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Plateau Peace Media Network Engages NOA in Joint Pursuit of Peacebuilding and Unity
Members of the Plateau Peace Media Network (PPMN) embarked on a courtesy and advocacy visit to the Plateau State office of the National Orientation Agency (NOA) on Wednesday 30th August aimed at fostering future collaborations that hold the potential to propel peacebuilding efforts and drive transformative positive change and unity across Plateau state.
During the visit, Matthew Tegha, the Coordinator of the Network, emphasized the significance of this initiative. He acknowledged that this was the first familiarization visit to the NOA since the inception of PPMN. The purpose was twofold: to seek support and collaboration for future network projects and to establish channels for information sharing, early warnings, and responses.
In Tegha’s words, “Today, we seek not only to share our vision and initiatives as the Plateau Peace Media Network, but also to explore opportunities for collaboration. By synergizing our respective expertise and resources, we can create a stronger foundation for a peaceful Plateau State, and by extension, a more united Nigeria. Your insights and guidance are invaluable to us as we navigate the path of peacebuilding through responsible media engagement. Together, we can inspire positive change, foster understanding, and promote peace for the generations to come.”
Peter Akpah, of Source News 24, further advocated for media orientation sessions. He highlighted the challenges faced by media practitioners in accurately reporting attacks within the state without inadvertently damaging the state’s image, particularly in the eyes of the international community.
Responding to the visit, Mrs. Kaneng Tabitha Pam-Hworo, the State Director of NOA, underscored the necessity of the PPMN’s formation, recognizing the pertinent need it addresses. She expressed the agency’s willingness to collaborate with the network to advance peace promotion and enhance Plateau’s reputation as a peaceful location.
Mrs. Pam-Hworo stated, “Collaborative peace is essential for every individual in the state irrespective of origin or religion. So we are ready to collaborate with your Network. Also collaboration between the NOA and PPMN will bring more awareness to the activities the NOA is doing at the grassroots in building peace.”
She further added, “We also need to involve capable individuals who have resources and a voice that can amplify peaceful coexistence in our future activities.”
John Azi Mamman, Deputy Director of NOA, emphasized that acting upon early warning signals of potential crises and violence within the state could lead to their prevention. He highlighted that incidents such as kidnappings across various local government areas in the state often serve as harbingers of subsequent attacks.
Among those present during the visit from the PPMN were Coordinator Matthew Tegha, Mrs. Zainab Babaji, Joseph Adudu, Marie-Therese Nanlong, Peter Akpa, Gambo Dusu, Olabisi Victoria, and Solomon Inusa. This assembly of committed individuals aims to foster positive change and peaceful coexistence through responsible media engagement.
Details have emerged following the meeting between President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and prominent Middle Belt leaders at the Presidential Villa, Abuja on Thursday.
The leaders, who visited the President at the State House, reaffirmed their support for his administration and discussed issues affecting the Middle Belt region, particularly insecurity, national development, religious tolerance and peaceful coexistence.
Among those present at the meeting were the Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa; Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang; former Chief of Army Staff, General Theophilus Danjuma; former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara; former Chief of Army Staff, General Ishaya Bamaiyi; and Taraba State Governor, Agbu Kefas.
Others included businessman Thomas Etuh and Dr Poju Bitrus.
During the meeting, the Middle Belt leaders expressed support for Tinubu’s administration, particularly its efforts to address insecurity and promote development across the country.
Former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, acknowledged improvements in the security situation, while emphasising the need for sustained efforts to tackle the challenges facing communities in the region.
Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang also highlighted efforts to rebuild trust among communities and strengthen peaceful coexistence between people of different religious and ethnic backgrounds.
The meeting comes amid persistent security concerns in parts of the Middle Belt, particularly Plateau, Benue and other states that have witnessed recurring attacks, communal violence and displacement of residents.
The leaders’ visit also comes at a politically significant time, with political parties and their supporters beginning to intensify activities ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The meeting is also taking place against the backdrop of President Tinubu’s planned visits to Akwa Ibom and Rivers States, where he is expected to commission projects and participate in political rallies.
As earlier reported by POLITICS NIGERIA, the Presidency announced that Tinubu would depart Abuja on Friday, November 6, for a two-state visit, beginning with Akwa Ibom before proceeding to Rivers State on Saturday.
According to a statement issued by Bayo Onanuga, the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Tinubu will arrive in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, to commission several projects completed by Governor Umo Eno’s administration.
The projects include the new International Terminal Building, International Airport Hospital and Ibom Aviation Village, all located at the Victor Attah International Airport.
Others are the Airport-Okopedi Road, which connects communities in Nsit Atai and Okobo Local Government Areas, and Ring Road 3, linking Idoro Road to Ikot Ekpene Road through Uyo and Ibiono Ibom.
The President is also expected to commission the AKWA-GIS Office Complex, the Command and Control Centre and the ARISE Palm Resort before attending a political rally in the state.
Governor Eno has declared Friday a work-free day to enable residents and workers to participate in activities marking the President’s visit.
Tinubu is expected to proceed to Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on Saturday to participate in an All Progressives Congress (APC) political rally.
The rally will be his third since he officially flagged off his re-election campaign in Kaduna State last month.
The planned visits come barely two days after the President returned to Abuja from Saudi Arabia, where he performed the lesser Hajj, known as Umrah.
Tinubu arrived at the Presidential Wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport at 8:53 p.m. on Wednesday and was received by his Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, the Minister of State for Defence, the Inspector-General of Police and other government officials.
During his stay in Saudi Arabia, the President was granted access to the Holy Kaaba in Makkah, where he offered prayers for Nigeria and its citizens.
The governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the 2027 election in Kaduna State, Usman Shehu Bawa, ABG, has suspended all his campaign activities following the death of three party members in a fatal motor accident.
The victims died on their way home after attending a meeting in Kaduna.
A statement issued by his spokesperson, Yusuf Idris, said the gubernatorial candidate expressed deep sorrow over the death of the party members.
He explained that the inauguration of his campaign council, and other related activities planned for Saturday have been suspended till further notice.
He expressed regret for the inconvenience the suspension may have caused, particularly to individuals invited for the occasion.
The three deceased members are all from Jema’a Local Government Area of the state and are identified as Caleb Ishaya Alot – Secretary of PDP, Jema'a LGA, Mercy Achi – Women leader, Wise Ward and Charity Bahago – member of the PDP, Wise Ward.
According to Shehu ABG, "The incident is a painful loss to the bereaved families and the entire PDP family in the state."
He extended his heartfelt condolences to the immediate families and the people of Jema’a Local Government Area and members of the party in the state over the painful loss.
He also prayed for the speedy recovery of those who sustained injuries in the accident.
Kaduna PDP guber candidate, Bawa suspends activities over death of party members
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