Brief Profile of all newly elected PDP national leaders

1. *Babawo Gamawa (Deputy National Chairman– North)*
Born on February 2, 1966, he obtained a national diploma from the University of Jos, Plateau State.
Mr. Gamawa served as the Speaker, Bauchi State House of Assembly, and was picked by former Governor Isa Yuguda to serve as deputy governor, following the impeachment of the deputy governor at the time, the late Garba Gadi.
Mr. Gamawa was also elected senator to represent Bauchi North constituency in the Nigerian Senate in 2011.
He was defeated by the candidate of the APC candidate, Suleiman Nazif, in the 2015 elections.

2. *Yemi Akinwonmi (Deputy National Chairman — South)*

Born on January 15, 1955 in Ijebu Ode, Ogun state, Mr. Akinwonmi attended the University of Benin and was appointed Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, under Governor Gbenga Daniel of Ogun State.
Before then, he served as the Ogun State Secretary of the Peoples Party of Nigeria, PPN, before leading 3,250 members of the party to defect to the PDP.
Mr. Akinwonmi was on April 11, 2011 arraigned alongside six others before a magistrate court in Akure Ondo State, over an attempt to violently disrupt the National Assembly elections held on April 9.
The prosecutor, Isah Atangbe, told the court that the accused were arrested by the police at Araromi estate in Ore, Ondo State, around 10 a.m on 9 April, when the National Assembly election had already started.
He said the suspects were arraigned on a five-count charge of being in possession of various dangerous items for the purpose of terrorising members of the public and disturbing public peace, contrary to section 516 of the criminal code, Cap 30 laws of Ondo State.

3. *Emmanuel Agbo (Deputy National Secretary)*

Emmanuel Agbo was a state chairman of the PDP in Benue.
Mr. Agbo was also the chairman of Conference of PDP Chairmen while he held sway as Benue state chairman of the party.

4. *Umar Tsauri (National Secretary)*

Ibrahim Umar Tsauri was born in Katsina on April 9, 1952.
He was elected senator to represent Katsina Central from 2003 to 2007. He also served as a director and was number 3 in hierarchy in the presidential campaign office of former President Goodluck Jonathan in the run up to the 2015 election.

5. *Austin Akabondu (National organizing Secretary)*

Mr. Akabondu, from Abia State, is a retired army lieutenant colonel. He is a former minister of state for defence under the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan. Before then, he was appointed the chairman of the board of the University Teaching Hospital, Ibadan, in 2013.
He also served as the national Vice Chairman, South-east of the PDP.

6. *Irona Gerald (Deputy financial Secretary)*

Irona Gerald is from Imo state, and is a chemical engineer by training. He was born on August 1, 1966.
Mr. Gerald ventured into politics early in life and was elected for two terms as a councilor, representing Oguta Ward A in 1996 and 1997 respectively.
In 1998, he became the youngest state secretary of All Peoples party, APP, which later became All Nigeria Peoples Party, ANPP.
In 1999, Mr. Gerald contested and won a seat in the Imo State House of Assembly to represent Oguta State Constituency.
During the period, he was appointed chairman of the House Committee on Petroleum, Environment and Energy, a position he used to conceptualise, initiate and midwife the first ever Memorandum of Understanding between Oil Companies operating in Imo State and their host Communities.
He was also appointed member, presidential committee on verification of oil wells in the Niger Delta.
He was later appointed the Chairman, Transition Committee of Oguta LGA in 2003 and subsequently became the first chairman of the local government area when he was elected unopposed in 2004.
Mr. Gerald later in 2011 contested and won election to represent Oguta/Ohaji Egbema Oru West Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives.

7. *Abdullahi Maibasira (National Financial Secretary)*

Mr. Maibasira, a former National Youth Leader of the PDP was born in Minna Niger state on January 30, 1983.
He attended Kings College, Lagos; Usman Danfodio University, Sokoto; and the Federal University of Technology, Minna, where he graduated in 2011.
Mr. Maibasira also served as the Director of Youth Mobilisation in the campaign office of President Goodluck Jonathan in the run up to the 2015 general elections.

8. *Emmanuel Enoidem (National Legal Adviser)*

Mr. Enoidem served as a commissioner in Akwa Ibom for nine years, traversing the administrations of former Governor Godswill Akpabio and that of current governor, Udom Emmanuel.
He resigned as a member of the state cabinet to run for the office of National Legal Adviser of the PDP.
Feelers from the PDP suggests that he left the cabinet and joined the PDP race on the advice of Mr. Akpabio.

