News available to ViewPointNigeria indicates that the Federal Government has increased the allowance of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members.

The Minister of Sports and Youth Development, Solomon Dalung, disclosed this yesterday at the NYSC Orientation camp in Mangu, Plateau State.

Speaking, Dalung said the government is dedicated towards providing proper security and welfare for youths in the national service

Dalung advised the Corps members not to compromise on security by disclosing any personal information with strangers.

ViewPointNigeria gathered that during an inspection tour at Kebbi, last week, the Director General of the scheme, Brig.Gen Suleiman Sanusi Kazaur had mentioned that there were ongoing plans to increase the allowances of the serving corps.

Speaking through the Director of General Service, Alhaji Basauri Sanusu Yakasai, the Director General said that all state governments were also expected to carry out upward review of their local allowances from what they are paying now to N10,000 monthly.

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News available to ViewPointNigeria indicates that the Governor of Plateau State Hon. Simon Lalong inspected the facilities in the Jos prison’s schools.

The Governor inspected the school library, class rooms, inmates view center, metal workshop, tailoring workshop and others. He commended the Prison authority for the effort on ground towards developing the capacity of inmates through education and reiterated the commitment of the Plateau State government to collaborate with the service to ensure the effective rehabilitation of the inmates.

The Governor was represented by the Special Assistant to the Governor on Education Hon. Wanga Hosea Lemoro, toured the entire school facilities in the Prison, noting areas of possible interventions by the State Government.

The Controller of Prisons Plateau State Command, Mr. Noel Ailewon appreciated the Plateau State government for its support towards improving the welfare of the inmates. Furthermore, he assure the government for his cooperation towards actualizing the task.

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what will be our state of being as a people when we can’t explain the basic values that binds us..
Metaphorically, I would like to describe Nigeria as an umbrella that co-habits intolerance, indiscipline, social disorder, class imbalance, discrimination, and other non progressive tenets. Comparatively, countries have tried to see a balance in the subjective well-being of their citizens, hence, good governance and good life for all has been the focal point of their energies.
Here, religion has become a great venom with no antidote. This religion, has dismantled all meaningful efforts by few individuals to salvage a sinking society.
Things happening in Nigeria of late give us an indication that there is a major departure from the standpoint of our fore fathers and we have not been making any effort to face this situation rightly. The brutality by humans against humans in Southern Kaduna and other parts of the country is a great call for us to answer. Therefore, to face our leaders, it won’t be a fallacy to state that our leaders keep repeating the same mistake over and over again. Decisions, perspectives, viewpoints, have mostly been achieved through the lens of religion!
Religion has become an integral part of our society, on it rulers make decrees, on it medieval kings waged wars, on it international actors make decisions, on it countries shape their relationships, on it individuals and leaders dictate their fate thus making our one world many worlds. ( Binan, 2014). Religion has become a great tool for disintegration here in NIGERIA; no doubt our former president recently stated that Nigeria has never been fractured as it is today. Today, governors, leaders, squander tax payers money on religious missions which is not supposed to be the case. There has been much of ethnicity in place, nepotism as a driver, corruption as the conductor and religion as the vehicle that conveys us all. The statement of former president Obasanjo is likely to gather more subscribers as our country looks volatile and turgid with religion as the major chemical.
What then can the masses say and do when the masses are another group of religions bigots. We have been infested by the actions of our leaders. Our default setting has been built on strict religious fundamentalism.. Karl Marx described religion as an opium of the masses. Marx position can be very true in Nigerian context as we are battered by bad governance, insecurity, social disorder, psychological distress, hunger, starvation, poverty, BUT we have lived in ABSOLUTE CALMNESS due to our religious stance and other factors, hence, religion is an OPIUM here. We can’t say and do contrary because our leaders have used religion to tie us down.
It will be more important for us to keep trying our FATE and see if the negativity of religion can be converted to its positive side thus advocating for good life, taking care of the needy, loving your neighbor as yourself, etc. Our religious stance should not cause discomfort to another, therefore, we should not fail to demand for good governance and good life from our leaders as a benchmark for a true religion; what needs to be done has to be done!

Evans Binan Dami
Clinical psychologist /writer/researcher.
07035578447
Evansbinan@gmail.com

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News available to ViewPointNigeria indicates that the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) who are stationed around Lamingo Dam have been given orders to shoot at sight any illegal miners found around the area.
This order was passed by the Plateau State government after an illegal miner drowned in the dam on Monday night, while trying to swim across the dam in order to boycott the security in the area.
The body of the deceased was recovered on Tuesday afternoon by the local fishermen in the area.
While visiting the site, the Plateau State Commissioner for Water Resources and Energy, Eng. Jafaru Wuyep said the place has been placed under 24 hours surveillance and the government is currently working on plans to fence the dam, to prevent intruders from trespassing.
Speaking, Acting General Manager of Plateau State Water Board, Lambert Gonzuk said there was no need for people to get worried about their drinking water as the water distributed by the waterboarding within Jos metropolis is properly treated.

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News reaching ViewPointNigeria indicates that the Court of Appeal in Jos, on Wednesday quashed an appeal filed by Gov. Lalong of against 271 elected councillors sacked in July 2015.
The sacked councillors, through their counsel, Mr Gyang Zi, sued Lalong, the Plateau Attorney General and the State House of Assembly, over their removal from office. The officials, whose three-year tenure was truncated in its first year, described their removal as “illegal and unconstitutional’’. They unanimously filed a case against the trio before Justice David Mann of State High Court III, in Jos. But the governor challenged the jurisdiction of the court to entertain the matter and its decision to take the preliminary objection along with the substantive case. Lalong failed in that suit and quickly appealed against the ruling. The governor, through his counsel, Mr Victor Paul, prayed the appellate court to set aside the decision of the lower court. He also sought an order that the preliminary objection of his clients should be heard first, before the substantive suit. But the appellate court, presided by Justices A.G. Mshelia (lead Judge), A.H. Abiru and E.O. Williams, rejected Lalong’s objection to the decision of the lower court. While upholding the decision of the lower court, the appellate court declared that there was nothing wrong with the lower court hearing both the substantive and the preliminary objection simultaneously. The judges declared that the appeal lacked merit and dismissed it.
The councillors’ counsel, Zi, in his reaction to the judgement, described the stance of the appeal court justices as “very satisfactory and a further testimony to the fact that there was hope for the common man”. “We are happy that the appellate court saw reasons with the decision of the lower court and upheld it by dismissing the appeal of Gov. Lalong,’’

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News available to ViewPointNigeria indicates that INEC will conduct a bye-election on Saturday, February 11, to fill the vacant seat in the Langtang South Constituency in Plateau State.

 
In a statement signed by the Deputy Director Voter Education and Publicity, INEC, Mr Osaretin Imahireyereobo, said that only two of the three political parties that contested the 2015 election would feature in the bye-election.

 
He said the two political parties, which will feaure in the upcoming election are APC and Mega Progressives Peoples Party (MPPP) as PDP and its candidate have been disqualified.

 
PDP and its candidate were disqualified after the Federal High Court uncovered evidence which showed that the candidate was an ex convict

 
ViewPointNigeria reports that as contained in the statement there will be 400 adhoc drawned from NYSC, tertiary institutions and INEC, who will conduct the election to be supervised by FCT Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC).

 
INEC said that the election would hold in 68 polling units and 28 voting points.

