By Pwanagba Agabus, Jos
Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State, has called on the elites to take greater responsibility in shaping narratives that foster peaceful coexistence and national unity, especially in the face of the prevailing insecurity bedeviling the nation.
He also emphasised that meaningful public discourse on security must be guided by honest, informed, and patriotic contributions, particularly from the elite class, who are often positioned to influence opinion and policy.
Mutfwang made this call while declaring open a One-Day Multi-Stakeholder Roundtable Dialogue on Community Policing as a Panacea for Insecurity in Nigeria: The Case of Plateau State, held in Jos the State Capital.
He said, “Communities that have lived peacefully together can suddenly be torn apart when the minds of the people are poisoned. Often, this starts subtly. But the elites have the responsibility to provide leadership, to guide conversations constructively.
“Unfortunately, when elites choose to fan the embers of hatred, they become the ones setting a dangerous agenda, twisting knowledge and spreading misinformation that ultimately sows division among ordinary people”, the governor decried.
He affirmed his resolve to dismantle the artificial barriers of faith and ethnicity that continue to hinder unity and development in Plateau State.
“As I stand before you today, I want to reiterate that I came into government with a firm resolve to restore lasting peace to Plateau. That is why I have deliberately sought to bridge the divides we’ve built across religion and ethnicity.
“Yet, I received reports of being labeled in certain influential circles. Still, I beat my chest and say, without fear of contradiction, that I have done more than any governor since 1999 in building peace and unity on the Plateau,” he asserted.
Mutfwang once again reaffirmed his unwavering support for the establishment of state police, which he believes is a necessary step toward addressing insecurity more effectively.
“I remain a vocal and unapologetic advocate of state policing.
“In my two years as Governor, I have come to the firm conclusion that the Nigerian Police Force is too large and too centralized to be effectively managed from Abuja.
“It has become such a vast organisation that every month, it still uncover new complexities about its operations.”
The Governor commended the Gideon and Funmi Para-Mallam Peace Foundation for convening the dialogue and for its relentless efforts in promoting justice, peace, and value-based leadership.
He also appreciated stakeholders across different faiths who have consistently stood for fairness and peaceful coexistence in Plateau State, urging them to continue upholding these virtues as key drivers of sustainable development.
Earlier in his remarks, the President of the Gideon and Funmi Para-Mallam Peace Foundation, Rev. Gideon Para-Mallam, thanked Governor Mutfwang for his presence and described him as a man of peace and integrity who, over the last two years, has demonstrated commitment to restoring sanity, peace, and order in Plateau State.
He noted that Plateau has suffered immensely from insecurity, with grave consequences on lives and property.
Para-Mallam emphasised that the time has come for sincere, inclusive dialogue among stakeholders to chart a path forward for peace on the Plateau and in Nigeria at large.
According to him, the Foundation is dedicated to promoting justice and peaceful coexistence through value-based leadership development and by creating platforms for dialogue and collaboration among communities affected by conflict.
The Roundtable featured a keynote address by Dr. Solomon Arase, along with contributions from several high-profile individuals and peacebuilding experts.
