Governor Simon Bako Lalong on Sunday said unless Nigerians learned to forgive one another and avoid revenge and reprisals, the nation will continue to witness needless bloodshed and destruction.
Governor Lalong was speaking at an inter-denominational church service to commemorate the 3rd Plateau Day of Forgiveness and Reconciliation at the St. Louis Catholic Church, in Jos.
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Lalong said although acts of criminality must be swiftly investigated and punished by government and its relevant organs, the long-term ambition of every Nigerian who desires peace is to toe the path of reconciliation and forgiveness.
Lalong said the Plateau Peace Agency held over 87 multi-level dialogue sessions with conflict parties across the 17 local governments of the state to promote the culture of peace through forgiveness and reconciliation.
This has led to the signing of several peace agreements and commitments to the pursuit of peace agreements with various warring communities in the last five years.
He frowned at the exploitation of the social media by crisis merchants who generate and circulate unfounded posts suggesting that there was no peace in Plateau State and that this government had not achieved anything.
In his homily, Catholic Archbishop Mathew Ishaya Audu said the failure of individuals and communities to forgive one another increased the burden of strife, bitterness, anger and violence which provided the ready flame for crises.
He said Christ had demonstrated forgiveness by not only laying down his life for humanity but admonishing his followers to do the same and live in peace.
He said Plateau State was experiencing gradual healing and peaceful coexistence because of the efforts of the government to set the right examples and administer justice to all.
The Chairman Christian Pilgrims Commission Rev. Yakubu Pam said the Day for Forgiveness and Reconciliation is a great initiative by Governor Lalong that celebrates the good of humanity rather than the embers of hatred, bigotry and mediocrity.
