Streetbell Online

    The Technical Committee constituted by Governor Caleb Mutfwang, of Plateau State to investigate the collapsed Saints Academy building in Jos, has opened invitations for the submission of memoranda and recommendations from the public within two weeks.

    This was contained in a press statement signed by the Committee’s Secretary and made available to newsmen in Jos, the Plateau State capital Wednesday.

     The statement stated that, “seguel to the collapse of the building at Saints Academy. Busa-Buji Jos on

12 July 2024, the Plateau State Government has set up a Technical 
Committee to investigate and make recommendations. 

     “This Committee in its inaugural meeting first wishes to sympathize over the loss of lives and injuries sustained by the students of Saints Academy. lt prays for comfort to the parents and loved ones of those who died and speedy recovery for those who are injured.
     “In order to address the causes of the collapse and forestall any future
occurrence of such events, the Committee hereby invites memoranda from Stakeholders that includes owners and management of the school”, it stated.

      According to the statement, the Parents Teachers Association (PTA), Regulatory Bodies, Associations and the
general public that could determine the immediate and remote causes of the Saints Academy Building collapse should make recommendations or opinions to forestall any future occurrence.
    It, therefore, disclosed that the memoranda should be submitted to the Secretary of the Technical
Committee via the Committee’s email: saintacademyplateau@gmail.com, whatsapp line on 08069540440 or simply submit hard copies at the Mini
Conference Hall, old Government House Rayfield within Two (2) weeks
from the date of this announcement.

   What started, sounding like a distant drone of traffic that was never imagined to be close by, buzzed itself loudly with an uncontrollable sounds that fills the ear drums recently.

    When the idea came knocking, the usual questions ‘how’ kept struggling for answers. Some thought it was going to be just a buy and sell market where people come in to display their modern innovations and could hold grounds.

      Barely six weeks ago, these doubting ‘Thomases’ began to see how it transforms with people kept trooping weekly to witness what this market has to offers. The truth is, if it were just for the fun of it, most of these people would have been at super markets or clubs, but the uniqueness of this market was what attracted them most.

      The fact of it being strictly cultural is the driving force. So many of the Ngas sons and daughters especially the elderly, cannot remember when last they have tasted Mun-shwe, Mun-Kas, Puk Lingyit, Mos-Benaa and stuffs like that.

     Today, what most young Ngas sons and daughters only heard about, if possible, are now available and can be seen and tasted. This, of course, has attracted influx of interests and the market now struggles with the problem of space that can accommodate the crowd.

       There is no denying the fact that, when the National Museum and Monuments in 2018 allocated this space to the Ngas Nation, it was a celebration galore because the long awaited dream has come.

       Under the leadership of Nde Gonen Gofwen, the then National President of the Ngas Development Association (NDA), the Ngas ethnic nationality immediately swamped into action and designed Programmes to be taken off at the allocated Ngas Village. 

     Several other tribes on the Plateau were allocated similar spaces by the National Museum and Monuments, but unfortunately along the line, something happened with the Ngas Village allocated space.

      After completing the design where Village market site, Events Centre site, Monuments and Antiquities sites and the traditional Ngas architecturally designed structures to portray the rich cultural heritage of the Ngas people, the unfortunate happened.

    The larger part of it was ironically cut off and fenced by only God knows who, and it has been a thing of great worry to the Ngas people. In as much as the Ngas Nation continue to appreciate the magnynamity of the National Museum,  it is worrisome to note that, there is considerable need for an additional space since they now struggle for a space.

   With the kickoff of the Ngas village market, the gradual show of love, unity and oneness among the diverse tribes on the Plateau now is a pointer to the fact that, the Plateau missing rib has been found. 

    People who trooped in to witness this market, careless to know whether you are Ngas, Mwagavul, Tarok, Berom, Afizere, Gomai, Igbo, Yoruba, Hausa etc. but citizens of Plateau State. It will be of great negative effect on the peace and unity of this administration if this afford is truncated.

    It is therefore, imperative for the government specifically, the National Museum or Museum and Traditional Nigerian Architecture (MOTNA), to reconsider their decision to support the peace process of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State.

   You need to see the line up of people who want to acquire space to display their traditional items. This, has placed much pressure on the committee running the market lately.

   The surprising part of it all is, even in the rains, people still keep trooping in. One begins to wonder what would happen when the rains are over? It is our prayers that, this,  which started like a mustard seed would someday grow to create a big shed where Plateau people and Nigerians would cherish.

 

    President Ahmed Tinubu’s son, Barr. Seyi Tinubu, has delegated a team of youth leadership to Jos, the Plateau State capital today, to assess and ascertain  the  degrees of the devastation caused by the unfortunate happenings that claimed over 22 lives with 132 injured.

   Leader of the delegation who is the National President of the Youths Wing of the Christians Association of Nigeria (YOWICAN), Belusochukwu Enwere, was at the scene of the collapsed school and later to Our Lady of Apostolic (OLA) Hospital Jos to assess the situation.

     While at the OLA Hospital, the representative disclosed that the President’s son has heard about what happened in Jos and directed him to come and assess what happened so that, he could assist.

      He said, “Seyi Tinubu is someone who love what the youths are doing. He is a man who has the heart to assist and love humanity. That is why I am here to see things for myself and report what is happening back to him to render assistant to the affected students.

     “You heard me telling the injured children that, ‘your friend sent me to meet with you and send you a message of hope especially, to all of you who were injured’. He prayed that they will get well quick and return to classes so that they can actualise their dreams as youth”, he prayed.

       Earlier, while receiving the delegation, the Hospital Manager of OLA Hospital, Rev. Sr. Juvita Egwu, appreciated Barr. Seyi Tinubu for the show of love and concern to these affected school children and appealed for quick qassistance to help not just in settling the bills, but ensure that they have hope.

     She, however, observed that the hospital has been rendering such emergency services without being paid last administration and hope that the present administration would pay the bills.

      Responding, the Plateau State Chairman of YOWICAN, Barr. Pomak Lere, assured that all the bills would be cleared by Governor Caleb Mutfwang, because he was a listening Governor and a man his words promising to remind person that was supposed to remind Governor.

      The team went round the Hospital Wards to meet the victims who were affected by building collapse. 

   The Girls Education Mission International (GEMI), a non-profit organisation, has trained over fifty-one (51) school girls in Plateau State on self realisation, sustainable and skills acquisition programme.

    The training which lasted for 5 days at the headquarters of GEM International in Gyel of Jos-South Local Government Area, Plateau State capital, has students drawn from 15 different schools recently.

   GIM International’s empowerment gesture has been in collaboration with Plateau State Universal Basic Education Board (PSUBEB) through the selection and training of the benefitting schools students. 

   It has been doing this over the years and has succeeded in sponsoring girls through the University. As it is now, many of these girls are still benefiting with this current group passing through the same process to attend same.

   The Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Girls Education Mission International (GEMI), Mrs. Keturah Shammah, disclosed that the essence of training these girls was to make them peer mentors and advocates for other girls as role models in their schools and communities.

   “So, we are taking them on an intensive mentorship for six months. That is why we started July 1 to  December 2024 and it is our hope that we will be meeting with them once in a month and work with them for them to translate what we thought them”, she explained.

     Shammah, hinted that  the organisation would, apart from the training, make follow up by monitoring the girls to give them the necessary support to teach other girls what they have learnt.

     On her part, the Director Special Programme of PSUBEB, Zainab Abdulkadir Zakari, who is one of the resource persons, highlighted the areas of the training included: girls’ basic needs; education; leadership; sex education; basic reproductive health; menstrual hygiene; entrepreneurship; basic digital skills; balancing multiple walls and overcoming challenges.

      One of the resource persons, Rakiya Salihu, of PSUBEB said, “I see a great future in these girls. Their future will be bright by the grace of Allah and with the assistance of this great training”.

      Mrs. Eunice Yamtu, Also from PSUBEB expressed confidence that with the training these girls have received in these 5 days, they would be able to great and would be the pride of Plateau and Nigeria at large.

       The Vice Principal of Salvation Secondary School Barkin Ladi, Mr. Gyang Anthony, who could not hide his appreciation said, “this are things our Governor, Barr. Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, would love to key into because development is his second name”.

