Map of Plateau State use to demonstrate the report.
By Marie-Therese Nanlong
Jos – The Gideon and Funmi Para-Mallam Peace Foundation, and the British High Commission are working together to find solutions to crises rocking Plateau state.
At their latest, stakeholders in communities in state despite their differences have again reiterated the need for peaceful coexistence saying there is no way development would come to the state without peace.
The stakeholders drawn from Barkin Ladi, Bassa, Jos East, Jos North, Jos South, and Riyom, the six local government areas in Plateau North senatorial zone, in a three-day event organized by the Gideon and Funmi Para-Mallam Peace Foundation in partnership with the British High Commission, stressed continued dialogue, forgiveness and tolerance would ensure peaceful coexistence.
Addressing the participants, the President of the Foundation, Rev. Gideon Para-Mallam said his organization and other like minds are working to promote dialogue, reconciliation, and peaceful co-existence and called on the people to embrace peace at all times.
His words, “We began the discussions with youths across the six local government areas on Monday. This is with the view to end the violence and insecurity. The workshop is for a deep dive peace dialogue.
“We deliberated with about 86 women and their leaders on Tuesday looking at the role women play in the peacebuilding process and today, we brought together religious, community, and traditional leaders. These activities will go a long way in addressing the issue of violence on the Plateau.
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“We desire that the people of Plateau State will continue to value dialogue. We desire that people engaged in and practice tolerance and forgiveness, we encourage people to promote the sense of justice and fairness for all in the various communities.
“We do not encourage the continuation of the cycle of violence that we witness and that is why we have brought the young people on Monday, the women on Tuesday, and today we consider the traditional rulers, religious leaders, and community leaders with all deliberating to make sure that this state experiences peace.”
In their goodwill messages; The President, Church of Christ in Nations, COCIN, Rev. Amos Mohzo, represented by Rev. Stephen Vongdip said God is the God of the peace who gives peace freely to people and challenged citizens to receive the grace to live in peace with one another because “without peace which is God-given, the society would not make any progress.”
The Deputy Chief Imam of Jos Central Mosque, Sheikh Gazali Adam also noted that peace is priceless hence the need for all to imbibe the virtue of peace and peaceful co-existence.
Paramount Ruler of Irigwe Chiefdom, Brra Nggwe Rigwe, HRH Ronku Aka advocated for “patience with one another because patience will promote peace in our various communities.”
On her part, a facilitator, Hajiya Fatima Suleiman, emphasized calling for inclusion and effective parental guidance, insisting that “women have a role to play to minimize the issues of gender-based violence and criminality among children.”
Meanwhile, the Director-General of the Plateau Peace Building Agency, Joseph Lengmang, represented by Godwin Okoko urged the leaders to play their roles effectively in building trust and ensuring peace.