9. *Diran Odeyemi (Deputy National Publicity Secretary)*

Mr. Odeyemi was a special assistant to Governor Alao Akala of Oyo State on communications and media matters and he also served in the same capacity for Iyiola Omisore when he contested to be the governor of Osun.
Mr. Odeyemi also served as the spokesperson of the PDP in Osun state.

10. *Hassan Yakubu (Deputy National Organising Secretary)*

Mr. Yakubu, a lawyer, was the legal adviser of the Nasarawa state chapter of the PDP.
He also once aspired to become the state chairman of the party, in the congress held last year but lost to a former state lawmaker, Francis Orogu.

11. *Adamu Mustapha (National Auditor)*

Nothing much is known about the new National Auditor of the PDP. Mr. Mustapha is from Yobe State and has been a stalwart of the party in the North-east. He served in the campaign office of President Goodluck Jonathan during the 2015 election.

12. *Mariya Waziri (National Woman Leader)*

Mrs. Waziri, from Kebbi state, emerged as the new National Woman Leader of the PDP after a keenly contested battle with another strong candidate, Baraka Sani, from Kano.
Mrs. Waziri was the zonal woman leader of the PDP for the North-west region. She was also a member of the National Conference put in place by former President Goodluck Jonathan in 2014.

13. *Aribisala Adewale (National Treasurer)*

He was elected member, House of Representatives to represent Oye/ Ikole federal constituency of Ekiti State from 2007 to 2011. He was also a PDP governorship aspirant in Ekiti state in the run up to the 2014 election that eventually turned up incumbent Governor Ayo Fayose. Mr. Fayose defeated the then incumbent governor, Kayode Fayemi of the APC.

14. *Uche Secondus (National Chairman)*

Mr. Secondus has been in politics for 39 years He joined politics in 1978 during the Second Republic as the youth leader, in Rivers, for the now-defunct National Party of Nigeria, NPN. He later became the state publicity secretary of another national party, the National Republican Convention, NRC, from 1993 to 1998.
Mr. Secondus became the acting national chairman of the PDP in 2015 after the resignation of the then chairman, Adamu Mu’azu, following the party’s defeat in that year’s presidential election. Before then, he was the party’s deputy national chairman.
As a businessman, he is said to have interest in Intels Nigeria Limited, a company that is linked to Nigeria’s former vice president, Atiku Abubakar. The company has been having running battles of late with the Nigerian government.
The new PDP leader, like most of his fellow party men, have had brushes with the country’s anti-graft agency, the Economic and Financial Crime Commission, EFCC, since Muhammadu Buhari became president. He was detained by the EFCC in 2016 for “illegally” receiving on behalf of the PDP 23 luxury vehicles valued at N310 million from the controversial businessman, Jide Omokore.
The court later declared his arrest as being unlawful and awarded N10 million damages against the EFCC.
During the May 2016 botched Port Harcourt convention, Mr. Secondus wanted to contest for the deputy national chairman of the PDP. But he changed his mind that year and went after the party’s top job.

15. *Udeh Okoye (National Youth Leader)*

Mr. Udeh Okoye was born on May 28, 1978 in Ohumagu Agbogugu village in Awgu Local Government Area of Enugu State.
He attended Central School Akegbe-Ugwu for his primary education, Community Secondary School Obuoffia and University of Port Harcourt respectively. He studied Political Science and Administrative Studies.
In 2006, Mr. Okoye became the leader of Enugu State Youth Coalition and in 2009, he became the National President of South-east Youth Movement.
He contested and won election as a member of the Enugu State House of Assembly in 2011. He was made the leader of the assembly from 2011 to 2015, despite being a first timer and the youngest member at the time.
He was re-elected as a state lawmaker in 2015 and until his election as National Youth Leader of the PDP, he was the chairman house committee on works, lands, housing and urban development.

16. *Umar Babangida Maina (Deputy National Youth leader)*

Mr. Maina is from Adamawa state and was one of the youngest candidates in the 2015 general elections. He contested for Mubi North, Mubi South Maiha seat of the federal house of representatives. He was also part of the PDP national youth committee for the 2015 presidential election.
Mr. Maina chairs the Namadi Sambo North-east Youth Forum and holds a Bachelors of Science degree in Business Administration and Management from American Liberty University, and an MSc in International Relations from the University of Abuja.
He is currently a director on the board of a Micro finance bank in Abuja.

kidnappers have taken over 4 Northern states, Plateau inclusive: Sen. Shehu Sani raises alarm

The senator representing Kaduna central at the Senate House Distinguished Senator Shehu Sanu has raised alarm against the activities of kidnappers and bandits in Four Northern states. He raised the alarm on his official Facebook Page and it reads "Communities in Kaduna,Zamfara,Niger and Plateau states are under siege.Kidnappers and bandits have taken full control.I'm formally writing to the President to demand a surge to protect lives and properties.All measures taken so far failed to address the problem.If it will take allocating a special sum from the excess crude account to assist the states and security agencies including the military,the President must act.The FG must not wait for the North West and North Central to become North East before taken seriously."

