Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang on Friday received participants of the “Generation Peace Youth Camp 2025” at the Government House, with a strong charge to become the generation that will end the long-standing cycles of hatred and suspicion that have divided Plateau State for decades.
The visit came on the sixth day of the week-long camp, which brought together young people from all 17 Local Government Areas. The programme, organised by the Plateau State Peace Building Agency (PSPBA), was designed to establish a fresh foundation for peace and unity in the state.
Speaking during the session, Dr. Julie Sanda, Director General of the PSPBA, underscored the significance of the initiative. She noted that the camp commenced on September 7th, the 24th anniversary of the 2001 Jos crisis that marked the beginning of years of unrest. “We are intentionally raising a generation identified not by conflict, but by peace. This visit underscores the government’s highest commitment to that mission,” she said.
Governor Mutfwang, in his address to the youth, lamented the persistence of a “culture of suspicion” that has overshadowed relationships for more than two decades. “It is heartbreaking that those born in the last 20 to 30 years grew up in an environment where they are not comfortable with their neighbors. The first thing you must do is understand that God created all of us—none of us is superior to the other,” he stated.
He urged participants to reject inherited grievances and chart a new course for the future. “Do not buy into the hatred your parents may have carried. They may have reasons to be bitter, but you must decide that every evil chain, when it reaches you, stops with you,” the governor declared.
Highlighting the link between peace and prosperity, Governor Mutfwang stressed that insecurity has for too long hindered agriculture and economic growth in Plateau. “When trouble arises, it drains your energy and resources. We must open a new chapter—one of peace and prosperity,” he said.
The event also reflected the collaborative partnerships supporting the initiative. Mr. Thomas Limbaugh of the Institute for Integrated Transition (IFIT), a key partner, described the camp as “a transformative step,” pledging support in equipping young leaders with the tools to build stronger social cohesion.
Also present were the governor’s Special Envoy on Peace and Security, along with dignitaries such as Professor Christopher Kwaja, who emphasised that youth engagement remains vital to sustainable peace. Governor Mutfwang personally addressed concerns raised by participants and reiterated his administration’s full commitment to long-term stability.
The camp, which concludes on Saturday, will see participants return to their respective communities as certified ambassadors of peace, tasked with breaking the chains of hatred and suspicion that have long delayed Plateau State’s progress.
Reported by: Stone Reporters News
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