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Plateau state government introduces monthly press briefing to highlight achievement

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By Asile Abel,jos

The Plateau State Government has began monthly Ministerial press briefing to inform citizens on government activities in various Ministries, Departments and Agencies, (MDAs)

The monthly briefing start with 4 Ministries held at the Conference Hall of the Ministry of Education Building, JD Gomwalk Secretariat, Jos, Plateau State.

Declaring the briefing open, the State Commissioner for Information and Communication, Mr. Musa Ashoms, stated that the event was a core mandate of the Ministry of Information and Communication, expected to bolster its vision for an enlightened, educated and informed populace.

He added that the event also corresponds with the present administrations idea of carrying citizens along in accordance with the first focal point of the Green Cap Policy Thrust, which is “Good Governance and Citizens Participation in Sustainable Development.”

“I therefore make due acknowledgment to the Executive Governor of Plateau State, Barr. Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang for his enthusiastic support and expedited approval.

“…It is this attitude that drives the vigorous activities across various sectors and across the state, turning it into a huge project site for massive infrastructural development and an incubator for robust public policy initiatives.” He added.

Office of the Head of Civil Service hit the ground running with their report, where they enumerated responsibilities, successes and challenges of the office to members of the media community.

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The Plateau State Head of Civil Service, Barrister Rauta Dakok, said the office is the engine room of government and the administrative machinery for implementing the State Government’s Policies and Programmes.

Some of the achievements she captured were the physical verification of staff and pensioners for the offset of Salary/Pension Arrears inherited from immediate past Administration.

She said the office also obtained approval for the release of Three Hundred Million Naira (N300,000,000.00) Monthly to settle arrears of pensions/gratuities and death benefits from 1986 to date, adding that promotions for deserving civil servants is almost up to date.

“The establishment of Information and Public Relation Officer Cadre Structure on SGL 08 – 17 and Executive Officer (Information and Public Relations) Cadre Structured on SGL 06 – 14 in the Schemes of Service.

Barr. Rauta said the implementation of recalled workers into the mainstream civil service whose employments were initially suspended is at about 80% completion

The Head of Service also highlighted some challenges faced by the office to includes Inadequate Office accommodation, shortage of manpower in view of batched retirement and non availability of copies of current Public Service Rules and other relevant Government documents.

Others she said are indiscriminate encroachment on lands adjoining to Government quarters by
unscrupulous persons and how retired civil servants are still holding unto Government quarters by preventing the
serving civil servants from enjoying same.

Also, the state Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr. Ephraim Usman gave a scorecard of his ministry within the 11 months of the “Time is Now” administration which includes payment of salaries and pension arrears from the previous administration at the LGAs level.

Ephraim said, “The ministry in collaboration with ALGON purchased 35 Hillux vehicles for operation Rainbow to strengthen the security architecture at the grassroots level.”

He said the ministry in conjunction with the 17 LGAs is working on digitalization of indigene forms and marriage certificates with link to NIN.

On Chieftaincy Affairs, the Commissioner said the ministry conducted the selection and coronation of the new Ngolong Ngas on first class status and also the selection of the new Mou Youm of Garkawa on second class status, noting that his coronation will soon take place.

Other ministries who gave their scorecards on the first press briefing were Ministry of Education, (Secondary) and Ministry for Women Affairs and Social Development.

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Court Restrains Anti-Corruption Commission, Others from interfering in MAAUN’s Affairs

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A Kano High Court has granted an interim injunction restraining the Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission (PCACC) and four other parties from interfering in the internal and external affairs of Maryam Abacha American University of Nigeria (AAUN), Kano.

Justice Sanusi Ado Ma’aji of the High court of Kano Judicial Division issued the order, while ruling on a motion of ex parte filed by the management of the university.

The respondents in the suit are the Kano State Government, PCACC, Kano State House of Assembly and the state’s Attorney-General and concerned parents of the institution.

Justice Ma’aji in the court order dated December 11, 2025, restrained the respondents or any other person acting on their behalf from inviting officials of the institution or interfering in the administrative and academic activities of the intuition, pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit.

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The court also directed all the parties to maintain status quo in relation to the matter between the applicant and the first respondent, pending the determination of the originating summons.

