Streetbell Online

     Plateau State Command of the Nigerian Police Force, has warned mischief makers who would want to hijack the planned nationwide protest to leave Plateau or be faced with stiff resistance by men and officers of the command.

    The State Commissioner of Police, CP Emmanuel Adesina, gave the warning at the dialogue engagement organised by the command with CSOs, youth groups, religious and community leaders at the Police Officers Mess Jos, ahead of the planned nationwide protest Tuesday.

     The Commissioner commended the people of Plateau State for the support given to the Police in the state and promised to cover all sensitive parts of the state during the protest.

     He, therefore, appealed to the citizens of Plateau State to cooperate with the security agencies and be vigilant so that, these criminals would not take advantage of the protest or have a space to hijack the protest.

     “Peaceful protest is allowed by law, but when people abuse the law and want to turn the protest upside down to create panic, mayhem, destruction and even kill, we are not going to tolerate.

    “Some are still insisting that, they will come out for the protest, it is allowed but if they come out, they should be peaceful because there will be no problem, but if they are not peaceful, everybody will answer his or her father’s name.

      “We will evoke all processes of the law to deal with people that want to cause mayhem. Anyone that attempt to hijack or do anything that is unlawful, we will put them to where they belong to”, Adesina warned.

    He, therefore, assured the people of Plateau State that, by Thursday, they were going to ensure that, the presence of security would overwhelm the whole state and  encouraged citizens to not panic or fear.

    There were comments and suggestions by the stakeholders especially, on how government should be proactive in addressing some of immediate and pressing needs of Nigerians by engaging the youth into direct and sincere dialogue ahead of the protest.

     Plateau State Command of the Nigerian Police Force, has warned mischief makers who would want to hijack the planned nationwide protest to leave Plateau or be faced with stiff resistance by men and officers of the command.

    The State Commissioner of Police, CP Emmanuel Adesina, gave the warning at the dialogue engagement organised by the command with CSOs, youth groups, religious and community leaders at the Police Officers Mess Jos, ahead of the planned nationwide protest Tuesday.

     The Commissioner commended the people of Plateau State for the support given to the Police in the state and promised to cover all sensitive parts of the state during the protest.

     He, therefore, appealed to the citizens of Plateau State to cooperate with the security agencies and be vigilant so that, these criminals would not take advantage of the protest or have a space to hijack the protest.

     “Peaceful protest is allowed by law, but when people abuse the law and want to turn the protest upside down to create panic, mayhem, destruction and even kill, we are not going to tolerate.

    “Some are still insisting that, they will come out for the protest, it is allowed but if they come out, they should be peaceful because there will be no problem, but if they are not peaceful, everybody will answer his or her father’s name.

      “We will evoke all processes of the law to deal with people that want to cause mayhem. Anyone that attempt to hijack or do anything that is unlawful, we will put them to where they belong to”, Adesina warned.

    He, therefore, assured the people of Plateau State that, by Thursday, they were going to ensure that, the presence of security would overwhelm the whole state and  encouraged citizens to not panic or fear.

    There were comments and suggestions by the stakeholders especially, on how government should be proactive in addressing some of immediate and pressing needs of Nigerians by engaging the youth into direct and sincere dialogue ahead of the protest.

By Ibrahim Abubakar Lajada

    In light of recent widespread protests across Nigeria, there are growing concerns regarding the potential economic impact of the ongoing unrest.     While acknowledging the importance of peaceful demonstrations as a means of expressing public grievances, it is essential to understand how these protests might lead to disruptions and slow down economic growth in the country. 

    While the right to protest is a fundamental aspect of democratic societies, it is important to recognize how prolonged demonstrations can influence economic performance. I know many of the protest organizers in every state and I’m willing to engage with them on behalf of the government. 

