ACHIEVEMENTS OF BARRISTER SOLOMON SELCAP DALUNG AS MINISTER OF YOUTH & SPORTS DEVELOPMENT IN THE AREA OF YOUTH EMPOWERMENT FROM NOVEMBER 2015 TO APRIL, 2018: FOCUS ON PLATEAU STATE.

Since taking charge as Honourable Minister in the then newly merged Ministry of Youth and Sports Development in November, 2015, Barrister Solomon Selcap Dalung, left no one in doubt that it was no longer going to be business as usual.

While Sports was generally expected to engage more of the Honourable Minister’s attention because of the passion it generates among Nigerians especially when the National Teams are in action, his steel resolve was to ensure that the Youth arm of the Ministry was not left behind. The empowerment of unemployed and often unskilled youths as well as capacity building among the skilled ones became a key focus.

Taking off with a zero budget for Youth development activities, Barrister Dalung leveraged on his considerable goodwill and administrative experience to forge a strategic partnership with local and international organisations and individuals to achieve his set objectives in line with the Change Agenda of President Muhammadu Buhari.

Slowly but surely, the Honourable Minister recorded the following landmark achievements in youth development, which had a national spread, in line with his conviction that the whole country was his constituency.

A. NATIONAL YOUTH EMPOWERMENT

In Collaboration with the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President (SSAP) on Millenium Development Goals (MDGs) about 170 youths drawn from the 6 Geo-political zones, were trained in various skills ranging from Animal Husbandry to Poultry and Fishery in 2015.

A further 592 youths were trained under the Ministry’s Capacity Building on Sustainable Livelihood Skills Acquisition in Vocational and Agriculture Youth Empowerment Programme in the 2016/2017 window spilling over into the 1st quarter of 2018.
Drawn from the 6 geo-political zones, according to areas of comparative advantage, the training covered Crop production in cassava/maize processing (value addition), Livestock (poultry, piggery, snairy, goat, sheep and cattle rearing), Aquatic farming (fishery), Make up artistry, Gele tying, Bead and Hat making, Events Management and Interior Decoration, Leather works (Bags, belts and shoe making) and Confectionaries & Pastries. These trainees were each given a take off grant of N150,000 (One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira).

Also in 2017 a total of 1,988 youths benefited from the National Financial Inclusion Peer Group Educator Programme for National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members in the 14 NYSC Camps spread across the country.

i. YOUTH EMPOWERMENT INITIATIVES IN PLATEAU STATE

The Honourable Minister facilitated the empowerment of 13 Plateau Youths through a Skills Acquisition in Agriculture and Vocational Training in Kastina State in November, 2015. Each Participant was given a grant of N120,000 after the 2 week Intensive Training and are today self employed.

They were selected across the following LGAs of Plateau State:

1. Danjuma Mabas: Bokkos
2. Ogak Tukur: Kanke
3. Atang Musa: Jos East
4. Isaac John Dung, Barkin Ladi
5. Emmanuel Pwajok: Riyom
6. Gershon Bambu: Mangu
7. Nehemiah Ishaku: Langtang South
8. Usman Abubakar: Jos North
9. Nanyak Gambo: Wase
10. Yakubu Nyam: Jos South
11. Sunday Anko Joseph: Bassa
12. Stanley Gokwat Sati: Pankshin
13. Deme Dabang: Shendam,

Another set of Plateau Youths were engaged by the Honourable Minister in a Youth Empowerment Programme at Citizenship & Leadership Training Center Jos, from 10th – 17th, December, 2015. Participants were given Equipment worth N120,000 and Working Capital of N25,000 cash at the end of the training. They are:

1. Dadson Ibrahim, Computer Work Station: Mangu
2. Peace Bitrus, Hair Dryer: Bassa
3. Godiya Musa, Sewing Machine: Pankshin
4. Ibrahim Sa’adu, Industrial Sewing Machine: Jos North
5. Paul Williams, Computer Work Station Machine: Langtang South

