News

Unity in Diversity: PPPN Rounds Off Week-Long Peace Day Celebration in Plateau

Published

1 year ago

September 24, 2025

vicky

The Plateau Peace Practitioners Network (PPPN) on Wednesday, September 24, drew the curtains on its week-long activities marking the 2025 International Day of Peace, themed “The Time for Peace is Now: Different Voices, One People.” The grand finale, held in Jos, featured the unveiling of the second edition of the Peace Practitioners Journal, the launch of a Peace Podcast, the presentation of fellowship awards, and cultural performances celebrating unity in diversity.

In his opening address, Nanmak D. Bali, Chairman of PPPN, emphasized that the International Day of Peace was more than a calendar date but a deliberate opportunity to create impact. He recalled the various activities organized during the week — including radio and television programs, interfaith prayers, a Peace Walk, a novelty match, and tree-planting campaigns — describing them as proof of PPPN’s determination to build bridges and change the narrative of conflict on the Plateau.

“This year, we deliberately expanded our commemoration into a week-long celebration,” he said. “Today’s awards recognize individuals and traditional leaders who have labored for peace on the Plateau. We are also honoring Reverend Father Patrick Lebo for his tireless efforts and acknowledging the steadfast support of the Plateau Peacebuilding Agency. Above all, we are grateful to SPRiNG, whose partnership has made our vision possible.”

Delivering a goodwill message on behalf of His Royal Highness, Alhaji Mohammad Sambo Haruna, Emir of Wase, the District Head of Wase North, Mustapha Umar Galaclina, commended stakeholders for sustaining peace amid challenges. He urged participants to nurture young people’s talents for peace rather than allow them to be wasted in conflict.

Regional Manager of the SPRiNG Program in North Central Nigeria, Mujidang Sitdang, highlighted SPRiNG’s role in supporting community-driven initiatives in Plateau, Benue, Kaduna, and Katsina States. He cited tree-planting campaigns, female football matches, and the sponsorship of PPPN’s Peace Journal as symbolic steps towards reconciliation. “This publication is more than a magazine — it documents the work and reflections of peace practitioners and adds to national and international conversations on peace,” he said.

Plateau State Commissioner for Environment, Climate Change and Mineral Development, Hon. Peter Kanang Gwon, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Michael Dogo, reflected on the universal need for peace, urging youths to embrace innovation, reject crime, and build a society guided by godly values.

Dr. Julie Sanda, Director-General of the Plateau Peace Building Agency (PPBA), praised PPPN for its consistency and emphasized that peacebuilding required collaboration across institutions, civil society, and communities. She noted the deliberate focus on young people, stressing that their creativity and resilience must be harnessed to sustain peace.

The keynote speaker, Dr. Emmanuel Ande, a member of the PPPN Advisory Board, expounded on the theme “Different Voices, One People,” warning that “diversity without unity invites anarchy, while unity without diversity risks tyranny.” He called for respect, inclusion, and policies that reflect grassroots realities.

Other highlights included the unveiling of the Peace Journal Volume Two and a Policy Brief by Dr. Charles Dickson, also of the PPPN Advisory Board. He cautioned against reducing peace to uniformity, urging Nigerians to embrace diversity and ensure women are meaningfully included in peace conversations. His Royal Highness Yakubu Chaimang, Ata Aten of Ganawuri, prayed over the journal, stressing that peace is the foundation for development.

David Bouro, PPPN’s Director of Communication and Publicity, launched the Peace Podcast, which chronicles Plateau’s conflict history from 2001 to date through the voices of eyewitnesses. “This is not only a historical record but a guide for the next generation,” he explained.

The evening also featured a posthumous award presented to the family of the late Rev. Fr. Polycarp Lubo, a spoken word performance by Decipher Joseph Limen, a saxophone rendition by Sam Sax, and a cultural dance symbolizing a peaceful Plateau.

Closing the program, PPPN reaffirmed its commitment to continue building bridges of peace and urged all stakeholders to carry the message of peace into their homes, communities, and institutions.

News

Council Chairman Vows To Crackdown On Suspected Ritual Killings In Pangshin

Published

3 hours ago

October 10, 2026

PlateauReports

By Emmanuel Yatai

Mr Felix Gonung, Chairman of Pankshin Local Government Council of Plateau, has vowed to crack down on suspected ritual killings after two deaths were recorded in the area within a month.

Gonung, who gave the assurance during an interview with journalists on Friday in Pankshinon, confirmed that vital organs were allegedly harvested from the victims.

He said three suspects were arrested following the discovery of a woman’s body last month.

He added that further investigations had led to the recovery of suspected fetish substances from the suspects, who had since been transferred to the police headquarters in Jos.

The council chairman said security agencies were also investigating the discovery of a young man’s body at Monday Market on Oct. 6, with vital organs allegedly missing.

