GUEST WRITER
By YILGAK’HA AYUBA
During the build-up campaigns of the 2023 governorship election on the Plateau, I wrote an article titled, ‘Plateau 2023: This is Your Best Chance’. The motivation to write on that topic came after I listened to the leading governorship candidates debate on issues bothering on security and the welfare of the State and its citizens. These candidates, in their respective ways, had demonstrated great leadership capacities in words and actions in previous assignments.
For instance, Prof. Patrick Sunday Dakum had carved a niche for himself as an academic scholar, medical doctor and Director General/Chief Executive Officer (DG/CEO) of the National Institute for Human Virology (NIHV); Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda Goshwe (as it were) had made a mark as a lecturer, tech-guru and Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC); while Hon. Barr. Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang (as it were) had made his mark in legal practice and was once the Executive Chairman of Mangu Local Government Council, one of the most economically viable local government areas in the State. Apparently, none of them was a political or administrative novice.
Plateau State, at the time, had the opportunity to choose from at least three experienced and eminently qualified sons of the State, which meant that, head or tail, Plateau would be in safe hands. At the end of the day, Hon. Barr. Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang won.
The outcome, which was keenly contested in court up to the Supreme Court, reinforced the fact that God rules in the affairs of men and gives power to whoever He pleases. Hence, the least anyone could do after all was said and done was to support the governor to deliver on his campaign promises to the citizenry.
Beyond elections: Finding purpose in every outcome
The election has passed, and the supposedly ‘unlucky’ candidates are now former candidates of their respective parties. But that is not the end of their lives. In life, some setbacks can be unsung pathways to other worthwhile opportunities. You can call them blessings in disguise, not stigma or death sentences.
Prof. Dakum has since returned to his duty post as DG/CEO of NIHV and is doing well. Prof. Nentawe became Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and now serves as the National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), the platform under which he contested the governorship; while Barr. Mutfwang leads as the Executive Governor of Plateau State.
This development reveals that life is a tapestry of complex mysteries that only God can fathom from the beginning to the end of mortals. Hence, no one should be obsessed with getting things his or her way at all times since we cannot predict or tell with absolute certainty the direction God (the greatest carpenter and finisher of our dreams), is leading each and every one of us. The future is heavily pregnant with great and limitless possibilities.
As it were, God, the master of the universe and broker of opportunities, has positioned His children (sons and daughters of Plateau State, citizens of the world now and heaven later), in various vintage positions to serve this State and country, bringing the good things of life back home for our collective good.
Therefore, those whom God has elevated today cannot afford to do less. The language that people understand is that their leaders must summon the courage and muster the will to cultivate, harvest, and lavish their lives with visible dividends of democracy.
Time to serve, support the Plateau dream
It is heartwarming that the National Chairman of APC, Prof. Nentawe, has remembered home with some good humanitarian interventions, especially the recent one on health. Hon. Prof. Dakum has initiated others, with several other spirited sons and daughters doing their part as the governor stirs, inspires and motivates the entire citizenry into wholesome thinking and actions that bring smiles.
Governor Mutfwang is our present status symbol in governance and politics, the chief galvaniser and mobiliser of state action—our collective dream as a people. He is doing his utmost best and needs encouragement.
The appointment and clearance of Dr. Benard Doro as Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; Hon. Prof. C.J. Dakas as Chairman of the Nigerian Law Reform Commission (NLRC); Hon. Dr. Cyril Tsenyil as Managing Director of the North Central Development Commission (NCDC); Monsignor Rev. Prof. Cletus T. Gotan as Chairman of the Nigerian Christian Pilgrims Commission (NCPC); Mr. David Dasar as President/CEO of the Digital Bridge Institute (DBI), the training arm of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC); and many others to come, is a pointer that Plateau is up for a bumper harvest in dividends of democracy. Those making waves in business, education, arts and other sectors, both at home and abroad, when factored into the equation, show how bright the future looks for Plateau State.
When God blesses a man, the opportunity should be used humbly and to advance human progress. No blessing should be used as an opportunity to settle political scores, because the God who remembers A today is still in the business of elevating others. He can bless others without decreasing anyone—unless a beneficiary chooses to ignore or abuse His grace and favour.
If anyone feels big favours have not smiled his or her way, wait on God in earnest prayer, patience, and hard work. By the grace of God, the grand benefactor of all, help will come—perhaps sooner than ever imagined.
In other words, when God is involved, relax. Fight no one, but seek His grace and the chance to contribute to the welfare of all!
Unity as the key to Plateau’s progress
Politics aside, this is a time to build bridges of understanding and not walls of disaffection. It is time to cooperate, not compete and to unite on all fronts to root out insecurity, break the chains of poverty and instil the spirit of innovation and progress in the State’s greatest asset: the youth. As a State, we have only one enemy—disunity—which no one, no matter how careless, should be willing to associate with. It is from the evil of disunity, occasioned by self-centredness, that all contradictions spring.
The Psalmist in Psalms 133:1–3 has this to say: “How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity! It is like precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard, running down on Aaron’s beard, down on the collar of his robe. It is as if the dew of Hermon were falling on Mount Zion. For there the Lord bestows His blessing, even life forevermore.” Poetic and touching lines with promises of blessings that unity brings. They reinforce the timeless adage that in unity we prosper. But without it a people perish.
Plateau is for progress. What will be your contribution towards this as a citizen or resident? As we ponder over this trillion-dollar question, let us remember to perceive wholeness as the anchoring winning way for the State’s sustainable development. Plateau sons and daughters must unite, love and work selflessly for the greater good of all. Yes—when this State progresses, it will be for the benefit of all and the disadvantage of none.
Just say, I love Plateau. Two renowned American writers, E.W. Kenyon and Don Gossett, in their book, ‘Words That Move Mountains’, asserted: “Love grows with confession. Faith grows with confession. Righteousness-consciousness grows with confession… Every time I confess my faith, my faith grows. If one never confesses, one never grows. Your faith is measured by your confession.”
Let us confess our love for one another and jointly work at making Plateau and Nigeria great!
Ayuba writes from Jos via loisayuba420@mail.com