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MACDI Validates FoRB Research, Rallies Stakeholders to Strengthen Religious Freedom in Plateau

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The Midpoint Advocacy and Community Development Initiative (MACDI) has convened a Research Validation and Stakeholders Engagement Forum aimed at advancing Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) in Plateau State, bringing together government officials, religious leaders, civil society organizations, and community representatives to promote religious harmony and peaceful coexistence.

The forum, themed “Advancing Freedom of Religion or Belief in Plateau State,” served as a platform to review findings from a six-month study conducted in Jos North and Barkin Ladi Local Government Areas while identifying practical strategies for strengthening the protection of fundamental rights and fostering collaboration among stakeholders.

Speaking at the event, the Director of Faith and Community Transformation at Midpoint Nigeria, Rev. Joshua Sati, explained that the research assessed the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of residents regarding Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB).

According to him, the study was designed to generate reliable data that would guide future interventions and ensure that programmes addressing religious freedom reflect the realities experienced by communities.

Sati noted that the validation forum was organized to review the findings, identify policy gaps, and gather stakeholders’ recommendations on promoting religious freedom and peaceful coexistence.

“A lot of them had no idea. They don’t even know who to go to or where to go to when they feel their rights have been violated,” he said, highlighting the challenges faced by victims of rights violations at the grassroots.

He emphasized the need to strengthen reporting mechanisms and empower community and religious leaders, observing that many residents prefer reporting concerns to trusted local leaders rather than formal institutions.

Delivering the keynote address, former Director-General of the Plateau State Peacebuilding Agency (PSPBA), Dr. Joseph Lengmang, underscored the close relationship between Freedom of Religion or Belief, peace, security, and sustainable development.

He stressed that religious freedom must be anchored on the protection of human dignity and the welfare of people affected by conflict, displacement, and loss of livelihoods.

“What is happening is a reminder that more work needs to be done on the Plateau, despite the investments that have been made in peacebuilding,” Lengmang said.

He added that recent security challenges in parts of Plateau State demonstrate the need for sustained commitment and collaboration in peacebuilding efforts, while commending Midpoint Nigeria for undertaking evidence-based research that could inform policy and future interventions.

Also speaking, the Executive Director of Civitas Auxillium Foundation, Mrs. Elizabeth Duile, described Nigeria’s religious, cultural, and ethnic diversity as a potential source of strength rather than division.

She called for greater understanding and mutual respect among citizens, stressing that protecting Freedom of Religion or Belief is not only a human rights obligation but also essential for peacebuilding and national development.

Presenting the findings of the six-month research, Midpoint Nigeria’s Programme and Project Director, Ruth Ki, disclosed that the study engaged approximately 328 respondents across selected wards in Jos North and Barkin Ladi LGAs through surveys and interviews.

She explained that the research reflected diverse religious and ethnic communities and focused on lived experiences of Freedom of Religion or Belief, particularly awareness levels, public attitudes, and the reporting of violations.

According to her, the findings will support evidence-based interventions and strengthen ongoing peacebuilding initiatives across Plateau State.

In his goodwill message, the Chief Imam of Plateau Central Mosque, Sheikh Ghazali Adam, advocated respect, peace, and the protection of human dignity regardless of religious affiliation, noting that freedom from oppression is essential for building an inclusive society.

Representing the Director-General of the Plateau State Peacebuilding Agency, Khadija Sa’id described the forum as timely and significant for enhancing peacebuilding efforts, adding that it provides an important platform for collaboration, dialogue, and practical action toward strengthening social cohesion.

The Plateau State Commissioner for Education, Dr. Mrs. Kachollom Gang, represented by Mr. Sabastine John, Director of Quality Assurance, highlighted the critical role of schools in teaching tolerance, mutual respect, and peaceful coexistence.

She commended Midpoint Nigeria for organizing the engagement and urged stakeholders to translate the research findings into concrete actions that promote unity.

Similarly, the Plateau State Commissioner for Justice, Hon. Philemon Daffi, represented by Mr. Bashir Haruna, Deputy Director at the Ministry of Justice, reaffirmed that Freedom of Religion or Belief is guaranteed under Section 38 of the Nigerian Constitution, which protects freedom of thought, conscience, religion, and freedom from discrimination.

