News

JPRM Holds Interfaith National Conference Ahead of the 2023 General Elections

Published

3 years ago

December 8, 2022

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An NGO Justice Peace and Reconciliation Movement (JPRM) has held its interfaith national conference for the year 2022 in a bid to spotlight the role of interreligious and traditional institutions in promoting peace before during and after elections in Nigeria.

The conference themed “COME LET US REASON TOGETHER IN NIGERIA 3: THE ROLE OF INTERFAITH AND TRADITIONAL INSTITUTIONS IN PROMOTING THE CULTURE OF PEACEFUL ELECTIONS IN NIGERIA” took place on the 7th of December 2022 at the JPRM Peace, Orientation and Conference Centre behind Citizenship and Leadership Training Centre, Gwash-Lamingo, Jos.

JPRM President Hon. Rev. Habila M. Istifanus in his welcome address stated that the essence of the gathering is to promote tolerance and peaceful coexistence before during and after the elections.

“We are gathered at this particular time to see how we can collectively contribute to a peaceful election as the General elections are only a few months from now.”

“This program is going to see how traditional rulers and religious leaders can join hands to bring about peace.”

“Today’s program stands out because its taking place at our newly established center Peace orientation and conference center.”

Adgwon Emmanuel Aji of the Ezere Kingdom in his goodwill message commended the organization for the timely initiative and appreciated them for choosing the Ezere kingdom as the location of the organization’s building as it has improved the exposure of the community as he calls on all citizens to leave in harmony.

“The theme of this gathering being the role of interfaith and traditional institutions in promoting the culture of peaceful election in Nigeria is timely and can’t be overemphasized especially as we approach the 2023 general elections.”

“I call on all citizens to prioritize peace during this time and shun the act of violence. I have no dought that after this program more peace will be achieved.”

Speaking to newsmen the JPRM Executive Director, Eld. Mrs. Justina Ngwobia admonished all Nigerians to prioritize peace.

“We must be extremely careful and protect our nation as we can’t afford to get it wrong anymore. We need to build a new Nigeria, which is why we have organized this program so that we can reason together to proffer solutions to those things that are coursing division.”

“Nigeria is a great nation and before you are a Hausa, Igbo, or Yoruba man you are first a Nigerian. Lets take Nigeria and humanity first so that this nation will survive in 2023.”

The keynote speaker DG Plateau Peace Building Agency Mr. Joseph Lengmen represented by Alkana Eza the agency’s team lead Peace Education highlighted the role of the inter-faith and traditional councils in peace reconciliation.

“Nigeria still has a long way to achieving a universal standard of free, fair, and peaceful democracy. One of the critical factors of electoral violence is religion and ethnicity as people focus on the region and religion a candidate belongs to rather than what they have to offer and issues and problems they can provide solutions to”

“Which is why it is important for ethnic and religious stakeholders to avoid hate speech and instigation but rather preach the principle of good conduct and freedom as the election approaches.”

Lead advocate, Plateau Women in Peace and Securit Hajihah Fati Sole called on women to double their effort in dousing tension within and outside their homes.

“Women have a key role in ensuring peace especially as the election is around the corner. I appeal to all women to increase their effort in dousing violence and tension in thire homes and the society, and promote objectivity.”

Delivering a paper at the event Dr. Iman Mohammad Ashafa advised religious and traditional leaders to desist from involving ethnic and religious sentiments in politics.

“Electoral violence is prevalent as a result of the monetization of political process and politicization of religion. Religious leaders and traditional rulers should stop appointing and declaring political leaders but instead simply bless such candidates.

“Traditional and Religious heads should use their position to encourage accountability, chartered of demand, scorecard, right of return, and collaborate with INEC during elections.”

A lecturer at the University of Jos Dr. Elias N. Lamle speaking on active and responsive citizenship; a sure way to promote peace in Nigeria stated that a nation is built on the concept of citizenship.

“Citizenship is the backbone of any country but because we are getting it wrong we are backward in the area of development.”

“People must understand their role as citizens, know how to rule and how to be ruled… Citizenship is important, so let’s not just be consigned about political sentiments but address issues as it happens.”

Highlight, of the event, was the presentation of awards to deserving individuals in recognition of their contribution to youth and women empowerment and peacebuilding across Plateau.

The event also witnessed an amazing performance by the Stone Ezel Arts Group.

Related Topics:2023 interfaith conference JPRM

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1 Comment

Jon. Rev Habila M. Istifanus

December 9, 2022 at 8:10 pm

Excellent Report Plateau Reports. Well done.

Reply

News

Bandits kill pregnant woman, husband in fresh Plateau attack

Published

33 minutes ago

May 13, 2026

Preport

Gunmen suspected to be bandits have killed a couple, Iliya Gyang, 30, and his pregnant wife, Grace Iliya, 25, in a fresh attack on the Angwan Ishaku community in Barkin Ladi LGA of Plateau State.