Youths were similarly trained in Agriculture and Vocational Skills to be Self-reliant. Training lasted from 25/2/2018 to 9/3/2018 at the Citizenship & Leadership Training Center, Jos. Benefits: Each participant got a grant of N150,000 to start off a business related to their newly acquired area of specialization. They were selected across the 17 LGAs of Plateau State:

1. Nyako Daven Ezekiel: Jos South
2. Bashir Suleiman: Jos North
3. Yohanna Nanmwa: Langtang South
4. Selnan Peter: Langtang North
5. Patience Ezekiel: Shendam
6. Panzak Dadiyel Tapdang:
7. Idris Ibrahim: Wase
8. Gorum Nicholas: Pankshin
9. Changwak John: Mikang,
10. Sani Mudi Muhammed: Jos North
11. Bongrat Nankur: Langtang North
12. Balarabe Abdul: Quan Pan
13. Ponmak Williams: Langtang South
14. Abubakar Rilwanu: Wase
15. Usman Idris Usman: Kanam
16. Maganda Azi Raiom: Jos East
17. Hafizu Abdullahi: Bassa
18. Yangkat Jatau: Langtang South
19. Nandat Zachariah: Langtang North

C. YOUTH EMPOWERMENT PROGRAMME IN OSUN STATE.

The following 19 Plateau youths were sent to Osun State and trained in Agriculture and vocational skills. Benefits: Intensive training to be Self-reliant with a start up grant of N150,000 each. Beneficiaries were drawn across 17 Local Government Areas of Plateau State:

1. Davou Gyang: Jos South
2. Mubarak Muhammed Mu’azu: Kanam
2. Timloh Manko: Langtang South
3. Oscar Zingfa: Langtang North
4. Selbar Binbol: Langtang South
5. Hatisu Abdullahi, Bassa
6. Gommernep Sati Yohanna: Pankshin
7. Idris Saidu: Jos North
8. Anthony Nancwat: Mikang
9. Bamaiyi Yilkong Takdul: Langtang South
10. Bongkur Nanna: Langtang South
11. Benjamin Emmanuel: Mangu
12. Mambut Nanpon: Langtang North
13. Abdul Malik Yahaya: Qua’an Pan
14. Nyako Daven Ezekiel: Jos South
15. Mann Jemima Ndoh: Riyom
16. Agwom Dauda Shuaib: Jos East
17. Gobum Nicholas Lubo: Bokkos
18. Wang Paul: Barkin Ladi
19. Muawiya Shuaib Ibrahim: Jos North

C. 3 DAYS WORKSHOP AT CITIZENSHIP & LEADERSHIP TRAINING CENTER JOS ON CAPACITY BUILDING ORGANISED BY THE MINISTER. BENEFITS: PARTICIPANTS WERE TRAINED TO BE GRASSROOTS PEACE AMBASSADORS WITH N40,000 ALLOWANCE EACH ACROSS 17 LGAS OF PLATEAU STATE:

1. Dung Felix: Jos South
2. Joshua Goewam: Qua’an Pan
3. Abdulrahaman Usman: Jos North
4. Takdok Yusuf: Langtang North,
5. Emmanuel Anthony Vongjen: Langtang North
6. Abubakar Muhd Abdullahi: Kanam
7. Julius Niem Joro: Shendam
8. Jeremiah Daniel James: Mangu
9. John Nuhu Gyang: Barkin Ladi
10. Bulus Alfred Davou: Riyom
11. Maigamo Ibrahim Dodo: Bassa,
12. Joshua Nyam Isha: Jos East
13. Shedam Anna: Langtang South
14. Peter Jwanse Nantok: Pankshin
15. Yalji Joel Yilbat: Kanke
16. Bwakat Wuyang Emmanuel: Bokkos
17. Fred Nyentehl: Mikang
18. Zingdul Rejoice Lohfe: Langtang North
19. Shamsu Musa Buba: Wase
20. Faith Usman Babale: Langtang North

