President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is expected in Jos, the Plateau State capital, for the All Progressives Congress, APC, presidential rally scheduled to hold at the Zaria Road Stadium, where he will also commission three landmark development projects executed by the administration of Governor Caleb Mutfwang.
The three projects lined up for commissioning by the President are the state-of-the-art Business Process Outsourcing, BPO, Centre in Jos, the Plateau Special Activity Centre, P-SAC, and 50 hybrid Jet Mover buses procured for inter-local government transportation across the 17 local government areas of the state.
Ahead of the presidential visit, Governor Caleb Mutfwang, the National Chairman of the APC, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, and former Deputy Governor of Plateau State, Dame Pauline Tallen, on Friday undertook an inspection tour of the facilities to ascertain their readiness for commissioning.
During the inspection of the BPO Centre, Governor Mutfwang described the facility as a strategic, forward-looking and people-centred investment in human capital development, job creation, digital economy and economic empowerment of Plateau youths and women.
According to a statement issued by his Director of Press and Public Affairs, Mr. Gyang Bere, the governor said the BPO Centre was established through an innovative public-private partnership involving the Plateau State Government, Outsource Global, a leading global business process outsourcing company, and MTN Nigeria.
He disclosed that the centre has an installed operational capacity of 800 workstations or seats in a single shift, and is projected to generate up to 2,400 direct full-time jobs when fully deployed to run across three shifts of eight hours each, covering 24 hours daily operations.
Governor Mutfwang explained that the facility will serve as a gateway for Plateau youths to connect to the global digital economy, providing services such as customer experience management, customer care, technical support, data processing, telemarketing and other back-office operations for international and local clients.
He added that through the centre, young people in Plateau State will have the opportunity to work for reputable international organisations right from Jos, earn competitive salaries in foreign currencies, and acquire globally relevant digital skills without having to relocate abroad or to major cities like Lagos and Abuja.
The governor noted that the BPO Centre aligns with his administration’s vision of transforming Plateau State from a civil service-dependent state to a knowledge-based, digital and entrepreneurial economy, leveraging technology, innovation and the creative potential of its youthful population.
He said the partnership with Outsource Global, which already operates similar centres in other parts of the country and has a track record of training and employing thousands of Nigerians, will ensure that Plateau youths receive world-class training, certification and mentorship to compete favourably in the global outsourcing market.
According to Mutfwang, the centre is equipped with modern computers, high-speed internet connectivity, uninterrupted power supply, training halls, conference rooms, and other support facilities to ensure optimal productivity, comfort and efficiency for workers and to meet international standards required by global clients.
He also stated that MTN Nigeria, as a key partner, is providing robust broadband infrastructure, digital support and connectivity solutions to ensure seamless operations, noting that the collaboration underscores the importance of private sector participation in driving digital transformation and job creation in the state.
Speaking on the second project, the Plateau Special Activity Centre, P-SAC, Governor Mutfwang said it is a multi-purpose recreational and hospitality facility designed to promote tourism, leisure, entertainment and social cohesion, while also serving as a revenue-generating asset for the state government.
He said the P-SAC, located in the heart of Jos, features modern amenities, event halls, recreational spaces, restaurants and other facilities that will attract visitors, host conferences, cultural events and family activities, thereby boosting the hospitality and tourism potentials of Plateau State which is known as Home of Peace and Tourism.
On the third project, the 50 hybrid Jet Mover buses, the governor said they were procured as part of his administration’s transportation reform programme aimed at easing movement, reducing transportation costs, and improving inter-local government connectivity for citizens, traders, students and workers across the state.
He explained that the buses, which are powered by both Compressed Natural Gas, CNG, and petrol, are more environmentally friendly, fuel-efficient and cost-effective, in line with the Federal Government’s initiative to promote clean energy, reduce dependence on petrol and cushion the effects of fuel subsidy removal on the populace.
Governor Mutfwang noted that the buses will operate on designated routes linking Jos, the state capital, with all 17 local government headquarters, thereby facilitating trade, access to markets, healthcare, education and other social services, especially for rural dwellers who often face transportation challenges.
He said the transportation scheme will be managed under a sustainable, transparent and accountable framework to ensure durability, affordability and efficiency, with trained drivers, maintenance crews and a monitoring system to guarantee safety and quality service delivery to the people of Plateau State.
The inspection tour, which took the governor and his entourage to all three project sites, was marked by excitement and commendation from officials and residents who witnessed the facilities, with many describing them as legacy projects that will have lasting positive impact on the economy and well-being of Plateau people.
APC National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, who is also a Plateau indigene, commended Governor Mutfwang for his vision, commitment and performance, describing the projects as evidence of purposeful leadership and alignment with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises job creation, digital economy and infrastructure development.
He said President Tinubu’s decision to commission the projects during his visit to Jos for the APC presidential rally underscores the importance the Federal Government attaches to sub-national development, innovation and partnership with state governments in delivering dividends of democracy to Nigerians.
Former Deputy Governor, Dame Pauline Tallen, also praised the Mutfwang administration for the people-oriented projects, particularly the BPO Centre which she said will provide meaningful employment for thousands of youths and women, reduce unemployment and restiveness, and position Plateau as a hub for digital jobs and outsourcing in Northern Nigeria.
She urged Plateau youths to take full advantage of the opportunities offered by the BPO Centre and the transportation scheme by acquiring relevant skills, maintaining the facilities and supporting government initiatives aimed at improving their lives and securing their future.
Meanwhile, preparations are in top gear in Jos for President Tinubu’s visit and the APC presidential rally at the Zaria Road Stadium, with security agencies, party officials and supporters putting finishing touches to arrangements to ensure a hitch-free, peaceful and successful event that will showcase Plateau’s hospitality and political significance.
On the brick of tightening security and safety measures, the Plateau State Government had announced traffic diversions, security arrangements and protocol guidelines for the presidential visit, urging residents to come out en masse to welcome President Tinubu and participate in the rally and commissioning ceremonies which mark a new chapter in the state’s development journey.