   Economic Disruptions Resulting from Protests: Protests, while often driven by legitimate issues, can have significant economic consequences, including Business Disruptions: 

   i. Businesses in protest-affected areas may face closures, reduced operating hours or interruptions in their operations. This can lead to financial losses, reduced productivity and economic instability, particularly, impacting on small and medium-sized enterprises that are crucial to Nigeria’s economy.

   ii. Supply Chain Interruptions: Protests can disrupt key transportation routes and logistics networks, leading to delays and increased costs in the supply chain. These disruptions can affect various sectors, including manufacturing and retail, causing a ripple effect throughout the economy.

    iii. Investor Uncertainty: Persistent unrest can create an environment of uncertainty that deters both local and foreign investment. Investors may be hesitant to commit resources in a climate marked by instability, which can slow down economic growth and development.

    iv. Increased Government Expenditures: Managing protests and ensuring public safety can require substantial financial resources. Governments may need to divert funds from other critical areas, such as infrastructure and social services, to address the immediate needs arising from the unrest.

    v. Balancing Rights with Economic Stability: It is crucial to balance the right to peaceful protest with considerations for economic stability. Constructive dialogue between protest organizers, government officials and community leaders is essential to addressing grievances while minimizing economic disruptions. 

    vi. Call for Constructive Dialogue and Solutions: I urge all stakeholders to engage in open, constructive dialogue to resolve underlying issues without causing undue harm to the economy. By working together, Nigeria can find solutions that address social concerns while supporting economic growth and stability respectively.

    Ibrahim Abubakar Lajada, is the Nigeria’s Former APC Presidential Candidate and can be reached through: Lajadaibrahim@gmail.com/+1 3143331112

July 31, 2024 –Washington, D.C  

     The Youth Initiative Against Violence Human Rights Abuse (YIAVHA), a Civil Society Organisation, has called on government at all levels to initiate dialogue with the youths to help assuage their grievances ahead of the planned nationwide Protest.

     This was contained in a press statement signed by the Executive Director of YIAVHA Nigeria, Jacob Choji Pwakim, and made available to newsmen in Jos, the Plateau State capital Monday.

       The Executive Director leaned on their mandate as a Civil Society Group, to join the President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, State Governors and the entire Nigerian masses to acknowledge the daring hunger and the untold hardship being experienced by Nigerians.

       He disclosed that, “the engagement of just older citizens deepens grievances of the young people, thereby, creating an impression of intergenerational confrontation between the youth and older citizens rather than opportunity for dialogue.

     “Therefore , the State Governors, Members of State and National Assemblies and Chairmen of Local Government Councils are equally called to dialogue with the youths to aggregate their grievances and present them to higher authorities for more strategic consideration.

     “The fact that His Excellency and C-in-C has put his fast foot forward in cracking this hard nut by the serial meetings and civic engagement by critical stakeholders, religious and traditional institutions as well as opinion leaders, more needs to be done in engaging the youth population and listen to their demands with due considerations on the impact on public interest”, Pwakim suggested 

    The Civil Society Executive, assured that, by so doing it would appropriately avoid hampering the peace of the States and fundamental human rights of the citizens the government pledged to protect.

     He, therefore, advised the State Government to direct the Ministry of Health through its emergency units to provide the protesting citizens with adequate First Aid treatment during the process as no public gathering was inevitable of health and accidental tendencies. 

     And that, this would go a long way in establishing government presence that it truly understood their pains and had moved to support the wellbeing of the people even when they disagree with government policies.
      YIAVHA Executive Director commended the high intelligence prowess of the Nigeria security, especially the Plateau State Police Command in tracking person(s) that were making inciting statements on the social media, which was capable of tilting the well intended and peaceful protest into an avenue to cause chaos. 

    He, however, called on the intelligent security beats to advise the government right and ensure the deployment of more skillful personnel to protect peaceful protesters throughout the period of their self-expression.

    “We appeal to citizens to be civil in the exercise of their fundamental human rights to avoid intriguing on the rights of others and the Interest of the public.            “Coordination should be top-notch during the protest and we should not give in to any temptation of using our hands to drag back the little development we are experiencing in our states like in the days of the #EndSars protest.

