By Ezekiel Dontinna
Governor Caleb Mutfwang, of Plateau State, has sued for a deliberate action in defence of the Middle Belt region towards a strong, formidable and peaceful States where development strives.
He made the case Sunday, while delivering his keynote address at the Maiden Plateau Middle Belt Leaders Connect and Get Together, organised by the Office of the Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to Governor Mutfwang on Middle Belt Ethnic Nationalities, held at Eliel Centre Jos.
The Governor, represented by the Chief of Staff, Plateau State Government House, Builder Jeremiah Satmak, said, “if we must have peace in Plateau State, this engagement is one of the major drivers for peace.
“The major objective of creating this office, which has never existed before,
is for unity. One of the major things we promised the people of Plateau is to provide unity, and to be truly united.
“We must unite as Middle Belt to strongly protect our territory for us to enjoy peace and all other residents of our country to share in our peace. There is a leadership that has come to change the reality”, he assured.
On his part, the Guest Speaker at the occasion, Rev. Dr. Gideon Para-Mallam, commended Governor Caleb Mutfwang for creating an office to deal with Middle Belt issues with one of the vibrant Journalists to take the lead.
“Such efforts are vital in helping to address the challenges which have long been unreachable. This range from intergenerational conflicts, unhealthy literacy titles, to economic marginalization and political manipulation amongst several.
“May God bring on this nature and strength to reflect on key issues that affect us collectively and chart forward pathways for peace, progress and economic transformation.
“You know, the Middle-Belt people are found all over the states in Northern Nigeria. As we sit together, we’re signaling a rejection to the forces of division. We are saying, unequivocally, that the Middle-Belt is better and stronger together when united”, he enthused.
Also, the PIDAN President, Ambassador Nanpon Danjuma Sheni, assured that the task required not just synergy between PIDAN and government, but it also required an incremental formation among all other ethnic nationalities living within the Plateau and even outside the Plateau State.
“At this stage, I must also congratulate His Excellency, Barr. Caleb Manesah Mutfwang, for appointing a Special Assistant for the Middle Belt Nationalities.
“This underscores the importance the government and people of Plateau State attached to all ethnic nationalities within the entire Middle Belt. A people bound by common history, common culture and heritage”, he emphasized.
PIDAN President, however, disclosed that, PIDAN was incorporating almost 60 ethnic communities with common culture that shared in the mission of common culture and promised to cooperate fully with the Office of Senior Special Assistant and Middle Belt Ethnic Nationalities.
Thereafter, the National President of the Middle Belt Journalists Forum (MBJF), Comrade Mark Mayah, Represented the the Forum’s National Secretary, Ladi Emmanuel, noted that as Middle Belt Journalists, they were committed reporting or raising issues that affect the region.
“Anytime when there are issues, call on any of us and we are ready to listen to who needs to raise or talk using our platform. We will send them to the radio ocean to bring out the very state of their story for them to speak out.
“So, it is a team that we need to put together. Together, we will carry out this fight. It’s a fight. It is not just a leader voice. It is a group that is behind to see each of you and tell the world what your issues are”, he stressed.
The Plateau Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ayuku Pwaspo, commended the convener of the occasion, Hon. Dan Kwada, for hosting the ever Maiden Middle Belt Leaders Connect & Get Together.
She, therefore, urged all the Middle Belt Leaders and Group to come together and form a formidable front that could move with strong and one voice towards building a united Middle Belt.
Meanwhile, the Convener of the Maiden Middle Belt Leaders Connect & Get Together, who is the Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to Governor Caleb Mutfwang, of Plateau State, Hon. Dan Kwada, expressed optimism that the show of interest in Middle Belt movement now was an indication of great things to happen.
“Today’s event provides us with a unique opportunity to connect, interact with ourselves, get to know ourselves, so that we can chat a new way forward. It is going to be that we, the people of the Middle-Belt, will build a better environment I saw it for the rest of the history.
“Despite our contributions, despite our efforts in celebrating and defending this country, yet we have nothing to show. it is time we begin to talk to ourselves. It is time to begin to unite ourselves it is time”, he encouraged.
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