Following
the unfortunate reaction and spread of rumours within the Jos
Metropolis in response to the agitation by Independent People of Biafra
in South Eastern Nigeria, the Chairman of Plateau State Youth Council, Dr Fabong Jemchang had an assemblage of youths, youth leaders and The Press at the Azi Ayako Youth Center in Jos Today, 15th September 2017.
The youth leader addressed all present stating that the youth council is the umbrella body for all youths on the Plateau and went on to condemn the attack in totality. Fabong said that youths should look beyond the ugly incident and build on the existing peace that has been achieved.
A CALL TO REASON – Plateau is not a revenge ground.
The
Plateau State Youth Council expresses with rude shock the chaos and
eventual disruption of calm in Katako axis of Jos metropolis which had
threatened to escalate to other parts of Jos and Bukuru yesterday.
This acts of course is perpetrated by disgruntled elements who have no idea what we have been through these years.
As
a people, we need to understand that there is a cost of war that cannot
be calculated in economic terms. Unless one is living in an area
affected by arm conflicts, it is difficult to understand the cost of war
and yet appreciate the price of peace.
The aftermath
of the Biafra war has left a scar in the history of our dear country and
only those who were around and are still alive can better tell the
story. Those who survived paid the price for peace.
It
is with pain, yet a deep sense of responsibility that we appeal to the
youths and the entire public to shun any act capable of causing mayhem.
We
condemn in strong terms what happened yesterday in Katako axis and this
should not be allowed to happen even in our wildest imaginations.
We
state emphatically that Plateau State is not a revenge ground as hard
and harsh as this may sound. What happened yesterday just goes to show
we have got people with evil intentions amidst of us, who are also
determined to bring confusion and unrest.
We call on
the great peace loving youths and the good people of Plateau State, to
display the strength of our collective will to deal with their evil, and
make our society a better place to be.
The swift
response of the Governor of Plateau State, Rt. Hon. Barr. Simon Bako
Lalong is highly commended. This is an expression of leadership,
character and responsibility. We the youths are in support of the dusk
to dawn curfew imposed on Jos and Bukuru metropolis to curb further
tensions.
We appreciate all security agencies that quelled the tension and restored law and order in the troubled spots.
We
are calling on members of both the Igbo and Hausa communities in Jos
and Bukuru metropolis to help the State Government to fish out the
perpetrators of these acts and criminal elements in their midst and
assure one another of their safety.
We are appealing to
the media to help in deescalating the tension through their reportage
and ensure that they are conflict sensitive in reporting this and other
issues relating to conflict.
We are once again in
support of the Federal Government’s resolve to ensure Nigeria is one and
also we stand with all security agencies in working to ensure law and
order is maintain while encouraging them to shun any black mail in
course of their work.
We also thank the mature and
peaceful response of the The Jama’atu Nasril Islam under the able and
vibrant leadership of His Royal Highness the Emir of Wase Alhaji
Muhammadu Gambo II and the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Abubakar Sa’ad II
and all Northern governors for the reassuring response and promise to
protect our brothers and sisters from the south-east. He join our voices
to ensure that that their safety is guaranteed.
We are
appealing to Governors in the south-east to ensure the safety of all
Ethnic Groups within their state and support the Federal Government in
restoring law and order in the region.
Finally, I call
on the youths to be vigilant and report any suspicious activities to the
security agencies, as security is our collective responsibility. We
must stop the trend of being willing tools in the hands of desperate
citizens and terrorist. We should shun propaganda and the spreading of
hate speeches.
God bless Plateau State Youth Council,
God Bless Plateau state,
God bless Nigeria.
Fabong Jemchang
MBBS, FMCFM.
Chairman,
Plateau State Youth Council.