     “This, no doubt, was the activities of miscreants with strange motives, becoming possible as a result of the absence of professional security personnel to guard the protesters”, Pwakim observed.
       According to him, “while we hold dear to the truth and justice as a symbol of the Nigeria flag, let us do our possible best to live in brotherhood irrespective of tongues and tribes and handover to generations a banner without stains as professed in our National Anthem”.

    Ahead of the nationwide planned protest, a coalition of youth groups under the aegis of Plateau Communities Youth Leaders Coalition, have questioned the genuineness of the planned nationwide protest, tagging the sponsors as shadow mobilizers.

    The group made assertion Monday, when they matched to express their dissatisfaction and doubts over the planned nationwide protest at the press briefing organised by them in Jos, the Plateau State capital.

     While stating their dissociation from the planned nationwide protest, the lead spokesman of the groups, Pololis Gyang, said, they have witnessed numerous tensions leading to the loss of lives and property, arising from protests such as ENDSARS and has continue to live with the devastating effects of such protests to this day.

     “We are aware of the ongoing recruitment of touts, cultists, students, and individuals of questionable character within our communities. We question why the shadow mobilizers for the protest are resorting to such measures if not to foment trouble and cause mayhem.

    “It is impossible for a protest of the proposed scale to be devoid of sponsors, just as it is inconceivable to have smoke without fire. Why have the sponsors of this protest remained hidden and unknown, and why have they failed to clearly articulate the motives behind the protest? These are pressing questions that demand answers”, they questioned.

     The group, however, affirmed to the fact that a genuine hunger protest organically attracts people and not through the desperate antics and deliberate incitement currently witnessed. 

     They added that, they were aware of plots to loot and destroy certain markets, businesses and critical infrastructure within the state capital to create palpable tension, thereby actualizing the hidden motives of the sponsors, hence the call to Plateau youths to desist from joining a protest that undermined the relative peace currently being enjoyed in the state. 

    The lead spokesman said, “we also urge our people to protect their communities from elements seeking to cause pandemonium to further their hidden agendas which are contrary to the peace and stability of our dear state.

     “As a constructive approach to addressing the debilitating economic situation in the country, we are ready and determined to engage the government at all levels in finding lasting solutions to our problems.

     “Through constructive dialogue, we are confident that we will achieve our desired goals. We are willing to meet with the government to make recommendations aimed at tackling the economic crisis in the country”, he assured 

    Gyang, disclosed that their choice of not participating in the protest was because they did not want to allow anything that would plunge their state into anarchy, chaos and untold hardship.

    He further stressed that, the repercussions of previous protests that led to the destruction of businesses and the livelihoods of individuals in the state should not repeat itself and that, they must do everything possible to avoid a repeat of such ugly incidents.

   Gyang, who is the youth leader of Rock Haven, therefore, called on the Federal Government to urgently address the precarious economic hardships in the nation to improve the living conditions of citizens.

    The unprecedented turn out of people at today’s Ngas Village market, was a conclusive proof to the cry for an expansion of this unity base that is somehow a turning point for peace and unity of Plateau people.

   To emphasize on population overflow last week mentioned, it would be an understatement to state same because the turn out this time around was in batches and still experienced a thick crowded presence.

    From the entrance of the market, was a clear view of how over crowded it was as car owners struggled for parking space outside.The crowd that poured into the market was so much that, some squeezed out space to sit on the rocks and other available branches.

     It was for this reason that, the call for the expansion or reclaiming of the earlier allocated land become imperative if truly we want to fight crime and restlessness among our youths.

     It would interest you to know that, majority of youth who roam the streets doing nothing at weekends now find where to add one stone and be paid when assisting shop owners.

     You do not see them as usual and frequent as it used to be around the areas. They are always seen rushing every Saturday to the market to have a thing or two done to get some penny and have fun.

     For the record, here are the pictorials on the state of affairs at the market today, July 27, 2024:

    The leadership of the Initiative for Better and Brighter Nigeria (IBBN), has made a solemn and passionate appeal to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to swiftly address the pressing needs of Nigerians to help regain the confidence of Nigerians ahead of the planned nationwide protest.

