President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has sent an emissary, Abiodun Essiet, to Plateau State to restore peace and promote intercommunal harmony.
In a statement released on Sunday by Bayo Onanuga, special adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Dr. Essiet, senior special assistant on community engagement in the North Central Zone, spent two days in the state meeting Christian clerics and Fulani Miyetti Allah community leaders.
She held a town hall meeting in Jos, where delegates from local government areas, traditional rulers, women and youth leaders discussed ways to strengthen community-based peace structures and promote coexistence.
Speaking on her visit, Dr. Essiet said, “The Community-Based Peace Structure serves as a key instrument for grassroots unity, dialogue, and long-term stability in the North Central region.”
The statement noted that Essiet paid a courtesy visit to Reverend Ezekiel Dachomo, chairman of the Regional Church Council in Barkin Ladi, where discussions focused on faith-based leadership and its role in promoting peace, unity and social development.
Essiet also addressed widows and conveyed President Tinubu’s message of ethnic reconciliation.
On dialogue with Fulani leaders, Essiet said, “We are committed to fostering understanding between pastoral and farming communities, and to reaffirming the Federal Government’s commitment to inclusive engagement.”
During a workshop on establishing community peace structures for the 17 local government areas in Jos, she told participants, “These structures are designed to strengthen dialogue, reconciliation, and coexistence among communities.”
Essiet held a closed-door meeting with the Irigwe community, Miyetti Allah and representatives from the Youth Council of Bassa LGA, focusing on sustaining peace.
“The 17-member peace committee ensures that dialogue continues and conflicts are resolved peacefully,” she said.
A quick outcome of the peace initiative was the resolution of a conflict between David Toma, owner of Agha Farm in Gyel district of Jos South and herdsmen.
Mr Toma had seized two cows after the destruction of his farm.
On November 15, Isah Yau, MACBAN chairman of Bassa LGA, paid a compensation of N500,000 to Toma, who released the cows.
All parties signed an undertaking to embrace peace in the state.
