Plateau State Governor, Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, has called on stakeholders across ethnic, religious, political and professional divides to renew their commitment to unity, peace and inclusive development in the state.
He made the call during a leadership retreat organized by the Plateau Initiative for Development and Advancement (PIDAN), which brought together traditional and religious leaders, political actors, civil society representatives, development partners and other stakeholders.
The governor said stronger collaboration among citizens, government, traditional institutions and civil society was critical to addressing the state’s security challenges and unlocking its economic potential.
He linked peace and development to improved connectivity, rural infrastructure, communication and economic opportunities, saying his administration would continue to expand road infrastructure and rural connectivity to boost economic activities and reduce the isolation of vulnerable communities.
On security, Mutfwang said the state would intensify efforts to facilitate the safe return of internally displaced persons to their ancestral communities whenever security conditions permit.
He stressed the importance of intelligence gathering, effective communication and community participation in preventing attacks and promoting lasting peace.
The governor also identified Plateau’s mineral resources and livestock sector as major economic opportunities, urging stakeholders to promote organised artisanal mining, stronger regulation and environmental responsibility.
He called for greater investment in the livestock value chain, particularly milk production, while assuring that policies on ranching would be implemented in the interest of the people and without forceful acquisition of land.
Mutfwang further urged citizens to rise above political, ethnic and religious differences, particularly on social media.
“Our differences can become a source of assets that we can leverage upon to advance our people,” he said, stressing that the collective interest of Plateau should take precedence over partisan considerations.
He commended PIDAN for providing a platform for dialogue, declaring, “If there was a time that PIDAN was needed, I want to say the time is now. PIDAN has come to stay.”
PIDAN President, Amb. Nanpon Danjuma Sheni, said the organisation remained committed to dialogue, advocacy, research, community development and constructive engagement.
“Our responsibility today is not only to preserve the legacy of PIDAN but to strengthen it for the future,” Sheni said.
He noted that PIDAN’s non-partisan structure, comprising presidents representing the 56 ethnic nationalities in Plateau, had enabled it to promote peaceful coexistence and broad-based consultation.
The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement, North Central, Dr Abiodun Esiet, reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to deeper community engagement, saying sustainable development could not thrive without peace and security.
He announced that a North Central Security Summit would be held on August 31, 2026, in Benue State, with government officials, security chiefs, traditional and religious leaders, farmers’ associations and other stakeholders expected to deliberate on insecurity and sustainable peace.
Traditional and religious leaders at the retreat also called for collective responsibility in rebuilding trust and strengthening social cohesion.
The retreat is expected to produce a roadmap for repositioning Plateau around peace, responsible resource management, inclusive governance, youth empowerment, cultural preservation and sustainable economic development.