E. 2017 FOREIGN TRAINING ON CAPACITY BUILDING: 6 PLATEAU YOUTHS BENEFITED. THEY WERE DRAWN ACROSS 3 SENATORIAL ZONES.

BENEFITS: EACH PARTICIPANT WAS TRAINED OVERSEAS AND WERE GIVEN 200,000 CFA EACH TO START UP BUSINESS:

1. Davou Jehmann D. Jos South- Plateau North
2. Yakubu Sule, Bokkos- Plateau Central
3. Haladu Abubakar, Plateau Central
4. Nanloh Ramdur, Plateau South
5. Dapoet Mandeh A. Qua’an Pan, Plateau South
6. Satdir Mamvong, Langtang South, Plateau South

F. 2016 FOREIGN TRAINING ON CAPACITY BUILDING 5 PLATEAU BENEFITED. THEY WERE DRAWN ACROSS 3 SENATORIAL ZONES. BENEFITS: EACH PARTICIPANTS WERE TRAINED OVERSEAS AND WERE GIVEN 200,000 CEFA EACH TO START UP BUSINESSES

1. Jenifer Rinret Tanko, Pankshin, Plateau Central
2. Nanfa Kurvong Daris, Langtang South, Plateau South
3. Wazhi Stephen Napkur, Langtang North, Plateau South
4. Abraham Aniedi Udofia, Jos North, Plateau North
5. Sale S. Yakubu, Plateau Central

G. SOCIAL INVESTMENT SCHEME MOBILIZATION

Barrister Dalung with his people-centred heart, mobilized and Registered 1500 Plateau Youth from the Grassroots for the Social Investment Scheme, in April, 2017 where 560 who met the requirements were selected and are entitled to a monthly stipend of N30,000. The beneficiaries were selected across 17 LGAs of Plateau State:
1. Jos South 35
2. Jos North 35
3. Jos East 20
4. Bassa 25
5. Barkin Ladi 20
6. Riyom 20
7. Bokkos 20
8. Mangu 20
9. Pankshin 30
10. Kanke 25
11. Kanam 30
12. Qua’an Pan 30
13. Shendam 25
14. Mikang 20
15. Langtang North 75
16. Langtang South 105
17. Wase 35

H. YOUTH EMPOWERMENT TRAINEES IN PARTNERSHIP WITH NATIONAL DIRECTORATE OF EMPLOYMENT

Barrister Solomon Dalung facilitated the empowerment of 300 Plateau youths made up 100 females and 200 males who he nominated and were trained in Vocational skills through NDE Programme from January to March, 2018. They beneficiaries were selected across 17 LGAs of Plateau State.

1. Jos South 18
2. Jos East 15
3. Jos North 23
4. Bassa 14
5. Barkin Ladi 13
6. Riyom 13
7. Bokkos 13
8. Mangu 15
9. Pankshin 20
10. Kanke 20
11. Kanam 15
12. Shendam 13
13. Qua’npan 14
14. Mikang 14
15. Langtang North 25
16. Langtang South 30
17. Wase 15

I. EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Barrister Dalung believes that Education is the beck rock of any society. Consequently, he selflessly mobilized and sponsored Plateau Youths for JAMB thus qualifying them for admission into Universities, Polytechnics and Colleges of Education in 2016, 2017 & 2018:

i. SPONSORSHIP FOR 2018 JAMB REGISTRATION

In 2018, Barrister Dalung sponsored 100 Young people from Plateau State who are orphans or less privileged and are financially incapacitated for the 2018 Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) Examination. Candidates were selected across 17 Local Government Areas of the State:

1. Jos North 6
2. Jos South 5
3. Jos East 5
4. Bassa 6
5. Barkin Ladi 5
6. Bokkos 6
7. Riyom 4
8. Pankshin 6
9. Kanke 5
10. Kanam 5
11. Shendam 4
12. Qua’npan 5
13. Mangu 5
14.Mikang 5
15. Langtang North 11
16. Langtang South 12
17. Wase 5

ii. SPONSORSHIP FOR 2017 JAMB REGISTRATION

In 2017, Barrister Dalung sponsored another set of 60 Plateau Youth for 2017 JAMB Examination as follows:
1. Shendam 10
2. Qua’npan 10
3. Mikang 10
4. Langtang North 15
5. Langtang South 15

MOST OF THESE CANDIDATES SPONSORED BY BARRISTER SOLOMON DALUNG SUCCESSFULLY SECURED ADMISSION INTO TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS OF THEIR CHOICE AS FOLLOWS:

2014/2015 Academic Session: 121

2015/2016 Academic Session: 71

2016/2017 Academic Session: 81

iii. DISTRIBUTION OF EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS

In 2016, Barrister Dalung also procured and distributed educational materials including books and writing utensils to some selected schools across Plateau State.