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TEXT OF PRESS CONFERENCE BY THE PRESIDENT OF BEROM EDUCATIONAL AND CULTURAL ORGANIZATION (BECO) DA ERICSON E. FOM ON WEDNESDAY 8TH FEBRUARY, 2017 AT THE BECO NATIONAL SECRETARIAT
OFF RAYFIELD ROAD, BUKURU

INTRODUCTION:
Good morning ladies and gentlemen, and welcome to this press conference.
Let me begin by wishing our President, Muhammadu Buhari a quick recovery and an early return to the country to face the daunting challenges of Nation building. Our economy has been in a recession and all hands must be on deck to return it to the path of recovery. I must also congratulate him for the efforts of our Armed forces at defeating the Boko Haram and taking over the dreaded Sambisa forest from the terrorists.
The challenge posed by the crises in Southern Kaduna, and most recently in Miango/Vwang are bad signals that require our collective efforts to nib in the bud before they escalate into dangerous dimensions. We appeal for calm on all sides of the divide and ask that all eschew bitterness and embrace one another in love for peace to reign. Let me use this opportunity to commiserate with those who lost their loved ones in all of these crises. The Berom Nation shares in your grief and pray GOD to grant the souls of the faithful departed repose and their families the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss. May this not happen again in our Country and state.

PREAMBLE…
The Berom Educational and Cultural Organization (BECO) wishes to note with great delight the peace leading to the congenial celebration of the Christmas, running into the New Year, free movement and absence of violent eruptions in and around Jos city and indeed Plateau State. We owe God profound thanks for the regime of relative peace now being enjoyed by our people and also for sparing us the harrowing experience of bomb blasts, bloodletting, pandemonium, chaos and complete dislocation of social life that had nearly become a recurring decimal over the years since 2001. BECO is also appreciative of the immense sacrifices and investments by a wide range of stakeholders in the peace and security architecture of the State as currently being piloted by the Governor of Plateau State, His Excellency Rt Hon. Simon Bako Lalong. Traditional institutions and security agents also deserve our commendation for working tirelessly to ensure that citizens enjoy the peace to lead their lives without threats of terror or any form of molestation and intimidation by enemies of peace and progress.
Similarly, the restraint of the youth, communities, ethnic nationalities and indeed the citizenry is a crucial part of this achievement of peace and tranquility. BECO wishes to also joyfully felicitate with the Izere nation over the recent coronation of Agwom Izere Rev. (Dr.) Isaac Azi Wakili. We count this as a huge achievement for the Izere nation after so many years of being without a paramount ruler.
We believe that the current regime of relative peace in the state must have been a motivation for this achievement. Relative peace however does not completely erase contending issues, disagreements and even disputes. In our view, it only affords the people, the conducive atmosphere and opportunity for dialogue on pre-existing or arising matters.
Several peace processes undertaken in Jos and indeed, Plateau State have taught us the advantages of choosing dialogue as a means of resolving disputes. These processes have also clearly outlined the inevitability and indispensability of our heterogeneous communal existence as well as the need for collaboration and co-operation in order to deliberately create avenues of win-win scenarios for all. In all these, the benefits of peace cannot be compared with the costs of war.
It is given this background, that the Berom nation strongly believes that issues such as inter community boundary squabbles, disagreement over place names, land ownership, traditional rulership, chieftaincy matters, divergent perspectives over historical accounts, marginalization, injustices and sundry other issues of governance can all be pursued, discussed and resolved through non violent means.
Unfortunately, warmongers and conflict merchants amongst us may never imbibe these values because they will be out of business if we all live in peace and resist violence. Our duty as leaders and stakeholders is therefore, not limited to containing, managing or resisting violence when it occurs but more fundamentally to expose and engage every conflict generating issue or tendency before it escalates to dangerous proportions that may consume innocent lives and property.
In this light, BECO has resolved in the interest of peace and harmonious co-existence to blow the whistle and unequivocally draw the attention of Mr. Governor, all security agencies, our royal fathers, elders and indeed peace loving Nigerians to advise and possibly prevail on the Izere nation to exercise restraint and thread very cautiously on some volatile issues currently brewing and which have the potential and capacity of destroying trust and breaching the relative peace being enjoyed in the State.
For us, these issues include:
The unfortunate misuse of the Coronation ceremony of the Agwom Izere.
The position of one Ada Emmanuel Ajik as the Adagwom Jos Izere Chiefdom on second class status.
The claim of one Ama Atang as the District Head of Kabong.
The claim of one Kaze Nyam as Adagwom Dong (District Head) in Jos North LGA and;
The claim of one Peter Nyam as Acting District Head of Jishe, (Tudun Wada).

Afizere-Berom relations: What we know…..
Ethnic relations between the Afizere and their Berom neigbours have spanned several centuries with similar experiences during the pre-colonial, colonial and post colonial periods. The ethnic groups are both Middle Belt minorities that are economically and politically marginalized within the socio-political and economic configuration of Nigeria. This immediately places a demand on our community leaders to work assiduously together in order to create more bonds of unity and friendship amongst our people so that the collective struggle of minority groups within the Nigerian federation can receive a boost to effectively harness and utilize economic and political opportunities for the benefit of our people. Already, the Afizere and Berom enjoy a wide range of inter communal relationships including inter-ethnic marriages, kinship ties, common linguistic expressions, person and place names.
It is in recognition of our shared values and common destiny that the Berom nation through its past and present leaders have strongly supported struggles aimed at the unification, cultural and religious liberation and political empowerment of the Afizere people, as was amply demonstrated during the state creation exercise of 1967, Local Government re-organization (1976) and subsequent creations under Chief Solomon Daushep Lar (of blessed memory) and General Ibrahim Babangida regimes. This of course, is in addition to the establishment of the Izere Chiefdom which today is graded as first class in status. It is therefore appalling and very painful to the Berom who are presently witnessing frantic attempts at historical misrepresentation of facts by present and upcoming generations of the Izere nation who are either ignorant, deliberately malicious or agents of disharmony and conflict generation. By some of these reckless actions and destruction of incontrovertible historical facts, the Izere nation is forcing a new version of history on the Berom and dragging our communities into an unnecessary and avoidable conflict. For the avoidance of doubt, let us consider in some detail, the five issues earlier raised.

The issue of misuse of the Coronation ceremony of Agwom Izere…
We are lost in wonder why the citation of an incoming Agwom Izere would be used to launch attacks and cast aspersions on a past Governor whose administration of the State for eight years with several landmark achievements, is unfortunately referred to as “inglorious.” During an occasion as important as the coronation of the Agwom Izere, Rev. (Dr.) Isaac Azi Wakili, where the Governor of the State, the Chairman, Plateau State Council of Chiefs and Emirs and indeed, several other dignitaries and guests from within and outside the state were present, we cannot imagine that a statement such as the one below was loudly expressed, published and circulated: “..for his sense of justice and inclusiveness resulting to the restoration of the paramount chieftaincy stool of Jos Jarawa chiefdom in Jos North L.G.A unjustly, illegally abolished by the inglorious immediate past administration of the State (Jonah Jang) …”(Emphasis mine)
Were attacks such as the one above, a strategy for winning more favours from the government of the day and or more friends for the Izere chiefdom? In our view, this was not only most unfortunate but completely unnecessary as the facts of Izere Chiefdom clearly speak for themselves.