      However, both the old and the current beneficiaries of GEM International empowerment scheme, were all round seen dancing and celebrating what GEM International has done to them.

     One of the Senior girls who are now in the University courtesy GEMI, Chundung Faith Dung, from  Barkin Ladi LGA, said, GEM has moulded and made her what she is today saying, “for this younger ones coming to GEM, they should count it a privilege. The University I am today, it is all thanks to GEM”.

        For Miss Joy Amagon Sabo, of  GSS Nasarawa Gwom; Miss Miracle Michael John, of KUWI Model College Rayfield Jos; Miss Gloria Nuhu Yakubu, of GSS Anglo Jos and Miss Margret Victor of GSS Bukuru, it was a dream come true to them and they thanked GEM International and PSUBEB for identifying them to benefit from this life changing opportunity.

High Court sitting in Jos, the Plateau State capital, has ruled in favor of FEL and KHIG ruling houses of Garah in Mushere District of Bokkos local Government Area recognising the two houses as the only eligible to occupy and serve as the village head of Garah .

   Justice B.S Nghou, passed the judgement following the November 2019 suit by the FEL and KHIG against Vokorpupang family and the District Head of Mushere.

   The plaintiffs earlier sought the court an order to nullify, setting aside the selection and appointment of Mr Zakka Samben as the Village Head of Garah by the District Head of Mushere who were the defendants.

 

  After hearing from both counsels, the Judge, in his final judgement ruled against the defendants restricting them from ever laying claim of being part of the ruling house of Garah Village and also issued a perpetual injunction restraining Mr Zakka Samben from parading himself as the village head of Garah.

    The Judge also ordered the Miskaham Mushere, who is the District Head of Mushere to accept, appoint and coronate Mr Benjamin Molshakat, of the FEL house having been duly selected as the village head of Garah.

     The court, therefore, declared the FEL and Khig ruling houses as the only families eligible to present within them a person to be selected to serve as the village head of Garah.

High Court sitting in Jos, the Plateau State capital, has ruled in favor of FEL and KHIG ruling houses of Garah in Mushere District of Bokkos local Government Area recognising the two house as the only eligible to occupy and serve as the village head of Garah .

   Justice B.S Nghou, passed the judgement following the November 2019 suit by the FEL and KHIG against Vokorpupang family and the District Head of Mushere.

   The plaintiffs earlier sought the court an order to nullify, setting aside the selection and appointment of Mr Zakka Samben as the Village Head of Garah by the District Head of Mushere who were the defendants.

    After hearing from both counsels, the Judge, in his final judgement ruled against the defendants restricting them from ever laying claim of being part of the ruling house of Garah Village and also issued a perpetual injunction restraining Mr Zakka Samben from parading himself as the village head of Garah.

    The Judge also ordered the Miskaham Mushere, who is the District Head of Mushere to accept, appoint and coronate Mr Benjamin Molshakat, of the FEL house having been duly selected as the village head of Garah.

     The court, therefore, declared the FEL and Khig ruling houses as the only families eligible to present within them a person to be selected to serve as the village head of Garah.

    Dr. Isa El-Buba Foundation, has called on government at all levels, communities and spirited individuals to continue to support families of the victims and the injured affected by building collapse in Jos.

    The Executive Director of the foundation, Mrs Deborah El-Buba Atubi, made the call Saturday, when she visited the scene of the unfortunate happenings where scores of school children died with others sustaining various degrees of injuries in Saint Academy Jos.

   While speaking to Journalists, the Executive Director commended the swift response of Government and people of Plateau State for supporting rescue efforts and footing the medical bills of the victims accordingly.

     “We call on government, we call on communities and the public spirited individuals to continue to support the families of the victims and the injured.

     “On our part, the Dr. Isa El-Buba Foundation, we pledge our support from now until another lane. We stand with the people who have lost their loved ones and people who have stayed in the hospital with loved ones because of the injuries”, Deborah assured.

 Commiserating with the families of the victims and Government of Plateau State and all those affected by this devastating incident, the Executive Director said, their thoughts and prayers were with them in this difficult time.

