by Christiana Gokyo, Jos
Plateau people have been called upon to stand together, irrespective of tribe and faith, in defending the State’s heritage against the enemies confronting communities in Mangu, Barkin-Ladi, Riyom and other local governments areas of the state.
The State Governor, Barr Caleb Mutfwang, made the call on Sunday during a Thanksgiving Service organized by former Speaker of Plateau State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Ayuba Abok, where he thanked God for seeing him through the 9th Assembly.
At the event, which took place at COCIN Church, Jos Jarawa, the governor urged that, “It is time for Plateau people to unite on a common front in preserving the state, and we must forget the mistakes of the past where various ethnic groups were left alone to confront calamities that befell their communities.”
He described the former Speaker and Special Adviser on Legislative Affairs, Rt. Hon. Ayuba Abok, as a “dogged, courageous and resilient young man,” who fought for the peace and unity of the state.
He appreciated Abok for taking special time to thank God for preserving him throughout his tenure, adding that, “When we thank God, God opens more doors of opportunities to us. I trust that it is well with us. God knows all about our struggles, and we are confidence that through Jesus we shall be victorious.
“I thank God for this opportunity to celebrate God together with the former Speaker of the House of Assembly, Hon. Nuhu Ayuba Abok; a young man, who has also struggled through life to get to where he is, and God has seen him through.
“I thank you all for your prayers, thank you for your encouragement and thank you for standing with us in this difficult moment in our life in the Plateau, but I am confident that God will not allow Plateau to be destroyed; I am confident that God will grant us victory over those that troubled us, and Plateau will prosper again.
“Let me encourage us; it is not time to be careless, it is time for us to unite as a people, it is time for us to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with one another on this land that God has given us.
“He gave us for a purpose, and we will prosper in the land that He has given us. We should continue to pray, for the Bible says, ‘watch and pray,’ ” he noted.
Speaking also, the former Speaker, Rt. Hon. Nuhu Ayuba Abok, expressed gratitude to God for finding him worthy to serve Plateau in a capacity as Speaker, and said without God, he would have been consumed by challenges.
He noted that as Speaker, he took decisions in the interest of Plateau and pleaded for forgiveness wherever he stepped on the toes of others, saying, “it was not deliberate.”
Hon. Abok revealed that the former Governor of Plateau State, Senator Jonah David Jang, met the state’s debt burden at about N80 billion and took it to N107 billion, while former Governor Simon Lalong, who met it at N107 billion, lifted it up to N307 billion, and called for fervent prayers for Governor Mutfwang to succeed in the midst of the daunting challenges.
Former COCIN Vice President, retired Rev. Obed Dashan, who took the sermon from the Book of Psalm 103:1-6 and I Thessalonians 5:16 with a theme: ‘Giving thanks in all circumstances,’ encouraged believers to hold firm unto God and give thanks to God in all situations.
The Agwom Izere, Da Isaac Wakili, appreciated Governor Mutfwang for coming and congratulated him for emerging victorious at the polls. He encouraged him and Plateau people to remain firm, courageous and resolute in the midst of the current security challenges.
The governor was accompanied by the First Lady, Her Excellency, Barr. Helen Mutfwang, the Deputy Governor, Ngo Josephine Piyo, Secretary to Government of the State, Arc. Samuel N. Jatau, Chief of Staff, Engr. Jeremiah Satmark, Speaker of the Plateau State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Moses Sule, Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Fom Gwottson, among other political appointees and top politicians in the state.
