On 22nd June 2021, IFIT’s Middle Belt Brain Trust (MBBT) and the Nasarawa State Government co-organised a high-level convening at the Government House Banquet Hall in Lafia. The meeting was attended by key government stakeholders and traditional rulers – including His Excellency the Executive Governor of Nasarawa State, Engr. Abdullahi Sule; and the Emir of Lafia and Chairman of the Nasarawa State Council of Chiefs, Justice Sidi Muhammad Bage I Rtd – as well as civil society organisations.

In a statement at the event,  MBBT Chairman General (Rtd) M.L. Agwai outlined the brain trust’s objectives: promoting social cohesion in Nasarawa State through community participation in decision-making; bridging divisions; and addressing community needs. He also reiterated the MBBT’s commitment to support Nasarawa State’s leadership to develop frameworks for a new security architecture, improve state institutions’ dispute resolution mechanisms, and promote local entrepreneurship. 

Engr. Abdullahi Sule, Governor of Nasarawa State, expressed his appreciation to the MBBT for choosing Nasarawa State to host the inaugural convening.  He commended the MBBT and IFIT for their initiative and announced that his government is working to put in place measures to address the breakdown of law and order, and is open to measures that will promote peace in the state or entrench collective action towards this goal. “This event is in tandem with our collective commitment to bringing lasting solutions to the region’s security challenges, in line with the agenda of President Buhari’s administration,” he said. “Peace and security is a collective responsibility.” 

The Emir of Lafia and Chairman of the Nasarawa State Council of Chiefs said, “the MBBT is composed of the very best Nigeria can produce: they are the best we can gather at this point of our national history and we are lucky to have them.”

Civil society leader, Dr. Nawani Aboki, advocated the need for creative ways to kick-start dialogue and for a partnership between government and communities, while stressing that civil society organisations need to be part of the solution.. 

The Nasarawa State Forum was broadcast on national television.

Local Media Coverage

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