The Plateau State House of Assembly, at its plenary on Thursday, rejected the proposed relocation of the Industrial Training Fund (ITF) headquarters from Jos, warning that such a move would have severe socio-economic and cultural consequences for the state.
Presided over by Speaker Naanlong Daniel, the House unanimously resolved that relocating the ITF headquarters would undermine Plateau’s economy, erode its institutional heritage, and strip the state of a major federal presence.
The resolution followed a motion of urgent public importance raised by Hon. Theodore Bala Maiyaki, member representing Quaan-Pan South constituency, who described the proposed relocation as a threat to the state’s socio-economic stability and identity.
Maiyaki stressed that the move could disrupt ongoing training programmes and partnerships built over decades, in addition to job losses and reduced economic activities tied to the institution’s presence in Jos.
“I urge this honourable House to pass a strong resolution appealing to the State Government to liaise urgently with the Federal Government to halt any move to relocate the ITF Headquarters,” he said.
The House adopted all prayers of the motion and further resolved that the Speaker should lead a delegation of lawmakers to engage relevant authorities on the matter, following a proposal by Hon. Daniel Listick.
The Yola Electricity Distribution Company (YEDC) has announced a new round of planned electricity outages affecting parts of Nigeria’s northeast, citing ongoing upgrades to critical transmission infrastructure.
In a statement released on Wednesday, the distribution company said the outage will affect the Jos–Bauchi–Gombe 330 kV transmission line (2JOS-BAU-GMB1) between April 9 and May 22, 2026.
The company explained that contractors from the Transmission Company of Nigeria will carry out maintenance along the 276-kilometre line to enhance the reliability of power supply in the region.
As part of the exercise, residents in Adamawa, Taraba, and Yobe states will experience intermittent power interruptions.
The outages, according to the company, are expected to occur during daytime hours between 9 am and 6 pm for at least four days each week throughout the maintenance period.
YEDC also urged customers to remain vigilant and take steps to protect electricity infrastructure, including transformers, from vandalism during the outage.
While apologising for the inconvenience, the company appealed for patience, emphasising that the maintenance is necessary to ensure an improved and more stable electricity supply in the long term.
Customers were also encouraged to contact the company through its official service channels for inquiries or to report faults, as YEDC reiterated its commitment to better service delivery across its franchise area.
The College of Peace and Reconciliation Studies, Jos, has matriculated over 70 undergraduate and postgraduate students during its 2026 matriculation ceremony held at the school premises behind the WAEC office in Jos, Plateau State.
Speaking at the event, the Rector, Professor Joseph Maren Sampson, emphasized that matriculation is a vital academic process that formally admits students into the institution. He noted that regardless of the number of students, the ceremony remains compulsory, as it confers official recognition on all admitted candidates.
The Rector highlighted the steady growth in student enrollment compared to the previous year and expressed optimism for greater expansion in the future. He reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to maintaining high academic standards through qualified faculty, improved curriculum, and better infrastructure. Sharing his personal journey to becoming a professor, he encouraged students to remain focused, stressing that education has no age limit.
Also speaking, the Registrar, Stephen Pwaspo, described the occasion as historic and urged students to embrace learning as a pathway to positive behavioral change. He advised them to remain committed to their studies and take full advantage of the academic opportunities available.
Representing the management staff, Margaret Ogisa, encouraged students to cultivate a strong reading culture, obey institutional rules, and put God first in all their endeavors. She reminded them of their responsibility as ambassadors of the institution.
In her remarks, the lecturers’ representative, Nezerith Bende, urged students to take their lectures seriously and maintain regular attendance, noting that commitment to academics is essential for success.
A stakeholder and student of the institution, Hon. Moses Sule, commended the college for its dedication to shaping students, urging them to go beyond classroom learning and strive to add value to society.
The Students’ Union Government (SUG) President, Lonny John, described the matriculation as a milestone and encouraged students to promote the institution’s image. He highlighted the school’s growth and its affiliation with Taraba State University, while calling for active participation in student responsibilities.
Speaking on behalf of the students, Simon Dung Zi pledged that the matriculants would uphold good conduct, promote peace, and make the institution proud. Similarly, the postgraduate representative, Henry Samson Mafulul, expressed optimism that the program would mark the beginning of greater academic achievements.
The College of Peace and Reconciliation ceremony marked another milestone in the institution’s development, with stakeholders expressing confidence in its continued growth and impact.