The issue of Adagwom Jos Izere (Second Class)…
Since 1927 when districts were first created by the colonialists and restructured in 1935, the Afizere have never had a district in what is today Jos North Local Government Area. In fact, most of the Afizere settlements were hamlets and village areas in GWONG District. It was only in 2004 that Chief Joshua Chibi Dariye, the then Governor of Plateau State decided to create the stool of Adagwom Jos Izere and immediately placed it on second class status. However, the then subsisting reality for the Afizere in Jos North LGA, was that they only had village heads who were under Ujah Anaguta in Gwong District. It was this unconventional and very sudden upliftment of a village head to the status of a second class chief that surprised and amazed everyone. The creation of the said Jos Izere Chiefdom was to become separate from the Izere Chiefdom of Jos East Local Government Area. Curiously, this creation was without corresponding districts and village areas in Jos North. The immediate implication of this was to create and deepen suspicion and mistrust between the Anaguta Chiefdom and the proposed Izere Chiefdom since their sudden elevation from village area to Chiefdom on second class appeared abnormal and thoroughly politicized. Secondly, the sudden elevation was not done according to due process and in consultation with the constituted traditional authority of the Local Government area. The height of this irregularity was the fact that the elevation exercise took place three days to the end of Governor J.C Dariye’s tenure. No wonder, there is no trace of any Adagwom Jos Izere in the annals of the Jos Joint Traditional Council where the Ujah Anaguta sits amongst others as a second class traditional ruler. In general, a lot of complaints were made by major stakeholders especially the traditional institution in the state on the reckless and unilateral and over politicized nature of district, village area and chiefdom creation by the Dariye administration three days to the end of his tenure. This is what ostensibly led to its abrogation by the then incoming Jonah Jang Administration in 2007. It should be abundantly clear to all that the abrogation did not single out the Izere chiefdom of Jos North as the entire state including the Berom nation was also affected.
These are some of the reasons why BECO makes bold to ask; how embarrassing was it for Governor Simon Bako Lalong and the hierarchy of the traditional institution to be confronted with the bold picture of one Emmanuel Ajik, prominently displayed in the programme booklet for the coronation of Agwom Izere, where he was named as a second class chief in Jos North Local Government area? BECO would have loved to comment further on this matter but for the fact that the Anaguta and Berom nations are already in court on this same issue, we would rather show restraint and allow the law take its course.

The Claim of Ama Atang as the District Head of Kabong…
BECO was again rudely shocked at the publication of the purported and very provocative turbanning of one Engr. Sir Goodleave Ozurumba as the ‘Garkuwan Kabong’ by AmaAtang who has unrepentantly been parading himself as the District Head of Kabong. Initially, it appeared laughable but upon a second thought, these acts as earlier alluded to, represent a desperate attempt to destroy historical facts, violation of Berom tradition and culture, impunity and open invitation to confrontation which in our judgment is entirely avoidable. In the first instance, Kabong remains a Village area of Du District split between Jos South and Jos North Local Government areas. Secondly, records abound that clearly show that Ama Atang and even his parents have no ancestral home and land in Kabong. In fact, he acquired the land on which his present house is built from a renowned Berom family with the transaction properly documented. How then can a tenant cheaply transform himself into a landlord? We make bold to ask: Is this a recipe for peaceful and harmonious coexistence? A more disturbing dimension about Ama Atang is the impunity with which he carries himself about. On more than two occasions, some media outfits including the Plateau Radio Television Corporation, Jos have had to disclaim his so-called position and retracted statements credited to him. Now, he has done his worst by turbanning one Engr. Sir Goodleave Ozurumba as ‘Garkuwan Kabong’. It beats our imagination hollow, how can this individual be so recalcitrant, self conceited and so arrogant with no authority punishing him or even checking his excesses. His conduct begs the logical question: where does he derive his power/authority from? Who is sponsoring and defending his acts of impunity? Are such actions not capable of generating and heightening tension among the people? Is it fair to say that the current Management Committee Chairman of Jos North LGC, Hon. Theresa Azi is aware but has chosen to look the other way because Ama Atang is her kinsman?
BECO is of the opinion that it is high time Ama Atang is called to order, prosecuted and punished accordingly for actions capable of breaching public peace.

The claim of one Kaze Nyam as Agwom Dong, (District Head) in Jos North LGA…
It has also come to the notice of BECO that an imposing gate currently announces a palace of Agwom Dong (District Head). Whether this action is sanctioned by law, due process and in consultation with the Local and State Governments, is very unlikely. It is established to date that Dong is a village area split between Du and Gyel districts in Jos South Local Government area but by the 1991 creation of Jos North Local Government area, part of Dong village area is now in Jos North Local Government area. Without prejudice to the aspirations for the creation of Dong District, (however genuine) to preempt government’s authorization is to lay credence to lawlessness and acts of provocation which are capable of heightening tension and generating violence amongst the people. Furthermore, BECO has noted with dismay, allegations of un-strategic and dubious sales of government land to private individuals in Dong with the aim of creating an ethno-centric colony for Afizere people which in the same calculation, shall translate into their political dominance in that village. At this juncture, it should be said in the words of the Holy Bible, that oppression makes the righteous mad. (Eccl. 7:7)

The claim of one Peter Nyam as Acting District Head of Jishe (Tudun Wada)…
Similarly, BECO is worried over the claims of one Peter Nyam as Acting District Head of Jishe (Tudun Wada). It appears to us that this claim is endorsed and sanctioned by Hon. Theresa Azi, the current Management Committee Chairman, Jos North LGC. Again, is there any legal notice to the effect that Jishe is now a district? Was such claim or appointment done in accordance with due process and in consultation with the traditional authority of the area, the Local and State Governments? Is this not a case of undue politicization of the people’s tradition and culture? In such a situation, how do you guarantee the peaceful conduct of aggrieved members of the community whose history and traditional rights are being denied with reckless abandon, injustice, ethnic chauvinism and bad politics?

Our concerns…
Some of the major concerns of the Beroms over uncomplimentary and provocative actions of the Afizere in recent times include:
The deliberate misconception and misrepresentation of historical facts over land ownership, place names and traditional ruler-ship of undisputable Berom village areas such as Laramto, Kagrak (Alheri), Jishe and Dong.
The abuse of Local Government authority by past and present Afizere Chairmen of Jos North to create, recognize and support parallel positions of village and ward heads that are or favour Afizere people.
The apparent silence, inaction and insensitivity of government and security agents to call Ama Atang and others to order appear to us as an express permission and support for certain elements to cause disaffection, generate tension and disharmony in Jos North Local Government Area.
The extraction of a so called consent judgment from the High Court of justice for which the Berom and Anaguta are already in court.
Some of the actions of the Izere nation are mostly preemptive, unlawful and therefore uncomplimentary to peaceful coexistence as they only serve to fan the embers of suspicion, distrust and intolerance

CONCLUSION…
The Berom shall continue to stand by the truth and work tirelessly for peace through effective collaboration with other communities, neighbours and friends both within and outside the state, in order to achieve progress and prosperity. However, we shall vehemently resist falsehood and desperate attempts to adulterate or dilute history for selfish and parochial interests, whether personal, group or ethnic in nature. The issues raised in this Press Conference should not be viewed as minor as they have the capacity to generate avoidable chaos, disharmony and violence amongst our peoples. This is why BECO has chosen to openly address these issues and also to loudly call on Mr. Governor, our Royal, Religious and Community leaders, Elders, Stakeholders and indeed, all peace loving citizens of this great country, to use their good offices to persuade, advise or prevail on the Izere nation in order to tame their zeal of rupturing peace between themselves and their Berom neighbours. In doing this, the authorities must bear in mind that a stitch in time saves nine.
Gentlemen of the Press, BECO stands for peace and non-violence that is built on the truth, justice and good neighbourliness. This is why our message as contained in this Press Conference, is clear and direct with no room for ambiguity or misinterpretation.
Let me use this medium to appreciate the Governor of Plateau State Rt.Hon. Simon BakoLalong for the timely authorization of replacements of Be’Gwom (Chiefs) whose seats were vacant and for non-interference with the selection process. We proudly identify with his lofty programmes of developing the state and wish him every success and God’s guidance. Plans are on to coronate the (6nos.) six newly selected District/Village Heads (Be’Gwom) namely:
1.Da Samuel MwadkonJok – District Head, Riyom
2.Da Paul BulusTadi – Distric Head, Heipang
3. Da John DalyopDangyang – District Head, Gashish
4.Da Justice Gabriel AdamuSha – Village Head, Kabong
5. Da YohannaGwom Jang Pam – Village Head, Nyango
6. Da Timothy B. Dalyop – Village Head, Shonong
The annual cultural festival of Arts and culture showcasing the rich culture of the Beroms i.e Nzem Berom, will hold this year God willing. The Minister of information and culture has shown personal interest in events such as this, hence the need for all to prepare to give it the necessary media hype. I am therefore soliciting your cooperation and partnership to ensure its success. The Central planning Committee will be inaugurated very shortly.
My dear Gentlemen of the Press, BECO sincerely hopes that you shall transmit our message accordingly.
Finally, we wish to register our appreciation for your attention and kind support please.
I will be happy to take your questions

Thank you and God bless.

