Citizens Must be at the Centre of Critical Decisions that Affects their Peace – DG Plateau Peace Building Agency

The Director General of the Plateau Peace Building Agency (PPBA), Mr. Joseph Lengmang has underscored the need for citizens to be put at the centre of critical decisions that affects their peace and security.

He spoke on the need for communities to be organized to make extraordinary things for peace and the creation of enabling environment for communities to take ownership of their security.

The DG said the establishment of the Plateau Peace Building Agency signifies a complete departure from the previous reactive approach to the present proactive approach to issues of peace and security by identifying issues of conflict at the early stage; mobilizing and stimulating critical thinking by vast majority of the stakeholders to work assiduously to douse tension as opposed to escalating tension with violence.

He reiterated the commitment of the Agency to pursuing its mandate of ensuring harmonious and peaceful coexistence of all ethno religious groups in the State.
He charged the citizens to accord greater supports to security agencies, build trust and confidence to achieve a more secured, safer and prosperous Nation.

He harped on the need to set agenda for progress and development.
The DG advocated for productive and solution-driven conversations.

Mr. Lengmang who was flanked by Management Officers and staff of the Agency made these known when he played host to the Executives of the Plateau State Bloggers and Online Media Association led by its Chairman, Cmr. Friday Bako at the Corporate Headquarters of the Agency at Liberty Boulevard Jos, Plateau State.

He lauded the group for its contributions to peace building, growth and development of the State as well as combating inflammatory and dangerous speeches which he said have the propensity of undermining the peace building efforts.
“Hate remain one of the most important legacies of the over two decades of horrific experience of violence in Plateau State” he said.
He assured the group that the agency will work closely with it considering the huge potentials at its disposal in order to address the issues plaguing the State.
He disclosed that the agency has a lot to enhance the work of the group and to broaden their partnership.

In his remarks, Cmr. Friday Bako commended the the exceptional efforts of the agency in promoting peaceful coexistence and harmonious living among the citizens through community dialogue and other peace building engagements.

He said no society can achieve prosperity and development in the absence of peace.
He said the group is readily available to support the peace building efforts of the agency.