Plateau State Governor, Mr. Simon Lalong.
By Marie-Therese Nanlong
Jos – The Plateau State Peace Building Agency, PPBA, in Plateau has charged journalists to promote peace and peaceful co-existence through their work in order to build a peaceful environment.
Plateau State Peace Agency which is under the office of the Governor was created to promote ideals of peace within the state and ensure peaceful co-existence with those the state relates with.
Addressing the journalists drawn from the print, electronic and online media at an interactive session to mark this year’s international peace day, Director-General of PPBA, Mr. Joseph Lengmang, commended media efforts in the State but called for more.
The theme for the event was, “the quest for sustainable peace and justice ‘wither the media’.”
Mr. Lengmang said the relative peace enjoyed in the state is due to the critical roles of journalists in preaching peace, adding that the Agency through the media was able to get some early warning signs that has helped in nipping in the bud some situations that could have led to violent conflicts.
“We have put this event together as part of celebration to mark this year’s international peace day; a day set aside by the United Nations (UN) to celebrate peace. We have decided to specially celebrate this day with the media because you are critical stakeholders in the peace building process.”
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“We are most grateful to all the journalists on the Plateau for the support because through your reportage we are able to get some early warning signs. The media is a strategic partner toward achieving lasting peace and so we urge you to continue with the good works.”
“We urge you to continue to use your various platforms to counter fake news, ethnic and religious sentiments, mutual suspicion and promote issues that will entrench lasting peace and harmony in the state”, Lengmang said.
Also, Commissioner for Information and Communication, Dan Manjang commended journalists for dousing some tensions in the state and urged them to continue to support government’s efforts toward ending insecurity and promoting lasting peace in the state.
“You have been very supportive; even as we are unable to address some of your challenges, you have stood by the government. So, we want to urge you to continue with the good works so we can have lasting peace in the state.”
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In his remark, the State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Barr. Chrysantus Ahmadu said that “lasting peace would only be achieved through conscious and deliberate efforts by all, hence the need for the media to work for peace in the state.”
He stressed that government has put the necessary laws and policies that would promote unity, peace and oneness in the state.
Meanwhile, the State Chairman, Nigerian Union of Journalists, NUJ, Paul Jatau, assured journalists in the State would continue to do the best to promote peace.
