Tinubu to Receive Warm Reception in Plateau – Gov. Mutfwang Urges Residents to Turn Out En Masse

By David Odama

The Governor of Plateau State, Barr. Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, has urged the people of the state to come out in large numbers to give President Bola Ahmed Tinubu a rousing welcome during his visit to Plateau on Saturday for the burial of the late mother of the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda.

Governor Mutfwang made this appeal on Friday while delivering remarks at the Distinguished Alumni Lecture of the University of Jos, presented by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Chief Lateef Olasunkanmi Fagbemi, SAN.

The lecture, titled “The Nigerian Justice System in a Digital Age: Opportunities, Challenges, and the Road Ahead”, drew notable figures from both the legal and academic communities.

In a statement issued by Dr. Gyang Bere, Director of Press and Public Affairs to the Governor, Mutfwang emphasized the importance of unity, peace, and harmony in driving the progress of Plateau State and Nigeria as a whole.

“Tomorrow, we will be receiving Mr. President in Jos, Plateau State, as he comes to honour our late mother, the mother of my dear brother, the National Chairman of the APC. I am confident that Plateau people will give Mr. President a warm and rousing welcome. I believe his visit will afford him a deeper appreciation of Plateau and its people,” the Governor said.

He reaffirmed his belief that Plateau remains one of the best places to live in Nigeria, blessed with vast human and natural resources yet to be fully explored.

“We cannot realize our full potential if we continue to pull one another down. We must remain our brothers’ keepers and work together to bring Plateau to the place of honour that God has destined for us,” he added.

Governor Mutfwang also praised Chief Fagbemi for delivering what he described as a “fountain of knowledge,” noting that the lecture, enriched with both practical insights and deep reflections, shed light on how technology is reshaping justice delivery in Nigeria.

He appealed to the Attorney General to support the inclusion of capable and patriotic alumni of the University of Jos in national leadership roles, while also urging the institution to mentor Plateau State University, Bokkos, where he serves as Visitor.

In his lecture, Chief Fagbemi highlighted the transformative power of technology in Nigeria’s legal system, stressing that it has become a necessity for delivering swift, fair, and accessible justice.

He recalled how the COVID-19 pandemic spurred innovation when the Chief Justice of Nigeria introduced practice directions for virtual hearings. Since then, some state judiciaries have embraced e-filing and digital cause lists, though others still rely on paper-based systems.

According to him, the future of justice delivery lies in a hybrid model combining physical and virtual processes.

“The lesson is clear: technology in justice is not a luxury but a necessity in today’s interconnected world. However, its adoption must be deliberate, inclusive, and rooted in the core values of justice. Nigeria must not copy blindly but adopt wisely,” Fagbemi said.

Also speaking at the event, Senator representing Plateau South, Barr. Simon Bako Lalong, and the Vice Chancellor of the University of Jos, Prof. Tanko Ishaya, commended the Attorney General for honouring the institution with his lecture. They described him as a distinguished legal practitioner whose purposeful service has influenced governance in Nigeria and beyond.