He noted that effective enforcement of these constitutional rights remains vital for sustaining peace, security, and development, describing the forum as a timely opportunity for meaningful dialogue.

In her vote of thanks, Mrs. Hauwa Kassim, a member of the Board of Trustees of Midpoint Nigeria, expressed appreciation to participants for their active contributions and acknowledged the support of government agencies, civil society organizations, traditional and religious leaders, and media practitioners in ensuring the success of the research validation forum.

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Nigeria’s Christian Leaders to Unite in Abuja for First Lausanne Congress in Over 10 Years (Register Now)

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The Lausanne Nigeria Christian Missions has announced plans to convene about 5,000 church leaders, missionaries, theological educators, young Christian leaders and marketplace professionals at the first national Lausanne gathering in Nigeria in more than a decade.

The Lausanne Nigeria Congress 2026 is scheduled to hold from October 27 to 30 at the National Ecumenical Centre, Abuja, under the theme, “Let the Church Declare and Display Christ Together.”

According to the organisers, registration for the four-day congress is now open, with delegates expected from major Christian denominations and all six geopolitical zones of Nigeria.

The congress represents Nigeria’s national expression of the Fourth Lausanne Congress on World Evangelisation, which brought together more than 5,000 Christian leaders from over 200 countries in Incheon, South Korea, in September 2024.

The organisers said the Abuja gathering would provide a platform for church leaders and mission practitioners to strengthen collaboration and develop strategies for advancing Christian mission in Nigeria and beyond.

The four-day programme will feature plenary teaching, issue network deliberations, intercessory prayer, intergenerational dialogue and a public commissioning.

Discussions will focus on a range of issues, including frontier missions and unreached peoples, theological education, faith in the public square, business as mission, media and digital innovation, diaspora and migration, as well as student and youth ministry.

Speaking on the significance of the congress, National Chairman of Lausanne Nigeria and General Secretary of the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA), Rev. Dr. Yunusa Sabo Nmadu Jnr, described Nigeria as both a mission field and an emerging mission force.

“Nigeria is no longer merely a mission field. She is a mission force. More than fifteen thousand Nigerian missionaries are already serving in over fifty countries, while within our own borders more than forty peoples still wait for the gospel,” he said.

Nmadu stressed that the congress was designed to bring together the wider Nigerian Church rather than a select group of Christian leaders.

“This Congress is not for a select few. It is for the whole Church, the whole gospel, the whole world,” he added.

Also speaking, the Primate of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Lausanne Nigeria Christian Missions, Most Rev. Dr. Henry Chukwudum Ndukuba, called for greater unity and collaboration among Christian denominations, mission agencies and generations of leaders.

“For too long we have laboured in parallel. Denominations building alone. Agencies running alone. Generations praying alone. This is our God-given moment to come together as one body, one gospel and one mission force for the nations,” Ndukuba said.

The Lausanne Movement traces its roots to the 1974 International Congress on World Evangelization in Lausanne, Switzerland, convened by renowned evangelist Billy Graham.

The gathering brought together about 2,400 Christian leaders from 150 nations and resulted in the Lausanne Covenant, which was drafted under the chairmanship of British theologian and pastor John R. W. Stott.

The organisers said the partnership between Graham and Stott helped shape the global mission movement for decades, with subsequent milestones including the Manila Manifesto of 1989, the Cape Town Commitment of 2010 and the Seoul Statement of 2024.

The Lausanne Nigeria Congress follows a series of activities aimed at strengthening collaboration among Nigerian church, mission and marketplace leaders.

In March 2026, Lausanne Nigeria hosted the Global Executive Director of the Lausanne Movement, Dr. Michael Oh, in Abuja for a Global Mission Conversation focused on strategic collaboration for global impact.

The October congress is expected to build on that engagement by bringing the conversation to a wider national platform.

Registration Opens

Delegate registration for the congress is currently open and will close on September 30, 2026.

Nigerian delegates are required to pay ₦50,000, while international delegates will pay US$200.

The organisers said group registration is available for denominations, mission agencies, seminaries and professional fellowships sending multiple delegates.

