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The Governor of Plateau State, Barrister Caleb Mutfwang, recently paid a courtesy visit to the Minister of Defence, General Christopher Gwabin Musa (Rtd), in Abuja, where he assured him of his total support in the collective effort to defeat insecurity in Plateau State and across Nigeria.
According to Mutfwang, he was delighted with Gen. Musa’s appointment and described it as a strategic and timely decision in confronting the country’s intricate and evolving security challenges.
He noted that the Minister’s vast experience and proven professionalism would significantly strengthen ongoing national security interventions.
Reiterating his long-standing position, the governor again declared his support for the establishment of State Police and acknowledged existing concerns about possible abuses but stressed that the nation must collectively safeguard against such risks, confront the fears responsibly, and ensure operational efficiency for the good of all.
“We must now focus on finding solutions to the challenges confronting us. Whatever has happened in the past should not deter us. The time has come for all of us to join hands and holistically address our security concerns,” he emphasized.
He thanked the Minister for discharging his duties diligently as Chief of Defence Staff and urged him to bring his wealth of expertise, discipline, and patriotism to bear in his new role as Minister of Defence.
Responding, Gen. Christopher Musa (Rtd) expressed gratitude for the governor’s visit, noting that Governor Mutfwang is the first public official to pay him a courtesy call since his appointment.
He assured the governor of a robust and productive collaboration in addressing security concerns in Plateau State and the country at large.
The Minister also commended Governor Mutfwang for successfully hosting the Plateau Unity Christmas Carols and Praise Festival, describing it as a unifying initiative that brings citizens together in worship, reconciliation, and communal harmony.
Silverbird nominates Mutfwang as ‘Governor of the Year’
The Editorial Board of the Silverbird Group, owners of Silverbird Television and Rhythm FM, has nominated the Governor of Plateau State, Barrister Caleb Mutfwang, as Silverbird Governor of the Year 2025, in recognition of his outstanding performance and transformative leadership since assuming office in May 2023.
Presenting the nomination letter to Governor Mutfwang recently in Lagos, the Chairman of the Editorial Board and Chief Creative Officer of the Silverbird Group, Mr. Jacob Akinyemi Johnson, accompanied by the Head of News, Rhythm FM, Mr. Mustapha Isah, and the Chief Operating Officer, Mr. Bola Salako, said the board arrived at its decision after a rigorous and independent assessment of the governor’s life-changing interventions and people-focused governance.
In a letter signed by the Founder of the Silverbird Group, Senator Ben Murray-Bruce, the board commended Governor Mutfwang for demonstrating uncommon courage and commitment to supporting federal security agencies in confronting the complex security challenges in Plateau State.
According to the letter, “Reports from our correspondents in Plateau State, coupled with insights from our editor who participated in the Nigerian Guild of Editors’ inspection tour of your projects, clearly show that you have made remarkable progress across key sectors of the economy.
“Your achievements in road construction and infrastructure development, education, agriculture, tourism, and health are outstanding. Additionally, your commitment to supporting federal security agencies in addressing the state’s security challenges is highly commendable.”
Mr. Johnson explained that the Silverbird Man of the Year Award, established two decades ago by Senator Murray-Bruce, was instituted to honour exceptional Nigerians who leverage their positions to uplift the lives of the less privileged.
He noted that Governor Mutfwang’s nomination reflects the measurable impact of his policies and the renewed sense of hope his administration has restored to the people.
Responding, Governor Mutfwang expressed gratitude for what he described as a “deeply fulfilling honour,” adding that the nomination affirmed his administration’s relentless commitment to laying a solid and sustainable foundation for rapid growth and steady development in Plateau State.
He recalled that upon assuming office, his administration took deliberate steps to restore citizens’ confidence in governance by prioritizing security, inclusive leadership, essential social amenities, and transformative projects aimed at protecting and uplifting all residents.
“I was brought up in the philosophy that service to humanity is not for self-glorification. For me, being entrusted with public office is a privilege. Once chosen among millions to lead, you automatically become indebted to the people and must justify that trust by working tirelessly for their well-being. That has always been my guiding principle,” he noted.
He further stated, “When I came in, I emphasized that paying salaries is not an achievement but a right. While I still believe Nigerian workers are underpaid, the reality is that resources are limited. The sustainable solution is to grow our economy so we can generate more revenue to confront these challenges.”
The governor thanked the Silverbird Management for the honour and dedicated the award to the resilient people of Plateau State, acknowledging their trust, sacrifices, and steadfast support, particularly market women, youths, and the less privileged who stood firm to enthrone his administration.
PLSG to support sports
Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State has reaffirmed his administration’s resolve to leverage sports tourism as a strategic driver of economic growth, social cohesion, and sustainable development across the state.
He gave this assurance last Saturday while ceremonially teeing off the Pro-Am segment of the prestigious Governor’s Cup Golf Tournament at the Lamingo Golf Club, Jos.
According to him, the event has evolved into one of Plateau State’s longest-running and most celebrated sporting legacies.
Welcoming golfers from across Nigeria and beyond, the governor described sports tourism as a deliberate economic policy of his administration, stressing that major sporting events are already yielding tangible benefits for Plateau’s hospitality, transport, and service sectors.
