An elders’ group, under the auspices of Make Jos Great Again Forum (MJGA), has urged residents of Jos, the Plateau State capital, to live together in peace and harmony as was the case in 1960 towards the 90s.
A statement by the group’s chairman, Chief Samu’ila Danko Makama, condemned recurring violence in the state “in the name of ethnicity or religion,” and called on the residents to give peace a chance.
“As a group of like minds, we members of Make Jos Great Again (MJGA) Forum refer to ourselves as JOSIANS, with the understanding of greatness in living together in peace and harmony for a considerable number of years, before and in the 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, 1990s to date. We enjoyed social, economic, educational and working experience in the great city of Jos,” the statement said.
“Regrettably, Jos which used to be a great city of peace characterised by peaceful co-existence is to a large extent no longer the case.
“Jos city, the envy of all, has since 2001 witnessed several ethnic and religious crises and conflicts which displaced some of its inhabitants, eroded the feeling of brotherliness, created suspicion and animosity among the people and brought the once great city of glory down to its knees.
“It is the objective of the MJGA Forum to join hands with the State Government and all other stakeholders to regain the peace and harmony that prevailed in Jos in particular and Plateau State in general.
“The MJGA Forum joins many other well-meaning men and women of goodwill in strongly condemning all acts of violence perpetrated by individuals or groups, in the name of ethnicity or religion.
“No religion condones taking another person’s life, no matter the provocation. We appeal to all citizens of the state to live peacefully with one another, to restore the state to its pristine past which earned it the enviable sobriquet of “Home of Peace and Tourism”.
“We are calling on both the Federal and State Governments to redouble efforts to prevent and forestall a repeat of such ugly incidents in the future.”
“We also commend the efforts of the State Government in taking decisive action to contain the deplorable situation and adopting measures to prevent further bloodshed and loss of lives and property.”
The group expressed its readiness to work with the state government in its “efforts to re-awaken the hospitality instincts inherent in the good people of the state to its glorious days when all and sundry, irrespective of tribe or religion cohabited, interacted and related freely in peace and harmony.”
