Caleb Mutfwang

WE’RE RESTORING PLATEAU’S LEGACY ASSETS TO POSITION OUR STATE FOR GLOBAL SPORTS, TOURISM AND INVESTMENT

I inspected the ongoing remodelling of the Rwang Pam Township Stadium, Plateau Hotel, and Hill Station Hotel in Jos to assess the progress of work and reaffirm our administration’s commitment to restoring Plateau State’s legacy assets while building a stronger economy driven by sports, tourism, hospitality, and private investment.

At the Rwang Pam Township Stadium, I was encouraged by the quality of work being carried out and commended the contractors for the progress recorded so far. However, I also directed that the pace of work be accelerated to ensure the project is completed ahead of the forthcoming football season.

Our vision is to deliver a world-class sporting facility that meets international standards, promotes grassroots sports development, nurtures young talents, and positions Plateau State to host both national and international sporting events.

Quality remains non-negotiable, but speed is equally important. I have directed the contractors to deploy more personnel, especially on the pitch, and take full advantage of the August break to minimise weather-related delays. By the grace of God, before the football season begins in earnest, the pitch should be ready so that work can concentrate on the remaining components of the project.

The revival of our sporting infrastructure is central to our broader agenda of restoring Plateau’s reputation as a leading destination for sports excellence and sports tourism.

I also inspected the ongoing remodelling of the Plateau Hotel and the iconic Hill Station Hotel, where I expressed satisfaction with the remarkable progress being made despite the initial challenges encountered at the commencement of the projects.

I commend our investors and development partners for their commitment and resilience. These projects demonstrate that well-structured Public-Private Partnerships can successfully deliver critical infrastructure and accelerate development.

One of the promises we made upon assuming office was to recover and restore Plateau State’s legacy assets. The Hill Station Hotel holds a special place in the history of our state and our nation. For nearly eight years, this iconic facility remained closed, but today, it is being brought back to life.

I am delighted that our partners have assured us that the first phase of both the Hill Station Hotel and Plateau Hotel projects will be delivered by October 1, 2026. That milestone will represent a significant step in repositioning Plateau as Nigeria’s premier destination for tourism, conferences, business, and leisure.

No tourism economy can flourish without modern hospitality infrastructure. These investments will not only revive our tourism industry but also stimulate economic activities, create jobs, attract local and international investors, and boost confidence in Plateau State as an investment destination.

The visible transformation already taking place has generated excitement among our people. Many citizens have reached out after seeing the new perimeter fencing and ongoing construction, expressing renewed hope that these historic landmarks will soon regain their former glory.

The progress on these projects sends a clear message to investors across Nigeria and beyond: Plateau State is open for business. We have deliberately created an enabling environment where private investments can thrive, and we remain committed to building a resilient economy anchored on strategic partnerships, sustainable development, and improved ease of doing business.

While we continue to invest in critical infrastructure, we remain equally committed to addressing our security challenges through close collaboration with security agencies and community stakeholders. I am confident in the resilience of the Plateau people, and I have no doubt that together we will build a safer, stronger, and more prosperous Plateau State for generations to come.

I had the honour of meeting with the Honourable Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, to advance a strategic partnership between the Federal Government and Plateau State aimed at accelerating trade, industrial development, and enterprise growth under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

Our engagement focused on strengthening collaboration to enhance subnational competitiveness, expand trade opportunities, and promote enterprise development through targeted policies and strategic investments.

We also explored practical measures to leverage Plateau State's abundant agricultural, mineral, and human resources to drive value addition, foster innovation, empower local producers and businesses, and position the State to maximise the immense opportunities presented by the African Continental Free Trade Area.

This partnership reflects our commitment to building a resilient, competitive, and export-driven economy that creates jobs, attracts investment, and delivers sustainable prosperity for the people of Plateau State.

Today, I had the honour of attending the 34th Engineering Assembly of the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN), where engineering professionals from across the country gathered to deliberate on strengthening professional standards and advancing the engineering profession to meet the aspirations of our nation.

I spoke on behalf of my brother Governors at the Assembly, which was held at the Velodrome, Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, under the theme: "Advancing Public Safety in Nigeria through Strategic Engineering Regulation, Enforcement, and a Tiered Sanctioning Regime."