Governor Ayo Fayose greets President Buhari at 75

Ekiti State Governor, Chief Ayodele Fayose, has congratulated President Muhammadu Buhari on the occasion of his 75th birthday, and urged the president to quit when the ovation is loudest. In an interaction with newsmen in Ado-Ekiti on Saturday, the governor said the President had served the nation as far as he could with his advanced age.
In a statement by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr Idowu Adelusi, the governor said the President required the prayers of all Nigerians.
“This is to congratulate Mr President as he clocks 75. I want to thank God for his life and pray for good health in the service of our nation and that he continues to age with grace. I wish him the best. He represents us all and we owe him prayers and cooperation where necessary, just as we also need to criticise him too where necessary,” he said.
Asked what he would tell the President if he sees him on his birthday, Fayose said he would congratulate him, not minding the political differences between them.
Asked what would be his advice to the President on his rumoured second term bid, Fayose noted that it would be honourable for the President to call it quit now.
“I am not a fan of an old man and this is not personal and peculiar to President Buhari. We need an agile president come 2019. We need somebody that is experienced and agile. He shouldn’t contest and the decision is his and his party.
But that is not going to stop me and my party from taking over from him and his party come 2019,” he said.

Buhari at 75: Why God kept him alive - By Femi Adesina

Let me begin by telling a story. On June 1, 2015, the day I resumed work as adviser on media to President Muhammadu Buhari, he had admonished me: "Adesina, always tell me the truth. That is what I want from you. In this type of position I have found myself, it is very easy not to be told the truth. People will just tell you what they think you want to hear. But from you, I want the truth. As a General, I may argue, but please argue with me. Tell me the truth always."

Based on that blank cheque I'd been given, I went to the residence one evening last year to see the President. That was the time there was deafening talk of hunger from different parts of the country. I wanted to be sure that the talk was not being filtered from the President. Of course, I know him as somebody who reads newspapers religiously, and wherever we are in the face of the world, he asks for media highlights from Nigeria. So, he would not be unaware of what Nigerians were going through. But I still wanted to raise it with him.

"Mr President, there is hunger in the land, and people are complaining. I know government is doing its best, but I just want you to be aware," I said.

Mr President responded: "I know, I know. I am aware of what people are going through. I have people in my own constituency back home, and I know the messages they send to me. But it is a passing phase. Our country was vandalized, and we found ourselves in this problem. But now that we are here, we will do our best. We will bring change to this country, and we are already seeing it in agriculture. This period of hunger will pass."

It was prophetic. The season of hunger will pass, and is indeed passing. Anyone that is honest will admit that things are looking up in Nigeria. The ravening clouds shall no longer be victorious. They shall not long possess the sky.

I went away with one conviction from that night's meeting: the poor matter very much to this President. He is not the type that people would tell they had no bread to eat, and he would tell them to eat cake instead. This is a friend of the talakawas, a man who loves ordinary people, and who wants their station in life to be improved. And those people know it. That is why they gravitate towards him, and repose so much confidence in him. He is their hero. Our hero.

President Buhari turns 75 years today. But some six months back, how many could confidently say this day would come for the ramrod straight man from Daura? How many believed the President would come out of the severe medical challenge that had confronted him? It all began as a routine vacation cum medical check up in January, and few days after, the rumour mill was on overdrive. The challenge lasted till August, before the President returned home finally, and since then, he has been looking better by the day. Each time you now see him, there is a fresher glow, and you cannot but give glory to God on his behalf.

But why was President Buhari kept alive, so much so that he is turning 75 today? Why did he pass through the sea of infirmity, and he was not swept away? Why did he pass through inferno, and the fire did not kindle against him? Big question. I don't have the answer, but I can hazard some guesses, based on divine principles.

Rigobert Song. Remember him? Song was the Cameroonian defender who played many years for the Indomitable Lions. He appeared at eight African Nations Cup tournaments, five as captain, and stood between Nigeria and victory many times. He became an idol, venerated by his countrymen and women. He retired to become a coach.

Then late last year, Song was not on song again on the soccer pitch. He had a near death experience on October 20. He went down with brain aneurysm, and was in coma for two days. Doctors battled to save his life, and he was eventually evacuated to France.

While the travails lasted, the social media was abuzz with news of Song's passage. As someone who had followed his career over the years, I felt very sad. But this is the season of fake news. Song was not dead, he miraculously rallied back. He narrated his experience, which I found instructive, considering what our President also passed through:

"I did not know what was happening to me...I did not even know I was fighting between life and death...All these people, they put God in trouble. Because everyone in this situation, they were praying-this is what I keep in my mind-God would have been in trouble. Everyone was praying, asking, 'God, please don't do that, don't take Rigobert.' I say thank you everybody for making me come back."

What song was Song singing? One of thanksgiving. Cameroonians who loved him bombarded God with prayers, 'Please, don't take Rigobert now.' And God heard. He showed mercy.

That is the same reason President Buhari is alive today. Nigerians bombarded Heaven with prayers. With supplications, intercessions, pleas for mercy. Muslims prayed in mosques. Christians prayed in churches. President Alpha Conde of Guinea declared 24 hours prayer for his Nigerian counterpart. Prayers were going on everywhere, both at home, and in the Diaspora. I can imagine God telling Himself: 'I must answer these prayers. These petitions are too many. I must answer.'

And God had mercy, a fact attested to by President Buhari himself. He said his return was a miracle, which only God could have done.

Why did God keep our President alive? The Holy Books answer:

"Blessed is he that considers the poor;

God will deliver him in the day of evil.

God will preserve him, and keep him alive,

And he will be blessed upon the earth;

And deliver him not unto the will of his enemies,

And raise him up from sickness." (Psalm 41:1-3).

And this one in Surah At-Tawbah 9:128:

"There has certainly come to you a Messenger from among yourselves. Grievous to him is what you suffer, for he is concerned over you and to the believers he is kind and merciful."

President Buhari is concerned about Nigerians, particularly the helpless, the ordinary people, and he has dedicated his life to serving them. And when he was near unto death, those ordinary people besieged Heaven with prayers. That Christian hymn says "dearer to God are the prayers of the poor." And God truly answered.

There is power in goodwill, we have seen it work. It worked for Rigobert Song, and it has worked for our President. Have a heart for men, particularly for the poor, the lowly, and the downtrodden. And see God rise on your behalf.

Consider Tabitha (Dorcas in Greek), who lived at Joppa. She was full of good works, always doing good, and helping the poor. One day, she took ill, and died. Peter, one of the apostles of Jesus, was invited. He came, prayed, and said: "Tabitha, arise!" And the woman came back to life. That is what is possible, when you have a heart for the poor.

In his New Year message last year, President Buhari told the country: "Living in the State House has not alienated me from your daily sufferings. These challenges are only temporary, we are working to make things better."

When news came a couple of months ago that Nigeria had exited from recession, what did the President say? "Until coming out of recession translates into meaningful improvement in peoples' lives, our work cannot be said to be done."

In another broadcast, the President had stated: "All my adult life, I have always earned a salary and I know what it is like when your salary is simply not enough."

That is the man we follow, and serve. Millions would today follow him into battle blindfolded. Millions upon millions would vote him again and again, if he throws his hat into the ring. Happy birthday, Mr President. You have shown us how to care for the lowly and the poor, how to bear them in our hearts at all times, and how such pleases God, and brings mercy our way. Thank you for coming this way, thank you for offering yourself for service.

.Adesina is Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to President Muhammadu Buhari

Opinion: Let's Embrace Peace - By Chol Badung Chuhwak.

No one has control over which family he wants to be born into,that is why a lot who are either Christians or Muslims on the Plateau happen to be so because they found themselves been born into either a Christian or Muslim home or family.
Therefore the question to ask is what has been the basis for the hate against each other on the Plateau?

Now here is the issue,over the years our parents,grandparents,the society and the system we are in has so programmed many on the Plateau to view people from another religion as either inferior or less therefore taking Plateau State backwards,and we found ourselves fighting on things we odd not to,many find themselves hating people who are not in their religion for no just reason as normal,and so the crisis we had on the Plateau has been as a result of the long time stereotyping,hate and dangerous speeches which has been on-going for long without a counter productive measure to diffuse such thoughts from the minds of many here on the Plateau,both the young and old are guilty we cannot continue these way.

