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31/07/2025

PLASIEC Chairman, Hon. Plangji Cishak Hosts INEC REC, Calls for Stronger Collaboration and PVC Distribution Support

The Chairman of the Plateau State Independent Electoral Commission (PLASIEC), Hon. Plangji Daniel Cishak, hosted the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mallam Mohammed Abubakar Sadiq, during a courtesy visit to PLASIEC headquarters in Jos.

Hon. Cishak described the visit as a sign of renewed collaboration between the two electoral bodies, noting that INEC and PLASIEC have shared responsibilities at different levels of elections. He expressed confidence in Mallam Sadiq’s experience as a former staff of INEC and now a REC, saying PLASIEC looks forward to benefiting from his wealth of knowledge.

Speaking on PLASIEC’s progress, Cishak explained how the commission has been gradually improving infrastructure and staff capacity despite initial challenges. He said their goal is to build an institution that will earn public trust and deliver credible local elections.

He highlighted the development of a Voter Verification System (VVS), a locally developed app aimed at enhancing voter accreditation. While the initial test faced hardware and back-end challenges, he said plans are underway to acquire devices and improve the technology with government support.

The PLASIEC Chairman appealed to INEC to collaborate in distributing uncollected Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), noting that the cards were produced for citizens and should not be left unused in offices. He said PLASIEC is ready to assist in ensuring more people collect their PVCs.

Cishak also called for adjustments in constituency representation during future constitutional amendments. He cited Jos North with over 800 polling units but only one state constituency, describing such imbalances as unfair and a burden during elections.

He concluded by seeking INEC’s support in capacity building, training, and electoral reforms, assuring Mallam Sadiq of PLASIEC’s full cooperation and commitment to credible electoral processes in Plateau State.

31/07/2025

Governor Caleb Mutfwang Will Be The Most Difficult Governor to Challenge in Nigeria Come 2027”, Says Hon Bagos

Check comment section for full story 👇

29/07/2025

No LGA in Plateau Has Fallen to Bandits – Gov. Mutfwang Assures

Plateau State Governor, Barr. Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, has assured that no local government area in the state has been completely overrun by bandits, stating that proactive security measures are preventing further escalation of violence. He made this known during a rare and impactful media chat with...

29/07/2025

I Felt the Pain of Not Having Kids Early, But I Wasn’t Ready – MI Abaga

23/07/2025

I-RENEW Project Wraps Up with Strong Results, Led by Search for Common Ground

The Inclusive Religious Engagement in Nigeria Enhanced by Women (I-RENEW) project has officially come to a close with a knowledge sharing event that celebrated its achievements and long-term impact in Plateau and Kaduna States. Funded by the European Union, the project was implemented by Search for Common Ground in partnership with the Federation of Muslim Women Association in Nigeria (FOMWAN) and the Dialogue, Reconciliation and Peace (DREP) Centre.

In her opening remarks, Gift Omoniwa, Acting Country Director of Search for Common Ground, described the project as a transformative intervention. She highlighted how the initiative addressed the exclusion of women and youth from religious dialogue and peacebuilding processes across both states.

“We are proud of the transformation we’ve witnessed,” Omoniwa said. “From the establishment of the Plateau Youth Interfaith Forum to the rehabilitation of war-torn homes and solar light installations, this project has delivered practical results.”

She added that the project’s success has attracted government support and provided platforms for ongoing impact. According to her, one key lesson is the need for long-term engagement with institutions to sustain and expand peacebuilding outcomes.

Delivering the keynote address, Dr. Julie Sanda, Director General of the Plateau Peacebuilding Agency (PPBA), represented by Dr. Nantip Joseph, praised I-RENEW for its inclusive, people-centered design. She stated that the structures and platforms developed will continue to serve communities long after the project ends.

“So I-RENEW may come, it may go, but the value addition of this project remains,” she said, urging stakeholders to build on the foundations laid by the initiative. Dr. Sanda also commended the European Union for its critical role in supporting peacebuilding in Nigeria.

She listed some key outcomes, including the training of the Inter-Religious Advisory Council, development of policy briefs, and the strengthening of the Plateau Youth Interfaith Forum. She reaffirmed PPBA’s readiness to sustain partnerships that promote conflict sensitivity and religious harmony.

Williams Ubimago, Project Manager for Search for Common Ground, called the close-out event a moment to “harvest” the results of a 30-month journey. He said the project has generated valuable lessons and tools for advancing freedom of religion and belief at the grassroots.