Rwang Tengwong, spokesperson for the Berom Youth Moulders Association (BYM), told Peoples Gazette that the incident occurred at about 6 p.m. on Wednesday.

In a statement sent to the Gazette, Mr Tengwong condemned the gruesome attack carried out by terrorists on Wednesday evening.

“The couple were both shot by the assailants while the husband was working in front of their home, leading to the immediate death of Mrs Grace Iliya at the scene, while her husband, who sustained serious gunshot injuries, was rushed to the hospital but sadly later gave up while receiving treatment,” he said.

Mr Tengwong noted that the attack came a day after the State Security Council meeting, where the Plateau government announced decisive measures aimed at addressing persistent attacks and destruction of farmlands across communities.

According to him, the attackers arrived on a motorcycle, opened fire on the couple and others in the area, and fled through the road leading to Fulani settlements in Fass along the Rakung-Sho road.

“The deceased woman had only recently finished breastfeeding their one-year-old twin boys and was pregnant again. The tragic killing of the couple has now left the innocent twins orphaned and devastated their entire family.

“Two other persons also sustained gunshot injuries during the attack, while their health conditions are yet to be confirmed,” Mr Tengwong said.

The group described the attack as barbaric, wicked, and inhuman, saying it reflects the worsening insecurity confronting residents of Barkin Ladi and surrounding communities.

Mr Tengwong also called on the Plateau government to immediately provide support for the orphaned twins left behind by the deceased couple.

Efforts to reach the police spokesman in the state, Alfred Alabo, were unsuccessful. Text and WhatsApp messages sent to him remained unattended as of press time.

Business

Court Jails Saleh Mamman 75 years for N33.8billion Fraud

Published

34 minutes ago

May 13, 2026

Preport

Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Wednesday, sentenced a former Minister of power, Saleh Mamman to 75 years imprisonment for money laundering charges.

Mamman, who was absent in court, was prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, for money laundering to the tune of N33,804,830,503,73( Thirty Three Billion, Eight Hundred and Four Million, Eight Hundred and Thirty Thousand, Five Hundred and Three Naira, Seventy Three kobo).

Justice Omotosho convicted him last week on all the 12-count charges preferred against him by the EFCC but deferred his sentence to Wednesday.

Count one of the charges reads:

“That you, SALEH MAMIVIAN {Male), sometime in 2019, in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Court, whilst you were the Minister of Power conspired with other officials of your Ministry and some private companies to indirectly convert the total sum of =N=33,804,830,503.73

{Thirty-Three Billion, Eight Hundred and Four Million, Eight Hundred and Thirty Thousand, Five Hundred and Three Naira, and Seventy-Three Kobo) through various private companies which sums you reasonably ought to have known formed part of the proceeds of unlawful activity, to wit: criminal breach of trust in relation to the funds released for the Mambilla and Zungeru Hydroelectric Power Plant Projects by the Federal Government of Nigeria; and you thereby commit an offence contrary to Sections 18(a), 15(2)(b) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 {as Amended), and punishable under Section 15(3) of the same Act.”

Count two reads:

“That you, SALEH MAMMAN (Male), sometime in December 2019, in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Court, conspired with SAMSON BITRUS to make a cash payment of US$665, 700:00 (Six Hundred and Sixty-Five Thousand and Seven Hundred United States Dollars) to MOHIBA INVESTMENT LTD (acting through Mohammed Asheik Jidda), without going through a financial institution, and that you thereby commit an offence contrary to Sections 1 and 18(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as Amended), and punishable under Section 16(2)(b) of the same Act.”

At Wednesday proceedings, Prosecution Counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo,SAN informed the court that the convict again was not in court and no reasonable excuse was given from his lawyers about his whereabouts. He urged the court to continue with the sentencing in his absence citing Section 266 and 352 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015 which provides guidelines for such an occasion.

Oyedepo also urged the court to order the forfeiture of properties traced to the convict to the Federal Government. The properties are, two units of four- bedroom detached apartments located at 93 Ahmed Joda Crescent, Kado Estate, Abuja and a property located at No 12A & B, Lingo Street, Wuse, Abuja.

Also, Oyedepo, who is also the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation, urged the court to order the forfeiture of cash recovered from Mamman’s house: $13,890, €19,960, £10,000 , 42,390 Doran, R35,000, ₹50,60,00 and 247 Saudi Arabia Riyadth . He also urged the court to direct that the convict refund the difference of the amount recovered and the amount remaining in the N22bn for which he was found guilty.

Delivering judgment, Justice Omotosho sentenced Mamman to 75years imprisonment: seven years each on counts 1,2,3,6,7,8,9,10,11& 12 without an option of fine, three years on count 4 with an option of fine of N10m and two years on count 5 without an option of fine. The sentence will run consecutively from the date of his arrest.

Justice Omotosho ordered all national and international security agencies to arrest and handover the convict to the Nigerian Correctional center.

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