The Plateau State Government has restated its firm commitment to restoring peace, rebuilding trust, and promoting inclusive development across communities affected by violence.
This assurance was conveyed by the Commissioner for Information and Communication, Rt. Hon. Joyce Ramnap, mni, who received a visiting delegation from the European Union (EU) and Search for Common Ground in Jos.
The visit was aimed at strengthening collaborations on peace and development efforts in the state.
Speaking on behalf of Governor Barr. Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, the Commissioner described peacebuilding as both a moral responsibility and a crucial pathway to economic growth.
She commended the EU for its consistent support toward stabilizing Plateau and other conflict-prone regions in Nigeria.
“Some of the attacks we’ve witnessed recently were unprovoked and deeply unsettling. Entire families have been wiped out. This makes the work of rebuilding trust and fostering peaceful coexistence even more pressing,” she said.
She emphasized that the state government is adopting a layered and community-based approach to tackle insecurity.
Initiatives like Operation Rainbow, the Plateau State Peacebuilding Agency, and the newly reconstituted Advisory Council on Interreligious Harmony are all geared towards promoting early warning, information sharing, and swift response to crises.
“Operation Rainbow, in particular, has been critical in supplementing the work of conventional security outfits. Their presence has strengthened community confidence and coordination,” she noted.
The Commissioner also shared long-term plans aimed at building lasting peace through economic empowerment. These include ongoing livestock reforms through ranching, cultivation of natural grasses, and improved infrastructure across schools, hospitals, roads, and water systems.
“Peace cannot be divorced from economic stability. When people are engaged meaningfully, the chances of violent conflict drop significantly,” she added.
The EU delegation, led by Gift Omoniwa, Acting Country Director of Search for Common Ground, was joined by EU officials Mr. Ruben Alba and Winifred Achu.
The visit also served as an assessment of the ongoing EU-funded IRENEW project, which is promoting interfaith dialogue and youth engagement across Plateau’s 17 Local Government Areas.
Omoniwa applauded the state’s commitment to fostering dialogue, noting that the IRENEW project has led to the establishment of the Plateau State Youth Interfaith Forum in partnership with the Peacebuilding Agency.
Mr. Alba reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to Plateau’s development goals, particularly in key sectors such as agriculture, digital technology, and infrastructure.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner also welcomed a delegation from the United States led by Ambassador Dr. Linda Middleton, Founder and CEO of Kaleidoscope Business Project. The visit focused on potential partnerships in agriculture, tourism, education, and projects targeting women and children.
She reiterated that Plateau remains open for partnerships that foster innovation, inclusive growth, and the real dividends of democracy for its people.
