Follow Us on Google
From Jude Owuamanam, Jos
Correspondents covering Plateau State have warned of an impending food crisis if the current state of insecurity in the state is not checked.
Chairman of the chapel, Polycarp Auta, who raised the alarm at a youth summit organised by the correspondents in conjunction with the Plateau state joint task force on security, Operation Safe Haven in Jos, said that as the farming season sets in, there’s an urgent need for all citizens to sheathe their swords and allow farmers to go to their farms.
The theme of the summit was ‘Promoting Inter-ethnic and Inter- Religious Dialogue: Towards Ensuring Food Security In Plateau State,’ with Rev Fr. Stephen Akpe as the guest speaker.
It has thousands of youths from Barkin Ladi, Bokkos, Jos South and Mangu in attendance
The chairman of the journalists’ union, in his welcome address, said that dialogue still remained the best option for solving the crisis in the state.
Auta, said that the summit was part of the journalists’ modest contribution toward the peace efforts of the state government and the security agencies, particularly the Operation Safe Heaven.
He said, “Beyond reporting security issues, we felt the need to bring young people of different tribes and religions, from troubled communities in Mangu, Bokkos, Barkin Ladi, Riyom and Jos South LGAs to fashion out best ways toward peaceful coexistence.
“As the farming season set in, and Plateau being an agric hub, we also wish to use this medium to remind ourselves of the looming food insecurity in the country and the desire to develop a collective approach that will allow farmers cultivate enough food to feed the state and the nation in general. This, therefore, informs the choice of the topic for this summit.
“Also, we are strongly convinced that dialogue serves as a major avenue for people to air out their views, concerns, and suggestions, hence, hope that this event will elicit conversations and change our mindsets toward addressing the current security challenges bedeviling our dear state.
He called on Plateau citizens to support the officers and men of OPSH in their bid to stem out bad elements causing mayhem in our communities, adding, “For us, OPSH is headed by a professional, committed and an accomplished military Officer of high repute, who is committed to the actualisation of a peaceful Plateau, hence requires the support and cooperation of the civil populace to achieve that.
While acknowledging the existence of few bad eggs within the security circle, he appealed to residents of Plateau to look at the larger picture and create a cordial relationship with the military personnel deployed to protect their communities.
He expressed the appreciation of the journalists and people of the state to the Commander of OPSH, Maj.-Gen. Abdulsalami.E. Abubakar, for collaborating with the chapel to organise this event.
“We are also grateful to Brig.-Gen. G.G. Shipi (rtd), the Coordinator of Operation Rainbow and Special Adviser to the governor of Plateau State on security, for supporting this activity.”
We want to thank youth leaders, students leaders and participants from various communities in Mangu, Bokkos, Barkin Ladi, Riyom and Jos South, friends of the chapel, for finding time to be part of this activity.
Guest Speaker, Rev. Fr. Stephen Akpe, who printed a grim picture of the security situation in the state since 2010, said that a conservative estimate showed that no fewer than 12, 300 have been killed in the crisis in the four local government areas of Barkin Ladi, Bokkos, Jos South, Mangu and Riyom,
According to him, since 2010 over 3,000 people have been killedj in Mangu. While Barkin Ladi, over 3500, Bokkos at least 2,000, Riyom nearly 1,500, and Jos-South at over 2,300. Totalling over 12,300.
He said that over 400 have been declared missing, while the amount of illegal arms
circulating in these areas is staggering.
He agreed with the journalists that at no time did Plateau needed peace than now, stressing that the present economic reality had made it imperative that all must go to the farm to feed.
Thousands of youths from the four local government areas were present during the summit