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The present administration in Nigeria lacks the Integrity, Credibility, Moral Standing, Capacity, Impetus and Merit to govern Nigeria and take the Nation to the path of success and prosperity.

Introduction:

For any Country to sustain or activate its economic growth index in all ramifications of its economy there is need for good governance, accountability, transparency and setting of sustainable development goals.

There is also need for true patriotism, respect for the rule of law and a situation where social justice is being promoted in the Country. Avenues should also be created for effective participation through which all men and women should have a voice in decision-making, either directly or through legitimate intermediate institutions that represent their interests.

Let me briefly explain some of the simple terminologies used above for smooth and simple understanding of any layman.

Good Governance: Good governance describes how public institutions conduct public affairs and manage public resources. It is an indeterminate term used in the international development literature to describe how public institutions conduct public affairs and manage public resources. Governance is “the process of decision-making and the process by which decisions are implemented (or not implemented)”

Accountability: This is the obligation of an individual or organization to account for its activities, accept responsibility for them, and to disclose the results in a transparent manner.

Transparency: Transparency means openness and honesty. In a free society, transparency is government’s obligation to share information with citizens. It is at the heart of how citizens hold their public officials accountable.

Patriotism: This is the feeling of love and loyalty that an individual has for his or her Country.

Rule of law: The Rule of Law limits the powers of Government by judicial defense of laws and the Constitution which is based on recognized basic legal values, established in international law. The Rule of Law is meant to prevent dictatorship and to protect the rights of the people.

Social Justice: By Social Justice we mean the fair and proper administration of laws conforming to the natural law that all persons, irrespective of ethnic origin, gender, possessions, race, religion, etc., are to be treated equally and without prejudice. It is the equal distribution of resources and opportunities, in which outside factors that categorize people are irrelevant.

Transparency and accountability are generally considered the two main pillars of good corporate governance.

Nigeria is in a precarious situation in which leaders feel uncomfortable anytime they are asked to give a clear and transparent account of their stewardship. It is even impossible to predict whether there will be reformation and much needed development as well as a period when leaders will be completely accountable to the populace.

It is also disturbing, totally undemocratic and unacceptable the way and manner government expects the governed to be scared of it. I feel delighted with how citizens are allowed to peacefully voice their concerns and displeasures on policies and harsh economic situations which are unfriendly and inimical to the wellbeing of the people in other climes but reverse seems to be the case in my Nation, Nigeria.

Government has really failed as expecting accountability by the citizens from those representing them becomes an illusion. Today, government instead of being transparent in its dealing has chosen the path of fabricating misleading falsehood that is creating uncertainty, mistrust, controversies and uncomfortable situations in the Country. Utterances by persons saddled with the responsibilities of effective representation and image making has been causing more damages and overheating the polity thereby depicting lack of responsiveness, effectiveness and efficiency. The sad part of their dispositions is they spew out deadly comments and feel they are doing Nigerians a favor. They have suddenly turned into “deceptive machines” and believing them is now at our peril.

It is no longer news that the government that frequently proclaims it is fighting corruption has openly depicted it is only doing so with kid gloves. I was taken aback to hear the National Chairman of the ruling party enticing certain members of the opposition who are said to be allegedly corrupt to join his party so that reprieve could get their ways. That could be seen in the statement by Chief John Odigie Oyegun to Senator Buruji Kashamu who is supposed to be extradited in the United States for alleged involvement in drugs-related offences. Chief John Oyegun has publicly called on Senator Kashamu to join his party so that his case could be ignored even when the Senator said he will kill many people before he is being extradited. This is completely unacceptable and a deviation from the rule of law the ruling party should be respecting and protecting.

Since the present government came to power, good governance eluded Nigeria. The core components of good governance have since disappeared into thin air just like mist.

The present government has shown clearly that it is not accountable to all Nigerians but accountable to few individuals thereby creating division and disaffection among majority Nigerians.

On transparency, it is obvious that transparency is completely out of the agenda of the present administration as it has always demonstrated its lack of transparency and truthfulness. This is appalling and brought retrogression to the nation that once had the best economy in Africa and one of the fastest growing economic in the world. This can be seen from the way and manner the health condition of the President Alh. Muhammadu Buhari has been treated with complete lack of transparency and integrity even when he is a public figure and being treated with the public resources.

The present administration has shown total disrespect to the rule of law and has been consistent in not obeying Court Orders. The judicial arm of government which is the arm that strengthens democracy and the law of any society has been totally disrespect as any pronouncement or ruling carried out by the Courts are not adhered to or respected. That could be seen in the case of Col. Sambo Dasuki, Nnamdi Kanu, Sheikh Ibrahim El-Zakzaky the Leaser of the Shiite Islamic Movement of Nigeria and many others who are unlawfully and continually under detention even when Courts have ruled that they should be released. This is a complete abuse and misuse of power by the present government.

I am not in any way defending any of the mentioned persons, if they are guilty of the charges they are being accused of then let the law take its course and let them face the full wrath of the law. But when the Court ruled that they should be released yet they are illegally under continuous detention it send a very bad signal to our nascent democracy and disrespect to the Judiciary which is a sensitive arm of government without which no Country can operate effectively.

The deterioration and disappearance of social justice which has been replaced by social injustices call for serious concern from all well-meaning and patriotic Nigerians. The killings and genocides in Plateau, Nasarawa, Taraba, Benue, Enugu and Southern Kaduna by unknown gunmen without condemnation by the present are sad and counter unity and harmonious living. People in large numbers have been killed, property worth billions of Naira destroyed/stolen by the killers and many villages sacked in the above mentioned States with poor responses and other forms of relief or intention to reconstruct and rehabilitate the people.

It clearly shows lack of empathy on the part of the present government and that preferential treatment are being given to some specific persons in the Country who have or are undergoing under same threats and that has completely negates the principles of social justice that advocates that people in a country should be treated equally and fairness irrespectively of their ethnic, tribal, religious and political inclinations.

The way and manner certain persons are being stereotyped is inimical to our unity and development as a Country. Nigeria being a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, multi-religious and multi-political country needs people who are unifiers who are ready to bring all various ethnic, tribal, religious and geo-political groups together as one not people with sentimental and biased state of mind.

The fight against corruption is now a malicious deception, selective and done with kid gloves. It is certain and no longer news that there are some people who are considered as sacred cows in Nigeria. There are instances where the State Security Services and Senate indicted some key cabinet members of the present administration such as the EFCC Boss Ibrahim Magu, the SGF Babachir Lawal and the Chief of Staff for offence bordering on financial misappropriation and misapplication yet they serving the President after giving clearance by panel set by the Presidency instead of suspending them and allowing the law courts take their course. This is laughable and an indication that the fight against corruption is a huge joke.