Speaking after the ruling, MAAUN’s counsel Zahraddeen M. Bello, said that the court’s decision reaffirmed the rule of law and the need for due process, saying the university will continue to operate within the confines of law, while the case is pending.

However, the court granted leave to the applicant to serve court processes on the fifth respondent at its office located at No. 224 Sabo Bakin Zuwo, Kano.

The matter was adjourned to December 29, 2025 and the order was given under the hand and seal of the presiding judge and was duly endorsed by the Principal Registrar of the court.

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Jigawa Trains Local Government Chairmen on 2025 Tax Reform Act

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The Jigawa Joint Task Committee has commenced a two-day capacity-building training for local government chairmen and policymakers. The two-day capacity program focused on the new Nigeria Tax Reform Act (NTA) 2025, which is scheduled to take effect nationwide on January 1, 2026.

The training gathered a contingent of state and local revenue stakeholders, including all 27 local government chairmen of Jigawa State, led by the Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), revenue officers, and key policy and tax experts.

The core objective of the session was multifaceted: to enhance understanding of the NTA 2025 and its specific implications for local government administration, strengthen collaboration between state and local tiers for revenue harmonization and joint administration, and improve the technical capacity of local government leaders in deploying modern revenue processes and digital systems.

During the event, the Executive Chairman of the Jigawa Internal Revenue Service (JIRS), Dr. Nasir Sabo Idris, commended the state government’s leadership for its commitment to fiscal autonomy.

“I wish to acknowledge the immense support of His Excellency, Governor Malam Umar Namadi, FCA,” Dr. Idris said.

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According to Dr. Idris, Jigawa Governor’s commitment to revenue generation has been unwavering, ensuring a consistent improvement in the state’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).

Dr. Idris pointed out that the upcoming launch of JigiTax, a wholly digital platform designed to streamline and modernize revenue collection across Jigawa State, is underway.

He said the move is seen as a direct response to strengthening transparency and blocking revenue leakages.

On his part, the Jigawa State Commissioner for Local Government, Ibrahim Graba Hannun-Giwa, whose address was delivered by the Director of Research, Malam Samaila Yusuf, said:

“The Ministry of Local Government is doing all it takes to continue supporting the visionary policies of Governor Namadi and driving policies that will shore up the revenue base of our local governments,” Malam Yusuf stated, emphasizing a unified approach to fiscal strength.

The dividends of the collaborative efforts were highlighted by the ALGON Chairman, who also serves as the Chairman of Dutse Local Government.

Speaking to newsmen, he asserted that the state’s disciplined approach had fundamentally altered the financial landscape at the grassroots level.

“With the commitment shown by Governor Namadi and the diligent efforts of the Jigawa Joint Revenue Committee, no local government in Jigawa now seeks intervention,” the ALGON Chairman declared.

He said, “Revenue loopholes are being systematically blocked, and improved compliance by different stakeholders, including markets and motor parks remitting their taxes, has significantly boosted our revenue drive.”

He further confirmed that the local governments had already undertaken a series of awareness trainings for all relevant stakeholders to ensure a seamless transition to the NTA 2025.

Barrister Aliyu Abdullahi said the in a paper presentation titled “State and Local Government in the Law,” by a legal practitioner. The paper specifically called for the legislative institutionalization of the Jigawa Joint Revenue Committee by the State House of Assembly. This institutional backing, the practitioner argued, would solidify the collaborative framework for revenue harmonization and ensure its longevity beyond the current administration.

 

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Former President Obasanjo Endorses Turaki’s Faction of PDP

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo hosted the national working committee (NWC) of a faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at his residence in Abeokuta, Ogun state.

The PDP faction visited the former president on Saturday, and Kabiru Turaki led the delegation.

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Those among the delegation are: Muazu Aliyu, former Niger governor; Jonah Jang, former governor of Plateau; Adolphus Wabara, former senate president, and many more.

Interacting with the delegation, Obasanjo commended the faction’s effort, adding that its members should “soldier on”.

The former president also urged the faction to remain steadfast in instilling discipline in the party, adding that:

“anybody who wants to belong to a political party must adhere strictly to its rules and regulations”.

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