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From left, Professor Lar, Barrister Henry, Mr. Kuchili and Hon Yohanna
By Raymond Gukas, Jos
Plateau Our Heritage revival initiative, POHri, has began the process of entrancing an enduring Plateau state where unity of purpose will bind the nationalities.
This process was kicked started at the maiden summit of the two year old organisation whose membership cuts across the various ethnic groups and religious beliefs.
The summit tagged: Plateau State: Changing the Narratives – Our Stand“, saw the various speakers speaking truth to each other about the declining fortunes of the state and it’s people which, it was observed was as a result of lack of unity among the over 50 tribes in the state.
Discussants were drawn from areas the state has comparative advantage; where they spoke on identified areas the state stand to gain from such as tourism, mining, agriculture, politics and leadership, especially when Plateau used to be the voice of northern minorities and the middlebelt region of Nigeria.
Chairman of the occasion, Brig. Gen. Jon Temlong used the event to emphasise that the state’s backwardness could be attributed to selfish behaviours as virtually everyone would want to be identified based on tribe or religion, instead of a Plateau man or woman, which usually comes with a devastating price.
According to him, “In Plateau, we have to manage our diversity” as that is the only sure way to bring the state out of the woods, haven’t been confronted with persistent challenges in all spheres of human endeavour.
In an opening remark, Convener of the POHri, Hon. Pam Ayuba Dangwong noted that the so many challenges the state was grappling with are those of tribal, civil service, lack of unity and the time to change was now.
He commended the initiative for the summit which he said was timely, noting further that the team of discussants would not let the state and the POHri down as solutions to these negative consequences would be proffered at the end.
Chairman of the POHri, Hon. Alex Kwapnoe was full of gratitude for the exhibition of the Plateau dream, and added that the summit; though, small was indeed rich in all aspects of the the state’s requirements.
He also harped on the need for indegenes to bury their differences and think Plateau, carry all along and that union will strengthen the state and it will send out the right signal to any perceived threat from any quarters.
Highlights of the discuss, saw Prof. Patricia Manko Lar (Professor of Medical Microbiology, University of Jos. Vice President, West Africa Research and Innovation Management Association (WARIMA) speaking on Plateau: A State in Progress or Inertia?
Changing the narrative for sustainable revenue generation in Plateau State was handled by Hon. Panshak Titus Yohanna
Former Management committee Chairman Kanke LGC,
Pioneer Branch Manager, Sterling Bank Jos.
Former Branch Manager Intercontinental bank, Jos
Relationship Manager Public sector 3, Abuja
Chairman/CEO Panshak Concepts and Consult Limited Jos.
On Punishment of Crimes in Conflict Situations, a case study of Plateau State, was taken by Barr. Longpoe Hentuang Henry, Lecturer, Centre for Conflict Management and Peace Studies, University of Jos, is expected to be the driving force, While Building Economic Gains for Plateau State was equally discussed by Viktor Kuchili Lead Development Consultant, CCN Nigeria.
At the summit, some chairmen of POHri development committee spoke on issues affecting the state negatively in terms of thier committee’s observations and spoke on the way forward.
A communique of the discussion is being worked out and would be released in due course.
