FIC Report (Plateau State) – In the quest to rebuild the State from the ashes of the past towards peace, reconciliation and forgiveness, the Plateau State Governor, Simon Lalong, declared 7th February, 2020, as the Plateau State Forgiveness and Reconciliation Day.
While speaking at the occasion held at the Garden of Forgiveness in Jos, the Governor said, though the losses were huge and unquantifiable, the fact still remained that the Day of Forgiveness which would be celebrated annually, should not make people lose hope, stressing that when they have hope, God can heal their hearts and make life productive, purposeful and happy.
He said, “As we mark the second annual Forgiveness Day, we are conscious of the efforts that have been put in to ensure that our people live in peace and harmony as well as find a new narrative that does not only prevent conflict, but also encourages dialogue and reconciliation.”
“On a day such as this, I stand before you by the grace of God as the Governor and Chief Executive of Plateau State to on behalf of all the good people, ask for forgiveness from everyone who has suffered one loss or the other.”
While commending members of the Security Agencies that have worked tirelessly to return peace to the State, Lalong said Plateau State would rise again and the gates of violence, hatred, vengeance, fanatism, terrorism and bigotry would never prevail against it.
The Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence, Sa’ad Abubakar, in his remarks, said the problem of insecurity in the country was as a result of bad leadership and should be discarded. He appreciated Governor Lalong for attaching importance of Peace in organizing the event, also said, Plateau State had been known as a peaceful State and therefore, urged the Governor to work with his colleagues in the Northern States in order to adopt this peace initiative forgiveness.
The Sultan however appealed to all, to learn to forgive one another so that God would also forgive us, saying through this, He can listen to our plight.
He also promised to partner with Governor Lalong in bringing peace to not only Plateau State, but the entire Northern Nigeria.
The Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Northern Nigeria, Rev. Yakubu Pam, who also spoke at the event, said this was the first of its kind, and also urged Nigeria as a country, to set aside a day such as this, to pray and ask God for forgiveness and reconciliation, noting that, the importance of the programme cannot be overemphasized because Nigeria is our only home.
Rev. Pam also called on everybody irrespective of religion of political affiliation to forgive one another and to also appreciate each other.
Francis Lahnim kusa
FIC, JOS.
