Governor of Plateau State Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang has said strengthening the strategic alliance between the United States (US) and Nigeria would help to tackle the current security challenges in some parts of the country.
Mutfwang, who was a member of a delegation of Nigerian Governors to the US, spoke at a dialogue on Peace and Security in Nigeria, which was hosted at the United States Institute of Peace.
A statement by the director of press and public affairs to the the governor, Gyang Bere, said Mutfwang appreciated the pragmatic leadership style of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
He said Tinubu has shown political will in addressing the security challenges his administration inherited.
The governor called on Nigerians and the security agencies to redouble their efforts in discharging their constitutional responsibility.
The symposium, with the theme: “Drivers of Insecurity and Opportunities for Stabilization” was aimed at deepening understanding of the security context, including its socio-economic dimensions, and identifying near-term opportunities for addressing instability.
Mutfwang commended the US government, particularly the United States Institute of Peace, for its “stabilisation support through various interventions, especially those focused on strengthening the capacity of peace actors through the Nigerian Network of Facilitators.”
He expressed optimism that “the lessons learned would contribute to addressing decades of security challenges in Nigeria and Plateau State in particular.”
The vice president of the Africa Centre at the US Institute of Peace, in his opening remarks, appreciated the Nigerian Governors for attending the symposium and urged them to apply the lessons learned in their respective states.
Other governors at the dialogue included Uba Sani (Kaduna), Alhaji Abba Yusuf (Kano), Alhaji Nasir Idris (Kebbi), Alhaji Umar Namadi (Jigawa), Alhaji Dauda Lawal (Zamfara), Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia (Benue), Mohammed Bago (Niger) and the deputy governor of Sokoto State.