Preamble:
A one-day roundtable discussion was held with officials of the Plateau Youth Council (PYC) at the instance of the Plateau Peace Building Agency (PPBA) on 08th January 2018 at the Conference Hall of PPBA, Plot 832 Thomas Didel Drive, Liberty Boulevard Jos.
The meeting was part of the broaderstrategy of PPBA to further deepen the peace through a multi-stakeholder engagement with a wide range of critical stakeholders in the state. The highly interactive session sought to undertake a critical review of the Peace and security situation across the 17 LGA’s of the state.
The goal is to suggest proactive and realistic measures that would help mitigate the risks of violence as well as set the basis for building collaborative partnership for Peace and stability in Plateau state. Participants were drawn from the state, zonal and local government Executive Councils of PYC from the 17 LGAs.
Issues/Observations:
i. The meeting condemned in the strongest possible terms the dastardly act of violence that was perpetrated sometimes last year in Bassa, Riyom, BarkinLadi LGA’s and also the recent incident in Benue state. Furthermore, the federal and state governments were called upon to take a more decisive action to arrest the vicious attacks on innocent communities across Nigeria.
ii. It was observed that although traditionally, the protection of lives and properties is the responsibility of government, however, in view of the complex nature of emerging threats to social stability in contemporary times, government alone is practically unable to effectively deliver on the promise of peace and security without the support and cooperation of its citizens.
iii. It was unanimously agreed that the farmer/herder conflict represents an existential threat to our people and thus presents a significant challenge to the governments at the sub national, national and sub-regional levels respectively. The absence of a clear policy response to this problem has given life to a broad range of conspiracy theories that deepens mutual suspicion and distrust amongst different ethno-religious groups across Nigeria.
iv. It was observed that there is a dearth of understanding on the complex nature of this problem which often reflects in the poor analysis or appreciation of the underlying issues of the conflict; the dynamics of the conflict; the profile of the actors involved and their deep seated interest. This reality erodes and undermines any good intentions to reverse this horrific trend.
v. It was further observed that the porosity of our national borders and apparent weaknesses on the part of border regulatory agencies have aggravated the problem of unchecked immigration of nomadic herdsmen from other parts of sub Saharan Africa into Nigeria as well as the proliferation of small arms and light weapons.
vi. The meeting appreciated the effort of the Plateau State governor Rt. Hon. Simon Bako Lalong for creating the PPBA as a foremost dedicated institutional framework for conflict prevention and peace building in the Country and further commended the administration’s policy agenda on consolidating the gains of the fragile Peace and laying the foundation for building sustainable Peace.
vii. That although there are mounting tensions in all the LGAs with regards to the forthcoming Local Government elections however, the likelihood of violence is particularly higher in Jos North and Kanam LGA’s due to a variety of both historical and structural reasons.
viii. It was observed that the menace of unregulated sales and consumption of illicit drugs is prevalent. It has killed many youths and poses a grave danger to peace and security across the state.
ix. Although relevant agencies and other non-state actors have made concerted efforts at dealing with the problem and with some recorded successes, however a lot more needs to be done to stem the tide of illicit drug production and consumption given their overreaching implications for Peace and security.
x. The inadequacy of stringent punitive measures and the robust network of illicit drug dealers have further exacerbated the problem.
xi. That the leaderships of PYC at all levels are encumbered by financial constraints which have in turn seriously hampered their capacity to contribute effectively to youth development and involvement in state affairs including tackling the menace of illicit drug consumption in the state.
xii. It was also established that hateful and inflammatory speeches especially in the social media is a growing trend that poses a significant threat to our quest for sustainable Peace and harmonious co-existence.
After a frank and exhaustive deliberation on a wide-range of the foregoing issues, the following resolutions were unanimously reached and adopted:
i. An urgent call on the government, security agencies and the entire justice system to checkmate the rampant cases of impunity and the weaknesses in our retributive justice system with regards to crimes and criminalities as this will greatly curtail reprisal attacks and ensure the protection of lives and properties.
ii. That building a stable society in our modern era is a collective task. Therefore the efforts of relevant stakeholders should be properly coordinated towards developing practical measures that can further complement the efforts of government to deliver on the promise of peace and security to its teaming population.
iii. That open grazing cannot be banned without first providing an alternative. Ranching appears to be the only viable option at the moment and therefore the Plateau state government is encouraged to further sensitize and educate citizens on the details of its ranching policy proposal and the benefits it holds for the economy and security for both farmers and herders.
iv. That the Federal Government should take proactive measures to address the problems of border porosity in Nigeria through adequate institutional reforms and the strengthening of the capacity of the relevant agencies to monitor and control immigration across our national frontiers.
v. That the Federal and State governments should strengthen the operational capacity of all existing security outfits in the state to be more proactive in carrying out their statutory duties.
vi. Given the constitutional limitations facing state governors to have direct control of security apparatus in their respective states, it is imperative to consider the creation of state police. This is one crucial step in the effort to enhance the capacity of governors to effectively carry out their functions as Chief Security Officers and therefore secure and protect the lives and properties of their citizens.
vii. That PLASIEC and other stakeholders in the electoral process have a responsibility to collectively work in close synergy towards ensuring that the forthcoming Local Government polls are free, fair, credible and above all peaceful
viii. That all youth platforms from the state to the districts levels should embark on a constructive engagement through government’s support of its robust policy of 3-E dimensional strategy namely: Employment, Empowerment and Engagement.
ix. PYC and the PPBA will work together to sensitize and educate the youths against thuggery and drug abuse and also warn against being used as agents of violence before, during and after the forthcoming Local Government elections in the state.
x. That to curb the menace of illicit drug production and consumption, there is a need to build a coalition of stakeholders cutting across both state and non-state actors with a view to arresting this disturbing trend.
xi. In this light, PPBA and PYC will work to develop a policy brief on the growing menace of illicit drugs and substances abuse in the state. The Policy brief will elucidate viable policy recommendations for responding to this growing menace in a systematic and specialized manner. As a practical step towards sensitization and education, PPBA will collaborate with PYC to produce or sponsor peace jingles to be aired on TV and radio stations in the state.
xii. That hateful and inflammatory speech particularly in the social media exacerbates other issues of conflict in the state. Consequently, there must be a deliberate campaign by PPBA, PYC and other stakeholders to curb the menace of hateful and inflammatory statements given the threat it poses to social cohesion, Peace and unity of our people.
xiii. Encouraged all citizens to resort to nonviolent approach to resolving conflict issues including the use of Alternative Dispute Resolution mechanisms as well as working together to build a stable and a peaceful society.
xiv. The meeting appreciated the significant roles and contributions of non-state actors such as CSOs, religious bodies, community based associations and cultural associations in advancing the post conflict peace process in Plateau state. Similarly, the meeting appreciated the roles of security agencies in the maintenance of law and order.
xv. The Governor of Plateau state was encouraged to remain firm and committed to the cause of promoting peace and security in the state regardless of whose ox is gored.
Signed
Joseph Lengmang
Director General
Plateau Peace Building Agency
PPBA
Dr. Fabong Jemchang
Chairman
Plateau Youth Council
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