   This came in a press statement signed by the National Secretary/North Central Regional Coordinator, Ambr. Tony Young Goodwill, and made available to newsmen in Jos, the Plateau State capital Friday.

     The North Central Coordinator, said, “Your Excellency sir, I want to start by saying that, I and other well-meaning Nigerians out there love you and want you to succeed in office as our President because if you do, we all succeed together. 
     “We all know and agree that the problems of Nigeria CANNOT be solved
completely in four years but Daddy, there are pressing needs that you can
begin to address. 

     “Nigerians first need to see that you understand their pressing demands and that, you have begun to make necessary moves to address them systematically.         “This will restore the confidence of Nigerians and the people in your leadership and promise of RENEWED HOPE. If Nigerians do not see
this Sir, they would not stop demanding and soon their demands may turn
violent. So, I am appealing to you to swiftly address those pressing needs”, he appealed.
       Goodwill, however, observed and intimated President Tinubu, to know that there were people in his cabinet who secretly want things to get worse for him to fail as President saying, “should this protest begins, we are not sure what will follow. 

    “This is why I am advising you to
call for a meeting with key respected leaders of the masses, men and
women of integrity and calibre and initiate peace dialogue with them
ahead of 1st August 2024. 

    “I am afraid that the use of force or threat will not work because at this moment, Nigerians are already feeling threatened by the government and this may worsen the situation”, he advised.
     The North Central Coordinator of IBBN, therefore, called on Mr. President to listen to the voice of reason and invite spiritual fathers and leaders of proven integrity like Prophet Dr. Isa El-Buba for advice believing strongly that, Nigeria would rise from ashes under his leadership.

    He, therefore, prayed God to restores peace and prosperity across Nigeria and bless the President with more wisdom, good health and strength to lead this great nation to the promised land.

 

    Plateau State Government, has kick-started the second round of the house-to-house administering of Seasonal Malaria Chemprevention (SMC) vaccination starting from yesterday July 25, 2024.

  The State Roll Back Malaria Programme Officer and the State Malaria Elimination Programme Manager, Nurse Adak Kizito Guhumnan, disclosed this Wednesday, while addressing Journalists at the State Headquarters of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Jos, the State capital.

   The Programme Manager, revealed that they have administered these SMC vaccines to over nine hundred and fifty (950) children across the three hundred and twenty-five Wards of the State last month.

   He said, “the first round of vaccines we have administered last month, June 27 to 30, 2024, using our ad-hoc staff going house-to-house to administer those medication, we were able to administer to over 950 children.

   “Now, we are embarking on the second round of SMC vaccines tomorrow, the July 25 to June 28, 2024. That is why we are meeting Journalists both print and electronic to inform them of our planned kickoff and also help send the message to the public”, he disclosed.

    Guhumnan, explained that the vaccines were to protect children from malaria infection and it is mainly for children who were of age three to fifty-nine months and that, it was incumbent on them as health ministry to ensure that no child died of malaria.

    He added that, it was for this reason that the Plateau State Government, has acquired and kept in stock over four million(4m) doses of Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention (SMC) ready for immunising these children across the State.

    The Programme Manager, however, cleared doubts rising from some quartets that, the vaccines might have negative effect on the children saying, “why would government acquire what would kill it citizens? 

    “People should know that, drugs accepted by government and recommended to its citizens must be tested and trusted. Is it logical to allow what would kill the people you govern? Then, where will you get people to support your government.

    “Let me tell you that, the World Health Organisation (WHO), has inspected the vaccine and has approved that this vaccine has no negative effect on the children and countries across the globe are using this vaccine”, he affirmed.

   The Chairmanship aspirant in the forthcoming Langtang North Local Government Elections, Hon. Sunday Gulong, has pledged his loyalty to Governor Caleb Mutfwang, even with the Local Government Autonomy in place when elected.