We have become so suspicious of one another to the point that it has affected our relationship with one another and the peace Plateau State is known for,Plateau State is the home of Peace and Tourism the melting point of Nigeria therefore all hands must be on deck to take our state to an enviable height,because we are a great people on the Plateau.
We must begin to lay more emphasis on issues that unite us as a people,teach our children, talk about the essences of Peace to everyone, educate ourselves on the issues of Peace because there is no place on earth that has witness a remarkable development without Peace what next ....yes identify issues and things that unite us and then concentrate more on them because Plateau State is for us all,we must stand for anything that promotes Peace on the Plateau,shun provocative talks, speech,actions and all forms of extremism in which ever manner.
Let's embrace Peace.
Chol Badung Chuhwak.

Hon. Maren partners with NACA for free medical outreach in Mangu/Bokkos Federal Constituency

The member representing Mangu/Bokkos Federal Constituency at the upper legislative chamber Hon. Solomon Maren has concluded partnership plans with the National Aids Control Agency (NACA) for free medical outreach in his constituency. This medium gathers that the medical outreach would take place in Both Mangu and Bokkos Local Government Areas of Plateau state. Details are contained on the flier below.

Dream Come True: Twin Sisters start pharmacy business after NYSC

Daphne and Valerie Iboi are twin sisters who co-founded Twincare Pharmacy immediately after completing their National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) program.

The two sisters finished from the College of Medicine in the University of Lagos, where they both studied Pharmacy.

Valerie is the Chief Operating Officer of Twincare Pharmacy, while Daphne is the Executive Director/Superintendent Pharmacist.

News & Photo  Credit - BellaNaija.com

NYSC denies report on payment of 75k to ex-corpers

Bose Aderibigbe, Director of Press, National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has alerted the public through a statement on to disregard what she describes as false online news about the activities of the service.
She said that some bloggers had also used a Facebook account that did not belong to the service to promote falsehood on its activities.
According to her, the online news claims that the NYSC Director-General, Brig.-Gen. Suleiman Kazaure has introduced a portal for payment of N75, 000 stipends per a former corps member which is false.

"The attention of the NYSC management has been drawn to the publication which is false and misleading, the public should disregard it. A fake Facebook account, NYSC Online, has also been spreading the content published by some bloggers.
We further wish to inform our esteemed stakeholders that the so-called NYSC Online is not the official Facebook page of the National Youth Service Corps.
The authentic information from the NYSC’s activities can be accessed through our official Facebook page on www.facebook.com/officialnysc’’, Aderibigbe said.

How Plateau state can win Miss Nigeria beauty contest with landslide by voting for Abigail Zere Kim

 History is about to be made as Miss Abigail Zere Kim is set to emerge Miss Nigeria, first in the history of Plateau state. To make the chances brighter and bring the crown to the Home of Peace and Tourism, here is how to vote.

Message from Miss Plateau Abigail Zere Kim

"http://prepaidsense.com/media/missnigeria/vote/ Hello, voting has commenced for miss Nigeria 2017. Click on the link and check for my name Abigail Zere Kim Miss Plateau No. 31. Each votes cost #50, you can vote as many times as possible via ATM card. Please vote to enable me win the 2017 Miss Nigeria on the 21st Dec 2017. Thank you very much."

Jos Tragedy: Two killed, 4 vehicles burnt as Petrol Tanker explodes

News at this medium's news desk by Premium Times indicates that "An inferno that enveloped a petrol tanker has claimed the lives of two persons and burnt four vehicles in Jos, Plateau state.
A witness, Sagiru Sani, said the incident occurred in a petrol filling station Friday night, between the hours of 10 and 11 p.m, along Bauchi road in Jos north local government.
Another witness, Ezekiel Dadung, also said fire service officials battled for hours to put out the fire unsuccessfully, adding that the inferno crossed over to a car dealer company and razed four cars.
“The tanker was offloading petrol when it was gutted by fire, two people were burnt beyond recognition. Also four cars in a car stand near the filling station were burnt,” he said.
Some residents living near the scene of the incident attributed the inferno to activities of black marketers.
Since the return of fuel scarcity in Jos, long queues have remained in most filling stations with the attendant spike in unofficial sale of the product on the streets."

PLSG rewards performing teachers with car, cash and other prizes

The Plateau State government on Friday rewarded performing teachers across the 17 local government areas with gift items including a star prize of Peugeot 406 Prestige salon car and a motorcycle for the 2nd best teacher in the state.

 

The ceremony, which was the first of its kind in the state was organised by the Plateau State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) as part of its 2017 end of the year prayer session.

