The recent nationwide protest against hardship has showcased Plateau State as a beacon of peace and unity, according to the Jos Coalition to End Bad Governance. Mr. Ishaya Durkwa, speaking on behalf of the coalition during a town hall meeting with Governor Caleb Mutfwang on Saturday in Jos, emphasized the peaceful nature of the protest in Plateau.
Durkwa, who also serves as the Executive Director of the International Organisation for Peacebuilding and Social Justice, commended Plateau youth for maintaining order and avoiding violence during the first four days of the protest. “This protest has become an opportunity for Plateau to rise and provide leadership to the nation by doing things right,” he said. “It has shown that we can protest without violence, present our demands without violence, and be heard without violence.”
He noted that when signs of potential unrest appeared on the fourth day, protest leaders made the strategic decision to transition from street protests to town hall meetings. “My hope is that this meeting does not end here. I am confident that actionable and implementable plans will be developed because hunger is not just a youth problem; it is a national problem. Our parents are hungry, and our children are equally hungry,” Durkwa added.
Plateau State’s Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Mr. Bashir Datti, acknowledged the economic challenges facing the country, particularly the impact of hardship and unemployment on youth. He urged the youth to consider dialogue as a powerful tool for change. “Dialogue is not a sign of weakness; it is a testament to our strength, maturity, and willingness to work together for solutions,” Datti said. He emphasized that dialogue builds bridges, while protest can create walls.
Ms. Mildred Bako, a member of the coalition, echoed the sentiments of peace and discipline exhibited by Plateau’s youth. “We have shown the world that the young people of Plateau are disciplined and respected, and the world should model after them,” Bako said. She also called for a reduction in electricity tariffs, which she noted have forced many young people out of business.
The town hall meeting underscored the importance of continued peaceful engagement and the pursuit of constructive solutions to the challenges facing the state and the nation.
