Why gains of Plateau inaugural Praise Festival must be maintained

Penultimate week, the Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, declared the month of December 2024 the month of tourism.

For the State otherwise known as the Home of Peace and Tourism, the declaration is to reinvigorate activities, enhance all aspects of tourism, and give citizens and visitors the expected excitement and gains that tourism offers.

To match words with actions, the State organized the maiden edition of the Plateau State Interdenominational Unity Christmas Carol and Praise Festival which started on Friday, November 29th, and ended on Sunday, December 1, 2024, drawing a massive crowd to the famed Ten Commandments Prayer Altar at Doi, Du District of the Jos South local government area of the State.

The three-day event, as envisaged by the governor brought to the fore the Plateau man’s love for God, peace, and unity as music lovers, indeed citizens, devoid of political and tribal differences, trooped daily to the altar to worship God.

The usually sleepy community came alive as residents made brisk businesses selling their goods and transporters had busy times conveying passengers to and from the venue.

What could have passed as an ordinary Plateau affair, turned out to be an avenue for the revelation of an agelong ‘secret’ as prominent figures like former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon made a startling statement, revealing how former President Olusegun Obasanjo who also attended the event made it alive out of the detention.

While speaking on the first day of the event, General Gowon, who was the Special Guest of Honour, disclosed that he pleaded with the late General Sani Abacha not to execute former President Olusegun Obasanjo for an alleged coup plot in 1995. “I wrote a letter to Abacha; I pleaded with him that God made him a leader to do good and not evil. I sent my wife with the letter in the middle of the night to Abacha in Abuja; I pleaded with him that such a thing should not happen. I’m glad that soon after that, things changed.

“And not only that Obasanjo left prison, he became our President in 1999. This is something that only prayers and sincerity can do. I’m happy that today myself and Obasanjo are here to celebrate the unity of Plateau,” he said.

The former Head of State noted that Plateau had gone through a series of security challenges, and the carol provided a suitable avenue for the people to commune and commended Governor Mutfwang for the diverse initiatives to promote peaceful coexistence among the people.To the ex-President, the revelation came as a shock as he confessed on the second day of the event that he did not know the role the former Head of State played.

Obasanjo said, “I have to thank you, my boss. Yesterday (Friday), you gave us a revelation. When I came out of prison, I had the opportunity to go around the world thanking friends who appealed and prayed for my release from prison.“I did that based on what I heard when I was in prison and when I came out, of friends who contributed to appeal and pray for my release. I did not know that you wrote a personal letter to appeal for my release until you said it yesterday. I thank you for that.”

He acknowledged the impact of the event and stated that even if he was not invited for the 2025 edition if God keeps him alive, he would attend the praise festival, in which he commended Governor Mutfwang for birthing.

As citizens still reel in the euphoria of the event, more tourism-inclined activities like mini-trade fairs, fashion fairs, and year festivals, among others, are unfolding to the delight of citizens, and the Governor has also given the Jos Wildlife Park a facelift to make it more welcoming to visitors.

However, what Plateau citizens owe themselves and Governor Mutfwang during this festive season is to give peace a chance and enjoy the many activities lined up for the month.If they do this, not only will they make a gain, and have rest, but they would foster an avenue for tourism to flourish, and development to thrive so that in the coming year, the Praise festival would not only be a national, but an international event which draws tourists to Plateau, the home of Peace and Tourism.