Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State has admonished the leaders of the Conference of Autochthonous Ethnic Community Development Association (CONAECDA)
and various Cultural organisations not to give up hope on Nigeria as a result of the current security challenges facing the country.
Mutfwang stated this during CONAECDA 2025; award night and induction into the hall of fame held at Elier Centre Jos at the weekend.
The governor who was represented by the senior special assistant on Middle Belt Ethnic Nationalities, Hon. Dan Kwada said, all hands must be on deck to tackle these challenges with a view to nip it in the bud.
According to him, fostering unity among ethnic groups will promote sustainable development, stressing that there will be no meaningful progress in an atmosphere of chaos and confusion .
The governor also said he is happy to be a part of this historic gathering where Leaders of Indigenous communities meet to discuss and address issues affecting their communities while emphasizing the urgent need to manage our diversity .
He also assured them of the government’s continued support and reiterated his administration’s commitment to the welfare of all citizens in the state.
“That is why we remain committed to addressing the National Security crisis bedeviling us. In the midst of these challenges, we have drawn a road map designed to place Plateau state at the Centre of Tourism, Education, Agriculture, Livestock, ICT, Mining and Manufacturing.
Mutfwang further stressed, “Our efforts are already visible and we are working with traditional and religious leaders and several stakeholder groups including CONAECDA and PIDAN in this direction. We are also partnering in peacebuilding, in our effort to return displaced communities, by providing security and in resolving conflicts.
According to him, his administration is also partnering to provide multilingual education and language Development in the State. We are working in the area of Livestock transformation, cultural festivals and tourism among many others in the state.
Meanwhile, CONAECDA’s president Pastor Danladi Jeji in his welcome address said their vision is to assert ethnic cultural identity, self-determination and sustainable community development as encapsulated in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the African Union Charter on Human and Peoples Rights.
He maintained that CONAECDA has chapters in 14 states including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) representing over 400 indigenous communities in Central and Northern Nigeria, focusing on development, security and humanitarian issues.
Highlight of the event was the presentation of Life time achievement awards to the Pioneer National Chairman of PDP and first civilian Governor of Plateau state late Chief Solomon Lar and the longest serving traditional ruler in Northern Nigeria late
Malam Danladi Gwamna Awan, the Chief of Kagoro.
Others includes Gen. TY Danjuma, Yakubu Gowon, former governor of Taraba state Chief Darius Isyaku,.Senator Joseph Tarka and the former speaker of the House of Representative Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara .