.
Also use the statement to charge the Tinubu Administration as matter of urgency tackle insecurity country by consistently deploying leadership- which is what others may call political will.
“By the way, there’s no such thing as political will- it’s either there is leadership or there is no leadership. The President showing leadership in containing insecurity can have a ripple down effect on all security sector actors as they work together to fight terrorism, insecurity and other forms of criminality in the country copying the posture of their Commander-in-Chief. “
” For instance, if insecurity is curtailed in food producing zones that have been under siege like Mangu and Bokkos to mention but one, it is sure to have an impact on the cost of food in the markets.”
” Again, if government insists that armed militias killing Nigerians in the North-Central and elsewhere in Nigeria like they did on Christmas Eve on the Plateau are arrested and prosecuted- which has so far not been seen, or it (Government) decrees death by hanging for all kidnappers caught- it can send shivers to perpetrators of these criminalities and serve as a deterrent”.
Appeal for resettlement and restoration of farming villages especially Plateau and Benue States to their ancestral farming villages who have been initially displaced by Fulani militias with a 20 billion Naira grant – so they can go back and pick up their farming lives and contribute to food security efforts in the country.
Called on president Bola Ahmed Tinubu intervention to intervene in the astronomical prices of cement in the market which is now at 7000 per bag- as this high price also has its pinch of salt in the rising price of food.
However advice Nigerians following the state of things we have found ourselves today regarding the high cost of living, I call on all Nigerians to get back to farming in other to collectively contribute to our sufficient food production and self sustenance- growing what we eat and eating what we grow.
Plateau State Governor, Barr. Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, has urged citizens to trust his government and ensure the timely payment of their taxes in order to fuel the state’s development initiatives.
Governor Mutfwang made the call during the launch of the Plateau Intelligent Revenue Billing System (PIRBS) at the Plateau State Internal Revenue House, Jos.
He underscored the significance of revenue as the backbone of economic progress, stressing its pivotal role in providing essential services and infrastructure for the people.
Acknowledging the shortfall in revenue collection over the years, the Governor pledged to streamline taxation processes and prevent duplication of levies. He urged the revenue service staff to intensify efforts to meet the designated revenue targets for 2024.
Governor Mutfwang cautioned against undermining the newly introduced revenue system, aimed at plugging financial leakages, and called for the cooperation of the staff, promising improved welfare packages as incentives.
“We cannot expect better compensation without enhancing our revenue capacity and efficiency collectively,” remarked Governor Mutfwang. He advocated a collaborative approach to bolster revenue collection within legal boundaries.
The Chairman of the Plateau State Internal Revenue Service, Mr. Jim Pam, expressed gratitude to Governor Mutfwang for his commitment to enhancing revenue generation. He assured citizens that the Intelligent Revenue Billing System would enhance the state’s revenue base without unduly burdening them.
Mr. Pam reiterated the revenue service’s dedication to transparent revenue coordination and creating a taxpayer-friendly environment.
The winner of February 3rd Re-run Jos North/Bassa Federal House of Representatives on the platform of Labour Party LP, Hon. Daniel Asama has received certificate of return amidst cheers in Abuja.
Asama received the certificate from
Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, National headquarters in FCT yesterday 7th February 2024.
He was accompanied by his wife, Plateau State LP chairman, Mrs. Grace Zamfara, Mr. Jonathan Gukut, Personal Assistant to Dr. Patrick Sunday Dakum, the Plateau State LP governorship candidate in the 2023 general elections, Comrade Ladi Iliya, Deputy National Chairman of the LP and others stateholders of the party.
Highly excited member of representative Asama promised a robust representation in the Green Chamber of the National Assembly.
Responding to questions from Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, FRCN, Asama said he will toe the part of Plateau Project and work towards ending insecurity bedeviling the state. He said,
“Our priority now will be peace. Our priority is to settle the conflicts. We will tag along with our governor to tackle insecurity as best as we can. We will put in our efforts to bring Plateau to the name it has, “The Home of Peace and Tourism”.
In his separate response, Jonathan Gukut said the outing of LP in the 2023 general elections has spontaneously bred optimism of the party taking over the reins of governance in Plateau State stressed that
“We just started, that was the first outing, and we have three members of the House of Representatives, and not only that, we have one member of the House of Assembly. It means we have come to stay and by the special grace of God we will eventually take the seat of government.”
Gukut further advised LP legislator,
“My advice to him (Asama), is not to do things as usual, but show the difference because Labour Party showcases concerns for humanity and I expect all those under the Labour Party to portray that they are there for the people and the country and not for their stomach infrastructure.”
