News

NIPR Honours Governor Mutfwang as Patron for Exemplary Leadership

Published

1 year ago

January 31, 2025

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The Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) has officially conferred Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang of Plateau State with the title of Patron, recognizing his exemplary leadership and commitment to the state’s development.

The investiture ceremony, which took place at the Twin Theater, New Government House, Rayfield, was conducted by the NIPR President and Chairman of the Governing Council, Dr. Ike Neliaku, FNIPR.

He described Mutfwang as a “chief image-maker” of modern Plateau, carefully chosen for this strategic role due to his impactful leadership and commitment to rapid development across the state.

Neliaku commended the Governor for his inclusive leadership and dedication to restoring public confidence in governance.

He emphasized that Mutfwang’s governance style has renewed the confidence of international organizations in Plateau State, attracting investment and fostering development.

“Not everybody is made a Patron of the NIPR. Public Relations thrive on reputation and perception, and we are deliberate about those we associate with. After assessing your administration’s impact, we confidently confer this patron ship upon you,” Neliaku added.

Responding, Mutfwang expressed gratitude to the Institute for the recognition, stating that he receives the honor on behalf of the people of Plateau State.

“I sincerely appreciate this recognition, which I accept on behalf of the people of Plateau. They entrusted us with the responsibility to serve, and as you have rightly observed, we are striving to justify their trust.”

He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to maintaining high standards of governance and continuously improving the well-being of Plateau citizens.

“We have set ambitious goals for ourselves, and while we appreciate the progress made, we are not complacent. Our administration remains dedicated to delivering the highest good for the greatest number of people. This recognition serves as a clarion call to do even more,” he stated.

Mutfwang also emphasized the importance of effective communication in governance, assuring Plateau citizens of his commitment to fostering hope and ensuring that the future is brighter than the present.

“We are committed to engaging with our people, listening to them, and ensuring that our governance instills hope, that tomorrow can be better than today. That is the essence of our leadership philosophy.”

The Plateau State Commissioner for Information and Communication, Musa Ibrahim Ashoms, welcomed the NIPR President, Governing Council members from across the 17 states, and all attendees to the investiture ceremony.

He highlighted the transformative agenda of Mutfwang’s administration, noting that Plateau is at the forefront of public awareness, trust-building, and people-centered governance.

He assured the Institute that Plateau remains committed to fostering transparency and accountability, ensuring that government policies and programs align with the needs and aspirations of the people.

News

Bandits kill pregnant woman, husband in fresh Plateau attack

Published

32 minutes ago

May 13, 2026

Preport

Gunmen suspected to be bandits have killed a couple, Iliya Gyang, 30, and his pregnant wife, Grace Iliya, 25, in a fresh attack on the Angwan Ishaku community in Barkin Ladi LGA of Plateau State.

Rwang Tengwong, spokesperson for the Berom Youth Moulders Association (BYM), told Peoples Gazette that the incident occurred at about 6 p.m. on Wednesday.

In a statement sent to the Gazette, Mr Tengwong condemned the gruesome attack carried out by terrorists on Wednesday evening.

“The couple were both shot by the assailants while the husband was working in front of their home, leading to the immediate death of Mrs Grace Iliya at the scene, while her husband, who sustained serious gunshot injuries, was rushed to the hospital but sadly later gave up while receiving treatment,” he said.

Mr Tengwong noted that the attack came a day after the State Security Council meeting, where the Plateau government announced decisive measures aimed at addressing persistent attacks and destruction of farmlands across communities.

According to him, the attackers arrived on a motorcycle, opened fire on the couple and others in the area, and fled through the road leading to Fulani settlements in Fass along the Rakung-Sho road.

“The deceased woman had only recently finished breastfeeding their one-year-old twin boys and was pregnant again. The tragic killing of the couple has now left the innocent twins orphaned and devastated their entire family.

“Two other persons also sustained gunshot injuries during the attack, while their health conditions are yet to be confirmed,” Mr Tengwong said.

The group described the attack as barbaric, wicked, and inhuman, saying it reflects the worsening insecurity confronting residents of Barkin Ladi and surrounding communities.

Mr Tengwong also called on the Plateau government to immediately provide support for the orphaned twins left behind by the deceased couple.

Efforts to reach the police spokesman in the state, Alfred Alabo, were unsuccessful. Text and WhatsApp messages sent to him remained unattended as of press time.

Business

Court Jails Saleh Mamman 75 years for N33.8billion Fraud

Published

33 minutes ago

May 13, 2026

Preport

Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Wednesday, sentenced a former Minister of power, Saleh Mamman to 75 years imprisonment for money laundering charges.

Mamman, who was absent in court, was prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, for money laundering to the tune of N33,804,830,503,73( Thirty Three Billion, Eight Hundred and Four Million, Eight Hundred and Thirty Thousand, Five Hundred and Three Naira, Seventy Three kobo).

Justice Omotosho convicted him last week on all the 12-count charges preferred against him by the EFCC but deferred his sentence to Wednesday.

Count one of the charges reads:

“That you, SALEH MAMIVIAN {Male), sometime in 2019, in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Court, whilst you were the Minister of Power conspired with other officials of your Ministry and some private companies to indirectly convert the total sum of =N=33,804,830,503.73

{Thirty-Three Billion, Eight Hundred and Four Million, Eight Hundred and Thirty Thousand, Five Hundred and Three Naira, and Seventy-Three Kobo) through various private companies which sums you reasonably ought to have known formed part of the proceeds of unlawful activity, to wit: criminal breach of trust in relation to the funds released for the Mambilla and Zungeru Hydroelectric Power Plant Projects by the Federal Government of Nigeria; and you thereby commit an offence contrary to Sections 18(a), 15(2)(b) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 {as Amended), and punishable under Section 15(3) of the same Act.”

Count two reads:

“That you, SALEH MAMMAN (Male), sometime in December 2019, in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Court, conspired with SAMSON BITRUS to make a cash payment of US$665, 700:00 (Six Hundred and Sixty-Five Thousand and Seven Hundred United States Dollars) to MOHIBA INVESTMENT LTD (acting through Mohammed Asheik Jidda), without going through a financial institution, and that you thereby commit an offence contrary to Sections 1 and 18(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as Amended), and punishable under Section 16(2)(b) of the same Act.”

At Wednesday proceedings, Prosecution Counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo,SAN informed the court that the convict again was not in court and no reasonable excuse was given from his lawyers about his whereabouts. He urged the court to continue with the sentencing in his absence citing Section 266 and 352 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015 which provides guidelines for such an occasion.

Oyedepo also urged the court to order the forfeiture of properties traced to the convict to the Federal Government. The properties are, two units of four- bedroom detached apartments located at 93 Ahmed Joda Crescent, Kado Estate, Abuja and a property located at No 12A & B, Lingo Street, Wuse, Abuja.

Also, Oyedepo, who is also the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation, urged the court to order the forfeiture of cash recovered from Mamman’s house: $13,890, €19,960, £10,000 , 42,390 Doran, R35,000, ₹50,60,00 and 247 Saudi Arabia Riyadth . He also urged the court to direct that the convict refund the difference of the amount recovered and the amount remaining in the N22bn for which he was found guilty.

Delivering judgment, Justice Omotosho sentenced Mamman to 75years imprisonment: seven years each on counts 1,2,3,6,7,8,9,10,11& 12 without an option of fine, three years on count 4 with an option of fine of N10m and two years on count 5 without an option of fine. The sentence will run consecutively from the date of his arrest.

Justice Omotosho ordered all national and international security agencies to arrest and handover the convict to the Nigerian Correctional center.

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