NEWS
Lalong Tasks New Lafia Catholic Bishop on Peace
From Jude Dangwam, Jos
Plateau State Governor, Barrister Simon Lalong has expressed optimism that the newly installed Catholic Bishop of Lafia Diocese will help heal wounds by building an atmosphere of peaceful coexistence in Nasarawa State and the country at large.
He said as a Clergyman whom he worked very closely with him as the Chaplain of Government House Chapel in Plateau State, has helped a lot in the returned of peace in his stated.
The Governor stated this yesterday while delivering his goodwill message at the official installation of the second Bishop of Lafia Diocese Most Reverend David Ajang at St Williams Cathedral Lafia the Nasarawa State capital.
In a statement signed by his Director of Press and Public Affairs, Dr Makut Simon Macham and made available to newsmen yesterday, said Governor Lalong alongside his Nasarawa State Counterpart Engr. Abdullahi Sule were among thousands of guests that joined the Catholic faithful for the ordination of Most Rev. David Ajang as Bishop of Lafia Diocese.
“Having worked closely with him as the Chaplain of the Government House Chapel in Jos for the past six years, I can testify about his deep passion for the salvation of the souls of men. Indeed, he has endeared himself to our hearts through his kindness, love for God and humanity. Bishop David Ajang is a man who undertakes his spiritual calling with utmost humility and the fear of God,” Lalong said.
He charged the Bishop to continue praying for the country, especially in its present predicaments.
“My Lord Bishop, please continue to uphold Plateau and Nasarawa States as well as the entire nation in prayers for peace, security and prosperity of the land. You contributed a lot to the restoration of substantial peace and security in Plateau State by prayers and godly counsel. Please do not relent to offer same to my brother, the Governor of Nasarawa State His Excellency Governor Abdullahi Sule who by the way is another “Jos boy” on loan to Nasarawa,” Lalong added.
Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule congratulated the new Bishop, and assured him of the support and collaboration of the Government and people of Nasarawa State whom he said are looking forward to a wonderful experience during his tenure.
Sule said the State will benefit from his experience and knowledge, having left a good legacy in Plateau State where he held several positions in the Church including Chaplain, Government House Chapel Jos before his appointment as Bishop.
He also called on religious leaders to pray for the nation and give good counsel to help those in position of leadership to serve the country dispassionately.
Papal Nuncio, Most Rev. Antonio Fillipazzi performed the ordination in line with the tradition and protocols of the Catholic Church.
Arch Bishop of Jos, Mathew Ishaya Audu who is the immediate past Bishop of Lafia addressed the congregation for the last time and appreciated them for their support and players during his term as Bishop. He asked them to extend same to the new Bishop.
Governor Lalong who was accompanied by his wife Regina and a high powered delegation from Plateau State comprising of the Speaker of the House of Assembly Abok Nuhu Ayuba, some members of the State Executive Council, Traditional Rulers led by the Gbom Gwom Jos Da Jacob Gyang Buba, and prominent elders said Plateau State was highly delighted by the appointment of Most Rev. David Ajang as a Bishop.
NEWS
Maiduguri Flood: Over N12b Support Generated for Victims
Borno Government says it has realized over N12b cash and material donations for victims of Alau Dam flood disaster in Maiduguri.
Abdurrahman Bundi, the Senior Special Adviser on New Media to Borno Governor, gave the update on the donations for the Maiduguri Relief Fund on Thursday in Maiduguri.
Bundi said the donations came from corporate entities, state governments, State and National Assembly members, individuals, and Non-Governmental Organisations.
List of donors showed that the North East Development Commission (NEDC) donated N3b and food stuff, Aliko Dangote N2b, Aminu Dantata N1.5b, and Mohammed Indimi N1b.
Other donors were Borno LGAs; N1.
2b, Oluremi Tinubu; N500m, Bauchi and Niger states; N250m each while the people of Southern Borno donated N200m.Dahiru Mangal, Atiku Abubakar, Rep. Mukhtar Betara, Ali Modu Sheriff, House of Representatives, Abdulsalam Kachala, and JAIZ Bank states comprising Kebbi, Yobe, Kano, Taraba, katsina, Kaduna and Zamfara gave N100 each.
The Director General of the Nigeria Drug Law Enforcement Agency, (NDLEA), Buba Marwa and Matrix Energy donated 10 trucks of fertiliser and foodstuff worth over N120m each.
Those who gave N50m include Adamawa state, Mr Peter Obi, Rabiu kwakwanso, Ahmed Lawan, Mohammad Maifata, Ibrahim Umar, Mohammad Imam, Ali Dalori, Bauchi APC chapter, Sen. Tahir Monguno, and Sen. Kaka Kaka Shehu and I8th Engineering Company, while the State Assembly donated N60m.
The Nasarawa Government also presented six trucks of rice, spaghetti and sugar.
Many other people donated between N1m and N30m respectively. (NAN)
NEWS
Jigawa Reviews mid-year Performance of MDAs
The Performance Delivery and Coordination Unit (PDCU), says it has concluded mid-year performance review of Ministries, Agencies and Departments (MDAs), to enhance good governance in the state.
The PDCU being supervised by the office of Gov. Umar Namadi, conducted a three-day retreat on the review mid-year performance of the MDAs.
This is contained in a statement by Hashim Hashim, the unit’s Stakeholder Engagement and Communication Facilitator, in Dutse on Thursday.
He said the unit interfaced with representatives of the MDAs to verify submitted data on the progress recorded against set targets in the performance bond earlier signed in January.
According to him, the workshop is pivotal in streamlining government achievements into one single scorecard and finalising the mid-year performance reports for the attention of the governor.
The statement quoted the PDCU Coordinator, Adamu Muhammad, who doubles as Public Private Secretary to the governor, as stressing the importance of the exercise in driving the manifested 12-Point Agenda of the governor.
Muhammad was quoted as emphasising the need for the members of the unit to scrutinise and fine tune all the submitted evidence for accuracy, relevance and completeness.
The coordinator lauded the FCDO-PERL programme for the support to the state government in actualising the PDCU and supporting the review process.
“The PDCU comprises of professional technocrats selected based on merit and specialisation to support the delivery of the Governor’s 12-Point Agenda”. (NAN)
NEWS
Benue State Enjoys Relative Peace, Prepares for Floods- Alia
Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, Governor of Benue, announced on Thursday that his state is experiencing relative peace, enabling farmers to return to previously abandoned farms due to farmers/herders clashes.
He made this statement while briefing State House correspondents after meeting with President Bola Tinubu.
Alia visited the President to update him on Benue’s state of affairs, highlighting the high levels of peace during the current farming season.
“Since 1999, our people have paid less attention to farming, but since last year, and particularly this season, they have returned to the farms.
“We need to produce more and fill our basket to capacity.
”He said that Benue had made significant security strides, with minor skirmishes persisting in two to three local governments.
Alia emphasised the need for attention in these areas to eradicate all skirmishes.
Regarding the federal government’s flood warning, Alia said his administration had implemented measures to prevent flooding.
“We are prepared to tackle flooding, having carried out adequate sensitisation for riverbank residents.
“We seek the Federal Government’s assistance to dredge the River Benue.
According to the governor, the Benue State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) is equipped to handle flood-related challenges.
“We are prepared, not just waiting. We have SEMA, an emergency management team, and they are armed to respond.”
The governor noted that in spite of warnings, some residents refused to evacuate flood-prone areas.
“However, the government will persist in appealing to them, simultaneously highlighting the risks associated with staying in these vulnerable locations,” he said. (NAN)