Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, has called on Nigerians to embrace national unity and resist attempts to inflame ethnic and regional divisions, saying the country’s diversity should serve as a source of strength rather than conflict.
The governor made the appeal in a statement issued on Wednesday by his Director of Press and Public Affairs, Gyang Bere, following public reactions to his recent engagement with leaders of the Igbo community during a courtesy visit to the Government House in Jos.
According to the statement, Mutfwang’s interaction with the delegation was intended to promote reconciliation, gratitude, and peaceful coexistence, while acknowledging the enduring contributions of the Igbo community to the development of Plateau State.
“The remarks were made in the spirit of appreciation, reconciliation, and national unity. They were intended to acknowledge the resilience, enterprise, and enduring contributions of the Igbo community to the growth, prosperity, and social fabric of Plateau State, while encouraging all Nigerians to continue building bridges of mutual respect, understanding, and peaceful coexistence,” the statement said.
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The government dismissed interpretations suggesting that the governor sought to downplay the painful experiences of any ethnic group during Nigeria’s Civil War, insisting that such claims misrepresented the substance of his remarks.
“At no point did the Governor seek to diminish the painful experiences of any ethnic group or the historical realities surrounding Nigeria’s Civil War. The scars of that period remain part of our national history and deserve to be remembered with empathy, honesty, and sensitivity.”
It added that the lessons of the war should encourage Nigerians to strengthen national cohesion rather than revive old grievances.
“They remind us of the enduring responsibility to strengthen the bonds that unite us rather than reopen wounds that generations of Nigerians have worked hard to heal,” the statement added.
The governor reaffirmed Plateau State’s reputation as one of Nigeria’s most diverse and accommodating states, noting that successive administrations have sustained policies that enable Nigerians from different ethnic and religious backgrounds to live, work, and invest peacefully.
The statement noted that this legacy aligns with the post-Civil War policy of “No Victor, No Vanquished” and the Reconciliation, Rehabilitation, and Reconstruction programme championed by former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon. It said the policy created an environment that enabled the Igbo community to make significant contributions to commerce, education, healthcare, industry, and the state’s overall development.
Reaffirming his administration’s vision, Mutfwang said Plateau’s greatest asset remains its diversity.
“Governor Mutfwang remains firmly committed to preserving and strengthening this legacy. His administration believes that Plateau’s greatest strength lies not in the differences among its people but in their ability to transform diversity into unity and shared prosperity.”
The statement urged Nigerians to reject narratives capable of fuelling ethnic tension, warning that distorted interpretations of the governor’s remarks distract from the broader message of national cohesion.
“At a time when our nation faces significant challenges, Nigerians must resist every attempt to inflame ethnic or regional divisions. Instead, we should draw strength from our shared history, celebrate our diversity, and recommit ourselves to building a nation founded on justice, mutual respect, and peaceful coexistence.”
It reaffirmed the governor’s commitment to inclusive leadership, stating that “every Nigerian, irrespective of ethnicity, religion, or place of origin, deserves dignity, equal opportunity, and a genuine sense of belonging,” adding that these principles would continue to define his administration’s vision for Plateau State.
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