    She, thanked Governor Caleb Mutfwang for taking drastic action in shuting down all activities at the school, describing him as a leader who truly values the lives of his people.

    “This pushes us to make schools and other organisations to know that, so long lives are entrusted in their care, they cannot be negligent. Is not about business, is not about getting children in your school, but it is about stepping up standard”, Atubi worried.

 BY EZEKIEL DONTINNA 

     Chairmanship aspirant in the forthcoming election of the Plateau State Chapter of Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), Dr. Yilji Cashmire Kumtap, has assured members of his resolve to create a purposeful inclusiveness and improved welfare through human capacity development when elected.

    He gave the assurance Thursday, while in an exclusive interview with our correspondent ahead of the Plateau State chapter elections of the NMA holding July 26, 2024 in Jos, the State capital.

    The Aspirant who is a Consultant Cardiologist and the Head of Acute Medicine Unit of the Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH), said, “over the years, NMA has created reasonable impact in the society and I have decided to throw in towel to contest for Chairmanship of Plateau State in the struggle.

    “This is because, I feel that there is a couple of things that I can add to the progress of NMA. I believe NMA is an edifice and if I add one or two blocks to this edifice, it will go a little bit higher up to the line of progress on the society.

     “My agenda and policy thrust for the association is essentially on five points: I trust largely on the welfare of the members. I want to increase human capacity development and increase the visibility of NMA as a critical stakeholders in the society”, he promised.

       According to Kumtap, “I believe that in every association, there could be element of factionalism and I intend to unify and bring inclusiveness in the association. That is main issue that informed the mantra of my campaign which is inclusiveness”.

      He observed that the leadership of NMA had started the construction of a befitting Secretariat for NMA which was ongoing and promised to complete the edifice when given the mandate to help complement the efforts of the past leadership because it was dear to his heart.

     “NMA, to my mind is the contemporary of the NUJ and I feel we should have a befitting Secretariat. It is a commitment that I am making to the medical doctors on the Plateau that, during my tenure, we would to a larger extend be able to get a benefiting secretariat for the NMA”, the Chairmanship aspirant assured.

     He, however, commended the efforts of current leaders for fighting quackery over the years, which resulted in the arrest of a number of people who paraded themselves as doctors and promised to take up what they have started to help sanitised the system because it was a large space for other disciplines in the medical line to jump in.

     Reacting to the public perception of patronising the traditional medicine by most people, Dr. Yilji Cashmire Kumtap, said, “periodic advocacy remains the sure way to be able to get the buying of the people.

     “So, when elected, I will be giving periodic policy advise to government because one of the reasons why people easily delved into traditional options here is cost, because the cost rising care of the limited factor is cost, hence the need for people to be insured so that, people can walk into the healthcares  facilities and obtain quality health services, then, it will encourage people to key in.

     “My decision is for members to choose the politics of hope, confidence and ability to deliver effectively and efficiently and in a best way. My call to my members is for them to ex-ray the candidate dispassionately beyond friend, but who will deliver because the time is now to make the medical profession better and Nigeria will be good”, enthused.

    Plateau State Independent Electoral Commission (PLASIEC), has released timetable for the local government elections, scheduling October 9, 2024 as election date across the State.

    PLASIEC Chairman, Plangji Daniel Cishak, announced this to Journalists Wednesday, at the press briefing organised by the commission in Jos, the Plateau State capital.

     He revealed that, “as part of its mandate, wishes to notify of all political parties and the general public that elections shall be conducted in the seventeenth (17) Local Government Council of Plateau State on Wednesday October 9, 2024 between 8am and 3pm.

    “Consequently, all prospective candidates are expected to obtain nomination forms in respect of the election into the offices of Chairmen and Counsellors of the 17 Local Government Councils from PLASIEC headquarters at No. 7 John Mark Samchi Road Jos from Thursday August 1, 2024 to Monday August 5, 2024 between the hours of 8:00am and 4:00pm daily.

      “All political parties and the stakeholders are hereby enjoined to give their support and cooperation to PLASIEC so as to organise, undertake and supervise a free, fair, credible and transparent Local Government Councils elections in Plateau State”, he highlighted.

