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Plateau Goverment Returns 32 Missionary Schools To Owners Unveils New State Anthem, Logo

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4 years ago

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Plateau Anthem

The Plateau State government on Tuesday handed over 32 missionary schools to their original owners, as it marks Plateau day and forgiveness day at the Rwang Pam Township Stadium Jos

Gov Simon Lalong speaking while handing over the schools in Rwang Pam Stadium Jos said that the action was taken to fulfil his promise and appreciate faith-based organisations for their critical role in the development of the state.

The governor also unveiled the new state anthem, logo and other symbols, saying that the action was part of his administration’s effort to create a solid identity for the Plateau people, especially the younger generation.

“In marking 47 years of our existence as a state, we want to create a solid identity and sense of pride in our upcoming generation so as to ginger them towards patriotic service,” he said.

He urged schools in the state to comply with its directives of reciting the anthem after the national anthem, to enable them to get acquainted with it.

Governor Lalong stated that forgiveness and reconciliation day was conceived in 2018, as part of efforts to foster harmonious coexistence among different groups in the state.

He acknowledged the support of traditional, religious and community leaders in changing the negative narrative of Plateau, which he noted stunted its development.

Lalong expressed delight that the forgiveness and reconciliation day was yielding results and serving as a model to other states.

“Triggers for violence have also been deflated through dialogue, understanding and tolerance,” he said.

He said that the age-long mutual distrust between people of different ethnoreligious backgrounds had been reduced to the barest minimum, through the establishment of the Plateau Peace Building Agency and the Inter-Religious Council.

He condemned the use of social media by crisis merchants and politicians to instigate violence and cautioned against such act as the 2023 elections intensify.

“Let us always remember that without peace, there will not even be elections or the positions we seek to occupy,” he said.

The governor also unveiled the Gazette on the creation of Districts and Chiefdoms.

Responding on behalf of the school owners, the Archbishop of Jos Diocese, Most Rev. Mathew Audu thanked the governor for returning faith-based schools to their original owners.

He said that renewed efforts on education and the inculcation of moral integrity would have a high impact on peacebuilding.

In his remarks, the Archbishop of Abuja Diocese, Most Rev. Ignatius Kaigama, lauded state and non-state actors on their contributions to peacebuilding in Plateau.

Kaigama, a former Archbishop of Jos Diocese, said that he founded the Dialogue, Reconciliation and Peace Centre, Jos, to promote peaceful coexistence among groups in the state, urging Plateau people to bury their hatchets for its progress.

Also speaking at the event, a former Military Administrator of Plateau, Gen. Lawrence Onoja (retd.), said that equity and fairness were critical for sustainable peace, adding that inclusive governance could quell agitations.

The News Agency of Nigeria, reports that dignitaries at the event also included the Sultan of Sokoto,  Muhammadu Sa’ad III; the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero and Emir of Askira, Alhaji Abdullahi Ibn Askirama II, among others.

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Education

South Africa: 11-Year-Old Boy Assaulted, Circumcised by Four Schoolmates in Toilet

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2 weeks ago

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September 3, 2026

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An 11-year-old pupil at Sinqobile Primary School in Soshanguve, South Africa, was allegedly dragged into a school toilet and forcibly circumcised by four older students during break time.

The Grade 5 pupil was reportedly attacked by four Grade 7 students, who allegedly pinned him down before one of them used a sharp blade to remove his foreskin.

The boy was also allegedly threatened with violence if he disclosed the incident to anyone.

According to his mother, the child returned home after the incident but initially refused to tell her what had happened. She later noticed that he was walking unusually and, days later, discovered that he was in severe pain.

The mother said her son eventually showed her his swollen private parts, prompting her to rush him to a doctor.

“He then showed me his swollen private parts and I rushed him to the doctor and it was then that we learned four pupils had circumcised him,” she said.

She said her son told her that the older boys had attacked him in the school toilets during break and threatened to beat him if he told anyone.

The mother subsequently opened a criminal case and refused to allow her son to return to school. Police later persuaded the boy to attend an identity parade, where he reportedly helped identify the four students.

