By Ken Afor
A former Governor of Plateau State, Jonah David Jang, has called on the people of Nigeria’s Middle Belt region to unite in the pursuit of establishing state police forces to better secure their communities.
He made the call over the weekend in Takum, Taraba State, during the installation of the Chief of Takum, HRH Sopiya Gboshi.
The former Senator who represented Plateau North also called for unity among ethnic nationalities across the Middle Belt region.
“Permit me to call upon our people in the Middle Belt and say we need peace in our region. To have peace in the Middle Belt, we must be a united people irrespective of our tribes and states because we are one people,” Jang declared to a crowd of supporters. “When we unite, we will be able to protect this God-given land and the Middle Belt.”
Jang, a former Military Governor of Benue State and the old Gongola State, which is currently Adamawa and Taraba, stressed that unity is essential for safeguarding the region’s land and fostering peace. He highlighted the inadequacy of centralized security measures in areas where security personnel lack familiarity with the local terrain and dynamics.
He called on the current governors in the Middle Belt region to take a stand and push for the amendment of the Nigerian Constitution to allow for the creation of state police forces. He argued that state police would be more effective in providing security, as they would be more familiar with the local terrain and dynamics.
“You cannot have security in a place where the people manning it do not know the area,” Jang said, driving home his point about the need for more localized law enforcement authorities. “I plead with the present set of governors that they should take a stand and request that the Constitution of Nigeria be amended for state police to be created for the good security of our people.”
On the other hand, Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, highlighted Taraba’s potential to become the food basket of West Africa. He emphasized that with the state’s abundant arable land and numerous water bodies, this goal can be attained through collaborative efforts between the people and the government.
Furthermore, Obaseki commended the Governor of Taraba State for successfully resolving the longstanding chieftaincy dispute in Takum, which had left the town without a traditional ruler for several years. This resolution was seen as a significant achievement, paving the way for stability and progress in the region.
Lt. Gen. Theophilus Danjuma (Rtd), a former Minister of Defence and a native of Taraba State, revealed his plans to collaborate with German partners to establish a vocational institute in Takum. The primary objective of this institute is to provide vocational training to the local youth, equipping them with valuable skills to enhance their employability, as reported by Vanguard.
The former Chief of Army Staff emphasized the changing dynamics of the modern world and expressed his commitment to ensuring that the next generation not only possesses academic degrees but also acquires practical skills that make them employable and potential employers themselves. He recognized the importance of imparting relevant skills to the youth, enabling them to contribute effectively to the workforce and drive economic growth.
At the event, former Governor of Taraba State, Jolly Nyame, made an appeal to the current Governor, Agbu Kefas, urging him to consider addressing the longstanding demands of other ethnic groups within the state who are seeking the establishment of traditional stools.
Kefas, in his remarks, assured that his administration remains committed to fostering peace and progress across all communities in the state. He called on everyone to unite and collaborate towards achieving prosperity for Taraba.
The newly installed traditional ruler, HRH Sopiya Gboshi, extended an invitation to all residents of Takum, urging them to put aside their differences and join hands with him in a collective effort to unite and develop the town.
