I felt an increasing urge to scribble something on peace in the light of the terrible and bitter experiences we had in Plateau state and the Middle-Belt Region as a whole when peace completely eluded us and what we saw instead, was a full blown ethno-religious war. Remembering the past breaks my heart and makes my emotion run high. I write this article with the consciousness that achieving a future of peace and reconciliation in Plateau state is possible. We can be that change which is bound to occur in our state. Being born and bred in Plateau state has given me a vast knowledge of the variables that shape my state and the many challenges confronting my people. Traveling to rural communities on humanitarian missions has also given me first-hand knowledge of what life looks like for the poorest of the poor. Many communities are ravaged by poverty and many more shrieked by brutal conflicts. The story of those rural dwellers is that of tragedy to say the least. Particularly, I’m with a heavy heart, when I reflect on the desperate situation our people have found themselves in. They suffer a great deal and it appears government hasn’t spread its tentacles of development and other initiatives for the direct benefit of those in rural Plateau. The challenges are obvious. What I would like to lay emphasis on is how we could mobilize our capacities to engage in a permanent search for peace. It’s possible! The little we can do to promote a culture of peace wherever we are is bound to be appreciated and beneficial to generations yet unborn. We all need peace to live happily and mingle together. We need peace in order to be alive and get the education we need to succeed in life. We equally need peace to fulfill our dreams and become who God wants us to be. Peace is needed in our homes, churches, offices, markets, schools, farms and everywhere. Without which, lives will be at stake and the future of young people remains in danger. Everybody is duty bound to build peace and advocate reconciliation among conflicting parties and warring factions so our society can get better. Fathers, mothers, students, pastors, imams, politicians, young and old, black, white and the disabled are affected directly or indirectly when they don’t work for a peaceful society. This has become necessary.

PLATEAU’S CLOUDY PAST

I’ve always had a passion for peace to the extent that my friends call me the ‘Peace Ambassador’. I’m truly honored anyway. This article doesn’t have the intention of casting aspersions on any group or person. It is basically written to shine a spotlight on the possibility of rebuilding the broken walls of Plateau state and explore avenues of achieving true peace and reconciliation. I humbly offer myself to work tirelessly and ensure that the desired result is achieved. Between 2001 to 2011, Plateau state was dwelling in the doldrums of bloody killings. Christians and Muslims fought themselves bitterly, communities clashed, politicians instigated violence, bombs blew and cut off lives and suspected fulani herdsmen wrecked untold havoc in sleepy villages. This brutal evil happened in the city centre of Jos and almost all parts of Plateau state. In retrospect, the Yalwa Shendam crisis was there, the Shonong crisis was there, the Dogo Nawa, the Bokkos where a serving first class traditional ruler was killed and the Riyom and Barkin Ladi where a then serving senator Dr. Gyang Dantong and a serving House of Assembly member Hon. Danfulani were ambushed and killed when they went to bury some of their constituents killed by herdsmen. That was a brutal tragedy to say the least. Plateau state suffered a great deal in the hands of political, ethnic and religious fundamentalists. Our story wasn’t palatable at all. We lost many of our people including women and children who had such a bright future before them. I weep and send my deepest condolences.

TIME FOR A BETTER FUTURE

Peace is something we must all yearn for. It’s a project that must be executed in all ramifications of public life. It’s a dream worth pursuing and sustaining. It’s the thread that holds a society together. Imagine a society without peace! Tragedy would befall the people. There will be total darkness, confusion and hopelessness upon the land. Nothing works well in the interest of a nation when crisis erupts and people are killed. When there is peace, governance is made possible and dreams are attained. Education flourishes and democracy takes firm root. It’s time for a better future in Plateau state. We must all work for the greatest possibility of true peace and reconciliation. We must forget the past and embrace love. We must never give up on the dream of entrenching peace in our hearts and allow it to spring out and spread its wings throughout the state like morning glory. This must be done to heal old wounds and open a new chapter of reconciliation and progress for the sake of posterity.

God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria

Satmak DAPAR
+2348030546215

Satmakdapar1@gmail.com

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Building A Future Of Peace And Reconciliation On The Plateau