JOS – Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang has received praises for leading an all inclusive administration on the Plateau aimed at bringing the people together and provide them with high-quality services and effective governance.
This commendation was made by the leaders of cultural Organizations and ethnic nationalities resident in Jos when they received the Senior Special Assistant SSA to the Governor on Middle Belt Nationalities, Hon. Dan Kwada during a familiarization visits.
It would be recalled that not too long after his appointment in August this year, Kwada made clear his desire and intention to meet with the leaders of the over 100 middle Belt nationalities resident in Plateau.
Consequently , the SSA on Middle Belt nationalities commenced his tour with visits to the Secretariat of PIDAN, Berom Cultural and Educational Organization (BECO) in Bukuru Jos South, the Southern Kaduna People’s Union (SUKAPU), Plateau State, the Tiv and Zhar communities, respectively.
Dan Kwada stated that the exercise was aimed at uniting the different nationalities who shared in the same struggle and to forge a common front to deal with the challenges confronting them including insecurity and land grabbing.
During the separate visits, the SSA posited that Governor Mutfwang was very passionate and concerned about the challenges confronting the Middle Belt region. “This formed the basis for the creation of this office for the very first time in the history of Plateau State.
“And the main reason is for inclusiveness and to ensure that we all speak with one voice because our issues or challenges are peculiar, most especially the challenge of insecurity and land grabbing will bridge the gap”.
At BECO Secretariat, Bukuru, where the SSA was received by the BECO President world-wide, Da Gyang Dudu and members of his Executive, the BECO President appreciated Gov Mutfwang for picking Dan Kwada for a position he described as very sensitive saying the office does more beyond what the eyes can see.
He held that the Middle Belt is not just about nationalities but a movement rooted in ideology.
The BECO President believed that identity remained the fundamental element in connecting the nationalities. “Identity becomes the very fundamental element in connecting who we are.
“Before you say Middle Belt Nationalities, there must be some form of identity and this identity is what we want to connect and see how we can fuse it together to make Nigeria a better nation for each and everyone of us”,
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Dara Dudu further noted with disenchantment how the Middle Belt person has been subjected to all kinds of oppression and marginalization in all ramifications. “It is on record that some federal establishments or ministries are the exclusive right of people in other regions and not those from the Middle Belt.
“No matter the level of education, experience and exposure of a Middle Belt person, he will never be appointed to head certain positions or ministries.
“Why are we not considered or treated as part or members of this sovereignty?
“Why are the people of the Middle Belt being used for the comfort of people in other r I’megions?, Elder Dudu asked rhetorically.
In the light of this, the BECO President commended the ingenuity of Governor Mutfwang for seeing the need to create such an office and the appointment of Dan Kwada to head it.
The SSA’s next place of visit was the SOKAPU’s temporary secretariat at Zawan Junction, where its Chairman, Professor Abraham Dogo says it was the first time a Governor would recognize the body on the Plateau; a sentiment that would be shared by all the other nationalities visited by the SSA. He pledged the total support of the SOKAPU community to the administration of Governor. Caleb Mutfwang.
At his Palace, the Ter Tiv Plateau State, Chief Peter Aper said that Governor Mutfwang has by the laudable step, proved that he intends to foster the bond of unity that the state and Nigeria at large so yearns for.
In his submission, the Chairman of Zhar Community, Plateau State, Ibrahim Yusuf also applauded the initiative by Governor Mutfwang saying that the governor has already shown that he is committed to embracing all irrespective of their differences or affiliations.
He equally promised the support of the Zhar Community in the state to the Mutfwang administration to ensure the delivery of dividends of democracy.
The SSA was accompanied by many personalities including Hon. Danjuma Azi, former Member, Jos North/West State Constituency and currently, the Secretary, Jos North PDP Chairmanship Campaign Council. The visit to other communities continues.
It would be recalled that the Middle Movement has expanded beyond the former six states of Plateau, Nasarawa, Kwara, Kogi, Niger and FCT to include; Southern Kaduna, Southern Bauchi, Southern Gombe, Southern Yobe, Southern Kebbi, Taraba and part of Adamawa.
