The Executive Secretary, Nigeria Christian Pilgrim Commission, NCPC, Rev Yakubu Pam has urged Citizens of Plateau state to come together, speak with one voice and shun violent acts that usually ends up in ethnic motivated speeches and sentiments.
A signed statement by the Media Aide to the ES, Pam Ayuba indicates that Rev Pam stated this while delivering a keynote address at the maiden Kamkur Samuel Foundation, KSF, Plateau Peace Conference held at the SARAU Event Centre in Jos on 21st September,2021.
Speaking on the topic “Peaceful Coexistence” the NCPC Boss said there are many crises that exist in the world but “the duration of time for our conflicts has been over 20 years almost compared to that of Afghanistan, Israel and Gaza which he said had dragged for a longer time”.
He said Plateau State needs help to cushion the effect of the prolonged crises that had ravaged the North central state since 2001.
Rev Pam further described as regrettable the crisis that broke out in Jos in 2001, believed by many would end in two to three days but have prolonged to over 20 years.
Plateau, he said, has witnessed a lot of crises that has left thousands of Internally Displaced Persons without food, clothing’s or shelter scattered in different IDPs camps in the state.
According to him Over 60 percent of leaders are responsible for the deep problems prolonging the Jos crises and as a result citizens must avoid sentiments and speak with one voice.
“Leaders must speak for all and not for one side alone. To end the crises, we must learn some lessons from the Kingdom of Jordan.
He said Nigeria and Plateau can move forward if we all make research into the lingering problems in jos and how we can handle them like Jordan who has 10% Christians and they’re living peacefully as Jordanians.
“Jordan has 10 per cent Christians but they live in complete harmony with their bigger Muslim population. You can’t differentiate who’s a Muslim or Christian even in their government set up. We must see humanity in people. We must stop retaliation and encourage our youths to be engaged in meaningful ventures” he noted
The NCPC boss further noted that the road map to achieving peace in Plateau state is to run away from revenge while decrying the way and manner killings has been assumed as normal where a whole household can be wiped out.
“It’s not time to make speeches but to speak to the authorities, those in government must stand up to condemn this violence and promote peaceful living. We all need relevant actors to be engaged in the peace building process by making sure we all live to this ideal in life. we all need to respect these ideals for peaceful existence”.
“We must encourage voices of justice who must speak to end the prolonged crisis. We talk of peace without justice. If we all come together to talk about being fair, justice must be seen to be done”. Rev Pam opined.
He said we need good governance as corruption is fast destroying the country as people can not go into public service without corruption.
