You’ve Excelled in Peace Building, Governance, and Infrastructure – Guild of Editors to Gov. Mutfwang

By David Odama

Plateau State’s ongoing transformation under Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang has earned national commendation, with the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) describing his leadership as visionary, people-centered, and a model of good governance in the country.

On Thursday, September 18, 2025, senior journalists from across Nigeria, who are members of the NGE, paid a courtesy visit to the Governor at the New Government House, Rayfield, Jos. The visit, more than a formality, highlighted the Governor’s rising profile as one of Nigeria’s reform-driven leaders and recognized his strides in governance, peace-building, and infrastructural renewal while deepening ties with the media.

In a statement issued by the Director of Media and Public Affairs, Dr. Gyang Bere, Governor Mutfwang expressed gratitude to the Guild for its support during the legal battles that upheld his mandate, noting the balanced reportage that helped shape fair public perception of Plateau at a critical time.

The Governor emphasized that peace and prosperity remain the guiding principles of his administration. He cited measures such as the revival of Operation Rainbow, the prompt convening of the State Security Council, and the creation of a modern Security and Information Center to boost statewide security.

On infrastructure, he reported progress across all 17 local government areas, including 380 kilometers of rural roads under the World Bank-supported RAMP project and the completed Utong-Kong flyover. He assured that investments in roads, markets, agriculture, and industry are being expanded to diversify the state’s economy beyond federal allocations.

Governor Mutfwang also listed major gains in education, including a 50 percent tuition reduction for indigenes, a 300 percent rise in scholarships, and interventions that rescued tertiary institutions from collapse. These, he said, are aimed at equipping Plateau’s youth for global competitiveness.

In healthcare, he pointed to upgrades at Plateau Specialist Hospital and the expansion of health insurance coverage from 93,000 to 208,000 enrollees, affirming his goal of making Plateau a hub for affordable and quality health services.

On agriculture, the Governor described the sector as central to his prosperity agenda. He highlighted partnerships with IITA Ibadan, the revival of BARC Farms, the introduction of improved livestock breeds, feed production initiatives, and plans for a modern abattoir with capacity for 500 cattle daily.

He further noted the renewed investor interest in tourism and commerce, with redevelopment projects ongoing at Plateau Hotel, Hill Station Hotel, and Jos Wildlife Park through public-private partnerships. Tourism, he stressed, would once again be a cornerstone of the state’s economy.

Speaking on behalf of the visiting editors, NGE President Eze Anaba lauded the Governor’s peace-building efforts and the revival of The Standard newspapers. He urged that Plateau’s unique story must continue to be told by its people, praising government efforts to restore calm to previously troubled communities.

During an interactive session, Governor Mutfwang addressed employment, security, and agriculture. He promised transparency in future recruitments while explaining corrective measures taken on suspended appointments inherited from the previous administration. He also vowed to confront land-grabbing in border areas.

On agriculture, he acknowledged the problem of market glut due to excessive imports and assured that innovative strategies are being developed to boost local production, improve processing, expand market access, and maximize Plateau’s comparative advantage in agricultural value chains.

Addressing journalists, he underscored the media’s role in shaping national discourse and strengthening democracy. He urged reporters to remain responsible, noting: “I will always encourage you to do your job, but we must all be mindful of how information is framed and its potential impact on society.”

On security, the Governor recognized the peculiar challenges in Plateau’s border communities and stressed legislative engagement, operational strategies, and community collaboration as vital tools for overcoming threats. He also vowed to sustain pressure on the Federal Government to complete the long-delayed Jos-Bauchi-Gombe federal road contract, awarded since 2018, stressing that infrastructure is key to Plateau’s economic progress.

Governor Mutfwang assured that Plateau is emerging from years of crisis into a new era of peace, prosperity, and productivity, determined to reclaim its place as Nigeria’s “Home of Peace and Tourism.”

The visit ended with a guided tour of key transformational projects under his administration, after which the Guild extended an invitation for the Governor to attend its upcoming national conference in Abuja.