by Christiana Gokyo, Jos 

JOS: Plateau State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), in collaboration with Operation SAFE HAVEN, on Thursday organized a One-Day Summit to brainstorm on the state of economy with regards to food security in Plateau.

Speaking at the occasion, which held in Barkin-Ladi Local Government Area on Thursday, the Guest Speaker, Rev. Fr. Stephen Akpe – a mediator and conflict resolution expert – enumerated that, “No economy survives on its own, and no state is too rich to cancel anyone from existing. The circle of life is a demonstration of interdependence. We need one another. You have what another lacks, and another has what you lack.”

A cross-section of participants at the summit in Barkin-Ladi

“Community stakeholders can also institute plans to create awareness and caution citizens on the abuse of food, whether at home or in public places, through waste carelessness or misuse,” he said, stressing that personal hygiene should be taken to ensure food security where families can protect food.

In another development, he observed that, inter-ethnic and multi-ethnic differences have crippled Nigeria since Independence, but that “this National Anthem was returned through tribes, and tongue may differ; in brotherhood we stand.”

He added that, “When you look at the global population, at least recent statistics state that we have crossed the 8 billion estimates (by the UN).

“The population in Africa is estimated to be over 1.5 billion, while Nigeria is struggling to determine its population. Yet, it is placed at over 200 million and Plateau is projected to be over 4 million.

“So, how can we undo one another? On the issue of religious dialogue, Nigeria, we are not dealing with inter-ethnic challenges alone, we are dealing with multi-ethnic issues and multi-religious issues,” he stated.

Speaking also, the GOC and Commander Operation Safe Haven (OPSH), Maj-Gen. AE Abubakar, who was represented by Colonel US Abdulsalam, said “The summit is apt and timely as Nigeria continues to experience food shortage. I am confident that the summit will yield the desired outcome by ensuring food security in our various communities.”

Colonel US Abdulsalam (representing the GOC) at the summit in Barkin-Ladi.

According to him, “Operation Safe Haven has continued to employ robust non-kinetic strategies towards ensuring food security in the State and the nation in general.”

He said, in order to dialogue and develop modalities for a secure and peaceful farming systems, the OPSH has brought critical stakeholders from across 3 states, which include Plateau, Kaduna and Bauchi, while explaining that, they have been chasing criminal elements involved in attacks in Plateau communities, especially Barkin-Ladi, Bokkos, and Mangu local government areas. 

Maj-Gen. Abdulsalam Abubakar revealed that, a reward has been put in place for any individual with useful information that will help the OPSH in exposing criminals, saying, “And we must collectively rid our communities of actions that threaten food security.”

The peace summit theme, ‘Promoting inter-ethnic and inter-religious dialogue: towards ensuring food security in the state,’ drew participants, manly youths, from Mangu, Barkin-Ladi, Bokkos, Jos South and Riyom local governments, respectively, with large attendances.

Speaking earlier in his welcome address, the Correspondent Chapel Chairman, Polycarp Auta, explained that “The Peace Summit is put together by the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigerian Union of Journalists, Plateau State Council. The Chapel is a collection of professional journalists, who are reporting for reputable media organisations, and whose headquarters are domiciled outside Plateau State.”

According to him, the summit is part of their modest contribution toward the peace efforts of the State Government and the security agencies, particularly the Operation Safe Heaven.

He said, “Beyond reporting security issues, we felt the need to bring young people of different tribes and religions, from troubled communities in Mangu, Bokkos, Barkin-Ladi, Riyom and Jos South Local Government Areas to fashion out best ways toward peaceful coexistence.

“As the farming season sets in – and Plateau being an agric hub – we also wish to use this medium to remind ourselves of the looming food insecurity in the country and the desire to develop a collective approach that will allow farmers cultivate enough food to feed the state and the nation in general. This, therefore, informs the choice of the topic for this summit,” he stated.

The Correspondent Chapel chairman, while expecting that the dialogue would serve as a major avenue for people to air out their views, concerns, and suggestions, hence, he hopes that “this event will elicit conversations and change our mindsets towards addressing the current security challenges bedivelling our dear state.”

He called on Plateau citizens to support the officers and men of OPSH in their bid to stem-out bad elements causing mayhem in Plateau communities.

According to him, “OPSH is headed by a professional, committed and an accomplished military Officer of high repute, who is committed to the actualisation of a peaceful Plateau; hence, requires the support and cooperation of the civil populace to achieve that.

“Acknowledging the existence of few bad eggs within the security circle, we wish to appeal to residents of Plateau to look at the larger picture and create a cordial relationship with the military personnel deployed to protect their communities,” he said. 

While thanking the Commander of OPSH, Maj-Gen A.E. Abubakar, for collaborating with the Chapel to organise the event, Polycarp Auta also thanked Brig-Gen G.G. Shipi (rtd), the Coordinator of Operation Rainbow and Special Adviser to the Governor of Plateau State on security, for supporting the activity. 

He also thanked the youth leaders, students’ leaders and participants from various communities in Mangu, Bokkos, Barkin-Ladi, Riyom and Jos South, friends of the chapel, for finding time to be part of the summit.

By MbNewss

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