The newly sworn-in Plateau State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Prince Miaphen, has declared that youths across the state will mobilise massively for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Caleb Mutfwang in the 2027 general elections, saying the political support will be in appreciation of what he described as their commitment to Plateau youths and the state.
Miaphen, who spoke shortly after assuming office, said Plateau youths would reciprocate the opportunities created for the state under the Tinubu administration, particularly the appointment of Plateau indigenes into key positions at the federal level.
He specifically commended President Tinubu for supporting the emergence of Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, a Plateau indigene, as National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC.
The commissioner said: “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has done well by appointing Plateau sons and daughters into various positions.
“He has carried Plateau along and his support for the state has been massive.
“Plateau youths will not forget this. We will reciprocate the support and ensure that the President gets massive votes from Plateau youths.”
Miaphen also commended Governor Mutfwang for what he described as his commitment to youth inclusion, saying the governor had demonstrated confidence in young people by giving them opportunities to serve in government.
He said youths constituted a critical component of the state’s population and should be united and given the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to its development.
‘We must unite beyond politics’
The commissioner pledged to unite Plateau youths across political, religious and ethnic divides, stressing that political differences should not prevent young people from working together in the interest of the state.
He said the ministry would engage youth groups irrespective of their political affiliations, ethnic backgrounds or religious differences.
“Plateau youths need to be more united than ever before. Who says that if we all belong to different political parties, we cannot still work as brothers?.
“Who says we cannot unite for the overall interest of our state? At the end of the day, when the time for politics is right, we can go our various destinations and directions.
“But as youths, as Plateau youths, I will work tirelessly to ensure that we stop portraying our state in bad light,” he said.
The commissioner also expressed concern over negative narratives about Plateau on social media, urging young people to be mindful of how they portray the state.
He said youths should use social media responsibly and avoid promoting narratives capable of damaging the image, unity and development of Plateau.
Miaphen announced plans to embark on a statewide tour of the 17 local government areas of the state to engage youth leaders and grassroots structures.
He said the exercise would enable the ministry to hear directly from young people about their concerns, fears, aspirations and expectations.
“I want to embark immediately on a statewide tour of all the 17 local government areas of our state.
“I want to meet all the youth structures at the grassroots level, interact with them and seek their opinions on how best we can represent them.
“I want to find out what their fears and goals are and what their concerns are. At the end of the tour, we will be able to understand the cause and effect and develop appropriate solutions,” he said.
The commissioner also pledged to renovate and complete three youth centres across the state within his first 100 days in office.
According to him, the centres will provide young people with spaces for skills development, entrepreneurship, engagement and other productive activities.
On sports development, Miaphen said the ministry would place greater emphasis on grassroots sports, noting that Plateau was endowed with sporting talents capable of representing Nigeria at national and international competitions.
He said the ministry would build stronger structures for talent identification and development from the community and district levels through the local governments to the state.
“We will encourage grassroots competitions. When I came, even when I had not resumed, I attended the Chairman’s Cup finals and we saw talents.
“I will be engaging and participating in most of these local competitions. We need to lay down foundations, policies and principles that will help develop grassroots sports,” he said.
Miaphen promised to work with sporting associations, athletes and other stakeholders to reposition sports in the state.
He said his objective was to create an environment where young athletes could discover their talents, receive the necessary support and eventually represent Plateau and Nigeria at major competitions.
‘
The commissioner assured staff of the ministry, athletes and other stakeholders of an open-door administration, saying he would work with everyone to achieve the objectives of the Mutfwang administration.
“I am a team player. I want to work and I will work. I belong to all. I do not belong to nobody.
“I am here because the government found me worthy to be here. So, I am going to be very precise and blunt. God willing, we will work closely with all of you to ensure that we achieve the desired result,” he said.
Miaphen said his appointment by Governor Mutfwang was a responsibility he would discharge with accountability to God and the people of Plateau State.
He said his experience as a comrade and unionist at the student, youth and political levels had exposed him to the importance of accountability.
“I have lived most of my adult life as a comrade and union member, be it at the student level, the National Youth Council or even in the political arena.
“We have fought and criticised government. We have asked questions and demanded that leaders be accountable in their acts of governance.
“Today, God has saddled me with that responsibility. It is my sincere hope and prayer that I will also be accountable to God and accountable to the people,” he said.