The Plateau State Government has taken a major stride toward a digitally connected future with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Solutions Eastern Fibre Limited for the development of a state-wide broadband fibre optic infrastructure.
The agreement, signed on Tuesday, October 15, 2025, at the Twin Theatre of the New Government House, Little Rayfield, Jos, marks what Governor Caleb Mutfwang described as a “game changer” for Plateau’s socio-economic and technological advancement.
“The significance of this day is yet to fully sink in,” the governor said. “This is a turning point. With this project, you can sit in Jingir and work in America. That’s the world we’re entering — one where distance is no longer a barrier.”
Governor Mutfwang emphasized that the partnership would revolutionize communication, education, healthcare, and business operations across the state while bridging the digital divide in rural communities.
He explained that the project aligns with his administration’s commitment to growth through public-private partnerships (PPP), noting that it would attract private investment rather than depend on government funds.
“We’re not spending government money but attracting private investment,” he stated. “This will enhance business growth, boost our Internally Generated Revenue, and open the door for innovation-driven development.”
The governor commended Mr. Rom Chan, a Plateau indigene based in the United Kingdom, for facilitating the collaboration, describing his effort as a patriotic contribution to the state’s development. He urged all stakeholders to ensure swift and effective implementation of the project.
Driving Plateau’s Digital Transformation
Mr. Chris Agwaibo, Chief Executive Officer of Solutions Eastern Fibre Limited, described the agreement as a historic leap forward for Plateau’s digital landscape.
“October 15, 2025, will be remembered as the day Plateau joined the digital highway,” he said. “This initiative will enable high-speed Internet access that supports remote work, online education, telemedicine, and e-governance.”
Agwaibo explained that the new fibre optic infrastructure would replace the state’s existing microwave network, offering faster, more reliable, and more stable connections. The project will be implemented under a Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) model, with Solutions Eastern Fibre managing the network for 25 years before handing it over to the state government.
He added that the infrastructure will also power smart technologies such as CCTV surveillance, electronic traffic management, and data centers in Jos, propelling Plateau toward a fully digital economy.
“This partnership offers an opportunity to generate wealth, create jobs, and develop the digital ecosystem,” Agwaibo noted. “Above all, it enables Plateau to leap truly into the 21st century.”
Understanding the Power of Fibre
In a technical presentation, Engr. Dominic Gwaman Datong, Director General of the Plateau State Information and Communication Technology Development Agency (PICTDA), highlighted the advantages of fibre optic technology for modern connectivity.
He explained that while traditional copper and microwave systems have limited capacity, fibre optics transmit data at nearly the speed of light, allowing seamless and high-speed communication across long distances.
“Before this administration, Plateau had about 900 kilometers of fibre network,” Datong revealed. “With Governor Mutfwang’s leadership, that has now increased to around 2,500 kilometers. But we must expand further to connect our communities and institutions.”
Datong noted that the initiative aligns with the National Dig-Once Policy, which promotes coordinated infrastructure deployment to minimize road damage and reduce costs. He added that the expansion will improve Internet access, attract Internet Service Providers (ISPs), strengthen digital businesses, and create new employment opportunities.
Benefits of the Broadband Project
The new broadband network is expected to deliver far-reaching benefits, including:
High-speed Internet connectivity across urban and rural areas.
Fewer call drops and stronger network reliability.
Expanded business opportunities for local Internet providers and startups.
Improved telemedicine, online learning, and remote work potential.
Alignment with the Federal Government’s Dig-Once Policy for sustainable infrastructure development.
A Giant Step Forward
Governor Mutfwang reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to making Plateau a hub of digital innovation and connectivity.
“This is a giant step that will define the future of Plateau State,” he said. “We’re laying the foundation for a connected, modern, and globally competitive Plateau. The digital highway begins here.”
A 500-level student of the Federal University of Health Sciences, Azare, Rebecca Kambai, has been killed in a hit-and-run accident along the Bauchi-Jos Road in Bauchi.
The 19-year-old died on Tuesday evening after a Sharon commercial bus allegedly rammed into the motorcycle she was riding near the Police Officers’ Mess before fleeing the scene.
A family source told DAILYPOST that the undergraduate had recently returned home for the holidays but realised she had left some personal belongings in school.
The source said Rebecca arranged for friends to send the items through a commercial driver travelling to Bauchi. When the driver arrived at the Bauchi motor park near Awala Hotel, he contacted her to collect the package.
Her brother reportedly took her to the park on a motorcycle. After collecting the items, they were heading home when the crash occurred.
According to the source, as they approached the Police Officers’ Mess and were about to turn into the New GRA area, the Sharon bus hit the motorcycle and sped off.
Rebecca was thrown onto the road and suffered severe head injuries, including a fractured skull. She was pronounced dead at the scene, while her brother sustained injuries.
A First Information Report obtained from the Federal Road Safety Corps, Bauchi Sector Command, showed that the crash occurred at about 5:15 pm on July 14, 2026, and was reported five minutes later.
The report stated that FRSC personnel arrived at the scene at about 5:30 p.m., recording a response time of 10 minutes.
It identified the motorcycle involved as a Jincheng motorcycle with registration number TFB-38-QB, used for private purposes.
The FRSC said two adults, a male and a female, were involved in the crash. The male sustained injuries, while the female was confirmed dead.
Items recovered from the scene included the motorcycle, a women’s hair stretcher and a pair of shoes.
The injured victim was evacuated to the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital for treatment, while Rebecca’s body was deposited at the hospital’s mortuary.
The driver of the Sharon bus reportedly fled the scene immediately after the crash and had yet to be identified as of the time of filing this report. Efforts to trace and apprehend the suspect are ongoing.
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has called on the Federal Government to launch an independent investigation into the death of physiotherapist Mary Habila, who was found dead at the Ebonyi residence of the Minister of Works, David Umahi.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC also asked Umahi to step aside while the investigation is ongoing.
The party said the death of a citizen inside the home of a serving minister is a serious matter that requires transparency and accountability. It added that questions about why Habila was at the residence and what led to her death have not been answered.
The statement said: “We therefore call for an independent investigation that is completely removed from the control or influence of the Executive.”
The party also demanded that the inquiry include “a full autopsy to determine the exact cause of Ms Habila’s death and a public report of its findings.”
According to the ADC, an investigation carried out outside the influence of the Executive is the only way to establish the facts and restore public confidence.
The opposition party accused the Tinubu administration of protecting top government officials from proper scrutiny whenever controversies arise.
Abdullahi said: “The Tinubu administration appears more eager to defend reputations than to establish facts and submit to accountability.”
The ADC insisted that Umahi should temporarily leave office while the investigation is conducted.
It stated: “The least that should be expected is that the Minister, namely Senator David Umahi, should immediately step aside from office pending the conclusion of an independent investigation.”
The party warned that failure to ensure accountability would strengthen public belief that senior government officials are shielded from investigation. It also expressed condolences to Habila’s family and called for a transparent investigation, with the findings made public.
Habila’s death has drawn national attention after reports said she died under unclear circumstances at Umahi’s residence in Ebonyi State.
The Ebonyi State Police Command has transferred the case to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), while the cause of her death is yet to be confirmed.
Umahi has denied any wrongdoing and said there was no attempt to cover up the incident.
He explained that Habila was among medical personnel attached to the Federal Ministry of Works and said he advised her family to approve an autopsy to determine the cause of her death.
Opposition parties and civil society groups have also called for an independent investigation.