   The Aspirant who is contesting under the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), stated this while in an interview with newsmen, assured the Governor of absolute loyalty to his administration and the great people of Platea State and langtang North LGA. 

    He said, “I am committed to following your leadership and directives and I will work diligently to implement your policies and programs in my area of operation when elected.

     “I understand that my role is to support and compliment your efforts, and I will not take any actions that may be perceived as contrary to your vision or goals

      “Thank you your Excellency, for your  leadership and guidance. Together we will make plateau state and Langtang North Local Government Area a better place for the people”, he assured.

 BY EZEKIEL DONTINNA 

  It was celebration galore for people of Miango Community, when Dr. Isa El-Buba Foundation, embarked on a free Medical outreach in Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State, diagnosing and treating over 500 people on various ailments.

  The Medical outreach which started as early as 10 am at the LEA Primary School Chinye -Miango in Bassa LGA, saw people trooping from the neighbouring Communities to access this free medical treatment.

    Speaking with the Executive Director of Dr. Isa El-Buba Foundation, Deborah El-Buba Atubi, said, “we actually had in mind to carry out a medical outreach and it is the first of its kind in the Dr. El-Buba Foundation. 

     “We have been blessed to have a massive turn out of partners especially Doctors, Nurses, Volunteers and other Specialists from the hospitals numbering over 25 people who came to cover this community.

      “Why we chose Bassa Local Government,  Miango Community to be precised is because we are looking at how to impact lives and create a difference. People in the rural areas actually need us and that is one of the reasons why we came down here”, she explained.

      The Executive Director, however, observed that the outreach, they believed, was going to save people from death that could be avoided, hence the need for the foundation to bridge that gap and ensure that it brought solution to these problems.

     She revealed that their areas of concentration included; consultations, examination & diagnosis (screening for Malaria, High Blood Pressure, HBV, Sugar level etc); Medication and Treatment respectively.

      In case of any referral, Atubi, added that they have competent Consultants working with them and they could address any referral case to hospitals especially in cases where the ailment was beyond their present capacity.

      She expressed concern that Nigerians sometimes used religious centric approach to issues even when dealing with health issues saying, “we need to understand that there is a place for medicine and God has endowed these doctors with knowledge to able to bridge the gap.

     “Something like headache, malaria, hypertisis and other avoidable illnesses should not kill a person. We thought alot of people are dying  and they need help. In fact some people are just walking death bodies because they do not know that they are sick and need help”, the Executive Director worried.

     She, commended the people of Miango for the massive turn out describing it as impressive because this was the first Medical outreach they have embarked upon among other empowerment Programmes to Orphanages and giving grants over the years.

   Meanwhile, Dr. Solomon Ubochi, of the Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH), disclosed that so far, they had one referral case of a patient who is suffering from Tuberculosis and has not been taking his medication, but majority of the people were diagnosed with Peptic Ulcer Disease (PUD), malaria, typhoid and high blood pressure.

     Speaking to some of the beneficiaries, Rev. David Rabo, of the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) Miango, thanked the Foundation for the show of love and concern to the people of Miango Community and prayed God to bless the foundation.

      He called on  other spirited individuals to emulate what this great man of God has done so that, it would further impact the lives of the less privileged and give them hope that tomorrow would be great.

     On his part, the Ward of Chinye -Miango in Bassa LGA,Yusuf Audu John Awai, who could not hide his joy, thanked the Foundation saying, “they have really helped my people who have been traumatized by the series of attacks and have no hope for any medication. Their coming is like Godsend to us”.

    The Ward of Jebu Miango Community, Mai-Angwa James Ngi Bulus, expressed happiness that they still have people who understand the feelings of his people saying, “when I heard of this, I thought it was with charges only for me to discover that it is free. May the Lord bless Dr. Isa El-Buba Foundation for this great gesture.

     For Mai-Angwa Sunday Breberi, Elder Gideon Kwa, of Kitago Miango, Mrs Mercy Sene Gai and Cecilia Ize, it was a dream come through for them because that was what they really long for to come to the community since the unfortunate happenings that rocked their communities.

