I am committed to peaceful co-existence – Lalong

From Dickson S. Adama, Jos

Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau State has expressed his determination to promote peaceful co-existence in the state as well as maintaining splendid working relationship with the youths.

Lalong spoke at a memorial lecture tagged ‘Jos Chillin Project’, powered by Mees Palace and Buckwyld Media, in collaboration with the Plateau State government. He said the project aims at repositioning Jos as a tourism hub by promoting peace, unity, harmony and pride in the cultural identity of the people through the use of Nigerian stars, colourful messaging, entertainment and grassroots youth engagement.

Represented by the Director General, Plateau State Peace Building Agency (PPBA), Mr. Joseph Langmang, the governor urged young people to work together to build permanent peace and unity on the Plateau.

“I remain resolute to the conflict resolution, to security of lives and properties, and equally making sure everyone in the state thrive irrespective of tribe, religion and political affiliation,” he said.

In his remarks, the former Minister of State, Information and Communication, Alhaji Ibrahim Nakande, pleaded with the youths to make judicious use of social media to preach peace rather than using the platform to incite hate speech against one another or government.

He said the media and the civil society have a big role to play in peace building in the society and in Plateau State, adding that the past crisis on the Plateau is purely political and not religious as many thought.

The event featured many big names in the Nigerian entertainment industry, sports and media from both Lagos and Plateau State who spoke on different topics. They included 2Face Idibia, Dr Panam Percy Paul, Ice Prince, Dj Jimmy Jatt, Peter Rufai and Kate Henshaw. Others are Andre Blaze, Efe Omorogbe, Eddie Lawani, Yinka Obebe, Chris Mekwonye and Micheal Igbelabo.