From Abel Leonard, Lafia
Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa state has called on the Afo Nation to embrace peace and unity as critical steps toward unlocking the region’s development potential.
Speaking at a one-day Afo Youth Summit on peace and security organized by the Nasarawa Peace and Prosperity Project Through Law (NAPP-LAW) in Keffi on Tuesday governor Sule highlighted the devastating impact of communal unrest on progress and warned that his administration would not hesitate to enforce stricter measures if reconciliation efforts fail.
Sule emphasized the blessings of natural resources in Afo communities, including lithium and other rare minerals, and the need for peace to harness these opportunities.
“You are blessed with resources. Everywhere, people are talking about processing lithium. Yet, it is embarrassing to the nation that two brothers who have coexisted peacefully are now fighting, killing innocent people among them. You cannot allow political differences to make you disrespect your leaders,” Governor Sule said.
He described the violence in Afo land as detrimental to both the community and the state’s development, stressing that peace is a prerequisite for attracting serious investors.
“No investor would venture into an area where there is no peace. Nasarawa State will do everything within its means to support peace. As long as there is peace, opportunities will arise. For instance, one of the companies coming to Afo land, Gangfeng, can employ 4,000 to 5,000 people. But that cannot happen in the absence of peace,” he stated.
The governor warned that continued unrest would only attract illegal miners who exploit resources without benefiting the community.
“I worked with investors and understand their language. They invest only where there is peace. Without peace, only illegal miners will come, damaging the environment and leaving your community desolate,” he added.
Governor Sule highlighted his administration’s security measures, including establishing a military base and constructing the Mararaba-Udege-Agwada road, to curb unrest. However, he threatened to enforce stricter measures if peace efforts fail.
“As a governor, it is my responsibility to start by begging, pleading, and appealing. If all that does not work, we will apply force. We cannot afford to keep going like this repeatedly,” he warned.
He urged participants at the summit to cascade the message of peace and reconciliation across Afo communities.
Speaking as the Father of the Day, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, the Adeweji of Afo Nation, attributed the crisis to some Afo elites’ refusal to engage in peace efforts.
“There are people in this community who have had the privilege of serving but have not joined the peace-building efforts. If we fail, the shame is ours. We must avoid being our greatest enemies,” he said.
Adamu challenged the youths to take ownership of Afo land’s development and ensure the crisis does not persist into the next administration.
In his keynote address, Ahmed Salihu, Executive Director of the Centre for Community Actions for Peace and Development (CCAPAD), said the summit aimed to unite the Afo Nation to discuss their challenges and propose practical solutions.
Rtd. Commodore Yahaya Owuna, Waziri of Afo Nation, attributed the unrest to the erosion of traditional values, political differences among elites, and unemployment.
Earlier, Professor Abdulkarim Kana (SAN), convener of the summit, emphasized its goal of training 100 youths as peace ambassadors across Afo communities.
The summit, attended by prominent figures and stakeholders, highlighting the urgent need for reconciliation and sustainable peace in Afo land.