He said the incident might be linked to cult activities among students or criminal elements operating within the student community

He assured residents that his administration was working with security agencies to address the situation and restore peace.

“I swore an oath to protect the lives and property of my people. However, the government’s security plans are confidential and the public will soon feel their results and impact.

“This administration, in collaboration with security agencies, is doing everything within its power to restore and maintain the long-existing peace in our communities,” he said.

Gonung disclosed that the council would introduce a policy requiring landlords and hotel operators to provide information about their tenants and guests, respectively.

“This will enable us to crack down on criminal syndicates who disguise themselves as students or guests to perpetrate crimes in the community,” he said.

He noted that Pankshin had enjoyed relative peace despite security challenges in other parts of the state, adding that the recent incidents had understandably heightened residents’ concerns.

He urged residents to remain calm and vigilant and report suspicious activities to the appropriate authorities.

Gonung also called for stronger collaboration among security agencies, traditional rulers, religious leaders and community stakeholders to tackle the menace, stressing that security was a collective responsibility. (NAN)

Edited by Blessing Odega and Philip Yatai

Business

Cardoso Takes Nigeria’s Financial Reforms to Singapore, Signs MoU With GFTN on Innovation

Published

5 hours ago

October 10, 2026

PlateauReports

En route to the IMF–World Bank Annual Meetings in Bangkok, the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr Olayemi Cardoso, has undertaken a series of high-level engagements in Singapore tostrengthen Nigeria’s financial connectivity with Asia through institutional cooperation, financial-market development, and innovation.

The engagements included discussions with the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Global Finance & Technology Network (GFTN), and the Nigeria–Asia Financial Connectivity Dialogue, convened by the CBN in collaboration with J.P. Morgan, Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX) and FMDQ Group.

Together, the engagements reflect the CBN’s emphasis on translating Nigeria’s financial-sector reforms into stronger international partnerships, deeper markets and practical channels for investment, trade and financial innovation.

In discussions with MAS, the CBN delegation exchanged perspectives on financial-sector development, regulation, market connectivity and innovation, identifying areas of mutual interest for continued engagement and potential collaboration.

The discussions provided an opportunity to draw on both financial systems‘ experiences and explore how stronger institutional relationships could support financial-market development and emerging technologies.

In a further step towards practical cooperation, the CBN and GFTN signed an MoU establishing a framework for collaboration on financial innovation.

The agreement provides a basis for connecting relevant institutions and innovation ecosystems, exploring areas of mutual interest and identifying practical opportunities for cooperation between Nigeria and Singapore.

At the Nigeria–Asia Financial Connectivity Dialogue, hosted at J.P. Morgan’s Singapore offices and anchored by Mr Dapo Olagunji, Managing Director of J.P. Morgan West Africa, Governor Cardoso outlined Nigeria’s ambition to build deeper, more liquid and internationally connected financial markets, positioning the reforms undertaken in recent years as the foundation for a new phase of market development.

He emphasised that reforms to Nigeria’s foreign-exchange market were aimed at removing distortions, restoring transparency and strengthening confidence in the rules governing market participation.

“The real test of reform is not whether you can attract capital once; it is whether you create the confidence for capital to stay, return and grow,” he said.

The Governor highlighted the importance of credible monetary policy, stronger governance, improved market functioning and predictable rules in creating the conditions for sustained domestic and international investment.

He noted that stabilisation was not an end in itself, but a foundation for broader participation by long-term institutional capital, stronger market infrastructure and more effective connections with international financial markets.

The Dialogue brought together investors, financial institutions, businesses and Nigerians living and working across Asia.

The event featured a panel moderated by Gbolahan Taiwo, J.P. Morgan’s Chief Economist for Africa, with Temi Popoola, Group Managing Director/CEO of NGX Group; Zeal Akaraiwe, Group Managing Director/CEO of FMDQ Group; Aderinola Shonekan, Director of Trade and Exchange at the CBN; and Olumayokun Ajibade, Special Adviser to the Governor on Financial Markets and Economic Policy.

The discussion explored Nigeria’s reform trajectory, from capital formation and foreign-exchange market confidence to the development of deeper, more liquid markets and the infrastructure needed to support sustained international participation.

Cardoso emphasised that Nigeria’s engagement with Asia is intended to extend beyond attracting investment flows to building durable relationships between financial institutions, markets, businesses and people.

He identified opportunities for stronger links between Nigerian and Asian banks and market institutions, more efficient payments and settlement channels, and greater participation by Nigerians living and working across the region.

The Governor also highlighted the growing role of financial technology and artificial intelligence in improving financial services, strengthening risk management, supporting inclusion and enhancing regulatory capabilities.

The Singapore engagements form part of a broader programme of institutional and market engagement across Asia, including further meetings in Beijing.

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