Our economy is in shambles (state of total disorder) with persistent drop in our Gross Domestic Product (GDP) that has pushed the Country into economic recession. Inflation has consistently been skyrocketing, the standard of living has dropped, with cost of living being high, unemployment rate has gone up, inconsistent exchange rates where others are given foreign currencies at lower exchange rate compared to others, low income per capital, decay in infrastructural development, high illiteracy level due to the populace inability to cater for their education, poverty rate has increased, hunger ravaging the people, businesses folding due to adverse economic policies, poor health status of the people, and low foreign direct investments (FDIs). The present government lacks sound economic, fiscal and people friend policies as well as technocrats who can strategize to make life better and easier to Nigerians.

It is high time for the government look into the aforementioned problems and put in place sound and strategic policies to addressing the issues raised.

Solutions:

1. Government must focus on good governance and ensure that things that will make the governance process work effectively to the benefit of all and not some selected are done.

2. There is need for government to run the system knowing well that it is accountable to the populace who gave them the mandate to represent them.

3. Government must show its readiness to be transparent in its dealings in order to build trust, confidence, patriotism and loyalty of the citizens to the Nation.

4. It is imperative for government to focus on social justice where all citizens are treated equally, fairly and with equity irrespective of their ethnic, religious, tribal and geo-political affiliations.

5. Government must as a matter of urgency change it posture to rule of law and ensure court orders and rulings are respected, accepted, obeyed and strictly adhered to.

6. The fight against corruption MUST be holistic and all encompassing not selective as currently obtainable where members who speak against the injustices meted out on citizens or poor governance are being wrongfully harassed for their patriotic positions.

7. There is need for the government to overhaul the economic team and fill it with seasoned and transparent technocrats of integrity who are patriotic, willing, able and ready to serve the nation sacrificially, diligent and wholeheartedly. Selective fight against corruption is inimical to the growth of our nascent democracy and eroding the values of our dear nation.

8. Presence of technocrats to run affairs in key sectors of the economy will give confidence to investors (local and foreign) to bring in investments that will neutralize the economic recession currently ravaging the Country. The technocrats should be given the opportunity to bring to the table their wealth of experience, skills and technical know-how irrespective of their tribal, ethnic, religious and geo-political inclinations. It is crystal clear that from the current state of our economy, those saddled with the responsibilities of managing the economy have demonstrated that they lack the competence, credibility, impetus and the technical know-how to take Nigeria out of its present economic predicament. This is because the policies on ground have rather impeded instead of the policies to stimulate growth and development of the nation.

At this stage since the advent of full democracy, Nigeria should be seen growing in a geometric progression not retrogressing.

We must all focus on and pursue national interest, peaceful coexistence, harmonious living, love, progress, prosperity, growth and development of our nation.

The collective national interest must override our parochial interests if Nigeria is to take its rightful place among comity of nations and compete favorably well with its contemporaries.

We must concentrate on issues that will bring us together to unite us and discard those capable of dividing us if not our optimism of having a better, greater and stronger country will be a hoax.

God bless Nigeria and all patriotic Nigerians.

Yours Truly

Cmr. Friday Bako

Email:dalyopbakofriday@gmail.com

Best Regards
Dalyop Bako Friday
Jos City, Plateau State.
Nigeria.
+2348065355491 & +2348090629932
Be courteous, always smile and be humble…..

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The Plateau state chairman of the Action Democratic Party (ADP) Chief Nanyah Daman has been nominated to receive a meritorious award of honour by Reality NewsPapar Jos, for his sterling contribution to human and societal development. ”It was an overwhelming nomination” according to one of his associates and ”he truly deserves it”. he said. Responding to ViewPointNigeria, Amb. Daman said, the award would further spur him to do more great things for humanity and the state general. The event is scheduled to take place on the 11th of February 2017 at Nana country home, Tudun Wada Jos. Mr. Nanyah Daman was a former member of the Peoples Democratic Party PDP, before he cross-carpeted to ADP and rose to become its state chairman. Recently, members of the MEGA party held a meeting in Jos preparatory to the forthcoming Local Government Elections but it is not yet clear if the party would jostle for the chairmanship seats of the 17 Local Government Councils or throw its weight behind any political party given the fact that its registration with INEC hasn’t been completed. Amb. Daman is known for his fearless criticisms of some government programmes and policies he considers not in the interest of the masses.

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News available to ViewPointNigeria indicates that the Executive Governor of Plateau State, Hon. Simon Lalong, has passed an order to remove any indiscriminate road bumps placed by unauthorized persons within the state.

He made this statement during the commissioning of 18 operational vehicles for the vehicle inspection department of the Ministry of Works and Transport at the VIO testing ground in Jos.

Speaking he said, “Let me use this avenue to express my displeasure at the indiscriminate erection of road bumps and other unwholesome activities on our major highways by unauthorized persons”.

The Governor said the Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing had constituted a committee with officials of the state to remove all unauthorized bumps.

Furthermore, he said a bill for a law to establish an agency for Road Traffic Administration and Vehicle Inspection is in the State House of Assembly for consideration.

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Many may not know Simtong Danung David given his low key lifestyle. It is true that the people of Plateau state are down to earth and at the same time, hungry for academic excellence. I can personally attest to this fact after engaging the overall best graduate of Bingham university (2015) in a media chat. Simtong Danung graduated in Bingham University with a CGP that hit 4.97. A commendable feat indeed. He had a humble beginning, yet saw himself as a success by anyone’s standards. Simtong Danung did his secondary school at St. Benedict’s Seminary and convent Pankshin before proceeding to Bingham. He hails from Kagu in Pankshin Local Government. Today he’s living his dream as an ICT Engineer at the prestigious American University of Nigeria Yola, owned by an erstwhile Vice President of Nigeria Alh. Atiku Abubakar.

Excerpts

ViewPointNigeria: How do you feel being the overall best graduating student of Bingham University in 2015?

Danung: I feel honored, ecstatic, elated and Favored by God for He is the giver of all good things. I am positive that Success is God’s way and Success comes from God so I return all the Glory to Him.

ViewPointNigeria: Who do you owe your success and gratitude to?

Danung: I owe my Success and Gratitude to God, my Parents Mr. And Mrs. Monday Danung, my Church COCIN Sabon gari Mado, Tudun Wada Jos and my friends. They’re very supportive and I thank God for their lives.

ViewPointNigeria: You’re a visionary young man. What are your plans and dreams for the future?

Danung: I have dreams for the future just like anyone else, dream of a good life based in Christ plans for my life, I dream of going to get an MSc and PhD in Computing, after I have a doctorate, I would want to work in a school environment where great caliber of intellectuals, bestowed with great minds exist there by researching to bring about great positive revolutionary ideas that will transform Human lives, Nigeria and the World.

ViewPointNigeria: Amazing! Sounds great you know.

Danung: Thank you very much.

ViewPointNigeria: As a young man still nursing an ambition to be great in life. What’s your for young people out there?

Danung: My advice to young people is to keep gazing high and working hard, to keep taking the extra step in life for its that extra step that makes one extraordinary. We must keep trusting and believing in Christ, always being Diligent for “Diligent hands will rule, but laziness ends in forced labor” -Proverbs 12:24. With this the sky will not be ones limit for it is just a propeller to reach the galaxy and be the star.

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Many may not know Simtong Danung David given his low key lifestyle. It is true that the people of Plateau state are down to earth and at the same time, hungry for academic excellence. I can personally attest to this fact after engaging the overall best graduate of Bingham university (2015) in a media chat. Simtong Danung graduated in Bingham University with a CGP that hit 4.97. A commendable feat indeed. He had a humble beginning, yet saw himself as a success by anyone’s standards. Simtong Danung did his secondary school at St. Benedict’s Seminary and convent Pankshin before proceeding to Bingham. He hails from Kagu in Pankshin Local Government. Today he’s living his dream as an ICT Engineer at the prestigious American University of Nigeria Yola, owned by an erstwhile Vice President of Nigeria Alh. Atiku Abubakar.

