By Kateng Daniel, Jos
Plateau State Governor, Simon Bako Lalong has assured that his administration will remain committed in ensuring that peace return to the state as he marks ‘forgiveness day’.
Gov. Lalong disclosed this during the occasion of the commemoration of forgiveness day held at the peace and forgiveness garden, Jos.
He said “There is no doubt that two decades of recurring violent conflicts in various parts of our State did unimaginable damage to our collective psyche and fractured age-long peaceful intra and inter group coexistence which stunted our development and growth.
“You will also recall that some Local Government Areas like Bokkos, Barkin Ladi, Jos South, Riyom and Jos North were hot-beds of ethno-religious crisis and violent attacks where precious human lives and property were lost.
“Our goal since coming to office, has been to restore our State to its solid foundations of peace, justice, equality, tolerance and hospitality”.
“Since we instituted the Forgiveness Day, our people have continued to embrace one another and work hard in putting the ugly events of the past behind them, thereby building a better society”.
He urged citizens and the media to avoid the dissemination of messages that stirs anger and invite the people to violence, revenge and unforgiving.
“May I use this occasion to specially appeal to the political class to tow the same line of the traditional, religious and community bodies by anchoring their political messages on love, peace, forgiveness and reconciliation.
He applauded Royal Fathers who have not only worked assiduously to maintain peace in their domains, but also engaged various stakeholders in preaching the message of forgiveness and reconciliation.
“In the same vein, our religious leaders have also played a similar role by propagating the message of love and forgiveness to their followers.
“I have also directed the Plateau Peace Building Agency to design and implement a project that will help foster social cohesion and ensure the reintegration of our segregated communities in the State.
“Plateau is ours to hold, nurture and develop when there is love but hate can not make us grow as a State”.
Lalong in the spirit of reconciliation and forgiveness, promised to build a market for the people of Miango so as to bring development and foster peace.
Former COCIN President, Pandam Yaksat said reconciliation and forgiveness is a Christian lifestyle not an option, “if we want God to forgive us, we must forgive other people”.
