From Yakubu Wuyep, Jos
A former Director-General of the Plateau State Peacebuilding Agency (PPBA), Dr Joseph Lengmang, has urged the Plateau people to imbibe the spirit of religious tolerance, and draw a clear line between Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB), peace, security, and development.
Lengmang, who has consistently urged diverse groups — particularly farmers and herders across the state — to exhibit tolerance, mutual love, and understanding, warned that religious freedom must not be treated in isolation, but grounded in human dignity and the real struggles of conflict-affected populations
“What is happening is a reminder that more work needs to be done on the Plateau, despite the investments that have been made in peacebuilding,” Lengmang said.
He noted that recent security breaches in the state were a wake-up call, and commended Midpoint Nigeria for its evidence-based approach.
Midpoint Advocacy and Community Development Initiative convened a research validation and stakeholder engagement forum aimed at advancing FoRB in Plateau State.
The event, which drew participants from government, faith groups, civil society, and communities, reviewed findings from a recent study and explored strategies for strengthening religious harmony.
Tagged ‘Advancing freedom of religion or belief in Plateau State,’ the forum provided a rare meeting point for diverse voices to discuss rights protection and peaceful co-existence.
Speaking at the event, the Director of Faith and Community Transformation at Midpoint Nigeria, Rev Joshua Sati, said the organisation had conducted a six-month study in Jos North and Barkin Ladi local government areas.
He said the research assessed knowledge, attitudes, and practices around FoRB, with a view to generating data that would shape future programming.
According to him, the gathering was designed to validate the research outcomes, identify policy gaps, and harvest stakeholder inputs on actionable next steps.
“A lot of them had no idea. They don’t even know who to go to or where to go to when they feel their rights have been violated,” Sati said, painting a grim picture of grassroots realities.
He called for stronger reporting channels and greater empowerment of community and religious leaders, noting that many citizens trust local figures more than formal institutions.
The Executive Director of Civitas Auxilium Foundation, Mrs Elizabeth Duile, said Nigeria’s diversity ought to be a blessing, not a source of friction.
She stressed that protecting FoRB was not just a legal obligation but a peace and development imperative.
Duile expressed hope that the forum would yield concrete recommendations and foster partnerships capable of driving lasting peace.
The Programme and Project Director of Midpoint Nigeria, Mrs Ruth Ki, presented the study’s validation outcomes, revealing that 328 respondents were engaged across selected wards in Jos North and Barkin Ladi.
She said the sampling cut across religious and ethnic lines, and the research examined lived experiences, awareness levels, and reporting patterns around FoRB violations.
Ki added that the findings would now guide evidence-based interventions in the state.
The Chief Imam of Plateau Central Mosque, Sheikh Ghazali Adam, in a goodwill message, urged the citizens to embrace respect and protect human dignity regardless of faith.
He said freedom from oppression remained a cornerstone of any inclusive society and praised Midpoint for its commitment to dialogue and research.
The Director-General of the Plateau State Peacebuilding Agency, Dr Julie Sanda, who was represented by the Programme Assistant Research Coordination and Partnership Unit, Khadija Sa’id, described the forum as timely and critical to ongoing peace efforts.
She said the platform offered a valuable opportunity for collaboration and actionable outcomes that could strengthen community cohesion.
The Commissioner for Education, Dr (Mrs) Kachollom Gang, represented by the Director of Quality Assurance, Mr Sabastine John, said FoRB was central to development.
She stressed the place of schools in teaching tolerance and urged that the forum’s findings be converted into practical steps for unity.
The Commissioner for Justice, Hon Philemon Daffi, represented by the Deputy Director at the Ministry of Justice, Mr Bashir Haruna, noted that FoRB was constitutionally guaranteed under Section 38.
He said enforcement of the provision was key to peace and security, and commended Midpoint for initiating the conversation.
In a vote of thanks, Mrs. Hauwa Kassim, a member of Midpoint Nigeria’s Board of Trustees, appreciated stakeholders for their robust participation.
She thanked government agencies, civil society, traditional and religious leaders, and the media for their support and contributions to the success of the event.