21st May, 2017
The Government of Plateau has introduced peace education in primary and secondary schools to forestall the resurgence of Boko Haram and tackle the menace of radicalism among children and youths.
The Plateau Deputy Governor, Prof. Sonni Tyoden, told the Correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in New York that the state had paid dearly for violent conflicts.
Tyoden attended the 2017 Education Solutions International Conference in New York and delivered a keynote address on ‘SDGs-4: Character and Leadership Education in 2030 Development Agenda’.
He said that Plateau would become the first and only state in country to have introduced peace education in its primary and secondary schools curricula.
“As a society emerging from the throes of violent conflict, so much is required in terms of functional and collaborative partnership with the global community to develop the educational sector.
“This is with specific reference to infrastructure and curriculum development for peace education at the elementary and secondary school levels.
“However, the current situation where peace education is only taught at tertiary levels may not be the best approach as far as the quest for the de-radicalisation of young minds is concerned.
“For this reason, the Plateau State Government is committed to entrenching peace education in both primary and secondary schools as an antidote to negative radicalism.
“We have seen as much potential that if given the desired attention and support, Peace Education is a potent weapon.
“Against the threat of negative radicalism and violent extremism among pupils, especially at their critical formative stages,” he said.
To ensure its success, Tyoden said Plateau was willing to build strategic partnership with relevant stakeholders such as the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation and other International Non-Governmental Organisations (INGOs).
According to him, the state will also partner with donor agencies to tackle the problems of negative social indoctrination, as well as other challenges facing our education sector.
Tyoden, former Vice-Chancellor, University of Jos, also said that there had been fundamental changes in infrastructure developments in the state as a result of the peace now being enjoyed.
“Road networks that were abandoned have now been completed. In fact, the main flyover in Jos is now fully functional.
“You remember Jang started it and left it half-way, it has been completed. We are into a lot of educational development, building of the educational institutions.
“Typical example: the only state university, which for 10 years could not produce a single graduate, did its convocation just last week.
“And that is subsequent to the accreditation of courses that were carried out by the NUC. So we’ve been doing a lot, both in terms of capacity development, enhancing infrastructure and community interaction.”
The deputy governor lamented over the consequences the dwindling revenue from oil was having on the state’s plan to reviving its moribund industries.
He said reviving the industries would add to the internally-generated revenue of the state and provide employment opportunities for the citizens.
According to him, however, the state government has already revived the Panyam Fish Farm, the Bokkos Farms and the Bottling Company in Barkin Ladi.
“We are also trying to revive the Jos International Breweries Limited and quite a lot of other industries; we’ve been discussing with investors.
“Like I said, it would go a long way in enhancing internally generated revenue and to that extent, add value to the economy and to the lives of the people,” he said.