Unity is the quality of being one in spirit, sentiment, purpose, etc.; harmony; agreement; concord; uniformity.

For any group, State or nation to attain greatness, progress, development and prosper at appreciable levels, the leaders and elites must embrace, project and promote unity, peace and harmonious living. Bitterness, disaffection and divisive tendencies MUST be eschew by leaders, elites and all people.

One thing lacking among the political leaders, elites and various ethnic groups in Plateau State is unity. The absence of which has caused and still causing major setbacks and retrogression to the popular “home of peace and tourism”

There is complete absence of a strong platform where past/current leaders such as Head of States, Military Governors, civilian Governors, Federal/State lawmakers, Chairmen, Ministers, Commissioners, Aides and other critical stakeholders will come together as one to consciously and deliberately articulate a progressive and beneficial agenda for the collective good of Plateau State. All we see is political, ethnic and religious rivalries which have thrown the State to the path of retrogression and have not augur well for the State.
There is need for a strong platform which must be continuous and active.

Are we going to experience a time when Rear Adm. (Rtr) Samuel Bitrus Atukum, Amb. Fidelis Tapgun, Senator Joshua C. Dariye, Senator Jonah Jang and Governor Simon Lalong will come together to discuss best ways to move Plateau State to greater height?
Posterity will not forgive or leaders/elites if they don’t come together to pursue the “Plateau Interest”

May God rest the souls of the great emancipator, Chief. Dr. Solomon Daushep Lar, Dalo Da D. B. Zang and the list is endless.

Why have the likes of Nde Dr. Alexander Kebang, Da Yohanna Dalyop, Arc. John Alkali etc hibernated or gone into a state of oblivion? Your silence no matter how good it may personally be to you is not healthy to the State.
Plateau State still need them to play advisory role and pursue genuine reconciliation among the critical stakeholders of the State.

Plateau State is blessed with abundant human, natural and material potentials that remain untapped.

Plateau State will grow, shine, develop, excel and progress if our political leaders and elites will discard parochial interest and tirelessly pursue the collective interest of the State by being agents and ambassadors of unity.
I am so specific about political leaders and elites because God has bestowed them with power, will and capacities to influence the people positively towards unity and prosperity of the State. If they could influence the people politically to vote them then they can equally influence them positively to unite for the good of the State.

It will be good to see Baba S. B. Atukum, Amb. Tapgun, Senator Joshua Dariye and Da Jonah Jang, Baba mai-tuwo da shinkafa Sen. Jeremiah Useni, Rep. Suleiman Kwande, Barr. Dr. I. D. Gyang, Barr. Edward Pwajok SAN, Engr. Solomon Bulus Maren, the core performing Barr. Beni Lar, the great empowering genius Hon. Ahmed Idris, Hon
JohnBull Shekarau, Rep. Timothy Golu, Dame Pauline Tallen, His Excellency Ignatius Longjan, Senator Davou Zang, the indefatigable Sen. Nasiru Mantu, Rt. Hon. George Daika, Rep. Dr. Simon Mwadkon, Senator Victor Lar, Sen. Major Sati NGogwin, Rep. Leo Dillon, Hon. Bukar Bello, Nde Jidauna Dimka, Prof. Shadrach Best, Rep. Bitrus Kaze, Prof. C. J. Dakas SAN, Rep. James Ayuba, Nde Alexander Molwus, Rep. Emmanuel Go’ar, Prof. Pam Sha, Col. Samuel Gulong, Prof. Garba Emmanuel lobbying and influencing good things nationally and internationally to the State. This is because they have traveled far and wide, representing us in diverse capacities and made quality allies which they could use to the advantage of the State irrespective of their ethnic, political and religious inclinations.

While I am challenging the older leaders and elites to unite, youths like Barr. Henry Longpoe, Mr. Joseph Lengmang, Mr. Dachung Musa Bagos, Dr. Philip Nyango, Mr. Mangna Yusuf, Cmr. Joshua Wang, Barr. Sam Toklen, Miri Timnan Nyantau(MTN), Mr. Shuaibu Doro, my Buddy D’yong Mangut, Mr. Anko Kudu, Mrs. Jiritmwa Morgak, Dr. Chinan McLean, Mr. Abdulkarim Yaro, Mr. Chuwang Pwajok, Mr. Satmak Dapar, the mover Chikas Comfort Kumle, Hon. Musa Ashoms, Mr. Sam Magaji, Mr. Rwang Stephen etc must start articulating an agenda that will chart a cause to a brighter and better Plateau in the future as potential leaders.

I want to assure our leaders and elites that there will never be leadership vacuums as the youth have demonstrated sufficient capacities and competencies to handle leadership and governance in all ramifications. We have million of youths who are committed to excellence, integrity and are very innovative and passionate and desirous of the growth and development of Plateau State.

Once Plateau State is strong, the North Central Zone and Nigeria are strong while if it is weak, it affects the North Central Zone and Nigeria as a whole because I see Plateau State as a miniature Nigeria.

In our unity lies our strength and power, while we stand the risk of being destroyed by our adversaries when we are disunited. We either unite to grow was a people or divide to die as tribal, ethnic, religious and political bigots. We must appreciate our tribal, religious and political diversity and see them as blessings.
Our unity will silence and neutralize our adversaries/external forces, but when we give way for crack they’ll penetrate to destroy us.
Let me at this point say Plateau State worst problems are not external as we all thought but internal and we must all resolve to work together in unity to be stronger or head to collective destruction. All we need is unity to confront and address our external problem. But if we refuse to unite, then we should blame ourselves for our woes.

We don’t need an angel to tell us what we stand to benefit as a State when we are united. With purposive unity, we will bring back Plateau State to the path of progress, growth, development and prosperity.

We stand to gain a lot if we are united, but stand to lose if we allow the disunity and disaffection eating us up to continue.

As a youth advocate, let me advice the youth to stand by and emulate people who promote and project the unity of the State and work towards the growth, love, peace, development, harmony and prosperity of the State. The youth must also unite and stop patronizing leaders and elites who are retrogressive in nature and those who champion hate, disaffection, disunity and disharmony in the State. The youths MUST say no to agents of division and retrogression.

We will continue to do our best as agents of love, peace, unity and progress of the State. We’ll contribute our best to make Plateau State grow and prosper.

We’ll remain strongly committed to things that will promote unity, peace, harmonious living, growth and development of Plateau State and Nigeria by extension. We’ll embrace things that unites us while discarding those that divides us.

Together in unity we can make Plateau State the pride of Nigeria and Africa.

God bless the Plateau State of our dream.

Cmr. Friday Bako

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Plateau Leaders/Elites Must Unite For The Common Good Of The State – Friday Bako