       The breakdown of activities included: Publication of notice of elections’ timetable today Wednesday, while the commencement of campaign activities would start from Friday July 12, 2024 as well as commencement of primaries by political parties would be Monday July 29, to Thursday August 8, 2024 respectively.

      Accordingly, the collection of Nomination Forms of candidates for political parties would be on Friday August 9 to Tuesday August 13, 2024, while the submission of nomination forms for candidates of political parties would be on Wednesday August 14 to Monday 19, 2024 in that order.

      Also as part of the line up other processes, Wednesday August 21, 2024 would be for the publication of personal particulars of candidates by Commission, verification/screening of chairmanship candidates and their running mates would be on Thursday August 22 to August 27, 2024 as well as that of Counsellors from Monday August 26 to Friday August 30, 2024 respectively.

      However, on Monday September 2, 2024, there would be submission of names of qualified and cleared candidates of political parties by the Commission, received and hearing of appeal cases by PLASIEC would be on Wednesday September 3, 2024 and Friday September 6, 2024.

     The PLASIEC Chairman also disclosed that the last day for the withdrawal and replacement of candidates by political parties would be on Monday September 9, 2024, while the substitution of withdrawn candidates by political parties would be Wednesday September 11, 2024.

     “Screening of substituted candidates by PLASIEC will be on Friday September 13, 2024; collations of nomination forms of cleared and substituted candidates will be on Monday September 26, 2024 and submission of all cleared and substituted candidates will be on Wednesday September 18, 2024.

        “Publication of final lists of the nominated candidates by the commission will be Saturday September 21, 2024,  while the submission of names and addresses of various polling agents of the political parties to the commission and publication of official voter’s register will be Monday September 24, 2024 and Monday September 26, 2024 respectively. 

         “There will as well be publication of notice of pull by the commission on Monday September 23, 2024 while the last day for campaign for political parties will be Monday October 7, 2024 twelve midnight and the election date will be October 9, 2024 accordingly, Cishak listed.

    Plateau State Independent Electoral Commission (PLASIEC), has released timetable for the local government elections, scheduling October 9, 2024 as election date across the State.

    PLASIEC Chairman, Plangji Daniel Cishak, announced this to Journalists Wednesday, at the press briefing organised by the commission in Jos, the Plateau State capital.

     He revealed that, “as part of its mandate, the Plateau State Independent Electoral Commission (PLASIEC) wishes to notify of all political parties and the general public that elections shall be conducted in the seventeenth (17) Local Government Council of Plateau State on Wednesday October 9, 2024 between 8am and 3pm.

    “Consequently, all prospective candidates are expected to obtain nomination forms in respect of the election into the offices of Chairmen and Counsellors of the 17 Local Government Councils from PLASIEC headquarters at No. 7 John Mark Samchi Road Jos from Thursday August 1, 2024 to Monday August 5, 2024 between the hours of 8:00am and 4:00pm daily.

      “All political parties and the stakeholders are hereby enjoined to give their support and cooperation to PLASIEC so as to organise, undertake and supervise a free, fair, credible and transparent Local Government Councils elections in Plateau State”, he highlighted.

       The breakdown of activities included: Publication of notice of elections’ timetable today Wednesday, while the commencement of campaign activities would start from Friday July 12, 2024 as well as commencement of primaries by political parties would be Monday July 29, to Thursday August 8, 2024 respectively.

      Accordingly, the collection of Nomination Forms of candidates for political parties would be on Friday August 9 to Tuesday August 13, 2024, while the submission of nomination forms for candidates of political parties would be on Wednesday August 14 to Monday 19, 2024 in that order.

      Also as part of the line up of other processes, Wednesday August 21, 2024 would be for the publication of personal particulars of candidates by Commission, verification/screening of chairmanship candidates and their running mates would be on Thursday August 22 to August 27, 2024 as well as that of Counsellors from Monday August 26 to Friday August 30, 2024 respectively.

      However, on Monday September 2, 2024, there would be submission of names of qualified and cleared candidates of political parties by the Commission, received and hearing of appeal cases by PLASIEC would be on Wednesday September 3, 2024 and Friday September 6, 2024.