“This project, actually, it’s a Freedom of Religion and Belief project that seeks to empower women and youth, as well as religious leaders in other to amplify voices that will promote freedom of religion and belief and respect the different identities that exist,” he explained.

As part of the event, Williams Ubimago, Gift Omoniwa, Joseph Kogi, Marcus Kanda, and Nelson Asoh jointly presented the I-RENEW project’s key deliverables. These included a Youth Gender FoRB Analysis, university sensitization pamphlets, policy briefs for Plateau and Kaduna States, a Plateau Youth Interfaith Forum framework, a comprehensive project scorecard, and a booklet of success stories, all developed to consolidate learning and promote future advocacy for interfaith inclusion and peace.

Fatima Aliyu, a cohort from Kaduna State, shared that the project helped change deep-rooted attitudes in her community. She pointed to activities like football matches, solar installations, and borehole projects that encouraged unity. “With or without funding, the passion for peace must continue,” she affirmed.

From Plateau State, Blessing Lubo reflected on her personal transformation through the I-RENEW training. “I have moved from the place of sympathy, when it has to do with people of other faiths, to empathy… from the level of tolerance to respecting people’s religion,” she said. Blessing added that she is now more committed to promoting understanding and protecting religious freedom in her community.

22/07/2025

EU Commits €1.5 Million to Support IDPs, Tackle Malnutrition in Nigeria — Humanitarian Minister, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda

The Federal Government of Nigeria has welcomed a generous commitment of €1.5 million from the European Union to support internally displaced persons (IDPs) affected by the Yelwata crisis in Benue State and to bolster efforts in addressing the worsening nutrition emergency in the North-West and Nor...

22/07/2025

The Beauty of Jos Wildlife Park

📸 Mfon Cyril Udoh

22/07/2025

Love for humanity means seeing beyond religion, tribe, or background, it means valuing every life with compassion, respect, and dignity.

It is the foundation for peace, unity, and a just society.

21/07/2025

A Friendly Match between PLABOMA VERSUS FOGMON

21/07/2025

A picture of Jos, Plateau State in the early 1980s.

Credit: North Book

20/07/2025

STRENGTHENING MILITARY OPERATIONS: DHQ ASSESSMENT TEAM VISITS OPERATION SAFE HAVEN IN JOS

As part of efforts to strengthen military operations in the country, the Defence Headquarters Assessment Team has visited Operation SAFE HAVEN (OPSH) Joint Operations Area to access the operational conduct of troops, and compliance with the rules of engagement especially in a multi-agency environment.

Receiving the DHQ Team at Headquarters Operation SAFE HAVEN on Friday 18 July 2025, the General Officer Commanding 3 Division Nigerian Army and Commander Operation SAFE HAVEN, Major General Folusho Oyinlola, welcomed the assessment team and acknowledged the significance of the exercise to the success of military operations. Represented by the Chief of Staff OPSH, the Commander outlined the operational achievements recorded so far and expressed belief that the visit will improve the operational efficiency of all its operatives.

In his remarks, the team leader, Air Vice Marshal MN Onyebashi, lauded troops’ resilience and fighting spirit across the Joint Operations Area. He added, that the OPSH must remain intelligence-driven to address security concerns.

AVM Onyebashi, charged troops to maintain high-level of vigilance and shun acts that could distract them from performing their duties diligently. The team leader extended the Chief of Defence Staff regards to officers and men of OPSH. He, further assured the troops of the CDS resolve to continually prioritise the welfare of troops, and provide adequate logistic support to enhance the activities of OPSH.

The Defence Headquarters Operation Assessment Team in continuation with the assessment, visited troops of OPSH in the frontline of Sector 3 Bassa, Sector 8 Mangu and Sector 6 Riyom. The Team on arrival were received and briefed comprehensively on the operational activities by the Sectors’ Commanders.

Additionally, AVM Onyebashi during his addressed to troops at the Sectors visited commended their efforts in the fight against the non-state actors and further urged them to sustain the aggressive posture while maintaining neutrality, discipline and dedication to the duty.

Highlights of the visit were presentation of quarter guard at Headquarters OPSH and operations brief. Others include signing of visitor’s book, presentation of souvenir and group photograph.

SAMSON NANTIP ZHAKOM
Major
Media Information Officer
Operation SAFE HAVEN
20 July 2025