Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau State on Wednesday appealed to citizens of the state to embrace the Rwandan pattern of reconciliation in order to coexist peacefully.
He also promised to do everything possible to sustain peace in the state, while expressing a deep desire to bequeath a peaceful state.
Lalong stated this at an event organised by the Plateau Peace Building Agency (PPBA) to commemorate the 2022 International Day of Peace in Jos, the State capital.
The 2022 International Day of Peace has the theme ”End Racism, Build Peace” with a sub theme ”Fostering Social Cohesion and Mutual Understanding for Sustainable Peace in Plateau: The Role of Community”.
The governor, who was represented by the state’s Commissioner for Information and Communications, Dan Manjang, recalled the crisis between the Hutu and Tutsi in Rwanda, that claimed about a million lives, but they have agreed to leave together as Rwandans, while respecting their differences.
“I want to appeal to the people of Plateau State to emulate the people of Rwanda, who fought a deadly war, but have embraced each other and are coexisting peacefully.
“We will do everything possible to secure the people of Plateau; because we can only grow and develop when there is absolute peace.
“We will deploy all resources at our disposal to ensure lasting peace is restored to all parts of the state.
“The establishment of the peace building agency is part of our efforts in ensuring there is peace at all levels,” he said.
Lalong commended security operatives and the media for working assiduously towards the actualisation of the relative peace currently being witnessed in the state.
“I want to call on residents of Plateau to support and collaborate with government and security operatives towards a peaceful state.
Earlier in his welcome address, Director General of PPBA, Mr Joseph Lengmang, said that the event was organised to reflect on the importance of the day, which was set aside by the United Nations to commemorate the peace works in the state.
Lengmang said that the event was organised in collaboration with its partners.
The DG explained that the event had afforded peace practitioners in the state and other stakeholders to share their experiences.
Also speaking, Co-Chairman of Plateau Inter-Religious Council,
Prof. Pandang Yamsat, advised residents of the state to be “tolerant, patient and respect” the values of others, so that they can coexist peacefully.
Yamsat urged communities to come together and draw out values that would entrench togetherness and promote peaceful co-existence in the society.
There were also goodwill messages from the representatives of Gbong Gwom Jos, Commander Operation Safe Haven (OPSH), Commissioner of Police, Commandant, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI), Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), among others.
