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STF Inaugurates Committee for Implementation of Peace-solution Report
From Jude Dangwam, Jos
The Special Task Force (STF) saddled with the responsibility of maintaining peace in Plateau State and part of Bauchi and Southern Kaduna State, code-name Operation Safe Haven (OPSH) has inaugurated a 26-man Joint Committee for the implementation of recommendations and modalities for the actualization of lasting peace between the various tribes in Bassa, Jos North and Jos South Local Government Areas of Plateau State.
The Committee is to be chaired by a former High Court Judge Justice Daniel Longji (retd) alongside other members cutting across Berom, Irigwe, Fulani and Anaguta communities as well as Plateau State Government and the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) representatives.
The Special Force had earlier on constituted a 36-man peace committee arising from the incessant attacks on Irigwe natives of Bassa LGA and Yelwa Zangam community of Jos North LGA to interface with warrying communities in which the committee submitted their findings on 21st October, 2021 for onward consideration.
The Commander of OPSH, Major General Ibrahim Ali while inaugurating the 26-man committee on Saturday at the Command’s headquarters in Jos the state capital said the exercise marked another significant milestone in the quest for lasting peace on the Plateau.
In his words, “We all acknowledge that the incessant crises amongst the various ethnic groups in Bassa, Jos North and Jos South LGAs in Plateau State have continued to undermine peace and security in the areas over the years.
“The report of 36-man Committee contains carefully fashionable out modalities that if thoroughly implemented would assist Operation Safe Haven, Plateau State Government and other security agencies in achieving lasting peace on the Plateau. “Implementation would require total dedication, commitment and sacrifice from all the parties and stakeholders to achieve the much-desired peace. The 26-man implementation committee members were carefully and painstakingly selected based on their pedigree as sustainable peace builders, commitment, loyalty and service to humanity.
“The importance of the task of the committee cannot be overemphasize. It is a very herculean task in front of you with very high hopes and expectations from all and sundry. I therefore, urge you to be impartial, neutral, upright and devoid of compromise and sentiments in the discharge of this enormous responsibility bestowed on you,” the Commander stated.
Some of the terms of reference given to the committee is to come up with strategies, timelines and also commence the implementation of the recommendations of the 36 man joint committee report.
The committee is expected to submit its recommendations on March 31, for onward implementation.
Chairman of the committee, Justice Longji (retd), said they are so elated for bestowing such a huge responsibility on them to served Plateau people.
He promised that the committee will ensure diligence, honesty and justice by applying persuasive approach not force in the course of discharging their assignments.
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Adamawa Govt. Earmarks N55.5 bn as 2024 Supplementary Budget
The Adamawa Government has approved the sum of N55.5 billion as supplementary budget for the 2024 financial year.
Mrs Neido Kofulto, State Commissioner for Information and Strategy said this while briefing newsmen on the development in the late hours of Tuesday in Yola.
She said the supplementary budget was part of the emergency Executive Council Meeting presided over by the state Deputy Governor Prof.
Kaletapwa Farauta.According to her, the supplementary budget is necessitated by the need to capture and finance projects which were not initially captured in the main budget.
“The council resolution on the supplementary estimate will soon be presented to the State House of Assembly for ratification and approval,” she said.
Mr Emmanuel Piridimso, State Commissioner for Budget and Planning said the budget was initiated to finance other additional projects as the State finances had reasonably increased.
According to him, the ministries captured in the supplementary budget are, Ministry of Education, Women Affairs, Commerce and Industries and Works and Energy Development and among others.
The Adamawa government had on Dec. 9, 2023 presented an appropriation estimate of N225.8billion.
(NAN)
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Prominent People are Behind Mounting of Illegal Checkpoints in Benue- Chairman BIRS
From Attah Ede Makurdi
The acting Chairman of Benue State Internal Revenue Services (BIRS), Mr. Emmanuel Agema, on Monday, lamented over the activities of illegal tax collectors in the State, saying prominent people with the State are behind the mounting of those illegal checkpoints across the state.
Mr. Agema who disclosed this while speaking with newsmen in Makurdi, said that not more than 35 persons have been charged to court.
He maintained that upon assumption of office, the board decided to terminated revenue contract with a few to close revenue leakages about and now using the board staff to collect taxes, a development, he said has assisted the board to generate more revenue for the state.
The acting chairman said the State government has giving the board a target to generate over 16 billion as internally generated revenue for 2024, adding that in 2023, the board met its 14 billion target and surpassed it.
Mr. Agena who decried the activities of illegal tax collectors in the State, said most of them are backed by very prominent individuals, averring that under his watch, the era of patronizing politicians is over.
“We have already arrested 35 people who are engaging in illegal tax collection and have been arraigned in court.
He disclosed that a truck conveying palliatives from Adamawa to Anambra State was hijacked by some youths in Aliade, Gwer East local government area of the State
According to him, the youths who mounted illegal checkpoint, stopped the vehicles, broke their windscreen and stole the sum of #200,000 from one of the drivers.
He said two persons have been arrested and transferred to the DSS on the governor’s directives that a thorough investigation be carried out to fish out those behind illegal tax collection in the state
“The truck was intercepted and the driver beaten while the windscreen of the vehicle broken and over 200,000 naira stolen. 3 persons have been arrested and are in police custody. They will be moved to DSS for thorough investigation
“Our aim is to flush out or reduce illegal tax collectors to the barest minimum. This has been a big challenge. We have constituted a team headed by director of Tax collection. Prominent people in the State are involved in encouraging these boys.
“We also plan to recover over 5.6 billion from ground rent. We are liaising with the Ministry of Land towards this direction.
“We also, engaged the service of Softnet, an ICT company to aid us collect revenue. They are paid commission. The company have engaged over 250 staff who have been trained and given POS to collect revenue.
“Taxation is about confidence. Our work now is easy because tax payers are willing to pay because the people are seeing what government is doing”.
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I’m not Desperate for Super Eagles Coaching Job – Emmanuel Amuneke
1996 Olympic gold medalist, Emmanuel Amuneke, has said that although he would love to coach the Super Eagles if given the opportunity, he was not desperate for the job.
Amuneke, a former Super Eagles player, said this while addressing newsmen in Owerri on Tuesday.
The former Nigeria U-17 national team coach and former coach of the Tanzania national team, said the job of coaching Nigeria’s national team should be given on merit and to whom with the interest of football and Nigeria at heart”.
The Spain based former striker, who played for Sporting Lisbon football club in Portugal and Barcelona football club, expressed confidence that the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) would eventually appoint the ideal coach for the Super Eagles top job.
He said that with a plethora of Nigerian talents scattered across the globe, a lot of professional capacity, technical expertise and consultation would be required to harness the talents, combine them and achieve the needed balance.
“The Super Eagles’ upcoming World Cup qualification matches against the Bafana Bafana of South Africa and their counterparts from Benin Republic would necessitate the appointment of a substantive coach who would also need some time to put the house in order for best results.
“I am not desperate to be Super Eagles coach, though I nurse the ambition to coach.
“If I have the opportunity to serve my fatherland , I will accept it and deliver my all,” he said.
He however, called for the development of football at the grassroots for further development of the Nigerian league for harnessing of more talents. (NAN)