Plateau LP chairman and the Deputy National Chairman, Zamfara and Comrade Iliya, wished Asama a successful tenure in the National Assembly and admonished him to be a good ambassador of their party.
Plateau State Governor, Barr. Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, has called for increased collaboration with the German Government, facilitated through the GIZ, to address the longstanding security challenges plaguing the state.
Governor Mutfwang made the appeal during a meeting with the German Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development, Ms. Svenja Schulze, at the New Government House in Little Rayfield, Jos, Plateau State.
He expressed the determination of his administration to resolve the ongoing security issues, and emphasized the importance of leveraging the enduring relationship between Germany and Nigeria to expand cooperation with Plateau State.
He stated, “We are currently focused on finding sustainable solutions to our security challenges, and we rely on partnerships with key European countries to assist us in this endeavor.”
Governor Mutfwang highlighted efforts to address poverty and enhance education in the state, in view of their significant role in exacerbating security concerns.
Acknowledging Plateau State’s vast agricultural potential, particularly in the production of Irish potatoes, the Governor underscored the need to introduce technology to bolster agricultural activities, with a view to tapping into German expertise in this area.
Governor Mutfwang also expressed interest in collaborating with the German Government to improve electricity infrastructure and promote renewable energy, thereby stimulating economic growth in the state.
Responding, the German Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development, Ms. Svenja Schulze, commended Governor Mutfwang’s leadership and expressed readiness to deepen collaboration with Plateau State to foster its development.
Ms. Schulze affirmed her team’s visit to Plateau State to address the challenges facing the region and explore avenues for partnership.
The Executive Governor of Plateau State, Barr. Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, has signed into law two crucial electricity bills aimed at ensuring a robust and reliable power supply for the state’s economic prosperity and overall advancement.
The laws, Plateau State Energy Corporation and Plateau State Electricity Market, are designed to facilitate the generation of adequate electricity, including renewable energy sources, to meet the needs of the public and to enable surplus sales to neighboring states.
Governor Mutfwang, who signed the laws on Tuesday at the New Government House in Little Rayfield, Jos, emphasized the vast potential of each Local Government Area within the state to contribute significantly to electricity generation and distribution.
“This initiative marks a pivotal milestone in our developmental journey, underscoring the indispensable role of electricity. It’s second only to water in its importance, as without it, functioning becomes severely constrained,” stated Governor Mutfwang.
He reiterated that this initiative signifies the outset of a journey towards substantial development and affirmed Plateau State’s readiness for substantial growth and progress. Governor Mutfwang extended an invitation to both local and international investors, in view of the favorable climate and hospitable environment for investment within the state.
“My vision is for Plateau to become a major electricity provider. With your cooperation and support, this dream is entirely feasible,” he said . He also expressed gratitude to the Plateau State House of Assembly for promptly passing the bills and solicited continued collaboration for the state’s advancement.
The Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Plateau State, Barr. Philimon Daffi, hailed the laws as essential components of the current administration’s development agenda.
He emphasized the pivotal role of electricity in industrial growth, affirming that under Barr. Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang’s leadership, the Plateau State Government has taken deliberate measures to enhance electricity infrastructure, thereby delivering tangible benefits of democracy to the populace.
Plateau State Governor, Barr. Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, has affirmed his commitment to partnering with the media, notably the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) Jos. The collaboration aims to enhance local content creation, presenting government activities and programs in indigenous languages for better public understanding.
Governor Mutfwang stated this during a courtesy visit by management of NTA Jos Network Centre, led by Zonal Director Mrs. Rifkatu Daniel, at the New Government House in Little Rayfield, Jos, on Monday.
Emphasizing the crucial role of the media in fostering societal unity, Governor Mutfwang highlighted the significance of people-oriented programs with relevant content to create awareness and convey accurate narratives about the community.
He expressed satisfaction with the performance of NTA Jos and commended the station for effectively disseminating information despite the emergence of new TV stations nationwide. He expressed his administration’s determination to support the media industry, in order to change negative perceptions about Plateau and preserve its heritage for future generations.
The Zonal Director Mrs. Rifkatu Daniel congratulated Governor Mutfwang on his Supreme Court victory and expressed optimism about his transformative impact on the state.
She appealed for the governor’s support in providing essential tools to enable the station to fulfill its statutory functions of informing, educating, and entertaining the public on government activities.
