Celebrating October 1

NO doubt, the state is still recovering from security challenges, after being engulfed in last month’s crisis and attacks in some parts of the state, that even led to the imposition of series of curfews to bring peace.

Many expected the 61st independence celebrations of the country to be low-keyed in Plateau, likely without any public outing that attracts a march past with school children and the paramilitary. But there was justification for the independence celebrations. The Plateau State government through its spokesperson Dan Manjang said there will be activities to mark the independence which included prayers in churches and mosques for the state and nation, and a march past and it would avail children the opportunity to reflect and have good historical memories of the celebrations, as was done in the past. “Let our children not grow up with such lasting memories of what it means to have a march past in honour of their country”. Last year the event was not celebrated, it was only marked with church prayers due to similar security challenges and killings across the country.

The march past by students was very colourful with most of the selected primary and secondary schools clad in their school uniforms, as they displayed different acrobatic and regimentary styles at the salute point, some in form of gymnastics and dances to the admiration of spectators. They were indeed eager and excited to display, march, and get to the Governor to give a salute before exiting the scene.

While the Police Band performed with their musical instruments, the paramilitary and police who also participated in the march past were also clad in their colourful ceremonial attires. Other groups like the Boys Scout, Boys Brigade of Nigeria, Aid Group of Jamaatu Nasril Isalm, Red Cross Society participated.  

Lalong in his speech at the forum called for unity urging every Nigerian to embrace each other irrespective of political, ethnic or religious divides. He recounted the progress made many facets of the nations life but was also sad about the numerous challenges especially security and lack of jobs for the teeming youths. “The celebrations gives us the opportunity to celebrate our achievements, reflect on our challenges, and project into the future”, he had said citing peace, progress and diversity as virtues required for our philosophical and developmental progress in the nation.

Also in his nationwide broadcast on October 1, President Muhammadu Buhari had announced efforts of the Federal Government at addressing the security challenges of the country assuring that in the last four months, the gallant men and women of the military and security agencies had made progress and are taking the fight to the enemies from all angles. Buhari said to support the fight against banditry, the Nigerian Armed Forces had recruited over 17,000 personnel across all ranks while the Nigerian Police force have been mandated to recruit 10,000 Police officers annually over the next six years, while in the North East region alone, over 8,000 Boko Haram Terrorists had surrendered. Apart from being hit by the economic effects of Covid-19, The President equally expressed concerns over the damaging impact of fake news on social media which results to hate speeches and destruction of lives and properties.

Last week, when the Chief OF Army Staff (COAS) Gen. Faruk Yahaya, who was on a working visit to National Institute for Policy and Strategics Studies (NIPSS) In Kuru visited Governor Lalong at Government House Rayfield Jos, he had also given an assurance that the Nigerian Army is working and synergising with other security agencies to curtail insecurity in the state and nation as a whole.

The Governor used the forum to appreciate efforts of the COAS and Federal Government to stem the crisis that erupted last month in parts of Jos North, Bassa, Barkin Ladi and Jos South Local Government Areas by making it not to escalate further. 

In another development,  Plateau made headlines with a higher surge in Covid-19 after recording 9 confirmed new cases in one day. Government was concerned that the state had now been ranked 5th on the recent chart of States leading with new infections of the virus as announced by Nigeria Centre For Disease Control (NCDC). Therefore there was a call on citizens of the state to put aside all myths and misconceptions about the vaccine and come out and be vaccinated. Government also announced it had in its possession, excess doses of the Moderna and Xtrazeneca vaccines. Stakeholders like the media, traditional rulers, religious leaders, political and public and private office holders including leaders of youth, women and other social groups were encouraged to sensitize their people on the importance of accessing the vaccines.