J. SPORTS DEVELOPMENT ON THE PLATEAU

Barrister Solomon Dalung has a strong belief in grassroots sports development. In an effort to “catch them young” Barrister Dalung awarded the contracts for the construction of two Federal Mini Stadia in Plateau State.One in Dengi Kanam LGA in Plateau Central Zone and the other in Mabudi, Langtang South in Plateau Southern Zone. This is in partial fulfilment of the campaign promises of the President Muhammadu Buhari led APC Government in the area of Grassroots Sports Development. The Construction work at Plateau South is at 70% stage of completion while the Plateau Central Project is at 30% level of completion since it was awarded in the 2017 budget.

Furthermore the Honourable Minister distributed Sports Equipment to various schools across the country, ranging from Track and Field equipment to Football Boots, Goal Posts, Jerseys and Balls, to other sports like Basketball, Table Tennis, Badminton, Volley Ball etc. Each school got a complete set of equipment for a particular sport. 35 primary schools in Plateau State benefitted from this gesture:

DISTRIBUTION OF SPORTS EQUIPMENT ACROSS PRIMARIES SCHOOLS IN 2016

S/N
SCHOOL
LOCATION
STATE

1.LEA Primary School
Talbushi, Kanam LGA
Plateau

2.UPE Township Primary School
Gindiri, Mangu LGA
Plateau

3.Local Govt. Primary School
Kurgwi, Quaan Pan LGA
Plateau

4.LEA Primary School
Shere EKAN, Jos East
Plateau

5.LGED Primary School, Ambul
Ambul Village, Bokkos LGA
Plateau

6.Central Primary School
Bashar, Wase LGA
Plateau

7.LEA Primary School
Pangtumu, Shendam LGA
Plateau

8.Central Primary School
Mai’adiko, Rayfield, Jos South LGA
Plateau

9.Pilot Primary School
Zambang, Langtang South
Plateau

10.Ekan Primary School
Foron, Barkin Ladi LGA
Plateau

11.LEA Primary School
Lipchock, Langtang North
Plateau

12.LGEA Islamiyya Primary School
Abba na Shehu Ward, Jos North LGA
Plateau

13.LGEA Primary School
Sambak, Hoss, Riyom LGA
Plateau

14.LGEA Primary School
Mafra Ward Bassa LGA
Plateau

15.LGEA Primary School
Dung Wuseli, Pankshin LGA
Plateau State

16.LGEA Primary School
Tabulung, Kanke LGA
Plateau State

17.Pilot Primary School, Sabon Gida
Langtang South LGA
Plateau State

18.LEA Primary School Gazum
Langtang North LGA
Plateau State

19.Ekan Primary School, Garkawa
Mikang LGA
Plateau State

20.LEA Primary Sch. Nwoop, Koenoem District
Mikang LGA
Plateau

21.Central Primary School, Amper
Kanke LGA
Plateau
22.EKAN Primary Sch. Dantse, Ganawuri
Riyom LGA
Plateau

23.T/RCM Primary School, Shendam
Shendam LGA
Plateau

24.Pilot Primary Sch. Bwarat
Langtang North
Plateau

25.LEA Primary Sch. Mwel, Ampang East
Kanke LGA
Plateau

26.LGED Primary Sch. Rawuru, Fan District.
B/Ladi LGA
Plateau

27.T/RCM Primary Sch Kwande
Quanpan LGA
Plateau

28.LGEA Primary Sch. Hwak, Kuru
Jos South LGA
Plateau
29.LEA Primary Sch. Reak
Langtang North
Plateau
30.Township Primary Sch. Jos
Jos North
Plateau

