A delegation from the European Union (EU) paid a courtesy visit to the Plateau State Government on Thursday, pledging to assist the state in addressing lingering insecurity and promoting economic development.
Governor Caleb Mutfwang, through the Commissioner for Information and Communication, Rt. Hon. Joyce Ramnap, stated that the Plateau Government is willing to partner with individuals and groups geared towards ending killings in the state.
Rt. Hon. Joyce Ramnap, accompanied by her colleagues, received the EU delegation and USA guests at Government House, Jos. Addressing the EU delegation, Commissioner Ramnap appreciated the EU for their kind gesture towards the state.
“We sincerely appreciate all the EU has done—not just for Plateau State, but across Nigeria. Your contributions to development, peace building, and social cohesion are deeply valued. A special thank you also goes to the team at Search for Common Ground for the incredible work they continue to do through the projects we support. The government is grateful,” she said.
She emphasized the importance of the EU’s intervention, saying, “This is why your intervention is so timely and important. You are helping us lay the groundwork for lasting peace, and we remain committed to working with you.”
On the extent of damage caused by insecurity, she noted, “As our Governor often says, many of our crises are rooted in economic hardship. If people are meaningfully engaged, they are less likely to resort to violence. That’s why we must continue investing in education, healthcare, and livelihood programs in vulnerable communities.”
The EU delegation stated that they were in Plateau State to ensure social cohesion. The Team Lead of the European Union delegation, Reuben Asa, informed the Governor that the EU has good plans for Plateau State.
The Head of Program Development, Quality, and Reporting, Nigeria, of Search for Common Ground, Gift Omoniwa, said, “Search for Common Ground is a dedicated peace-building organization, and interestingly, we began our work in Nigeria right here in Plateau in 2004.
We have been here for over 20 years. Search for Common Ground was among the organizations that came into Plateau during the height of the ethnic-religious crisis. Since then, we have worked with various government agencies and have become a hub for many peace-building efforts in Nigeria.”
She added, “For over two decades, we have partnered with the European Union, and in the past 30 months, we’ve received direct funding from the EU to support our initiatives. Our focus has included working with women and youth to promote religious tolerance and social inclusion in Plateau and Kaduna States. In Plateau, we have recorded significant success, which we attribute to the commitment and support of the state government.”
