SPEECH BY HIS EXCELLENCY, THE EXECUTIVE GOVERNOR OF PLATEAU STATE, RT. HON. (DR) SIMON BAKO LALONG AT THE PLATEAU STATE FORGIVENESS AND RECONCIALITON DAY HELD AT THE GARDEN OF FORGIVENESS, OPPOSITE OLA HOSPITAL, JOS, 7TH FEBRUARY 2020.

PROTOCOLS

Today marks yet another significant step for Plateau State as we continue our journey towards peace, reconciliation and forgiveness in the quest to rebuild our State from the ashes of violence of the past.

As we mark the second annual Forgiveness Day, we are conscious of the efforts that have been put in to ensure that our people live in peace and harmony, as well as find a new narrative that does not only prevent conflict, but also encourage dialogue and reconciliation.

This Day should therefore enable us to think beyond our past and present agonies, to consider the fate of generations yet unborn who shall one day rise to celebrate us for taking the path of forgiveness and breaking the cycle of violence and bitterness.

This is not to suggest that people should pretend that bad things did not happen, or that people are still not living with the scars and losses that were recorded in the crises that engulfed our beloved State some years back.

What I believe and advocate is that we look to the future and rise from the ashes of disappointment, to a place where we are strong to take up the challenge of rebuilding our lives and living decently again.

On a day such as this therefore, I stand before you by the grace of God as the Governor and Chief Executive of Plateau State to on behalf of all the good people of our dear State, ask for forgiveness from everyone who has suffered one loss or the other.

The picture stares us in the face where we have children who lost parents, wives who lost husbands, parents who lost children, husbands who lost wives, relatives who lost loved one, friends who lost associates, as well as people who lost property and means of livelihood.

Though the losses are huge and unquantifiable, the one thing that the Day of Forgiveness should not make us loose is Hope. When we have hope, then God can heal our hearts and make us live productive, purposeful and happy lives once again with amazing results.

That is the path that our Rescue Administration has been working to encourage and strengthen through our style of governance which is all-inclusive. We believe that justice, fairness and equity will hasten the healing process of our beloved State.

Over the past four years, we have pursued policies that are tailored towards creating harmony and rebuilding confidence in our people, and reassuring them that they can live and pursue their legitimate businesses peacefully.

This has made many people who initially ran away because of crises to return, while new people (both foreigners and Nigerians) are coming in almost every day to make a living and settle in this serene, temperate and well-endowed State.

While we look forward with great expectations, we must also be on our guard, knowing fully that the State is still faced with some security challenges because of the activities of criminals.

We are still grieving over the shocking killings in Kulben, Mangu Local Government, and Kwatas in Bokkos Local Government where innocent lives were lost while others were injured and properties destroyed. We must support the security forces to fish out those criminals so they can be punished.

At the end of last year, we flagged off the permanent resettlement of IDPs to their ancestral lands and we are continuing. Last month, I met with the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs in Abuja to solicit for more assistance to enable them settle back seamlessly to their ancestral lands.

These and more initiatives will definitely help us to re-build broken relationships, enhance resilience, resettle and reintegrate victims of conflict, so that they can forgive the past and reconcile with one another.

Let me at this point pay special tribute to members of the security agencies that have worked tirelessly to return peace to our State. Some have even paid the supreme price. On this solemn day, we cannot forget you. Indeed, we as a State also ask for forgiveness from members of your families.

May I also appreciate members of religious organisations, the civil society, humanitarian bodies, non-governmental organisations and well-spirited individuals and groups, who have done so much to bring succour and relief to victims through counseling and provision of jobs, items and so on. Plateau State cannot thank you enough.

I end my speech by referring all of us to two popular sayings that no one to my knowledge is yet to disprove. The first says “TO ERR IS HUMAN, AND TO FORGIVE IS DIVINE”.
The second is from the Lord’s Prayer that Jesus taught His disciples which says: “FORGIVE US OUR TRESSPASSES AS WE FORGIVE THOSE WHO TRESSPASS AGAINST US”.

Plateau State is rising again, and the gates of violence, hatred, vengeance, fanatism, terrorism and bigotry shall never prevail against it.

Long live Plateau State, Long Live Federal Republic of Nigeria.

It is now my privilege to formally declare open the 2020 Forgiveness and Reconciliation Day in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Thank you.

Rt. Hon. (Dr) Simon Bako Lalong, KSGG
Executive Governor, Plateau State &
Chairman, Northern Governors Forum.
7th February 2020.

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Gov. Lalong’s Speech on Peace, Forgiveness & Reconciliation on “Plateau Annual Day of Forgiveness”