The Plateau State Peace Building Agency (PPBA) on Wednesday, 15th October 2025, hosted a significant engagement session at its conference hall in Jos, focusing on the Humanitarian, Development, and Peace (HDP) Nexus in Bassa, Bokkos, and Mangu LGAs. The highlight of the event was the symbolic presentation of relief materials worth ₦56 million and ₦26 million for school fees for out-of-school children, donated by the ECOWAS Commission in support of conflict-affected communities.
Speaking on behalf of the Director General of PPBA, Elkanah Izam, Director of Administration, welcomed participants and partners, including PLASEMA, CRADI, JDPC, SDG, and Child Protection Network. He commended ECOWAS for its continuous support, describing the gesture as part of ongoing humanitarian interventions aimed at rebuilding resilience and restoring hope among victims of conflict in Plateau State. Izam further explained that though logistics challenges delayed the full delivery of the relief materials, the symbolic presentation signified the agency’s readiness to ensure direct community distribution in collaboration with partners.
In his remarks, Usman Adamu Obeche, Programme Officer for Disaster Risk Management at the ECOWAS Commission, reaffirmed ECOWAS’ commitment to supporting vulnerable groups, particularly children affected by violence. He emphasized that the relief intervention targets school-aged children who remain the most affected by recurring crises, noting that education remains central to peacebuilding and community recovery.
During the experience-sharing session, representatives from Bassa, Bokkos, and Mangu communities recounted the devastating impact of conflicts in their areas. They highlighted that thousands remain displaced, with several still living in camps under dire conditions. Churches and humanitarian organizations have been providing temporary relief through food, shelter, and healthcare, yet the needs remain overwhelming.
The community leaders further appealed for urgent government and donor support to address critical challenges such as out-of-school children, inadequate medical care, poor shelter conditions, and lack of basic amenities for displaced women and children. They expressed gratitude to ECOWAS and the Plateau Peace Building Agency for their continued concern and partnership.
The event reaffirmed the collective resolve of ECOWAS, PPBA, and partners to strengthen humanitarian coordination and promote peace and resilience in Plateau’s conflict-affected areas. The symbolic presentation marked a renewed step toward restoring hope and dignity to displaced families in Plateau State.