31.LEA Primary Sch. Mban
Langtang South LGA
Plateau
32.LEA Primary Sch. Bapkwai
Langtang North LGA
Plateau
33.Central Primary Sch. Langtang
Langtang North LGA
Plateau
34.LEA Primary Sch. Mabudi
Langtang South LGA
Plateau
35.LGED (EKAN Trans) Primary Sch. Abwor/Dyis
Pankshin LGA
Plateau

iii. AWARD OF PRIZES RANGING FROM N200K TO N500K TO WINNERS OF SPORTS COMPETITIONS

Barrister Dalung in 2016, supported a Football Tournament in Mangu by giving various cash Prizes to the victorious teams. Like wise in May, 2017 he awarded Prizes to the best team in a Football Competition in Langtang North worth N300k. This is to encourage the development of sports talents at the grassroots.

K. INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT

Charity, the saying goes, starts from home. In line with this age old adage Barrister Solomon Dalung has constructed and handed over a 6 Classroom Block to his early Primary School, Pilot Primary School, in Sabon Gida, Langtang South LGA.

L. CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTIONS IN HEALTH SECTOR

i. Barrister Dalung in his selfless commitment, assisted Kim, a student of the University of Jos who suffered a spinal cord problem with the sum of N12.5 million to settle his overseas medical bills.
ii. Purchased and distributed sanitary and toiletries to patients in Jos University Teaching Hospital during 2017 Easter Celebration
iii. Donations to Church building projects:
iv. Donated N500,000 for reconstruction of Burnt down Church Building in Yelwa, Shendam Local Government Area of Plateau State
v. Donated N1million to Faith Ambassador Redeemed Ministries Sabon Barki Jos

vi. Purchased of Evangelism Bus to ECWA Women Fellowship etc

M. MANPOWER DEVELOPMENT
Barrister Dalung as Minister secured Federal Employment Opportunities to Plateau Youths into various Federal Ministries and Parasatals ( Nigeria Immigration Service, Nigeria Railway Corporation, National Youth Service Corps, Nigerian Police Force, Nigerian Army, Nigerian Civil Defence Corps, Central Bank of Nigeria)

They are spread across the Local Government Areas of the State:
1. Jos South 5
2. Langtang North 5
3. Langtang South 3
4. Wase 1
5. Pankshin 5
6. Jos North 1
7. Barkin Ladi 1

N. PROVISION OF WATER RESOURCES

Barrister Dalung as a grassroots politician, knows the immediate need of his communities. He provided a Motorized Borehole to Sabon Barki Community in Jos South LGA and Langtang North Community to alleviate water scarcity.

O. PEACE BUILDING
Barrister Solomon Dalung intervened and dialogues when Ancha Village of Bassa LGA were attacked in September, 2017 and donated relief materials to the victims. Barrister Solomon Dalung also intervened and settled crisis that claimed 25 lives and lost of properties in Gazum Community of Langtang North LGA of Plateau State. The Minister donated cash to the victims and called National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to support all affected communities
(Bassa, Bokkos, Barkin Ladi, Langtang North) across Plateau State with relief materials.

P. SETTLED FINES OF SOME YOUTH IN JOS PRISON
Barrister Solomon Dalung freed 51 inmates who are youths in Jos Prison with option of fines. These youths have gained their freedom and have united with their families in September, 2017.

May God bless the People’s Minister, Barrister Solomon Dalung to continue serving his people in Plateau State and Nigeria at large, Amen.

Signed
Nanmak Peter
Secretary, Solomon Dalung Foundation

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ACHIEVEMENTS OF BARRISTER SOLOMON SELCAP DALUNG AS MINISTER OF YOUTH & SPORTS DEVELOPMENT IN THE AREA OF YOUTH EMPOWERMENT

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About The Author
- Friday Bako is Certified National Accountant (CNA), Blogger, Social Media Influencer/Strategist, Youth Activist and Advocate for good governance.