News

Plateau: Lalong Swears in 7 New Commissioners, Redeploys 3

Published

4 years ago

October 5, 2022

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Less than eight months to the end of his administration, the Plateau State Governor, Simon Bako Lalong, on Tuesday swore in seven new commissioners in the state.

The governor also carried out a minor cabinet reshuffle which saw three commissioners moved to other ministries.

Lalong, who performed the swearing-in ceremony at the New Government House, Little Rayfield, Jos, said the appointment of the new commissioners became necessary to replace those who resigned from his cabinet to pursue their political careers.

The new Commissioners were Prof. Barnerd Matur (Higher Education), Hon. Peter Akujah Inbutuk (Physical Planning and Urban Planning), Mrs. Cecilia Mermwakat Yilkorah (Culture, Hospitality, and Tourism), Chief Benjamin Zoyong Jang (Science and Technology), Mr. Tehlkuk Naanlep Pingwai (Lands and Survey), Hon. Elisha Bitrus Shehu (Environment) and Hon. Daniel Dung Dalyop (Youth and Sports).

Lalong, who congratulated the new appointees, said they were recognized and identified to serve the people of Plateau State because of their achievements, records of service, as well as support to the APC-led Rescue Administration over the years.

He said, “You are coming on board at the twilight of this administration when we have just about 8 months to complete our mandate. Indeed, you are coming into office at the time that is most crucial as we tidy up our projects and programs to complete the fulfillment of our campaign promises.

“This means that you have to hit the ground running and catch up fast to enable you effectively deliver. While we are continuing with ongoing projects and carrying out new initiatives, the largest attention of the Government at this time is devoted to the completion of projects which will be commissioned in the coming months.

“Already, we have many of them that are fully completed and others almost completed in various sectors ready for commissioning. I expect that you will liaise with the bureaucrats in your MDAs to ensure that you get acquainted with the progress so far”.

He charged the new Commissioners and most especially the old ones to do more in propagating the administration’s achievements through the media, community, and social platforms.

The Governor also warned them against working against the interest of the APC and the people of the State.

“You should remember that you have been brought into Government at such a crucial time to serve and not be served. This appointment is not a promotion to self-aggrandizement or a window for corruption, mismanagement, or waste of public resources.

“Anyone found to be working against the public interest or at cross purposes with the mandate and vision of the Rescue Administration will be shown the way out. You must project our party the APC at all levels as anything short of that will not be accepted,” Lalong warned.

On the cabinet reshuffle, Hon. Victor Lapan was moved from the Ministry of Youth and Sports to Works, while Hon. Gyang Musa moved from Science and Technology to Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs.

Similarly, Hon. Dan Hirkop was moved from Higher Education to Budget and Economic Planning.

News

2027: Obasanjo working for Tinubu, support for Obi-Kwankwaso smokescreen — Malaolu

Published

1 hour ago

July 26, 2026

Preport

A public affairs analyst, Akin Malaolu, has claimed former President Olusegun Obasanjo is working for President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

In a statement on Sunday, Malaolu said the former president’s support for Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso is a smokescreen.

According to him, Obasanjo is on a campaign to undermine the opposition parties in Nigeria.

“By this letter, Obasanjo has only confirmed the speculations that he is working for his kinsman, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to actualise his second-term ambition.

“The so-called Obasanjo’s support for Obi and Kwankwaso is a mere smokescreen aimed at masking his covert support for the Tinubu-led APC administration.”

Recall that Obasanjo had accused Atiku of allegedly bribing former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Ghali Umar Na’Abba, to impeach him. However, in a reply, Atiku dismissed Obasanjo’s claim.

Health

10,000 Nigerians benefit from 2026 diaspora health initiative — Official

Published

2 hours ago

July 26, 2026

Preport

The federal government has announced that nearly 10,000 Nigerians benefited from specialist medical services, surgeries and other healthcare interventions under the 2026 Nigeria Diaspora Health Impact Initiative (NDHII).

The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Iziaq Salako, disclosed this on Saturday at the National Diaspora Merit Award Dinner and closing ceremony of the 2026 Diaspora Health Impact Initiative held at the Banquet Hall of the State House in Abuja.

Mr Salako said the initiative brought together thousands of Nigerian healthcare professionals in the diaspora who voluntarily returned to the country to provide specialist medical services, conduct surgeries, mentor healthcare workers and support local health systems.

He described the programme as a demonstration of patriotism and an example of how diaspora expertise could help improve healthcare delivery in Nigeria.

According to him, diaspora medical teams drawn from organisations in Canada, the United Kingdom, the United States, Australia, Germany and South Africa delivered medical interventions across the country’s six geopolitical zones.

Healthcare services

Mr Salako said the initiative provided medical consultations, specialist surgeries, diagnostic services, telemedicine, sickle cell screening and other healthcare interventions to nearly 10,000 Nigerians.

He added that more than 2,000 frontline healthcare workers were trained during the programme to strengthen the country’s capacity to provide quality healthcare after the medical missions ended.

Among the achievements highlighted by the minister were the training of over 1,000 frontline health workers on the Safer Births Bundle of Care in Kano, Kaduna and Sokoto states.

He also said more than 4,000 medical consultations and over 500 surgeries were carried out in Enugu, Imo and Abia states.

According to him, advanced interventional radiology, neurosurgery and endoscopy procedures were performed in Lagos, while healthcare workers in Edo State received training on ultrasound-based diagnosis of endometriosis.

He added that telemedicine and primary healthcare services were expanded in the Federal Capital Territory and Nasarawa State through the initiative.

Government plans

Mr Salako said the federal government would continue to strengthen engagement with Nigerian health professionals abroad by simplifying licensing procedures, facilitating locum arrangements and supporting customs and visa waivers for medical missions.

He added that the government would also encourage diaspora investment in hospitals, diagnostic centres and pharmaceutical manufacturing.

While acknowledging the migration of Nigerian health professionals, Mr Salako said the Tinubu administration was implementing reforms to improve healthcare financing, infrastructure, workforce welfare, and professional development.

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He urged Nigerian healthcare professionals abroad to register on the newly launched Nigerians in Diaspora Advanced Health Programme (NiDAH) Portal and the Diaspora Health Registry to enable them to contribute more effectively to the country’s health sector.

Mr Salako also called for sustained collaboration through telemedicine, digital health, structured training partnerships, joint clinical research, technology transfer and public-private partnerships.

He commended the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), state governments, development partners and members of the joint planning committee for supporting the successful implementation of the initiative.