From Jude Dangwam, Jos

The Plateau State government is set to host the 11th State Council on Health to review progress, share experiences, address challenges, and to come up with actionable strategies for the transformation of the health sector across Plateau state towards Universal coverage.

The Commissioner of Health, who is also the Chairman, Main Planning Committee for the 11th Council on Health, Dr. Nicholas Baamlong made this known on Monday during a press conference held at the Ministry’s conference hall heralding activities for the epoch making event in the state. He said the Plateau State Council on Health is scheduled to hold from August 19 to 21 at the Crispan Hotel in Jos the Plateau State capital.Baamlong noted that, “This year’s Council comes at a time when the need to strengthen our being more urgent or more relevant, “The theme of the Council is: ‘Repositioning Plateau State Health Systems towards Achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC).”This theme reflects our Government’s unwavering commitment under the leadership of His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Plateau State, to ensure that every citizen-regardless of location, gender, age, or socioeconomic status-has access to quality, affordable, and accessible healthcare services.”The Commissioner maintained that the objectives and Focus Areas of the 11th Health Council is to serve as a high-level platform where health experts will chat about a common front for the progress of the state.”The Council will focus on three critical sub-themes, namely: Strengthening Resilient and Inclusive Health Systems in Plateau State where discussions will focus on how to build a health system that can withstand shocks such as pandemics, while ensuring no one is left behind, particularly our vulnerable and underserved populations.”Improving Access to Essential Medicines -exploring sustainable strategies for ensuring the availability, affordability, and rational use of quality-assured medicines and medical supplies, especially in rural and hard-to-reach areas.”Improving Maternal and Neonatal Outcomes in Rural Plateau a deliberate focus on strategies to reduce preventable maternal and child deaths, improve skilled birth attendance, and strengthen primary healthcare delivery,” he statedHe further disclosed that aside from the 17 Local Government Areas participating, the Council will bring together key stakeholders to include Directors and senior health officials from the Ministry and donor agencies, Representatives of development partners and civil society organizations and professional bodies, Community and traditional leaders, the health providers among others.”The deliberations and outcomes of this meeting will shape the trajectory of health delivery in Plateau State for years to come. l also wish to encourage active media participation. We rely on you, our friends in the press, to disseminate accurate information to the public before, during, and after the Council.”Together, let us raise awareness, stimulate dialogue, and promote accountability in our collective quest to achieve Universal Health Coverage for all Plateau citizens.” He confidently stated

From Jude Dangwam, Jos

No fewer than 299 Councillors of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have unanimously endorsed Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau state for a second term tenure as election year draws closer.The counselors took the decision when a motion in that regard was moved by Alhaji Adamu Sale Hassen, Councillor representing Gangare Ward in Jos North LGA and Deputy Chairman of the National Councillors Forum of Nigeria (Plateau State Chapter) and seconded by Hon.

Noro Davou Dung of Ta-Hoss Ward, Riyom LGA, was unanimously adopted by all the 299 PDP councillors across the state.According to the councillors, their decision was reached “in recognition of the Governor’s noble achievements, people-centered policies, and leadership style that have positively transformed the lives of citizens.”In his response, Governor Mutfwang expressed deep appreciation to the councillors for their confidence in his leadership, urging them to remain committed to effective grassroots representation.“You have become councillors under an administration determined to improve the lives of the people of Plateau State,” the Governor said. “Our goal is to transform Plateau in every respect, and you are the vital link between government and the people. Take this responsibility seriously and ensure you remain connected to your wards.”The Governor underscored the importance of synergy between the executive and legislative arms, describing councillors as “pillars of democracy at the grassroots.” He reminded them that their election was both a privilege and a responsibility, charging them to stay close to the people and make meaningful impacts in their communities.Mutfwang further assured councillors of continued government support while urging them to embark on voter registration mobilization to strengthen Plateau’s political relevance.“Engage stakeholders in your wards, traditional rulers, religious leaders, and community associations. Let us ensure Plateau is never underreported,” he added.Chief of Staff to the Governor, Jeremiah Satmak, commended the councillors for taking ownership of government projects in their respective wards. He urged them to mobilize community members to embrace the projects as theirs, while also monitoring contractors to ensure quality delivery.Also addressing the councillors was the former speaker of the Plateau State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Istifanus Mwansat, Special Adviser to the Governor on Political Affairs, described the engagement with 299 PDP councillors as historic. He emphasized that the Governor’s direct interaction with grassroots lawmakers was aimed at deepening people-oriented governance across Plateau.The event, attended by top government functionaries including the Secretary to the Government of the State, Commissioners, Special Advisers, and leaders of the Nigerian Association of Councillors Forum, ended with renewed commitments by the councillors to work hand-in-hand with the executive in sustaining Plateau’s development agenda.

Former Registrar, Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN), Prof. Adisa Bello said the council is collaborating with the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), to curb quackery in Nigeria.

Bello stated this in Bauchi on Monday during a public lecture and launching of a magazine by the final year students of Engineering Department, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU), Bauchi.

According to Bello, COREN has an Engineering Regulatory Monitoring Unit visible and working in 29 states of the country.

“If the unit finds anyone culpable of quackery, the person will be handed to the ICPC for further prosecution.

“COREN with the council for regulation of Engineering in Nigeria started in 1970, and its laws were amended in 1992, 2004 and 2018.

“The specific one I’m referring to is the amendment in 2018, which categorically gave COREN the mandate to prosecute offenders of engineering,” he said.

He warned that anybody that was not a registered practitioner in engineering and practicing engineering would be prosecuted by COREN.

“And COREN is doing everything humanly possible to ensure that this is done. COREN currently has a memorandum of Understanding with the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission, and this commission is doing everything possible to ensure that offenders are prosecuted,” he said.

Bello, also a lecturer in the department of Mechanical Engineering, ATBU, recounted how a multi-billion Naira 21 storey building collapsed in Lagos, where COREN did investigation, after which some engineers were found wanting and handed over to the ICPC for prosecution.

“COREN has an investigative panel and once this panel establishes that someone is culpable, it takes you to the ICPC and then straight to the court.

“In my day, we normally write examinations for qualifications.

”We have a situation currently where an individual came with a fake result and we called on the ICPC and they have done all their investigations, and found the person culpable and right now he is under prosecution,” he said.

The don called on higher institutions and academics to ensure that all engineering programmes were properly accredited by the National University Commission (NUC) and COREN.

In a paper entitled: Smart Cities and the role of Engineering and Technology in building the Urban future, Dr. Ibrahim Ikara, Head of Department, Civil Engineering, ATBU, said engineers played a critical role in smart cities.

Ikara said that this could be through the design of modern infrastructure, disaster resilient systems and eco-friendly neighborhoods.

Represented by Muhammad Suleiman, the don listed some of the challenges of building smart cities in developing nations to include infrastructure deficit, limited funding, and low level of digital literacy among citizens.

He urged policymakers to prioritise Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), to achieve the set goals.