 

 other best teachers from the 17 local government areas and best staff from various departments of the board were presented with certificates and cash prizes. 

Plateau State Governor, Simon Lalong, described the awards as timely adding that it will no doubt inspire and re-invigorate the teachers towards contributing to an effective educational system .

Nigerian Religious Crisis: The Vestiges of the Ottoman and European Supremacy Wars - Datong, Dominic Gwaman

The coming of the Prophet Mohammed, saw the commencement of Islam and its spread around Arabia, today's Saudi Arabia, Yemen, and Oman. At his death in 632 AD, Islam had been instituted in the whole of Saudi Arabia. Caliphs ruled the region (Caliphate) for period of over 600 years. The Caliphate expanded over this period from Arabia to as far as Pakistan, Iran, Syria, Armenia, Libya, Egypt etc. by conquering territories.

Between 1206 and 1279, the Caliphate was invaded by the Mongols of the far Eastern Asia taking over most of the lands already captured by the Islamic Caliphates up to Turkey. The Islamic caliphate then shrunk to almost its original size as at the death of Prophet Mohammed.

Out of the ruins of the Islamic Caliphates, amidst the rule of the Mongols, arose another Islamic Caliphate from the Turkish tribe of Oghuz led by Osman. Osman fought the Mongols and recaptured lands formed the captured Islamic Caliphate including the Arabia. The new Caliphate was known as the Ottoman Empire (Caliphate).

The Ottoman Empire expanded up to India, fighting its way to expand the Islam and ruled in accordance to the Islamic injunctions. The Empire prospered in trade, ship building, garments making etc. They became the most powerful nation on earth at that time for centuries. (They were like America of today).

The continuous expansion of their empire continued up to Europe including parts of Bulgaria, Macedonia, Albania, Romania, Greece, Serbia, Ukraine, Italy, Hungary etc. This expansion into Europe angered the Europeans as people of different religion and culture are were taking over their lands.

The first major offensive against the Islamic Empire was at the battle of Vienna when they attempted to take it over. They were attacked by the Christian army and they suffered a major defeat. The Defeat of the Ottomans in Vienna was the beginning of the fall of the empire as many other European nations were also taken away from the Ottomans. One of the major setbacks of the Ottomans faced was the quick decline of their economy as European nations flooded their markets with cheaper alternative goods leading to fall of their industries and a decline of the economy. They could not even afford to maintain their army to gain more territories or to defend existing ones. Their territory shrunk tremendously.

During the 1st world war, the Ottomans allied with the Germany, Russia etc. against the France, Britain etc. On the loss of the war by the Ottomans and its allies, the remaining lands of the ottomans were shared amongst the winner nations. In 1922, the Ottoman Empire finally collapsed and Turkey became a republic.

During the rule of the Ottomans over the Arabs, there were no issues because they were of the same religion and they upheld the values of Islam. However, during the 1st world war, the Super Powers had promised the Arabs that they would give them back control of their lands if they supported the fight against the Ottomans. They did. This support led to the weakening of the Ottomans in the war.

On winning the war however, the Arabs were denied control of the land; also, the Jews had been promised part of Palestine without the Knowledge of the Arabs. On the assumption of control of the region by the Europeans, the Arabs had the following concerns:

1. European control of their resources e.g. oil which was discovered in 1908.

2. The infiltration of their cultures by a foreign non-Islamic culture

3. The "shame" of being led by a Kafir (an infidel). Etc.

These and others led to the creation of small armed resistance groups in the region the first of which was the Muslim Brotherhood of Egypt founded in 1928.

Because Islam was imported to Nigeria from the region, the same sentiments were shared by the Muslims in Nigeria. The sentiments still live with us til date.

Conclusion:

We must all be aware that the fight in the Middle East was more of an economic and supremacist (political) fight and had very little to do with religion. Today, both faiths have continued to engage in combats with the various sentiments of the Middle Easter war with the Europeans. The earlier we know that it is not our fight, the better we become. Christians and Muslims had lived under the Ottoman Empire in peace and we can also live in peace today.

