A Fulani leader from Miango, Bassa Local Government Area in Plateau State, Mohammed Mato, has urged for greater love, understanding, and tolerance among the youth in the state, as these are the essential elements that can promote unity and peace.
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Mato, who was a prominent speaker at a one-day workshop hosted by the Miango Youth Development Association (MYDA) on Saturday in Jos, pointed out that the conflicts in Bassa and the broader state extend beyond the farmer-herder disputes often highlighted in certain circles.
The workshop, themed “Building a Community Based Approach to Peace Through Early Warning and the Social Media,” attracted participants and stakeholders from various ethnic and religious backgrounds, along with community leaders.
While addressing the theme, Mato emphasized that ongoing dialogue among the youth would significantly reduce the rising tide of violence and insecurity in the state.
He highlighted that if the youth, regardless of their ethnic or religious affiliations, strive to unite and embrace a culture of tolerance, many of the security issues in the state could be alleviated.
The Fulani community leader expressed concern over how animosity has become prevalent in Plateau, recalling that the Fulani and locals in Miango once coexisted harmoniously.
“If the youth can gather, converse, and understand each other, I believe we can restore normalcy,” he remarked.
“In my youth, I played, shared meals, and attended the same primary school with my Irigwe friends. We stayed at each other’s homes without any issues. But now, the situation has changed, and I truly don’t understand what went wrong.
“Nowadays, we harm one another and vandalize each other’s properties without hesitation; there is a significant lack of love, tolerance, and understanding. Therefore, I urge both the Fulani and Irigwe communities, especially the youth, to come together and discuss the need for lasting peace.