During the build up campaigns of the 2023 governorship election on the Plateau, i wrote an article titled, "Plateau 2023: This is Your Best Chance". The motivation to write on this topic came after I listened to the leading governorship candidates debated on issues bothering security and the welfare of the State, and its citizens. These candidates in their own respective ways, had demonstrated great leadership capacities in words and actions in previous assignments.
For instance, Prof. Patrick Sunday Dakum had carved a niche for himself as an academic scholar, medical doctor and Director General/Chief Executive Officer (DG/CEO) National Institute for Human Virology (NIHV); Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda Goshwe (as it were) had made a mark as a Lecturer, tech-guru and Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Independent Electoral Commissioner (INEC), while Hon. Barr. Calep Manasseh Mutfwang (as it were) had made his mark in legal practice and was one time Executive Chairman of Mangu LGC, one of the most economically viable Local Government Areas in the State. None of them was a political or administrative novice!
Plateau State at the time had the opportunity to choose from, at least, three (3) experienced and eminently qualified sons of the State which means that, head or tail, Plateau will be in safe hands and, at the end of the day, His Excellency, Hon. Barr. Calep Manasseh Mutfwang won.
The outcome which was keenly contested in Court up to the Supreme Court reinforces the fact that, God rules in the affairs of men and gives power to whoever he pleases hence the least that anyone could do afterall said and done was to support the governor to deliver on his campaign promises to the citizenry!
The election has passed with the supposedly 'unlucky' candidates being former candidates of their respective parties, but that is not the end of their lives. In life, some setbacks can be unsung pathways to other worthwhile opportunities, call them blessings in disguise, not stigma or death sentence!
Prof. Dakum has since returned to his duty post as DG/CEO NIHV doing well; Prof. Nentawe became Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and now he is the National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), the platform under which he contested the governorship while Barr. Mutfwang leads as the Executive governor of the State. This development reveals the fact that, life is a tapestry of complex mysteries that only God can fathom from the beginning to the end of mortals hence no one should be obsessed with getting things his or her way at anytime since we cannot predict or tell with absolute certainty the direction God, the greatest carpenter and finisher of our dreams, is leading each an everyone of us. The future is heavily pregnant with great and limitless possibilities!
As it were, God, the master of the universe and broker of opportunities, has positioned his children, sons and daughters of Plateau State, citizens of the world now and heaven later, in various vintage positions to serve this State/country, bringing good things of life back Home for our collective good. Therefore, those whom God has elevated today cannot afford to do less. The language that people understand is that, their leaders to surmount courage or mustered the will to cultivate, harvest and lavish their lives with visible dividends of democracy.
It is heartwarming that the National Chairman of APC, Prof. Nentawe has remembered home with some good humanitarian interventions, especially, the recent one on health. Hon. Prof. Dakum has initiated others with several other spirited sons and daughters doing their part as the governor stirs, inspires and motivates the entire citizenry into wholesome thinking and actions that bring smiles. The governor is our present status symbol in governance and politics, the chief galvaniser and mobiliser of state action - our collective dream as a people. He is doing his utmost best and needs encouragement!
The appointment appointment and clearance of Dr. Benard as Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; Hon. Prof. CJ Dakas as Chairman Nigerian Law Reform Commission (NLRC); Hon. Dr. Cyril Tsenyil as Managing Director, North Central Development Commission (NCDC); Monsignor, Rev. Prof. Cletus T. Gotan as Chairman, Nigeria Christian Pilgrims Commission(NCPC); Mr. David Dasar, President/CEO Digital Bridge Institute (DBI), the training arm of Nigeria Communication Commission (NCC), and many others to come, is a pointer that Plateau is up for a bumper harvest in dividends of democracy. Those making waves in business, education, arts, etc, at home and abroad, when factored into the equation tell how big the future looks for the State!
When God blesses a man, the opportunity should be used humbly and to advance human progress. No blessing should be used as an opportunity to settle political scores because the God that remembers A today is still in the business of elevating others. He can bless others without decreasing anyone unless a beneficiary chooses to ignore or abuse His grace and favour. If anyone feels big favours have not smiled his or her way, wait on God in earnest prayers, patience and hard work and, by the grace of God, the grand benefactor of all, will come to help, may be sooner than was ever thought or imagined. In other words, when God is involved, go and relax fighting no one but seeking the grace of God and the chance to contribute to the welfare of all!
Politics aside, this is a time to build bridges of understanding and not walls of disaffection. It is time to cooperate not compete and, to be united on all fronts to root out insecurity, break loose the chain of poverty, and instill the spirit of innovation and progress in the State's greatest assets: The youth. As a State, we have only one enemy: Disunity which no one, no matter how careless, will be willing to be associated with. It is from the evil of disunity occasioned by self centred-ness that all contradictions spring!
The psalmist in Psalms 133:1-3 has this to say, "How good and pleasant it is when God's people live together in unity! It is like precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard, running down on Aaron's beard, down on the collar of his robe. It is as if the dew of Hermon were falling on Mount Zion. For there the Lord bestows his blessing, even life forever more." Poetic and Touchy lines with prospects of blessings that unity brings. It reinforces the timeless adage that, in unity we prosper, but without it a people perish!
Plateau is for progress, what will be your contribution towards this as a citizen or resident? As we ponder over this trillion dollar question remember to perceive wholeness as the anchoring winning way for the State's sustainable development. Plateau sons and daughters unite, love, and work selflessly for the greater good of all. Yes, when this State progresses, it will be for the benefit of all, and disadvantages of none!
Just say, I love Plateau. Two renowned American writers E.W Kenyon and Don Gossett in their book, "Words that Move Mountains" asserted that, "Love grows with confession. Faith grows with confession. Righteousness-consciousness grows with confession... Every time I confess my faith, my faith grows. If one never confesses, one never grows. Your faith is measured by your confession." Let us confess our love for one another and jointly work at making Plateau and Nigeria great!
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