Vice President Kashim Shettima has implored Nigerians to reject ethnic profiling, religious hatred, misinformation and retaliatory violence in order to build a secure, inclusive and prosperous federation.
Shettima made the call on Saturday in Jos, Plateau State capital, during the 80th birthday anniversary and public presentation of the autobiography of former Gov. Jonah Jang of Plateau.
He also called for a renewed national covenant on peace, observing that peace is a shared responsibility between government, community leaders and the citizens.
“A people at peace is the highest achievement of any government, because peace is the soil in which every other blessing grows,” he declared.
The vice president conveyed the goodwill and prayers of President Bola Tinubu to the celebrant.
Shettima reaffirmed Tinubu administration’s commitment to a Nigeria where security supports economic opportunity and every citizen feels at home in every part of the country.
The vice president said that sustainable development cannot take root in an atmosphere of fear, insecurity and distrust.
Shettima noted that the economic fortunes of communities and states in Nigeria are closely connected.
“No community flourishes in isolation. Prosperity cannot survive where fear reigns. A farmer in Riyom depends upon peace beyond his village.
“A trader in Jos depends upon roads that run through the towns of other men. The confidence of one state is the security of another,” he said.
He described Plateau as “Nigeria in miniature,” adding that the state’s diversity, aspirations, difficulties and recovery reflect the wider national experience.
According to him, whatever strengthens peace and development in the Plateau contributes to the stability of the entire federation.
“While any setback in the state points to the unfinished work of national reconciliation.
“Plateau State is Nigeria in miniature. Its dreams are the dreams of Nigeria. Its struggles are the struggles of Nigeria.
” Its complexity is the complexity of Nigeria. Its fears are the fears of Nigeria. Its grief is the grief of Nigeria. Its recovery is the recovery of Nigeria,” he stated.
Shettima condemned attempts to associate individual criminal conduct with entire ethnic, religious or regional communities.
The vice president warned that collective blame enables criminals to deepen divisions beyond the immediate harm caused by their actions.
“No criminal represents his origin, his ethnic group, his religion, his language, his ancestry, his village or the innocent people who bear his surname.
“Crime has no tribe. Violence has no religion. Murder carries no mandate from any community,” he maintained.
The VP averred that when innocent people are condemned for crimes committed by others, the perpetrator succeeds twice by taking a life and destroying the trust among those left behind.
“He destroys a life, and then he poisons the fellowship of those left behind. This is the lesson the rest of Nigeria must learn,” he added.
Shettima said that Plateau had endured years of violence perpetrated by criminals who invested in chaos, disrupted farming, weakened commercial activities and attempted to replace neighbourliness with suspicion.
He praised the people of the state for refusing to abandon their belief in peaceful coexistence.
Shettima described their resilience as a quiet form of heroism that had earned the gratitude of the nation.
He assured that the Federal Government would continue to discharge its constitutional responsibility for security.
He emphasised that lasting peace also requires citizens to reject rumours, resist inflammatory rhetoric and choose reconciliation over revenge.
While paying tribute to Jang, Shettima described the former military officer, governor and Senator as a father figure whose influence extended beyond the Berom people, Plateau, his religious faith and political affiliation.
He said the worth of a life in public service should be measured by its impact on people rather than wealth, political authority or public applause.
“The secret of a life well lived is neither the fortune we gather nor the power we hold. Life is measured by the difference we make among our people.
” Wealth fades. Office passes from one hand to another. Applause is carried away by the wind. What endures is the good we leave behind in human lives,” he stated.
Shettima thanked Jang for the uniform he wore in defence of the country, the offices he held in its service and his continued pursuit of peace in Plateau.
The vice president announced President Tinubu’s appointment of Yakubu Jang, son of the celebrant as a Senior Special Assistant to the President.
Earlier, former President Goodluck Jonathan said the birthday celebration and public presentation of the autobiography was a testament to Jang’s integrity and accomplishments as a leader.
He said Jang’s autobiography encapsulates the choices made, the challenges faced and convictions that guided his service to the nation in various capacities.
“It teaches the younger generation of leaders the virtues of integrity, patience and peace.
For his part, Gov. Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau explained that the event was an opportunity to honour the values, leadership quality and sacrifices of Jang as a former military administrator, executive governor, elder statesman and bridge-builder.
He said though Jang had been misrepresented at different times, the people of Plateau still love and appreciate his sacrifices for future development of the state and wellbeing of the people.
Also, Gov. Hyacinth Alia of Benue extolled the leadership qualities of Jang, recalling his days as the military administrator of Benue State.
He prayed to God to grant the celebrant long life in good health, as he continues to offer selfless service to the development of Plateau and Nigeria in general. (NAN)
