Author: Polycarp Auta

Climate Change: HYPPADEC to plant 1 million tress in Plateau
Climate Change: HYPPADEC to plant 1 million tress in Plateau
Trees
By Polycarp Auta
Barkin-Ladi (Plateau State), June 5, 2024 (NAN) The National Hydroelectric Power Producing Areas Development Commission (N-HYYPADEC) has pledged to plant one million economic trees to mitigate the effects of environmental degradation in Plateau.
The Managing Director of the commission, Alhaji Abubakar Sadiq, made the pledge at an event it organised to commemorate the 2024 World Environment Day (WED) on Wednesday in Barkin-Ladi.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that WED is celebrated every year on June 5 to raise awareness and call for actions to protect the environment.
The global observance day has “Land Restoration, Desertification and Drought Resilience” as the theme for 2024.
According to the N-HYYPADEC boss, the commission believes tree planting will aid in restoring degraded land and support renewal of energy sources.
Sadiq also said that the move would improve soil fertility and create new sustainable sources of income for communities, noting that tree planting would be extended to other hydroelectric power producing states.
The managing director, who decried dam overflows which displaced million of Nigerians, expressed the commission’s commitment toward addressing ecological problems and dam overflows in the country.
He said “dam overflows have led to deadly floods that displaced millions of
Nigerians, as the deadly incidents of flood and erosion that destabilised the country about two years ago is still fresh on our minds.
“In addition to the effects of dams’ overflow, changes in vegetation contribute to desertification and other ecological challenges.
“This is why we are launching an ambitious project to establish a community tree nursery with the capacity to produce one million seedlings of indigenous economic trees.
“The initiative is to promote agroforestry practices, enhance biodiversity and support the livelihoods of local communities across the N-HYPPADEC states.”
Earlier, Mr Peter Gwom, the Plateau Commissioner for Environment, Climate Change and Minerals Development, thanked N-HYPPADEC for the gesture, insisting that all hands must be on deck toward tackling climate change.
Gwom said that the state government would soon domesticate the climate change policy enacted by the Federal Government.
“We want to have an act that will enable us to have 10-year environmental plan on the Plateau.
”It will enable the state to have a direction on how to deal with environmental issues,” he said.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
AZA/HA
Edited by Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu
June 5, 2024
JDPC launches project on gender mainstreaming in decision making
Gender
By Polycarp Auta
Mangu (Plateau State), June 5, 2024 (NAN) The Justice Development and Peace Commission (JDPC) of the Catholic Diocese of Pankshin in Plateau, has launched a new project to promote gender mainstreaming in decision making process.
The project is tagged ”Accessible and Equitable Justice for Women and Youth: Mainstreaming Women and Youths in Public Policy Decision in Mangu and Barkin-Ladi”.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the launch was held on Wednesday in Mangu.
The Coordinator of JDPC, Rev. Fr. Basil Kassam, said that the project will be implemented in collaboration with the Catholic Caritas Foundation of Nigeria (CCFN) and the Social Justice and Human Development for Peace Initiative of the Catholic Archdiocese of Jos.
He added that the project, funded by the Catholic Agency for Oversea Development (CAFOD), will run for 12 months in two communities each in Mangu and Barkin-Ladi.
”This project will help us to understand the dynamics of gender equality; that in whatever we do, we should support and carry everybody along, particularly women and youths.
”If women and youths are carried along in decision making at all levels, everything will be successful in the society.
”The goal is to build the dignity of women and youths to have access to information and decent livelihood.
”It is not to create grounds for unhealthy competition bewteen men and women in the communities or instill radical ideology in the hearts of the youths.”
He explained that the project is an initiative where men see women and youths not in a restrictive sense but inclusive and participatory sense.
Mr Jude Akwo, who spoke on behalf of CCFN, said that the project would build the capacity of women and youths in decision making, tackle violence against women, as well as empower them.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
AZA/HA
Edited by Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu
June 5, 2024
Suspected criminals destroy 50 farmlands, cattle in Plateau, Kaduna – Commander

Attack
By Polycarp Auta
Jos, June 4, 2024 (NAN) The Commander of Operation Safe Haven (OPSH), Maj.-Gen. Abdusalam Abubakar, has said that criminal suspects attacked and destroyed crops on over 50 farmlands in Plateau and Kaduna States between April and May.
Abubakar, who doubles as the General Officer Commanding 3 Division of the Nigerian Army, Rukuba, near Jos, said this at a siminar in Jos on Tuesday.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that OPSH is a special task force, established to maintain the peace and stability in Plateau and parts of Bauchi and Kaduna States.
The commander said that during the period under review, the division recorded over 20 cases of attacks on cattle.
Abubakar said that the seminar, tagged, ”Peaceful coexistence: Panecea for a successful farming season”, aimed at ensuring food security in the country.
He said: ”Between April and May alone, we have recorded over 50 cases of destruction of crops on farmlands in Plateau and Kaduna States.
”In the same period, we recorded 20 attacks on cattle and, in one of the instances, over 280 cows were killed.
”This is why this seminar is not only apt, but timely toward achieving a secured and successful farming season.
”The government is worried over the rising food insecurity in the country and so farmers and herders must come together to find a lasting solution to the persistent clashes in communities.”
Abubakar, said that the agricultural sector remains critical to the overall development of the country, hence the need for farming and herding to take place side-by-side.
He called on the people to desist from night and use of underage grazing as well as cow poisoning and deliberate destruction of crops on farmlands.
He said that such unwholesome practices were largely responsible for the rising cases of conflicts in communities.
The commander warned that anyone caught destroying farmlands and cows would be made to face the full wrath of the law.
He also called on residents of the affected states to support security agencies in their bid to ending all forms of insecurity in the area. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
AZA/USO
Edited by Sam Oditah

June 4, 2024
Police neutralises 2 suspected kidnappers in Plateau
Police neutralises 2 suspected kidnappers in Plateau
Kidnappers
By Polycarp Auta
Jos, June 4, 2024(NAN) The Police Command in Plateau has neutralised two suspected kidnappers and foiled a kidnap attempt in Bokkos Local Government Area of the State
DSP Alfred Alabo, the Command’s Public Relations Officer (PPRO), disclosed this in a statement made available to newsmen in Jos on Tuesday.
Alabo said that the incident occurred on Monday morning.
”Yesterday, at about 5:30a.m., we received a distress call from a patriotic citizen that some hoodlums suspected to be kidnappers were operating in Fangha area of Daffo District, Bokkos LGA.
”Upon receipt of the tip-off, a team of Policemen and other security agencies swiftly rushed to the scene of the incident where they engaged the hoodlums in a gun duel
”In the process, two of the hoodlums were neutralised, while others escaped with bullet wounds.
”Exhibits recovered from the hoodlums include, one locally fabricated revolver gun loaded with four 7.62mm ammunition, two Phones, one dagger and a knife,” he said.
The police spokesman said that a manhunt had been launched to apprehend the fleeing gang members. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
AZA/AOS
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Edited by Bayo Sekoni
June 4, 2024