______________________

Datong, Dominic Gwaman

Conflict, Security and Development Expert

dgdatong@gmail.com

Dr. Longji Dakum has this inspiring and powerful message to say about JUTH Hospital and Plateau State

Each time I wake up at the break of dawn, my heart breaks and bleeds beyond measure. This happens because of the protracted crisis rocking the Jos University Teaching Hospital. As a believer in a just, fair and stronger Plateau, this message is not meant to apportion blame but to seek for solutions so we can shape and promote the destiny of our dear state. The constant attacks and counter-attacks on the one hand and other by management, Labour union and the general Plateau public might add salt to the injury to say the least. Like others, I am truly disturbed and I hope my message will go a long way in mending broken relationships and healing our deep wounds so we can collectively usher a new dawn of mutual understanding, cooperation and unity in diversity. First of all, permit me to register my heartfelt appreciation to my colleagues, friends, fans and well-wishers for the wonderful and strong support I got when I contested for the state chairman of Resident Doctors Association of Nigeria. Albeit, I didn’t make it to represent my people but that gave me a far-reaching and engaging experience to approach unionism and conventional politics with dignity and a propensity to contribute in any way I can to the growth and development of Plateau state. I am willing to make sacrifices to ensure that Plateau state becomes better in the nearest future through strategic partnership with the government and the governed.  Albeit, my profession as a medical doctor gives me less time to participate in politics but I don’t believe that politics is the only medium through which we can create positive change. In any capacity, we can make a difference and this is what we are called to do. Now, the issue of JUTH is beyond abstract imagination. It is a problem that calls for a greater political will and collective efforts to have the problems resolved once and for all. The complaints, concerns and criticisms are well appreciated and I think we can maximize them to find urgent solutions. In all honesty, I think the unity that ought to have bound us together has a faulty foundation. We are divided along religious, ethnic and political lines. This in my view is a recipe for deeper problems to manifest and affect us negatively. I think we’ve got to be united and mobilize our capacities to ensure that JUTH is delivered out of the woods. It’s time for the youths, elders, political class, traditional leaders and all concerned citizens to rise to the occasion and intervene at both the state and federal level. We must bury our differences and work together as a people with a common destiny. An injury to JUTH is an injury to all of us. Truly, the condition doesn’t speak well. It has far-reaching negative effect on the image of the state and by extension Nigeria. But that does not mean that all hope is lost. Something extraordinary can be done to remedy the situation. And this has to be done by you and I. At this juncture, I must pay glowing tributes to the likes of Dr. Daniel Meshak, Dr. Dikkol, Dr. Monday and others for believing in a just and better Plateau. These are selfless leaders who have paid their dues and sowed seeds of greatness in all ramifications of Plateau life. Truly, they have a date with history. In my capacity as a Plateau Youth, medical doctor and ambassador of unity, I pledge my utmost loyalty and solidarity to popular efforts that can lift JUTH from her current challenges and place her in a position of pre-eminence. I am optimistic of a brighter future for Plateau state. Let’s keep all hopes alive and keep the unity we are known for stronger than ever before.

Long Live JUTH

Long Live Plateau state and

Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria

Signed:

Dr. Longji Dakum

(Medical practitioner)

Former Chairman B/Ladi Hon. Emmanuel Loman appointed Sule Lamido Presidential Campaign D.G Plateau State Chapter

News at this medium's news desk indicates that Hon. Emmanuel Loman a former chairman of Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau state under the Peoples Democratic Party has been appointed the campaign coordinator {Plateau state chapter) of Dr. Sule Lamido a front line presidential aspirant in 2019.

The message was confirmed to this medium by one of the youth coordinators of the campaign group Mr. Abdul Salisu. It reads thus

"HURRAY! HURRAY!! HURRAY!!!.
Myself,Sule Lamido Youth Supporter Group Nationwide Plateau State Chapter.
Wishes to congratulate Hon. Emmanuel Loman over his recent appointment as Sule Lamido campaign coordinator Plateau State Chapter. You have done it before and you will still do it again. We again wish you a successful execution of your duty.
Long live Dr Sule Lamido
Long live Plateau State
Long live Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Signed:
Abdul Salisu Organising Secretary to the Sule Lamido Youth Supporter group Nationwide Plateau Chapter"

Reward for Hardwork: Cmrd Friday Bako gets handsome reward from boss Dr. Chinan Mclean

A front line youth activist and freelance media practitioner with ViewPoint Nigeria Mr. Friday Bako has received a reward of a brand new Apple iPad for hard work and dedication to work from the Media Company's manager Dr. Chinan Mclean Dikwal when he came from London for the much-talked-about Ted Talk

. The reward was given as a surprise during a meeting with new partners in Jos. The happy and surprised Friday Bako thanked the giver and pledged to work harder to take ViewPoint Nigeria to the next level. "I honestly decided to work for ViewPoint Nigeria without expecting anything in return. To me, I think ViewPoint is a platform I can contribute to the betterment of Plateau state through online journalism. With this development, I feel honoured and I remain thankful. I pledge to work harder" He said.
ViewPoint Nigeria has remained the most effective and popular online media company in Plateau state and the Middle Belt Region.