South African Police Service spokesperson, Captain Tintswalo Sibeko, confirmed that a case of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm was being investigated.

“Our Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit are investigating and no arrests have been made at this stage,” Sibeko said.

The Gauteng Department of Education also confirmed that the matter was under police investigation, while saying the school had not reported any similar circumcision attacks.

Deputy Principal George Mahlungu said the school was shocked by the incident.

“We are perplexed by what happened. This school is a place where a child should be safe,” he said.

The school has about 2,050 pupils between the ages of seven and 15.

A doctor who examined the boy reportedly said the procedure appeared to have been carried out in a manner similar to traditional tribal initiation practices. However, the doctor said a full diagnosis could not be made until the swelling subsided.

The boy’s mother said her son had become traumatised by the incident and was afraid to return to school.

Police investigations are ongoing, and no arrests had been made as of the latest report.

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Plateau Strengthens Technical Education, Prepares NITT Centre for September Take-Off

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1 month ago

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August 19, 2026

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The Plateau State Government has taken a major step towards expanding access to specialised transport education and practical technical training with the handover of facilities at the Government Science Technical College, Bukuru, to the Nigerian Institute of Transport Technology (NITT), Zaria.

The facilities, comprising part of the college’s Mechanical Workshop, five classrooms and a residential quarter, will serve as the NITT Learning Centre and Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Conversion Centre, providing students, technicians and professionals with opportunities to acquire practical skills in modern transportation technology, CNG conversion and logistics.

The Plateau State Government was represented at the handover ceremony by the Commissioner for Transport, Hon. Davou Gyang Jatau, who said the initiative reflects the administration’s commitment to strengthening technical education, skills development and the adoption of modern transportation technologies.

Jatau said the Mechanical Workshop would provide a practical environment for CNG conversion training, while the classrooms would support theoretical instruction, professional development and capacity-building programmes.

He added that the residential accommodation would improve the welfare of personnel and learners who would be associated with the centre.

The commissioner expressed confidence that NITT would make effective and sustainable use of the facilities to expand educational and technical opportunities for people in Plateau State.

“We are confident that NITT Zaria will make effective and sustainable use of these facilities for the benefit of Plateau State and Nigeria at large.”

Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Transport, Mrs Jummai Shekarau, described the handover as an investment in technical education, innovation and human capital development, rather than simply the provision of infrastructure.

She said the CNG Conversion Centre would provide young people with practical skills that could improve their employability and enable them to take advantage of opportunities emerging in the CNG value chain.

According to her, the centre would also encourage entrepreneurship and job creation while supporting the transition from petrol and diesel to cleaner and more affordable energy alternatives.

The Registrar of NITT, Zaria, Dr Maina Williams Tarfa, commended the Plateau State Government for providing facilities beyond what the institute had initially requested.

Tarfa said the intervention would enable NITT to establish a strong educational presence in Plateau State and bring specialised transport training closer to residents.

He expressed confidence that the centre would commence operations by September, providing training opportunities for local government technicians and other professionals across the state.

He explained that NITT would introduce programmes including Advanced Diploma, Graduate Diploma and Master’s programmes in Transport and Logistics, while deploying its technical experts to deliver quality training and practical services.

Tarfa said the centre would help bridge the gap between theoretical education and practical skills by giving learners direct exposure to modern transport technologies.

Dr Sani Barau, Special Adviser to the Director General/Chief Executive of NITT, said the handover marked the transition from planning to implementation after concerted efforts to secure and prepare the facilities.

Barau stressed the need for a clear and speedy activation plan to ensure that the centre becomes operational as soon as possible.

He said the initiative would involve local technical stakeholders, create investment opportunities and strengthen the skills base required for the development of Plateau State’s transport sector.

The officials subsequently toured the facilities to inspect the progress of rehabilitation works at the institution ahead of the planned commencement of operations in September.

The establishment of the NITT Learning Centre is expected to strengthen technical and vocational education in Plateau State, giving students, technicians and professionals access to practical training and advanced qualifications in transport, logistics and emerging vehicle technologies.

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