Forgiveness Day: Despite the violence of the past, forgiveness is possible – Mr Lengmang, DG PPBA

The Director General of the Plateau Peace Building Agency, Mr. Joseph Lengmang has again reminded the Citizens of the State of their roles as Stakeholders in the Peace building process in the State.

To mark the forgiveness day February, 2021 the Director General of the Plateau Peace Building Agency, Mr Joseph Lengmang said for the State to achieve prosperity, all hands must be on deck for the collective interest of the State.
He made the disclosures at a Media Parley to herald the Day of Forgiveness and Reconciliation being observed in Plateau State.

It will be recalled that on February 7th 2019, Governor Simon Lalong inaugurated the ‘Garden of Forgiveness’ in Jos, the State Capital.

7th February has been set aside by the State Government as a day to highlight the importance of forgiveness and reconciliation in the process of peace-building in the State.

Mr. Lengmang said the essence of the day is to promote the agenda of peace through healing, forgiveness and reconciliation considering the bitter experiences of the State in the past.
He urged citizens to unite towards breaking the walls of stereotypes and prejudices. He said as citizens, there is need to always consider our shared humanity.
He said the agency will continue to work with the citizens to achieve a better, secured and safer society through mutual understanding.

He said Gov. Lalong has made peace a priority in his administration.

He hinted that the agency was established to rethink the approach to the challenges of peace and security by being proactive instead of being reactive; to deescalate violence and work to break the conflict traps irrespective of all considerations.

He said the mandate of the agency is to promote the culture of peace and harmonious coexistence, among the various ethno-religious divides on the Plateau.

He appreciated the media for their contributions to the success of post conflict peace and sustaining same. He urged them to remain advocates of peace.
He said their efforts and commitment as Ambassadors of peace have greatly assisted in peace building.

“The Agency will continue to build on the gains recorded from the relative peace being enjoyed.”

“The essence of the forgiveness and reconciliation day is to reflect on what to bequeath the future generation, repair broken relationship and begin to live peacefully together”

“Despite the violence of the past, forgiveness is possible” he said.

He said the Media as agenda setters have significant roles to play in promoting peace, forgiveness and reconciliation.

The Executive Secretary Plateau State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, Barr. Auwal Abdullahi commended the ingenuity of Governor Simon Lalong for establishing the Peace Building Agency which has been working assiduously to entrench peace through greater understanding.
He commended the media for their roles in societal transformation and peace building. He urged the citizens to eschew bitterness and embrace peace as well as abide by the tenet of forgiveness. He said it is God’s desire for us to live harmoniously together so that our diversity can be our source of strength.
“Forgiveness is one of the best human conducts” Barr. Auwal concluded.

In her remarks, Haj. Lantana Abdullahi Bako urged citizens of the State to be peace Actors and work to restore broken relationship. She decried how women and children are always at the receiving end of violent crisis calling on men to always consider the sufferings faced by the mentioned persons. She said violent crisis doesn’t prosper the State, instead it bring about retrogression, suspicion and mistrust among the citizens.

Da Gyang Jatau, a Community Leader in Gyel in his remark recalled the experiences during the civil war and underscored the importance of peaceful coexistence. He said no meaningful development can be achieved in a hostile environment.
He gave an account of how Muslim youths were saved and returned to their communities unharmed during the ‘EndSARS’ protest.

The parley was attended by the Director of Programmes of the Agency, Mr. Godwin Okoko, the Agency’s Director of Administration Mr. Gayi Timothy, other Staff of the Agency, Dr. Alh. Abdullahi Sale Community Leaders and the Press.