They also announced that sponsorship opportunities are available to support participation by frontier missionaries, younger leaders and delegates from under-resourced regions.

Institutions interested in deeper involvement can also apply to serve as Hosting Organisations for the congress.

Further information and registration details are available through the Lausanne Nigeria platform.

The Lausanne Nigeria Christian Missions said it is the national expression of the global Lausanne Movement in Nigeria and operates as a registered Incorporated Trustee based in Abuja.

Its Board of Trustees is chaired by Most Rev. Dr. Henry Chukwudum Ndukuba, while Rev. Dr. Yunusa Sabo Nmadu Jnr chairs the National Leadership. Dr. Joshua Utele chairs the Central Planning Committee for the 2026 congress.

The global Lausanne Movement is a fellowship of Christian leaders committed to advancing the gospel of Jesus Christ in every nation and sphere of society. It is led by Global Executive Director, Dr. Michael Oh.

For Enquiry call: +234 803 960 8804 or +234 803 973 2643.

Lousanne Nigeria Congress 2026

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Plateau Strengthens Technical Education, Prepares NITT Centre for September Take-Off

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The Plateau State Government has taken a major step towards expanding access to specialised transport education and practical technical training with the handover of facilities at the Government Science Technical College, Bukuru, to the Nigerian Institute of Transport Technology (NITT), Zaria.

The facilities, comprising part of the college’s Mechanical Workshop, five classrooms and a residential quarter, will serve as the NITT Learning Centre and Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Conversion Centre, providing students, technicians and professionals with opportunities to acquire practical skills in modern transportation technology, CNG conversion and logistics.

The Plateau State Government was represented at the handover ceremony by the Commissioner for Transport, Hon. Davou Gyang Jatau, who said the initiative reflects the administration’s commitment to strengthening technical education, skills development and the adoption of modern transportation technologies.

Jatau said the Mechanical Workshop would provide a practical environment for CNG conversion training, while the classrooms would support theoretical instruction, professional development and capacity-building programmes.

He added that the residential accommodation would improve the welfare of personnel and learners who would be associated with the centre.

The commissioner expressed confidence that NITT would make effective and sustainable use of the facilities to expand educational and technical opportunities for people in Plateau State.

“We are confident that NITT Zaria will make effective and sustainable use of these facilities for the benefit of Plateau State and Nigeria at large.”

Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Transport, Mrs Jummai Shekarau, described the handover as an investment in technical education, innovation and human capital development, rather than simply the provision of infrastructure.

She said the CNG Conversion Centre would provide young people with practical skills that could improve their employability and enable them to take advantage of opportunities emerging in the CNG value chain.

According to her, the centre would also encourage entrepreneurship and job creation while supporting the transition from petrol and diesel to cleaner and more affordable energy alternatives.

The Registrar of NITT, Zaria, Dr Maina Williams Tarfa, commended the Plateau State Government for providing facilities beyond what the institute had initially requested.

Tarfa said the intervention would enable NITT to establish a strong educational presence in Plateau State and bring specialised transport training closer to residents.

He expressed confidence that the centre would commence operations by September, providing training opportunities for local government technicians and other professionals across the state.

He explained that NITT would introduce programmes including Advanced Diploma, Graduate Diploma and Master’s programmes in Transport and Logistics, while deploying its technical experts to deliver quality training and practical services.

Tarfa said the centre would help bridge the gap between theoretical education and practical skills by giving learners direct exposure to modern transport technologies.

Dr Sani Barau, Special Adviser to the Director General/Chief Executive of NITT, said the handover marked the transition from planning to implementation after concerted efforts to secure and prepare the facilities.

Barau stressed the need for a clear and speedy activation plan to ensure that the centre becomes operational as soon as possible.

He said the initiative would involve local technical stakeholders, create investment opportunities and strengthen the skills base required for the development of Plateau State’s transport sector.

The officials subsequently toured the facilities to inspect the progress of rehabilitation works at the institution ahead of the planned commencement of operations in September.

The establishment of the NITT Learning Centre is expected to strengthen technical and vocational education in Plateau State, giving students, technicians and professionals access to practical training and advanced qualifications in transport, logistics and emerging vehicle technologies.

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