Shettima seeks fresh national pact on peace, warns against ethnic profiling

Vice President Kashim Shettima on Saturday called for a renewed national covenant on peace, urging Nigerians to reject ethnic profiling, religious hatred, misinformation and retaliatory violence, saying lasting peace is a shared responsibility of government, community leaders and citizens. 

Speaking in Jos, Plateau State, at the 80th birthday celebration and public presentation of the autobiography of former Plateau State Governor, Senator Jonah David Jang, the Vice President said peace remains the foundation upon which every meaningful development rests.

“A people at peace is the highest achievement of any government, because peace is the soil in which every other blessing grows”, Shettima declared.

Conveying President Bola Tinubu’s goodwill and prayers to the celebrant, the Vice President reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to building a Nigeria where security creates opportunities for economic growth and every citizen feels at home in every part of the country.

In a statement issued by Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications, Office of the Vice President, Stanley Nkwocha, Shettima warned against attempts to stigmatise entire ethnic, religious or regional communities over the actions of criminals, insisting that such narratives only deepen divisions and undermine national unity.

“No criminal represents his origin, his ethnic group, his religion, his language, his ancestry, his village or the innocent people who bear his surname. Crime has no tribe. Violence has no religion. Murder carries no mandate from any community,” he said.

According to him, criminals achieve a double victory when society blames innocent people for crimes committed by others.

“He destroys a life, and then he poisons the fellowship of those left behind. This is the lesson the rest of Nigeria must learn,” the Vice President added. 

Shettima stressed that sustainable development cannot flourish in an atmosphere of fear and distrust, noting that the fortunes of communities and states remain interconnected.

“No community flourishes in isolation. Prosperity cannot survive where fear reigns. A farmer in Riyom depends upon peace beyond his village. A trader in Jos depends upon roads that run through the towns of other men. The confidence of one state is the security of another,” he said.

Describing Plateau as “Nigeria in miniature,” the Vice President said the state’s diversity, aspirations, challenges and recovery mirror the broader Nigerian experience.

“Plateau State is Nigeria in miniature. Its dreams are the dreams of Nigeria. Its struggles are the struggles of Nigeria. Its complexity is the complexity of Nigeria. Its fears are the fears of Nigeria. Its grief is the grief of Nigeria. Its recovery is the recovery of Nigeria,” he stated.

He acknowledged the years of violence experienced by Plateau but commended residents for refusing to surrender to division, describing their resilience and commitment to peaceful coexistence as a quiet form of heroism deserving national appreciation.

While assuring that the Federal Government would continue to discharge its constitutional responsibility of securing lives and property, Shettima said enduring peace also depends on citizens rejecting rumours, resisting inflammatory rhetoric and embracing reconciliation.

Paying tribute to the celebrant, the Vice President described Jang as a father figure whose influence transcends Plateau State, his ethnic background, religious faith and political affiliation.

He said the true measure of public service lies not in wealth or political office but in the positive impact made on people’s lives.

“The secret of a life well lived is neither the fortune we gather nor the power we hold. Life is measured by the difference we make among our people. Wealth fades. Office passes from one hand to another. Applause is carried away by the wind. What endures is the good we leave behind in human lives,” he said.

Shettima thanked the former military officer, governor and senator for his service to Nigeria and his continued efforts towards promoting peace on the Plateau. 

The Vice President also announced the appointment of the celebrant’s son, Yakubu Jang, as Senior Special Assistant to the President.

Earlier, former President Goodluck Jonathan described the birthday celebration and unveiling of Jang’s autobiography as a reflection of the former governor’s integrity and remarkable record of public service.

Jonathan said the memoir captures the difficult choices, challenges and convictions that shaped Jang’s career and offers valuable lessons in integrity, patience and peaceful leadership for younger generations.

Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang said the occasion was an opportunity to celebrate Jang’s values, sacrifices and contributions as a military administrator, governor, elder statesman and bridge-builder, adding that despite periods of misrepresentation, the people of Plateau remained grateful for his service.

Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia praised Jang’s leadership, recalling his tenure as military administrator of Benue State and describing his legacy as an enduring guide for leaders.

National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, also paid tribute to Jang, saying Nigerians would remain grateful for his contributions to the development of Plateau State and the country. 

In his remarks, the celebrant said his public service was guided by the values instilled by his parents, stressing that his greatest fulfilment lies not in the offices he occupied but in the lives he impacted. He thanked the Vice President and other dignitaries for honouring him with their presence.

Reviewing the autobiography, Channels Television political anchor, Seun Okinbaloye, said the book underscores the importance of integrity, peaceful coexistence and values-driven leadership, while also highlighting the role of good parenting and responsible political leadership in Nigeria’s democratic journey.

Also speaking, the Emir of Kanam, Alhaji Muazu Mohammadu II, who represented the Plateau State Council of Chiefs and Emirs, prayed for long life and good health for the celebrant, while Rev. Dr. Stephen Baba Panya, representing the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria, described Jang as a father figure and prayed for God’s continued grace upon his life.

Former Minister of Women Affairs, Dame Pauline Tallen, said the event symbolised the unity and peaceful coexistence that define Plateau State.