Education

UNIJOS interface with Plateau Governorship Candidates on peaceful elections

Published

4 years ago

February 2, 2023

vicky

The University of Jos, in collaboration with the Voice of Nigeria (Hausa Service), has engaged the six gubernatorial candidates contesting for the governorship position in Plateau State on their manifestos and peaceful elections.

The six candidates at the venue are: the All Progressive Congress’ Dr. Nentawe Yiltwada, the People’s Democratic Party’s Barrister Caleb Muftwang, Mr. Luka Panpe of the People’s Redemption Party (PRP), the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Engr. Ibrahim Ponyah, the All Progressives Grand Alliance’s (APGA’s) Samuel Abashe, and his counterparts in the Action Democratic Congress (ADC), Hon. Solomon Nandy Chendan.

All the candidates at the venue of the interface, held at the Faculty of Social Sciences Auditorium, University of Jos, Naraguta Campus, presented their manifestos and signed a peace pact.

The gubernatorial candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Barr. Caleb Mutfwang said that peace and security are sacrosanct to the existence and development of every society and said Plateau is no exception.

He assured that his administration would demonstrate justice, equity, and competent leadership in the governance of Plateau to accommodate every individual and ethnic nationality in the state.

“Where there is insecurity, you will find injustice and a lack of courageous leadership.” Therefore, we will provide a good justice system and run an all-inclusive government to secure and protect our people.”

He promised to rejuvenate and equip the state’s security outfit, “Operation Rainbow,” with hunters and Vigilante Groups to provide community security to battle the incursion of bandits and criminality into rural communities in the state.

The Governorship Candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Nentawe Yilwatda, said his administration would constitute a security trust fund to address security issues for greater unity among the people.

Yilwatda added that the services of vigilante groups and hunters would be deployed to secure rural communities in view of their track record in combating bandits and other forms of criminality in the state.

He noted that he would build a responsive justice system and work closely with the Plateau State Peace Building Agency to foster peace and unity among various ethnic groups in the state.

Mr. Luka Panpe of the People’s Redemption Party (PRP) explained that his administration will promote good governance that will bring people together and develop strategic leadership to address issues that trigger violence in the state.

He noted that he will work with security institutions, particularly the Center for Conflict Management and Peace Studies at the University of Jos, to strengthen confidence building in the entire state.

His counterparts from the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Engr. Ibrahim Ponyah said he would beef up security in the local communities through intelligence gathering on issues that culminated in violence for a prompt response.

Ibrahim explained that security companies within and outside the state would be engaged to provide security and respond swiftly to early warning signals to curb violence.

The Governorship Candidate of the All Progressives Grant Alliance (APGA), Samuel Abashe, and his counterparts in the Action Democratic Congress (ADC), Hon. Solomon Nandy Chendan said priority would be given to physical security and the state’s security of lives and property.

Chendan said his administration would adopt a community-driven approach to addressing security challenges and said strategic leadership would engage various ethnic groups in the state for peace and unity.

Vice Chancellor of the University of Jos, Prof. Tanko Ishaya, said Nigerian democracy can be better than the people who lead it, adding that “if we have weak leaders, we will have a weak society.”

He explained that the university provides a significant training ground for future leaders and said the institution attracts people who want to do important things because they also realize the university’s important role in society.

Prof. Ishaya appreciated the Voice of America Hausa Service’s collaboration and said the media provided adequate information that would prepare Plateau residents to make an informed decision ahead of the 2023 elections.

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Education

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

Published

2 weeks ago

September 3, 2026

Preport

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.

Business

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

Published

4 weeks ago

August 19, 2026

Preport

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.