by Christiana Gokyo, Jos
Chairman of Plateau State Traditional Council, the Gbong Gwom Jos, Da Jacob Gyang Buba, says there is the need for Government to urgently release a statement to spell-out processes to streamline the various conflicting Gazettes on Creation of Chiefdoms, Districts and Villages into a workable document and matters involving the traditional council.
He said, where there are judicial orders, government needs to ensure compliance, and the government must gazette a guideline that will provide for processes and requirements for upgrade of Chiefdoms, District or Village Areas, which must include population, cultural similarities, boundary alignments, among others.
He was presenting a Keynote Address at the Nigeria Union of Journalists Plateau State Council Colloquium during their Press Week, held at Crispan Hotel Jos, recently, with a theme, ‘Plateau: What Next After Crossroads,’ and was represented by the Da Gwom Heipeng.
“Annual Cultural Calendar must be developed for the State, in accordance to customary laws. The State Government must restrict building of houses on hills, rocks and mountains, as they belong to the traditional rulers. So also, there should be restrictions on tampering with river formations, as they serve as traditional landmarks,” he stated.
The Gbong Gwom Jos noted that, “In setting the agenda for discussion and adoption of strategies, government must first set the machinery in process through some form of legal framework that will outlive the present administrations and generations to come.
He added that, “The participation of Non-Governmental Organizations, Civil Society Organizations and other ethnic and cultural associations will strictly monitor, evaluate and constructively criticize the policies and implementation.
“For a long time, activities of PIDAN have been quite commendable and strategic in harmonizing views, opinions and criticisms of the various recognized cultural development associations across the state as one voice.”
The Gbong Gwom Jos further stated that, “Plateau State will need to develop a Strategic Plan that will focus on building new cities and settlements in remote and ungoverned spaces to decongest the urban centres, particularly Jos and Bukuru metropolis, as well as other parts of the state that are over-populated.”
According to him, “This measure will not only move social amenities to those areas, but also will aid in securing these areas from invaders.”
While cautioning the political class to desist from “politics of bitterness,” he stressed that, “Government must encourage broad-base appointments into agencies and other structures in governance and government needs to ensure that it spreads across board the dividends of democracy.”
Da Jocob Gyang Buba further urged government to ensure transparency in all processes that involve submissions of memorandum.
“The government should also ensure proper image-making and management as against the negative social and conventional media coverage that has not been regulated, portraying the state as insecure.
“Government must formulate policies that will encourage companies to process the agricultural produce of the state into finished products. These are food items – such as Plateau Potatoes, to be processed and packaged as chips slices, among others,” he stressed.
“The State must find ways to invest in sustenance of security and safety of lives and property,” the Gbong Gwom said, pointing out that, “With the theme of the day: ‘Plateau: What Next After Crossroads?’, can be considered to be a timely conversation, owing to the fact that the state is at the eve of clocking 50 years since its creation, in February 1976.
“The choice of the theme is quite apt and appropriate at a time like this, when critical decisions on critical issues have to be taken,” he stated.
The Gbong Gwom Jos commended the Plateau State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists for setting the tone for such a dialogue that is capable of provoking in-depth review and reflection on the Plateau journey in the last five (5) decades, particularly in the areas of infrastructural development, human capital development, security as well as the advancement and preservation of cultural heritage and values in the state.
Speaking earlier, Chairman of NUJ Plateau State Council, Ayuku Manasseh Pwaspo, said, “The Week puts the Media in the public space, reminding both practitioners and the public of who Journalists are, and what is expected of them as professionals.
“Our role in setting agenda, steering society to safety, fulfillment, and glory cannot be overemphasized. This is especially true when society is going through storms that can be stilled by acts of wisdom, courage and sacrifice,” she noted.
Of worthy note, she said, “This year, the NUJ has chosen ‘PLATEAU: WHAT NEXT AFTER CROSSROADS’ as the theme for our collective scrutiny.
“The choice of the theme for the Conversation was deliberate. It projects a shift from the lamentations we have wallowed-in for years, to a point of critical thinking on what we need to do to bring succor for the land of Plateau and all its people.”
Mrs Pwaspo expatiated that, “In pursuit of this, NUJ deemed it wise to bring to the Conference Table a voice that must be heard – that of the Paramount Traditional Ruler in the State, His Majesty Da Jacob Gyang Buba, the Gbong Gwom Jos.
“It is the conviction of the NUJ that, as Chairman of Plateau State Council of Chiefs and Emirs, the foremost traditional ruler is strategically placed to lead the Conversation on what may be described as ‘our leaking roof,’ and how we should go about the work of renovation and restoration before the decay gets worse, and the house collapses.”
The Chairman further noted that, “Being a dialogue, we have invited other critical stakeholders as participants. This, we are convinced, will enrich the resolutions and strengthen the will needed to take Plateau State to the peace, justice and progress that it yearns for.”