Excerpts

ViewPointNigeria: How do you feel being the overall best graduating student of Bingham University in 2015?

Danung: I feel honored, ecstatic, elated and Favored by God for He is the giver of all good things. I am positive that Success is God’s way and Success comes from God so I return all the Glory to Him.

ViewPointNigeria: Who do you owe your success and gratitude to?

Danung: I owe my Success and Gratitude to God, my Parents Mr. And Mrs. Monday Danung, my Church COCIN Sabon gari Mado, Tudun Wada Jos and my friends. They’re very supportive and I thank God for their lives.

ViewPointNigeria: You’re a visionary young man. What are your plans and dreams for the future?

Danung: I have dreams for the future just like anyone else, dream of a good life based in Christ plans for my life, I dream of going to get an MSc and PhD in Computing, after I have a doctorate, I would want to work in a school environment where great caliber of intellectuals, bestowed with great minds exist there by researching to bring about great positive revolutionary ideas that will transform Human lives, Nigeria and the World.

ViewPointNigeria: Amazing! Sounds great you know.

Danung: Thank you very much.

ViewPointNigeria: As a young man still nursing an ambition to be great in life. What’s your for young people out there?

Danung: My advice to young people is to keep gazing high and working hard, to keep taking the extra step in life for its that extra step that makes one extraordinary. We must keep trusting and believing in Christ, always being Diligent for “Diligent hands will rule, but laziness ends in forced labor” -Proverbs 12:24. With this the sky will not be ones limit for it is just a propeller to reach the galaxy and be the star.

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Introduction: On February 2nd, 2017, some Nigerian newspapers were awash with the story of purported discovery of HIV/AIDS “cure” by a group of researchers led by Professor Maduike Ezeibe a professor of veterinary medicine at the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike Abia state. This is not the first time that a Nigerian researcher will come out with a claim of HIV/AIDS cure. There have been previous claims by Dr Jeremiah Abalaka of the Gwagwalada Specialist Hospital (now University of Abuja Teaching Hospital), Dr Jacob Abdullahi (Winners Medical, Diagnostic and Research Institute), Professor Isaiah Ibeh (University of Benin) – and others (not to forget claims by His Excellency Sheikh Professor Alhaji Dr. Yahya A.J.J. Jammeh the ousted president of the Gambia).

On Friday, 10th February, 2017, Professor Ezeibe was interviewed on the Good Morning Nigeria show of the Nigeria Televesion Authority (NTA). The DG of Nigeria’s Agency for the control of AIDS (NACA), CEO of Nigeria’s Centres for Disease Control (NCDC) and the DG of Nigeria’s Institute for Medical Research (NIMR) were at various times asked questions during the NTA program.

A lot of commentators watching the program and tweeting were not keen on the valid points being raised by the heads of these agencies. Rather, they chose to “attack” the system.

The findings of the research led by Professor Ezeibe were published in the British Journal of Medicine & Medical Research (note that this journal is not indexed in Pubmed, and although it bears the title “British”, there is absolutely nothing British about the journal).

Some Nigerians have called for the federal government to support, rather than disparage ‘our researchers’. While this is a good call, “Our researchers” should be able to provide answers to the simplest of all questions.

My questions for Professor Ezeibe

Structure of the Virus:

According to the research article;

What made HIV/AIDS incurable is small size (110 nm) of its causative agent, Human immune deficiency virus (HIV). The small size enables HIV cross physiological barriers to “hide” in cells of the brain, bone marrow and testes, where existing antiretroviral medicines (bigger molecules) cannot reach. Since it destroys lymphocytes (cells responsible for clearing infections from organs that are inaccessible to medicines), nothing was known that could terminate its infections. So, the infection was said to be in “sanctuary”

My question for Professor Ezeibe: Really? Is that the reason for HIV being incurable?

Mechanism of Action of the “Drug”:
According to the research article;

Aluminum-magnesium silicate (AMS) molecular platelets (Nanoparticles) are smaller (0.96 nm thick) than HIV. So, the Nanoparticles cross physiological barriers, to act on every organ/tissue. Their edges are positively charged and their surfaces negatively charged while HIV is positively charged and abnormal (infected/cancer) cells, negatively charged therefore, the AMS-Nanoparticles mop HIV from all organs/tissues with their surfaces and adsorb onto infected cells with their edges. They destroy the infected cells, by the mechanism AMS disintegrates drug-capsules, so that even infections in the “sanctuary cells” are unmasked and adsorbed out. When 100% of population of invading HIV is adsorbed out its infection terminates.

My question for Professor Ezeibe: That means the “drug” can act against ALL “negatively-charged” infected cells and viruses which are larger than 0.96nm thick [sic]? Exactly what part of the HIV life cycle does your “drug” target?

Research Methodology

According to the paper;

Ten HIV/AIDS patients who volunteered for the trial, by writing through their physicians, were classified according to their sexes. Each patient was placed on oral medication, with Antivirt® A for one month, at dose rates of 50 mg of the MSAMS/kg body weight and 7.5 mg of MSAMS stabilized Ampicillin trihydrate/kg body weight, daily. Thereafter, they were on Antivirt® B, at dose of 50 mg/kg, daily, till they tested HIV negative.

My Question for Professor Ezeibe: What is/was your definition of an HIV-negative test?

The paper went on to state as follows:

When a patient’s viral load became undetectable, he/she was tested by HIV-confirmatory tests (antigen and antibody) and treatment-duration before he/she tested HIV negative was recorded.

My Question for Professor Ezeibe: Exactly what antigen and antibody “confirmatory” tests did you use? What is the principle of these tests?

Results

As seen from the published paper, CD4 counts for participant M1 improved from 300 (month 0- baseline) to 4680 (month 8).

My Question for Professor Ezeibe: What was the units of measurement of the CD4 count? What methodology was used for the CD4 count enumeration?

At months 8 and 10, some research participants had HIV viral loads of Zero (0).

My Question for Professor Ezeibe: What methodology was used for the viral load tests that gave a viral load test result of zero (0)?

According to the research article;

The patients were on the Antivirt® medication for ten months without noticeable side effects. That means, the regimen is safe. The regimen being so safe may be because AMS is an inactive substance (chemically). It terminates viral infections by a physical effect (adsorption onto viruses and onto virus-infected cells).

My Question for Professor Ezeibe: What is your definition of “noticeable side effects”? Did you consider that within the 10 months of your experiment on humans, there may have been some “unnoticeable” side effects? Was there any follow-up after the 10 months? Did you perform any organ function tests for the research participants? Any haematological tests? Any immunological tests (asides CD4)?

We generally know that before any humans are subjected to trial drugs, the experimental drug is first tested in-vitro (for efficacy) then on animal models (for toxicity and efficacy-as the case may be), then on apparently healthy volunteers, before a case-control clinical trial. Granted, you agreed (on NTA) that your “drug” was tested on chickens previously.

My Question for Professor Ezeibe: Were the chickens infected with HIV?

Assuming (without conceding) that in-vitro experiments were carried out in HIV virus cell cultures to determine the effect of the “drug” formulation on the virus.

My Question for Professor Ezeibe: Has your team published the findings of these in-vitro experiments in any journals? Is it possible for Nigerians to see the results of these in-vitro experiments?

Apart from the 10 patients whose results was published, you stated that the “drug” has been tested on over 500 other patients.

