For some time, the yuletide has been a season of nightmare and apprehension in Plateau State. Severally, bandits and terrorists invaded communities and unleashed mayhem on inhabitants just to turn the festive mood into mourning. ISAAC SHOBAYO writes on the state government’s efforts to make Christmas a merry experience again for people in the state.
Just last year on Christmas Eve, an unspecified number of people were killed by bandits in Barakin-Ladi Local Government Area of the state, throwing the people into intense mourning. Likewise, a back-to-back bomb explosion killed scores on the Christmas Eve of 2010 at the Gada Biu area of the Jos North Local Government Area; this led to a riot in some parts of the state capital. There are other instances whereby an act of terrorism was unleashed on the state during Yuletide.
This disturbing trend has been a source of worry to quite a lot of people and contributed to why some residents seldom celebrate Christmas in Jos for fear of another tragedy.
Tourists, who often thronged Plateau State during the Yuletide, then had to look elsewhere for leisure. The hospitality industry was badly affected.
It is obvious that tourism cannot thrive in a society bedevilled with crisis. The once-thriving and vibrant sector has been comatose for quite some time due to protracted crisis in the state. Religious festivals like Sallah, Christmas and Easter, among others, have been celebrated on a low key and observed under strict conditions by security agencies to avoid breakdown of law and order. There were instances where residents celebrated Christmas indoors or under lockdown.
Worried by this pathetic scenario and determined to change the negative perceptions, Governor Caleb Nutfwang, since assumption of office, has made some bold and deliberate moves to restore the lost glory of the state and to reposition it towards attaining its full potential.
The governor has been exploring various plausible peace initiatives to arrest the situation. Apart from support for the security agencies, peace and reconciliation meetings were held at different levels to promote harmonious relationships. Essentially, barriers are being dismantled on different fronts to pave the way for a conducive atmosphere for the economy of the state to flourish.
Governor Mutfwang recently unveiled the 2024 Jos Christmas Family Festival with assurance to make this year’s holiday season spectacular and alluring to prospective tourists billed to visit the state during the season.
To set the ball rolling, the three-day Plateau Unity Christmas Carol and Praise Festival was held from Friday, November 29 to December 1, to usher in the Christmas holiday festival, which turned out to be a religious extravaganza to be remembered for a long time and the first of its kind in the Northern part of Nigeria. It was a spiritual event that attracted not only indigenes of the state, but also other prominent people across the country.
Dignitaries that were part of the festival at the 10 Commandments Prayer Altar in Jos South Local Government include the former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon; former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Professor Jerry Gana and heads of Christian denominations in the country.
They joined in heartfelt praise and worship to thank God for the peace and progress being restored in the state.
The three-day event included soul-lifting songs, cultural performances, and a profound message of hope and reconciliation. The occasion dispelled the wrong perception in some quarters that Plateau State is still a no-go area.
The event also attracted the crème de la crème in gospel music artistry, like Panam Percy Paul and other notable gospel singers. Observers said the event evoked emotions of the can-do spirit of a typical Plateau man.
The last day of the festival turned out to be carnival-like as the venue was filled beyond capacity. This unprecedented crowd defied the cold weather to be part of the event.
Addressing the mammoth interdenominational gathering, Governor Mutfwang described the festival as a significant step towards the unity and prophetic destiny of Plateau State.
“The Plateau Unity Christmas Carol and Praise Festival marks the beginning of a journey to unity, progress, and the fulfillment of Plateau’s divine destiny,” the governor remarked.
“For too long, we have fought many battles, both internal and external, but the time has come—and the time is now—to unite as a people. God has blessed this land abundantly, and it is our collective responsibility to harness these blessings for the greater good.”
He further emphasised the state’s immense potential, stating, “Plateau is a land of blessing—fertile, resource-rich, and strategically positioned by God. By His grace, Plateau will rise as a beacon of hope and prosperity, fulfilling its destiny as a city set on a hill that cannot be hidden.”
Former Head of State General Gowon commended the initiative and expressed gratitude for the governor’s commitment to promoting peace and unity. Reflecting on the state’s turbulent past, he noted, “Plateau has endured many challenges, but under Governor Mutfwang’s leadership, the state is experiencing recovery and healing. This gathering is a testament to our collective desire to worship God and seek His intervention for peace in Plateau, Nigeria, and beyond.”
He also praised the performances by the various groups and the sermon delivered by Rev Dr Amos Mohzo, describing them as spiritually uplifting. He urged the people of Plateau to not only profess peace but to embody it in their daily lives.
Former President Obasanjo was commended for attending the event, with General Gowon recalling the pivotal role he played in saving Obasanjo from a death sentence during a critical period in Nigeria’s history.
Former Minister of Information and Communication, Professor Gana, hailed the initiative as divinely inspired, saying that God was pleased with the multitude of souls gathered to praise Him.
In his sermon, Rev Mohzo, President of the Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN), reading from Luke 2:13 and Psalm 96:1, highlighted the message of peace brought by Jesus Christ. He encouraged citizens of Plateau State to live out the teachings of Christ, rise above divisions of ethnicity or politics, and remain steadfast in their faith.
The event featured Bible readings by notable personalities, including former Governor Joshua Dariye, Deputy Governor Josephine Piyo and Senator Istifanus Dung Gyang.
A clergyman, Reverend Dangyang Yusuf, who spoke with the Nigerian Tribune at the venue of the event, said the success of the programme was a testimony of the commitment of the state government to peace and economic development.
A former member representing Jos South Jos East federal constituency at the House of Representatives in Abuja, Hon. Dachung Musa Bagos, commended the governor for hosting the maiden Plateau Unity Christmas Carol and Praise Festival 2024.
Baggos said the governor’s vision of a united Plateau State was further proven by hosting the event. He said the joys and unprecedented turnout of people for the three-day event revealed how the people have aligned with the vision.
Bagos called on the people of Plateau to support this and other developmental visions of the state government. He said that the people should continue to pray for the governor to excel through initiatives such as this. “A genuine leader is not a searcher for consensus but a molder of consensus,” he said quoting Martin Luther King Jr. “We appreciate your intention to build a stronger plateau of one people, one focus, one course, and one heart.”
Apart from the Christmas carol, the state government has made sure that adequate security is being provided in different flanks of the state to ensure hitch-free festive season.
