Gov Lalong with the new PYC leadership
Lalong sets up task force to tackle Plateau land grabbing
Gov Simon Lalong of Plateau says he has set up a special task force charged with the responsibility of tackling land grabbing in the state,
The governor who stated this during the inuaguration of officials of the Plateau Youth Council, on Thursday in Jos said that the decision was part of his peace initiatives.
“I have just set up a special task force against land grabbing, by Monday it will be inuagurated. if you know your land is grabbed , just report to them and they will move in to reclaim your land and give it back you.
“It is unfortunate that in recent times, some politicians have taken pride in trying to set the youths against the Government by insinuating that the Governor or the Government does not care about the people, or is allowing land belonging to Plateau indigenes to be grabbed by foreign herders.
”This is an apparent lie that has no basis in the face of facts. Contrary to this mischief, our Government is the first in the history of Plateau State and one of the few if not the only one in Nigeria to sign anti-land grabbing law which we initiated as an Executive Bill,” he said.
He urged Plateau youths to be vanguards for peace, unity, integrity, and security, while appealing to them to eschew violence, hatred, intolerance and bigotry.
The governor said the attainment of real peace lies with the people in various communities.
The governor also cautioned against the negative use of the social media and some conventional media, for the propagation of hate speech, fake news and ethno-religious profiling, noting that it fuels crisis.
He said that the government would deal with those found wanting.
Lalong decried the spate of attacks in the state and urged the youths to desist from involving in drug abuse, which according to him triggers their involvement in violent crimes.
He said the iunaguration of the youth officials was apt, as the state and Nigeria was in dire need of unity, vibrancy, support and positive action of the youths more than ever , as they are the bulk of the population.
He assured the youths that the state government would continue to create opportunities for job creation, creativity, and industrial development , and called on them to support their leaders in championing their interest and that of the state.
Lalong said his admistration would support the council in organising a Youth summit in the state, where they would engage with local and international stakeholders in different sectors, and also galvanise their needs for appropriate action.
“Government shall work closely with the new leadership of the PYC, to ensure that our youths are kept abreast and involved in all empowerment programmes of the State and Federal Governments,” he said.
He said the new officials have a big task ahead to galvanise support from the youths and show good direction to them, while wishing them a successful tenure.
The governor also promised to donate a vehicle to aid the council in the discharge of their duties.
Earlier in his remarks, the commissioner of Youths and Sports Development, Mr. Victor Lapang, charged the new officials to be change agents in the society, as the future of the state and Nigeria was dependent on them.
Responding, the new Chairman of PYC, Mr.Lot Adas,urged youths to be united irrespective of their ethno religious backgrounds and political affiliations , saying “We must rise up against our differences”.
He promised to improve the well being of the Plateau youths throught scouting and lobbying for employment opportunities and organising skills l acquisition programmes for them.
“I shall pursue admission for qualified less previledged Plateau youths.
”I shall liaise with National Association of Plateau Students , to lobby for both local and foreign scholarships for our best trains.
”I shall organise football competitions for youths (strictly amateur). This shall further promote unity and also provide opportunities to identify new talents,” he said.
He said he required the support of government to achieve his targets, noting that Gov Lalong is a youth friendly leader who revived the council after its ten years of inactivity.
