Chief of Staff to the Plateau State Government House, Jeremiah Satmak, has reiterated Governor Caleb Mutfwang’s commitment to the progress of the Middle Belt region.
According to him, the governor has deliberately created the office of special assistant on Middle-Belt ethnic nationalities to foster unity and collaboration in the region.
The chief of staff spoke at the maiden edition of Plateau Middle-Belt Leaders Connect and end of the year get together in Jos.
The event was organised by the office of the senior special assistant to the governor on Middle-Belt Ethnic Nationalities, Hon. Dan Kwada.
Satmak said the initiative would be sustained while ensuring that people of the region remained indivisible with one heritage, goal and belief.
“Our people have been killed and their lands taken over by enemies. We need to foster frontiers of collaboration, speak with one voice, and salvage our people,” he said.
He assured that the government was working assiduously to create a conducive atmosphere for peaceful coexistence and economic empowerment as it initiate many interventions aimed at helping farmers.
The keynote speaker, Rev. Dr. Gideon Para- Mallam decried the way Middle-Belt people are being neglected by the government at the center, saying, “We were not second class citizens.”
He said the region which has over 300 ethnic nationalities with rich cultural heritage, produced leaders who fought to keep Nigeria one.
Emphasising the need to work together in unity of purpose, Para- Mallam urged them to eschew ethnic majority and minority syndrome.
He challenged other Middle-Belt governors to emulate Governor Mutfwang’s initiative to enhance a lasting legacy for the present and future generations.
Underscoring the importance of the gathering, Dan Kwada said the gathering provided a unique opportunity for sons and daughters of the region to connect, discuss and chart a new beginning.
He said despite numerous contributions to Nigeria, the Middle-Belt had nothing to show in terms of economic, political and social development, adding that it was time to change the narrative.