The attention of the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has been drawn to a statement credited to the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) and published by Guardian online Newspaper on 4 February 2024, faulting the formation of a Fact-Finding Team tasked to elicit practical workable solutions to the prolonged crisis in some parts of Nigeria Plateau State inclusive.
For the record, the Fact-Finding Team headed by an experienced retired senior military officer was constituted by the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Christopher Musa, following the deployment of military hardwares including highly trained intelligence personnel and special forces to troubled areas of the State to ensure perpetrators of dastardly attacks are brought to justice.
Consequent upon this, the Chief of Army Staff Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja visited Plateau State on 27 January 2024 and gave the troops specific orders to deal decisively with those fermenting troubles leading to loss of lives and properties.
Recently, numerous intelligence-driven operations have been conducted leading to the arrest of key suspects who are currently undergoing interrogation.
It is therefore pertinent to note, that the team was constituted as part of the non-kinetic approach of the DHQ in resolving the situation. Also, the team’s responsibility spreads across troubled areas in the country and not limited to Plateau State alone.
The DHQ calls on HURIWA being one of the respected human rights group to cultivate the habit of seeking credible information on issues especially as it concerns National Security before approaching the media. It is evident the group was ill-informed and could not spend time researching on efforts the military had made to restore normalcy in troubled areas of the country.
The DHQ would have naturally overlook the ignorance of HURIWA on this matter, but finds it necessary to educate civil society organizations on the responsible use of the media not to disseminate falsehoods and create tension where non is existing. We, therefore advise HURIWA to henceforth be passionate to seek adequate information on issues of national importance and stop misleading the public deliberately. The DHQ would take strong legal action should such mistake repeat itself.
The Chief of Defence Staff General Christopher Gwabin Musa appreciates the support of the Nigerians to our troops in the field making unquantifiable sacrifices to ensure peace in our nation. The CDS is confident the troops will stamp out criminality in Plateau State and the country at large.
Mr Daniel Asama of the Labour Party (LP) has been declared winner of the House of Representatives rerun election for Jos North/Bassa Federal Constituency Re-run election held Saturday 3rd February 2024
Declaring the results the Returning Officer, Prof. James Garba, declared Asama as the winner on Monday after after scoring the highest votes cast.
According to him Daniel Asama of labour party scored 66,422 votes to defeat his closest rival of the PRP, Mohammed Goni who polled the total vote of 61,670 votes.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) came a distant third position with 10,063 votes with other political parties scores the following votes ,ADC – 2,090,APP – 331,LP – 66,422,NNPP – 2,475 NRM – 669 and SDP – 336.
Daniel Asama replaces Musa agah of the People’s democratic party PDP who’s election was nullified by the appeal court for not complying with the electoral guidelines and a rerun was ordered by the courts and his party logo was omitted by the electorial umpire contrary to the earlier Appeal election tribunal judgement that all the political parties should participate on Re-run election.
In another similar development, the
Plateau North Senate Rerun Election Prince Pam Mwadkon of African Democratic party (ADP) was declared winner having scored the highest votes cast in the rerun election .
Declaring the winner Professor Nestor Chagok Said Prince Pam Mwadkon Dachungyang of ADP having scored the highest vote cast of 122,442 is declared the winner for plateau Senatorial Re-run election.
The candidate of ADP defeated his close contestant from LP Party Barrister Gyang Zi who scored
Plateau State’s Executive Governor, Barr. Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, has joined other well-wishers and associates in celebrating the 61st birthday of former Senator I. D. Gyang, who represented Plateau North Senatorial District.
The celebration message is contained in apress statement dated 4th February 2024 signed by Director of press and Public Affairs to Governor Mutfwang Gyang Bere and made available to this medium in Jos.
Mutfwang lauded Sen. Gyang as a distinguished legislator who steadfastly advocated for his constituents and Plateau State during his tenure in the red chamber. The Governor emphasized Sen. Gyang’s role as a vocal advocate not only for Plateau but also for the entire middle belt.
Acknowledging Sen. Gyang’s impactful contributions during the 9th Assembly, Governor Mutfwang highlighted the widespread benefits, extending beyond his constituency to the entire nation.
On behalf of the Government and people of Plateau State, Governor Mutfwang extended his heartfelt wishes to Sen. Gyang for a long, happy life, robust health, and continued success in all his endeavors.
Daniel Asama of the labour Party (LP) is currently coasting for victory in the ongoing Jos North/Bassa Federal House of representative Re-run election.
As the labour candidate candidate Asama is currently comfortably on the lead as at the time of filing this report.
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