From Asile Emmanuel, Jos
The Plateau Peace Building Agency (PPBA) has tasked stakeholders to promote and sustain the relative peace currently being enjoyed in the state, if any meaningful development is to be achieved.
This was the focal point stressed at a consultative forum held at the Government House in Jos to mark the World Peace Day, tagged “Sustainable development goals; Building blocks of Peace”.
Speaking during the opening remark, the Director General PPBA, Mr. Joseph Lengmang, advocated need to bridge all gaps that led to the incessant crises that once bedevil the state.
Lengmang emphasized that the state government has played a pivotal role in ensuring that the once peaceful Plateau regain its role and pride as the ‘Home of Peace and Tourism’, thereby has set up PPBA to compliment the efforts of other NGO’s that has played very significant roles in ensuring the peace will all enjoy today.
However, the Deputy Governor, Prof. Sonni Gwanle Tyodn, noted that Plateau State cannot be left behind in commemorating the World Peace Day, stating that if not for any reason but for the reason of what Plateau State has been through as a people and for the reason of what Plateau hopes to achieve in the future.
Represented by the Commissioner for Land, Survey and Town Planning, Hon. Festus
Fuanter, the deputy governor said that, “when you desire peace you must be willing and ready to fight and die for it. It is my believe that we in Plateau desired peace so much that we have fought and many have died just in order for us to have peace.
“We are all living witnesses to the fact that this government owes its ascension to power partly for the overwhelming desire of the State for peace. As a result of this desire, we will continue to do everything possible to provide and sustain peace on the Plateau.
“The reason why we are enjoying the relative peace on the Plateau is because as a responsive government , we chose to utilise our diversity as a source of strength rather than utilise our differences as a reason for weakness. We chose to de-emphasis tribal bigotry and highlight inclusiveness, we chose to provide equity, justice and fairness, three factors which our campaign was predicated upon. We will continue to provide an enabling environment for peace to grow.
“It is as a result of our desire for sustainable peace that the Peace Building Agency was created in Plateau State under whose agency we are marking today’s United Nations International Day of Peace”, he said.
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