“Tourism is about people; people coming into the state. Reports of hotels being fully booked because of this golf tournament are not isolated incidents. For over a year now, hotel room occupancy rates in Jos have been among the highest in the country,” Governor Mutfwang explained.
He attributed the growing influx of visitors to sustained efforts by his administration to reposition Plateau State as safe and investment-friendly, noting that despite broader security challenges in the North Central zone, Jos has emerged as one of the safest cities in the region.
Expressing confidence in the future of the Governor’s Cup, Governor Mutfwang projected the Lamingo Golf Club as a premier golfing destination not only in Nigeria but also on the international stage, given its scenic environment, improving facilities, and rising profile.
Beyond the economic benefits, the governor underscored the unifying power of sports, calling on Plateau citizens to rise above differences and pursue shared aspirations for collective progress.
According to him, sporting platforms such as the Governor’s Cup provide neutral ground for building trust, friendships, and a shared sense of identity.
“It is time for Plateau people to think together, move together, and pursue common goals. We are greater together. When we pull together, even the sky cannot limit us,” he stated.
He commended the executives and members of the Lamingo Golf Club for their consistency in maintaining the course and facilities over the years, describing their efforts as critical to preserving public infrastructure and preventing decay and social vices.
The governor assured the club of continued government partnership within available resources to further enhance the facility.
Earlier, the Captain of the Lamingo Golf Club, Sailas Vem, praised Governor Mutfwang for promptly identifying with the tournament and sustaining a legacy embraced by successive administrations.
He described the Governor’s Cup as “more than a tournament,” noting that it serves as a powerful platform for unity, friendship, economic activity, and tourism promotion.
“This speaks volumes about what Plateau means to the golfing community. Golfers from across the country and beyond now see Jos as home and look forward to returning even after the tournament,” Vem stated.
The Governor’s Cup, now over three decades old, recorded its highest participation this year, with over 400 golfers comprising more than 300 amateurs and about 100 professionals, competing in what organizers described as one of the most successful editions in the tournament’s history.
Players from different parts of the world, including Asia, joined Nigerian golfers on the lush Lamingo course, further reinforcing Plateau State’s growing reputation as an emerging international golfing destination.
Also speaking, former Governor of Plateau State, Senator Simon Bako Lalong, described the tournament as a “reunion golf” event capable of bringing Plateau people together across political, social, and cultural divides.
He commended Governor Mutfwang for embracing sports as a tool for unity and urged sustained investment in the club’s infrastructure.
NIPSS graduates SEC 47, urges them to proffer solutions to lingering crises
The National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, Plateau State, has graduated its Senior Executive Course (SEC) 47, 2025, with a charge on the participants to proffer practical ideas on how to curtail the insecurity that has bedevilled the country.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu gave the charge last Saturday during the graduation ceremony of Senior Executive Course (SEC) 47, held at the Institute after 10 months of rigorous, impactful, and intensive studies and research.
Represented by Vice President Senator Kashim Shettima, the President said he had directed NIPSS to undertake a nationwide security diagnostic to guide urgent reforms in Nigeria’s security architecture, anchoring the move on the need to safeguard the country’s emerging blue economy framework.
According to him, he had unveiled a new security-economic blueprint designed to unlock Nigeria’s marine and aquatic wealth, stressing that the security review must produce actionable recommendations that would receive “the utmost attention” of the Presidency.
The study theme for Senior Executive Course 46, “Blue Economy and Sustainable Development in Nigeria: Issues, Challenges and Opportunities,” underscores economic ambitions in the blue economy, the President explained, noting that these ambitions would not materialise without a safe and stable environment.
Although piracy has reduced through ongoing security initiatives, oil theft, smuggling, illegal fishing, vandalism, and kidnapping continue to undermine national revenues and investors’ confidence, he said.
“These threats are real, and the administration is taking decisive steps to address them. NIPSS is therefore assigned an expanded national security mandate because of its proven analytical rigour and strategic relevance.”
He commended Governor Mutfwang for the support the Plateau State Government consistently renders to the Institute and advised the graduands to uphold and sustain the friendships they built over the months for a better future.
The Director-General of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Professor Ayo Omotayo, in a welcome address, thanked the federal government for supporting the Institute in different spheres.
He praised the SEC 47/2025 participants for their analytical depth, teamwork, and commitment to the Institute’s mandate, noting that their final reports demonstrated a strong grasp of Nigeria’s strategic environment.
Senator Ken Nnamani, the Board Chairman of NIPSS, welcomed the President, who was represented by the Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, and appreciated the government for extending the required support to the Institute.
Governor Caleb Mutfwang, in a goodwill message, congratulated the graduands and urged them to be pacesetters in their various fields of endeavour.
The Monitor-General of SEC 47, Colonel Sani Mukhtar Daroda, said their study had enabled them to explore the intersections of the blue economy and provide actionable recommendations.
According to him, while the challenges were significant, the opportunities were equally immense with focused efforts that could drive sustainable development in these areas.
Colonel Daroda assured that they would implement their training as strategic leaders in their respective fields, saying, “This is not just the culmination of our efforts but the beginning of impactful contributions to national progress.”
A Permanent Secretary in the Plateau State Civil Service, Keziah Ishaya Dung, was among the 96 graduands.