      Plateau State, has, according to Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), ranked free from the reported cases of cholera outbreak threatening the health across over thirty-three (33) States in Nigeria.

         The State Programme Coordinator of Sustainable Urban and Rural Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene (SURWASH) Program, Engr. Jonathan Malann, disclosed this Wednesday at the press briefing held at the conference hall of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Jos, the State capital.

        He said, “the outbreak has been recorded in 33 States of the country with no official case recorded in Plateau State as reported by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC).

       “Cholera is a severe diarrheal disease caused by the ingestion of food or water contaminated with the bacterium Vibrio cholerae. It remains a significant threat to health, particularly in areas with inadequate water supply, sanitation, and hygiene.

     “The Ministry of Health have the responsibility of early identification of cholera cases. During the incident of suspected cases in Mangu LGA, the Director Disease Control, carried out investigation which turned out to be negative, further confirming the non-record status of the State”, he disclosed.

    Malann, however, highlighted that, early identification of cases helped in isolating patients and thereby reducing spread to others and also allowed health workers to move into affected communities with specific preventive measures.

     He disclosed that, it was for this preventive measures that the present administration under Governor Caleb Mutfwang, had approved the procurement of bulk assorted water treatment chemicals for the state water supply agencies.

      The  SURWASH Programme Coordinator, listed some of the agencies to include: Jos Water Services Corporation (JWSC); Plateau Municipal Water Supply and Sanitation Agency and Plateau Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (PRUWASSA) who would on hand to provide chlorine tablets, powdered chlorine and Water Guard to prevent water contamination in rural communities. 

       He added that, the Jos Water Services Corporation and the Plateau Municipal Water Supply and Sanitation Agency would continued to ensure that all water supplied through pipelines are treated before distribution to households within the Greater Jos Area.

   On his part, the State Epidemiologist, Dr Job Maren, who stood in for the State Commissioner of Health, Dr. Cletus Bako Shurkuk, said, prevention was the best cure to every disease and called on citizens to ensure they first provide help by using ORT or coconut water to the patient before taking him or her to the hospital.

     Meanwhile, the Director General of Plateau Environmental Protection and Sanitation Agency (PEPSA), Samuel Dapia, commended the NUJ for maintaining a clean toiletries and called on the general public to take ownership of Public toilets around neighbourhood. There were questions and answers sessions.

   In a bid to cope with the current security challenges being experienced in the country, the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscape (ACReSAL), has organised a training for participatory conflicts monitoring reporting to its staff across the 19 States in Northern Nigeria.

   The training which was simultaneously held in each of the three geopolitical zones of Northern Nigeria, has Plateau State hosting participants drawn from Kogi, Niger, Kwara, Nasarawa, Benue and Federal Capital Territory (FCT) of the North Central at the Crespan hotel in Jos, the State capital.

     Delivering his address at the opening ceremony of the training workshop, the National Project Coordinator of ACReSAL, Abdulhameed Umar, reasoned the essence of the training to how ACReSAL’s mandate was community based and could be exposed to any security challenge in the course of its duty.

        Represented by the agency’s Climate Change Specialist, Henrietta Nyazi Alhassan, the NPC disclosed that, “ACReSAL is embarking on interventions in communities and rural areas and of course , we all know what is happening in Nigeria recently.

        “There is alot of violent conflicts happening and you know where there is no peace, we cannot achieve this goal. That is why, ACReSAL has necessarily engaged it’s staff in this peace building training which is a very important aspect of the project”, he explained.

       Earlier, the Plateau State Project Coordinator of ACReSAL, Garba Gowon Gonkol, highlighted that the training was organised by the World Bank in collaboration with the National Office of ACReSAL and Search For Common Ground who are into peace building engagement.

        Meanwhile, the Plateau State Commissioner for Environment, Minerals Development and Climate Change, Peter Kanang-Gwom, who stood in for Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State, commended ACReSAL and Search For Common Ground for the great initiative and declared the training opened.