     The PLASIEC Chairman also disclosed that the last day for the withdrawal and replacement of candidates by political parties would be on Monday September 9, 2024, while the substitution of withdrawn candidates by political parties would be Wednesday September 11, 2024.

     “Screening of substituted candidates by PLASIEC will be on Friday September 13, 2024; collations of nomination forms of cleared and substituted candidates will be on Monday September 26, 2024 and submission of all cleared and substituted candidates will be on Wednesday September 18, 2024.

        “Publication of final lists of the nominated candidates by the commission will be Saturday September 21, 2024,  while the submission of names and addresses of various polling agents of the political parties to the commission and publication of official voter’s register will be on Monday September 24, 2024 and Monday September 26, 2024 respectively. 

         “There will as well be publication of notice of poll by the commission on Monday September 23, 2024 while the last day for campaign for political parties will be on Monday October 7, 2024 to twelve midnight and the election date will be October 9, 2024 accordingly.

   Plateau State Command of the Nigerian Police Force, has arrested and paraded over one hundred and eighteen (118) suspected cultists at different locations across the State.

    The Plateau State Commissioner of Police,  CP Emmanuel Olugbemiga Adesina psc, disclosed this at a press briefing organised by the State Command at the Police headquarters Jos, the State capital Monday.

     The Commissioner while parading the suspects, disclosed that, “yesterday being 7/7/2024, was the day these cultists always plan to hold alot of their engagement, but we were proactive with security agencies.

    “The whole command was overwhelmed with security presence raiding their black spots and hideouts and based on the information given to the command by the good people of Plateau State, a total number of 118 suspects were apprehended”, he revealed.

      Adesina, added that the Police did not allow the cultists to operate freely anywhere in the state, hence the calmness being witnessed yesterday when talking about cultists activities across the state.

      Similarly, the Command also arrested another set of cult syndicate and recovered exhibits based on credible intelligence gathering when Police raided an apartment suspected to be their hideout of these cultists.

      “As a result, the Command’s Eagle-Eye Patrol Unit  (EEPU) arrested the following suspects; one Obinna Eze (M), 27 years of Uzuwani Enugu State who is an identified ex-Convict, Drug dealer and the hitman of the Aye Confraternity; Jenifer Charles (F), 25 years of Nasarawa State and Milcah Joseph, 27 years of Jos South LGA respectively. All were in possession of substances suspected to be Indian Hemp, other Narcotic substances and Charms.

    “Based on information revealed by the suspects, several other hideouts around Farin Gada were raided, where one Chilebo Moses (m), 19 years of Benue State said to be the Second in Command (Chief Priest) of the Aye confraternity was arrested in company of one Somto Chukwu (m) 35 years, Chinedu Ede (m) 50 years and one Elizabeth Kabiru (f) 42 years suspected to be facilitators of the cult activities”, the Police Commissioner revealed.

      Other suspected criminals cases paraded included; armed robbery/kidnapping; foiled kidnapping; criminal conspiracy, unlawful possession of fire arms; child trafficking and arrest of suspect and recovering of 79 rounds of live ammunitions and crimes respectively.

  The Executive Board of COA Media; organizers of Nigeria Service Awards, has opened the 4th Edition of Nigeria Service Award nomination, starting from July 4 to 15, 2024.

   This was made available to newsmen recently in a press statement signed by the management in Jos, the Plateau State capital.

    The statement announced that, “the Executive Board of COA Media, organizers of Nigeria Service Awards, is pleased to inform the general public that nominations for the 4th Edition of The Awards, opens on the 4th of July, 2024 and closes on the 15th of August, 2024.

     “We, therefore, call on the general public to nominate deserving individuals and corporate organisations for any of the award categories. 

     “Kindly note that nominees must be persons/organisations who have continued to positively impact their society and the nation at large.

Awards Ceremony holds in Abuja Nigeria, November 2024.

     “Send nominees full Names Titles and Contact to nigeriaserviceawards@gmail.com or Whatsapp 08115601779.

Click here for Award Categories https://nsa.coamedia.com.ng/award-categories/