Gov. Lalong to host Plateau United on Dec. 22

Plateau United players and officials will be hosted by the Plateau State governor, Simon Lalong, next week Friday December 22, following their title-success in the 2016/2017 Nigeria Professional Football League season.

The Jos club won their first NPFL crown last season beating their closest challengers, MFM FC and Enyimba to the title.
It was the club’s second major title after they lifted the Federation Cup in 1999.
The governor is expected to announce a financial reward for the players and officials of the club for their successful outing in the league.
“Our governor, Mr Simon Lalong will host us at the government house in Jos next week Friday ,” Plateau United head coach, Kennedy Boboye revealed to Completesportsnigeria.com in Kano where the club is presently participating in the 2017 NPFL Invitational Tournament.
“He was extremely happy when we won the league and we look forward to meeting and handing the trophy to him.
“After that, the players will go on break for few days and then we will have a close camping ahead of the new season.”

Africa in Doldrums: It’s Time for a Better Future – By Satmak Dapar

Entangled by chains for donkey years, can Africa still get any better?  What manner of hope remains for Africa? Who is that one person or group of people that can summon the greatest courage in history to liberate the future of Africa? If Africa’s future is liberated today, what next? One of the things I’m proud of is being an African. I have no single regret or mixed feelings about that. On the continent, I was born and bred. When I die at the right time after fulfilling my purpose in life, I’ll still be committed to mother earth and covered with the African soil. Amazing! Isn’t it? Now, the thrust of this article is not to heap questions on questions that have remained unanswered from time immemorial. It has dual motives. The first is to critically examine why the problems of Africa are persisting despite unending search for solutions and the second of course is to make a clarion call to the youths to seize this moment of promise and make the change we all yearn for. This article is an offshoot of a meeting I had with one of Africa’s most passionate and brilliant agents of change Amb. Finan Sabrina Petros from Eritrea. The focal point of the meeting on the 25^th November 2017 which lasted for about an hour was on the way forward in the light of the complex problems confronting Africa. I listened with profound interest to Amb. Finan as she shared her experiences, viewpoints, ideas and thoughts on what can be done by youths on an African-wide basis. It was particularly interesting and amazing. Here is a lady who is ultimately living her dream as a humanitarian having had the privilege and honour of working to add value to the lives of orphaned children and young vulnerable girls in rural Eritrea. Her work was done in partnership with International organizations like the UNICEF. This proves a point that somebody somewhere is responding to the ultimate call of God that “Whoever is generous to the poor, lends to the Lord and he will repay him for his deeds”. It is my belief that working with Amb. Finan in the world of philanthropy sooner or later could be the major hope that the paradigm could shift. 

The Birth of “Renewed Vision for Africa (RVA)”

My mind has always been troubled not because God has forsaken Africa, obviously not. God is very much interested in African affairs and its future. The good news is that he freely gave us boundless human and material resources we can harness and maximize for our greatest possible good. Unfortunately, these resources are plundered, our capacity is weakened, our people are dying namelessly each and every day to diseases, outbreak of bloody wars and chronic poverty, young kids growing up in rural Africa are uncertain of their futures because the ray of hope they could have seen by now has been broken by forces of retrogression. It is regrettable to note that the situation is getting messier each and every day. I’ve had the privilege of working as a humanitarian in rural Plateau state Nigeria under the auspices of DAPAR AID. My team mates and I saw first-hand how extreme poverty is ravaging rural dwellers and the poor response of government. The passion to work is incredible. Finan Petros and I can’t afford to bury it. This is a task that must be done for the sake of conscience and posterity. We are willing to pay the heaviest price and sow seeds that we can reap tomorrow for the betterment of Africa through the “Renewed Vision for Africa” as a platform. Our work would cut across the entire African continent as God provides the resources and the difference would be made. This is a clarion call to the youths to share our visions, key into the idea and quite interestingly, together we can make the change possible. We have more than a thousand reasons to do it and we must remember the words of Frantz Fanon which says that “each generation must out of relative obscurity discover its mission, either to betray it or fulfill it.” What would you like to remembered for? Why can’t we bury our wild pleasures, unnecessary ventures and make sacrifices to save Africa? It’s truly time for a better future. Let’s build the wings and fly together. There we go.

Dapar Satmak Alexander is currently studying Communication and Media Studies (Master’s Degree) at Cyprus International University. He can be reached via +905488204483 or satmakdapar1@gmail.com