My Question/Plea: It is hoped that your team is still in possession of the relevant records of all these 500 HIV-infected individuals?

Consent

According to the research article;

Each patient consented for the clinical trial by writing through his/her physician.

My Question for Professor Ezeibe: Is that the new method for obtaining informed consent for a clinical trial? It is hoped that you have copies of the consent letters written by the physicians? Complete with the full names and addresses of the physicians.

Ethical Approval

According to your article;

The clinical trial was conducted in accordance with the Helsinki declaration of 1964, as operational in Nigeria

The assumption is that by the Helsinki declaration of 1964; you did the following;

Wrote a research proposal with full description of your proposed research protocol.
Submitted the proposed protocol to NHREC (through your institution) for ethical approval
Got NHREC approval to carry out the clinical trial
Submitted your findings to your institutional ethical committee?

Patent

According to your article;

The MSAMS was patented by the Nigerian government, as broad-spectrum antiviral medicine.

My Question: Broad spectrum antiviral medicine? What exactly does that mean? Was the submission for patent for animal viruses (such as Newcastle disease virus) or for Human viruses (such as HIV)? Or maybe the “medicine” is a one-size-fits-all?

In conclusion, I wish to add my voice to the voice of numerous Nigerians who have called on the Federal Government of Nigeria to support and encourage our researchers. However, my loudest call is for Nigerian researchers to do the needful – cross the T’s and dot the I’s.

References:

Ezeibe et al., : HIV/AIDS Recovery Rates in Male and Female Patients, Treated with Medicinal synthetic Aluminum-magnesium silicate.. BJMMR, 18(11): 1-7, 2016; Article no.BJMMR.29018

http://www.journalrepository.org/media/journals/BJMMR_12/2016/Nov/Ezeibe18112016BJMMR29018_1.pdf

Accessed 11-Feb-17

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News reaching ViewPointNigeria indicates that the Plateau State Governor, Simon Bako Lalong has approved the extension of the fifty percent waiver on all land transactions in the state.

A statement signed by Joel Angai for the Director of Administration says the Governor approved the extension in view of the current economic situation which made it difficult for the public to benefit from the initial waiver.

The statement also said this might be the last time such waiver would be extended and therefore called on land title holders to avail themselves of such opportunity and settle ground rents, renew their titles as well as register their properties.

The release also said after the expiration of the waiver period, the ministry will commence prosecution of defaulters in the tax court.

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An erstwhile senator who represented Plateau South Senatorial Zone at the apex legislative arm of government between 2011 and 2015, distinguished Senator Victor Mainasara Lar is believed to be working behind the curtains to succeed Rt. Hon Simon Bako Lalong as Governor in 2019. ViewPointNigeria political correspondent Satmak Dapar has reliably confirmed from different sources that Sen. Lar is making subtle and delicate moves by consulting stakeholders, holding nocturnal meetings with youths and oiling his campaign machineries in advance to have an easy ride. Although the former Senator hasn’t officially said anything in this regard but his body language is suggestive of the fact that he will throw his hat in the ring come 2019. Recently on Social Media, his campaign posters started flooding with the slogan ‘’Mandate 2019’’ and a statement to back the slogan which says ‘’credibility of leadership is only established in actions not in words’’. When ViewPoint placed a call on one of the associates of the Lantang born politician, he said ‘’the rumour you are hearing will come true in 2019. It’s a matter of time. I think we are ready to take Plateau state to a new height and it is only Senator Victor Lar that can do this great assignment.’’
It will be recalled that Sen. Victor Lar contested the Governorship seat in 2015 under the People’s Democratic Party PDP, but lost the primaries to Sen. GNS Pwajok of blessed memory. That however, didn’t go down well between him and former Governor Jang because he and other political stakeholders believed that the emergence of Sen. Pwajok as PDP flag bearer was in gross violation of PDP zoning formula. After the 2015 General elections which gave the ruling APC an edge over other political parties, Sen. Lar started mending fences and putting structures ahead of 2019 to stage a comeback. For now, it is not clear what party platform he intends to use to realize his Governorship ambition but he still remains a card-carrying member of the PDP.
2019 is fast approaching and plans are on top gear by politicians, party faithful, youth groups, security agencies and INEC for another electioneering time. Everything boils down to the masses. Ultimately, the ball is in their court to choose who represents them. It’s possible for Senator Victor Lar to clinch victory just as it was possible for Gov. Lalong but that depends on his calculations and how hard he can work to win the hearts of the good people of Plateau state. More than anything else, his antecedents will speak for him too.

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News available to ViewPointNigeria indicates that APC candidate, Jackson Nimmwang has emerged as the winner of the Langtang South State Constituency by-election in Plateau which was held on Saturday.

The by-election was conducted after the Federal High Court ruled against the victory of PDP candidate, Vincent Bulus when evidence was provided which proved that he was an ex-convict.

Speaking in Mabodi, The INEC Returning officer, Tor Iorapuu declared Mr. Nimmwang as the winner of the by-election with 3,688 votes while his counterpart from Mega Progressives Peoples Party, MPPP, Rinsmicit Emmanuel raked in 83 votes.

Mr. Iorapuu said the turn out for the election was very low as only 6,631 out of a total of 48,615 people participated in the election.

He said the election was held at 68 polling units.

A total of 400 trained ad-hoc staff, drawn from NYSC and tertiary institutions , conducted the election, supervised by the FCT Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, Jacob Jatau.

The Management Committee Chairman, Lantang South Local Government, Nicholas Vongsing expressed his joy over the outcome of the election as it was conducted peacefully.

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News available to ViewPointNigeria indicates that 880 people in Jos benefited from a 4–day medical outreach which was organized by the management of Selman hospital in collaboration with Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) in Plateau State.

The medical outreach which targeted 1000 people spanned for four days with over 20 medical doctors from Jos University Teaching hospital (JUTH) treating ailments of various degrees.

Information available to ViewPointNigeria indicates that for the first two days, the doctors were consulting, dispensing drugs and screening patients who will require surgery. The next two days were used for different kinds of surgeries.

The doctors performed 46 surgeries which include: cesarean section, appendectomy, ovarian cyst, typhoid perforation and Fibroid.

The Managing Director of Salman hospital, Dr. Longwap Abdulazeez Saleh said the outreach is an annual event which targets 1000 patients adding that the NMA had assisted with resource persons including Dr. Dawal Kwande, the State NMA secretary.

Dr. Longwap Abdulazeez said that they encountered three special cases while screening the children. One of the children was diagnosed with congenital stenosis of the anus, one with burnt Contracture, and another child with congenital fistula of the penis. He said they are planning to get sponsorship for the children.

