Plateau State Government has reaffirmed its willingness to partner Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs), towards cushioning the plight of less privileged citizens, especially victims of insurgency.
Governor Caleb Mutfwang stated this while speaking at the inauguration of a Memorial Garden in honour of victims of insurgency in Nigeria and a book launch by the Executive Director of Center for Caring, Empowerment and Peace Initiative, (CCEPI), which was held on Sunday at the organization headquarters, Dwei, in Jos South local government area of Plateau State.
Mutfwang who was represented by the Secretary to the Government of the State, Architect Samuel Jatau, encouraged the organization to keep faith alive, assuring them that God will sustain the organization because of their impact on humanity.
He said an injury to one is an injury to all, and called for a united force against insurgency promising that the Plateau State Government will stand by the organization and support them to succeed in their humanitarian services.
According to the Governor, the State have enemies, noting that there is negative narrative going out there about Plateau which they need to correct. “We thank God we are doing it gradually, but with partners like you we will be able to move fast. So do not be discourage, you are in the right track. I want to encourage you to continue doing it and God will bless you. ” He prayed.
The immediate past governor of the state and senator representing Plateau South at the National Assembly, Sen. Simon Lalong who was represented by his former Commissioner for Information, Dan Manjang also commended the organization for what they are doing.
He said it is pathetic that they are gathered to remember those who were killed in a cruel way and called on Nigerians to imbibe peace and love for one another. He also called for support for the survivors at all times.
While dedicating the book, titled “We Bore The Brunt” by Dr. Rebecca Dali, the Executive Director of the center, the President, Ekkilisiyar Yan’uwa a Nigeria, EYN. Rev. Dr. Daniel Mbaya read the book of Zachariah 4:10 and Psalms 46:1 and called on the guest present to stand for justice and always speak against injustice, violence or evil.
According to him, the devil is using so many strategies to confuse people so that wickedness will continue to strive, saying some of the strategies are to make others to see victims of violence like they are suffering from their sins.
While congratulating the author of the book, the clergy said the book is a history of survivers and victims of insurgency. He used the occasion to disabused the minds of those who always give negative narrative to the violence that is “Farmers-Herders clashes”, as according to him he has not seen where a farmer move around with his farm to attack herders.
Chairman of the Occasion, CSP. Mailafiya Yakubu, appreciated the work of the organization for given hope to the survivors, as he revealed that humanity is his passion as a Police Officer. He called on perpetrators of violence to drop their sword and embrace peace for the sake of God and humanity.
The Executive Director, Center for Caring, Empowerment and Peace Initiative, Dr. Rebecca Dali, in her welcome address, appreciated her guests and said their show of love is a clear indication that their hearts are for the less privilege.
She said the book captured the stories of the survivors of attacks by the infamous Maitatsine, the dreaded Boko Haram and many other act of insurgency.
She said the garden is to immortalize the over 160,000 souls that perished in such horrible circumstances. She added that CCEPI has over the years been caring for survivors of insurgency through the provision of basic necessities of life like foodstuffs, shelter and also train others in vocations like tailoring, knitting, catering and computer.
The Executive Director said with the stoppage of support from some donor agencies, there is a need for them to look inward, and that is why all the proceeds from the book launch will be dedicated to serve the over 120 survivors that are under the organization.
The garden which was dedicated has the 160,000 names of the victims killed by the act of insurgency since 1980, to date, from the Infamous Maitatsine era, Boko Haram and many other violence act across Nigeria and parts of Cameroon.