The Governor of Plateau State, Rt. Hon. Simon Bako Lalong, has said he has been resolute and committed to building an enduring legacy of peace beyond Plateau State and will not relent in exploring all avenues that will help in the sustenance of peace and security.
Governor Lalong disclosed this Monday at the opening ceremony of a two-day peace summit organized by the Christian Association of Nigerian, Northern region, holding in Jos.
The Summit, with the theme: “Sustainable peace and security as a panacea for development: the role of Christian leaders,” had Lalong saying: “In the last one month, we have concentrated efforts in establishing the vital nexus that will help us in identifying the key roles that we have as Government in driving the peace process on the Plateau through diverse approach, which will help us consolidate on the gains we have made so far.
“Today we are further making a resolve to add value to the commitment of government in being a part of the solution that will promote peaceful existence and religious harmony beyond Plateau.
“The theme for this Summit is no doubt apt and draws to mind the essentiality of peace and security as a panacea for sustainable development beyond our State.
“The Peace Conference that recently held under the auspices of Plateau State Peace Building Agency is a statement of our Government’s resolve not to leave any stone unturned as we seek to find a comprehensive solution to the peculiar dynamics of our human existence within the cosmopolitan sphere of our social interactions. As a people of faith, we must underscore our common humanity as we seek to find within the dictates of our faith, those essentials that defines us as human beings and for which, we hold our accountability in that same faith to our callings as Christians.
“I am confident that as Christian Leaders gathered on a common platform for the simple task of activating our faith with action, we would be stimulating in the course of this Summit the kind of works that will give visible expression to the dictates of our faith, which will further help us identify the onerous responsibility that we have as a people of faith in the Peace Project in Nigeria.
“I am particularly glad that General Paul Tarfa has accepted to serve as the Keynote Presenter at this Summit which Rear Admiral Samuel Bitrus Atukum has also accepted to represent our dear General Yakubu Gowon GCFR at the Summit. Through the representation of these key personalities who represent some of the best in our Country, I make bold to say, the value of their contribution at this Summit will be making a very eloquent Statement on the much we stand to gain in the cause of this summit as a people of faith.
“I have no doubt in my mind that with the caliber of people who have been assembled, for the purpose of dealing with the dialectics of the conversations in this meeting, we are more than poised to identifying and dealing with the essential matter of faith within the cause of this deliberation, that will seek to challenge our collective common destiny as a people.
“This conversation I dare to say will be robust and enriched only as we seek to be part of the solution rather than being part of the problem, particularly that we have identified the denominator of our engagement being our common faith.
“I therefore enjoin all of us as participants in this summit to activate in the cause of this meeting, everything that will help us arrive at the desired destination which will speak spiritually and physically to our human conscience.
“I must thank you for sharing in the conviction that we hold so dearly as a people of faith in Northern Nigeria, and I wish to assure you that Northern Nigeria is project in Gods hands and the strength of our conviction is that we are on a journey to a bright future which is secured in the hands of God.
“I invite you to share in this prayer and dream that will usher us into a better Nigeria that holds great prospect for us as a people of faith, where religious harmony, peace and security shall remain the greatest of our harvest as a people of faith.”
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