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The National Association of Plateau State students (NAPSS) National body is an association that has been in existence for over 3.5 Decades With the motto “towards the Plateau of our dream”. We have 64 registered chapters of NAPSS at various Tertiary institutions at home and in Diaspora. Also we have 54 National tribal Associations under the watch of NAPSS and its leadership. . We have active and passive NAPSS nationally and internationally. The Association is presently headed by Comr. Alexander Daklong (07035517682) a student of the Famous Federal University of Technology Minna, Niger State.
The vision to organize the maiden national cultural carnival by the Alexander Daklong led Administration for plateau state students at home and in Diaspora came as a result of the pathetic situation we found ourselves today in the state to include lack of patriotism, tribalism, ethnic sentiments, negligence of duty, moral decadence such as exams malpractice, cultism, drug abuse, we are no longer proud of our identity. Our plateau tribes are gradually going into extinction thus the need to revamp and reawaken the plateau students to restore and embrace renaissance for the restoration of lost glory in education, unionism, politics and our relationship with one another to present one Plateau voice and speak as an indivisible entity. This cultural carnival will foster unity in diversity and show the rich culture and tradition of our beloved state in the face of daunting challenges and to show the world that peace had returned to Plateau.
The programs of events are:
• Carnival match pass by all Plateau tribes and NAPSS Chapters
• Paper presentation by the guest Speaker
• Cultural display by all cultural tropes
• Launching and display of Plateau dishes
• National Anthem in Plateau tribes by selected secondary schools.
• Poem Recitation on National Issues
• Free donations of wheel chairs to the physically challenge NAPSS by Beautiful Gate Foundation International
• 4th/03/2017 Re-union meeting with former union leaders. Present and stake holders. From 8: pm to 11:00pm at venue to be communicated sooner .
• 5th/03/2017 Re-union service at government house Chapel. To appreciate Gods for his love and faithfulness to NAPSS past and present leaders.
The dream of a New Plateau by this current rescue Administration will further build more confidence in the lives of Plateau students, elders and elites at Home and in Diaspora. We need your support and presence towards actualizing the forthcoming event as we yearn for a better Plateau.
OBJECTIVES
The aims and objectives of the cultural carnival to NAPSSsites and the people of Plateau State are:
1. To promote our cultural heritage by declaring war on drug abuse, exams malpractices, cultism and campus prostitution.
2. To inculcate morals into our young ones and maintenance culture.
3. To promote reading and writing culture among Plateau students and the general public.
4. To promote unity in diversity and ensure Plateau speak with one voice.
5. To ensure tolerance and respects to our tribal, ethnic and religious groups.
6. To promote the values and norm that makes up who a true Plateau man is.
7. To be proud of our identity and speak Plateau.
8. To promote the recitation of poems National Anthem and pledge in plateau indigenous languages at every Assembly.
9. To promote reading and writing of news in Plateau tribes and subsequently have a comprehensive records of our tribes and possibly have a monthly bulletin.
10. To promote unity and team work among NAPSS at home and diaspora through platforms.
11. To create avenue where tribal patrons, advisers and NAPSS National Exco’s can discuss the unity and progress of Plateau either monthly, Quarterly, face to face interactive forum.
12. To create forums of the following :
• Patrons
• Advisers
• National Tribal Presidents and Secretaries.
• Beauty queens or National Beauty Queens of All tribal Associations.
• Miss NAPSS at various chapters.
• Miss campuses within Plateau State
13. Promote the use of our cultural attire and encourage eating and patronage of Plateau foods.
14. Above all to love one another as united Plateau.
THEME
The theme of the NAPSS National cultural carnival (maiden event 2017) is: “RE AWAKENING THE PLATEAU CORE VALUES FOR A SUSTAINABLE AND PEACEFULL CO-EXISTENCE ON THE PLATEAU”
-The importance of NAFDAC Consumers Safety Club (NSCS) to Plateau Secondary Schools and the State at large.

RESOURCE PERSON(S)
1. Mr. Yakubu Tadi: Nigerian Union of Journalist (NUJ) Chairman Plateau State. 08133172227
2. Mrs. Abbas Roseline Dayilim: NAFDAC Co-ordinator North central Nigeria. 08037015083
TARGET POPULATION:
The anticipated Population include:
• All National Tribal patrons and Advisers.
• All chapters Tribal Patrons and Advisers.
• All National tribal and chapter EXCO’S
• All National and chapter beauty tribal queens.
• All national and chapter of NAPSS EXCO’S
• All National and chapter miss NAPSS
• All Miss Campus on the Plateau tertiary Institutions.
• All National Association of Plateau State Students
• All Plateau State Students in Diaspora e.g. South Africa, Turkey, Cyprus, USA, UK Israel , Egypt ETC
• All NAPPSS at Various Tertiary Institutions in Nigeria.
• Plateau state Traditional council
• All Plateau Commissioners.
• The Governor and his cabinet
• Plateau State House of Assembly members.
• All former NAPSS awards Recipients
• All former NAPSS Leaders.
• All Student Union Leaders on the Plateau Present and Past.
• Middle Belt Youth Forum
• Joint Campus Committee of Plateau State
• All National Youth Movement of plateau extractions
• Plateau Youth Council and the Larger House
• All Plateau Representative both at the Green and Red Chamber.
• 20 selected Secondary schools Namely:
a. BSS and GHS Gindiri
b. Mwaghavul Community Secondary School Kerang.
c. Buceaine Academy Dwei Du.
d. Pyem Community Secondary School Gindiri
e. Government College Pankshin
f. Government Science School Kuru
g. Zang Commercial Secondary School Bukuru
h. BECO High School Barkin Ladi
i. Baptist High School Shendam
j. TCNN Staff School Bukuru
k. Bethany Christian Academy Barkin Ladi
l. Rochas Foundation College, Jos
m. Government Scondary School Hwolshe.
n. Government Girls College Shendam.
o. Government Science School Wase.
p. Muhammadu Abdullahi Wase Memorial Islamic Secondary School, Wase
q. Government Secondary School Bashar
r. Federal Government College Jos.
s. Government Secondary School Pilgani.
t. Porter Memorial College Quanpan.
u. Government Secondary School Doemak.
v. All Nation Academy, Bokkos.
w. Peifin Model Secondary School, Tunkus Mikang L.G.C.
x. Mission High School, Tunkus Mikang L.G.C.
y. Gonerit Memorial College Tuwan Kanke L.G.C.
z. G.S.S Gancawa Mikang L.G.C.
aa. Pedong Comprehensive Secondary School, Kwalla.
bb. G.S.S Tal, Pankshin.
cc. Government Model Secondary School, Pankshin.
dd. Government Secondary School Fobur, Jos East
ee. Government Secondary School Jingir.
ff. Plateau School For the Deaf Bassa L.G.C.
DATE: 4th/3/2017
TIME: 11:ooam
Venue: Zang Commercial Secondary School Ground Bukuru.

Yours Faithfully
__________________
Comr. Walshak Kefas
Chairman, Central Planning Committee
(07063061945/07083511117)

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News available to ViewPointNigeria indicates that the Nigerian Army has commissioned two twin chalet buildings at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru in Plateau State.

The buildings which were commissioned by the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Tukur Buratai at the weekend are fully finished and equipped. The buildings which were named after the Chief of Army Staff are called ‘Lt TY Buratai chalets’.

At the commissioning, Buratai who was represented by the Director General, Nigeria Army Rescue Centre, Major General John Hamakim said the idea of the chalets was conceived when the COAS visited NIPSS to deliver a lecture and was informed of the infrastructural challenges facing the institute.

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News available to ViewPointNigeria indicates that bird flu (avian influenza) has broken out again in Jos killing over 11,000 birds. The Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN) disclosed on Monday that the outbreak had affected six farms.

Avian influenza is an infectious disease which spreads among birds. The chairman of the Poultry Association of Nigeria in the state, Mr John Dasar said the spread of the disease is due to the non-payment of compensation to farmers affected by the disease in 2015 and 2016.

He said some farmers would prefer to sell their affected birds to desperate marketers instead of reporting the incident to the appropriate authorities. More than 130 poultry farmers were affected by the disease in 2015 and 2016 but they had yet to be compensated. “Farmers in Plateau are really going through tough times because of the resurgence of bird flu in the last one week.

The chairman, however, called on the affected poultry farmers in the state to be patient, as modalities were on ground to ensure that they get compensations. “We were with the Minister of Agriculture, Chief Audu Ogbeh, a month ago and he promised that something would be done in no distant time; to ensure that compensations are paid,’’ he said.

He, however, urged the farmers to report any outbreak in their farms to the appropriate authorities so as to avert any further spread of the disease in the state.

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