In my remarks, I urged engineers to remain steadfast in upholding the highest standards of professionalism, integrity, accountability, and patriotism. I emphasized that governments at the subnational level depend greatly on the expertise, guidance, and ethical conduct of engineering professionals in delivering durable infrastructure and sustainable development for our people.

Engineering remains one of the most critical professions driving national growth and improving the quality of life of citizens. It is, therefore, imperative that the profession continues to uphold excellence while embracing innovation and promoting indigenous capacity to accelerate Nigeria's development.

I commended members of the engineering profession for their unwavering commitment to excellence and for championing local content in the ex*****on of critical infrastructure projects across the country. The wealth of knowledge, competence, and experience represented at the Assembly reflects the immense contribution of Nigerian engineers to nation-building.

The Assembly featured goodwill messages and keynote addresses by several distinguished personalities, including the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, represented by the Honourable Minister of Works, Engr. Sen. David Nweze Umahi; the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda; the Founder, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote; and the President of COREN, Engr. Prof. Sadiq Zubair Abubakar, alongside other eminent leaders and stakeholders in the engineering sector.

I congratulate COREN on the successful hosting of the 34th Engineering Assembly and reaffirm my confidence that the resolutions reached at the conference will further strengthen engineering practice, enhance public safety, and contribute meaningfully to Nigeria's sustainable development.

To the glory of God, today was another remarkable milestone in our commitment to transforming Plateau State through strategic investments in agriculture, water supply, healthcare and community development.

In Mangu Local Government Area, I commissioned the long-awaited Potato Value Chain Project, a state-of-the-art Tissue Culture Laboratory, and flagged off the distribution of improved Plateau potato seedlings and modern agricultural inputs.

This landmark investment will transform Plateau State from a producer of raw potatoes into Nigeria's leading hub for potato processing and value addition. The project features a modern training centre and potato processing facility that will revolutionise seed production, promote mechanised farming, increase farmers' incomes, create jobs, and position Plateau as a major player in Africa's potato industry.

We also flagged off the distribution of the 2026 subsidised fertiliser in Jos South Local Government Area as part of our determination to strengthen agricultural production, enhance food security, and improve the livelihoods of farmers across the state.

Agriculture remains the backbone of Plateau's economy. I encouraged our farmers not to be discouraged by the current challenges, assuring them that my administration is working tirelessly every day to address these difficulties. No force will prevent Plateau State from maintaining and expanding its position as the food basket of the nation. We have already commenced the distribution of the fertilizer and will continue to provide essential farm inputs to ensure bumper harvests across the state.

In Jos North Local Government Area, I commissioned the Mado–Tudun Wada Water Plant Project, a life-changing intervention designed to bring an end to the perennial water scarcity that has affected the community for many years. It was deeply inspiring to receive such a warm welcome from the women, students and residents whose joy reflected the impact this project will have on their daily lives. I also directed the contractor handling the adjoining road project to expedite work while maintaining the highest standards of quality.

At Gangare Community, Jos North, I commissioned the Gangare Development Project, comprising the Gangare Primary Health Care Centre and the GSS Gangare Hall, executed by the Presidential Implementation Committee on Technology Transfer (PICTT). These critical facilities will improve access to healthcare, support education and strengthen community development.

Seeing the smiles on the faces of farmers, women, students and community members reinforces our resolve to continue delivering projects that directly improve the lives of our people. Our administration remains firmly committed to people-centred governance, sustainable development and building a more prosperous Plateau State for all.

The Time is Now.

Today, I had the privilege of speaking on the Arise TV Town Hall Programme with the theme, "Building a National Consensus for State Police and National Security," where I presented Plateau State's perspective on the decades-long security challenges confronting our people and why the establishment of State Police has become an urgent national imperative.

When I assumed office, Plateau State was grappling with numerous security challenges. One of the first decisive steps we took was to reactivate Operation Rainbow, the state-owned security outfit established with the approval of former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan to provide critical intelligence support to conventional security agencies. Beyond that, we have invested in technology-driven surveillance and continue to strengthen and optimize our security architecture to improve intelligence gathering, rapid response, and public safety.

I commend His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for his bold leadership in advancing the long-awaited national conversation on State Police and for moving the discussion beyond rhetoric toward concrete action. I firmly believe that the benefits of State Police far outweigh the concerns that have been raised. While every reform comes with challenges, potential abuses can be addressed through robust legal safeguards, institutional checks, accountability mechanisms, and effective oversight.

One critical issue that deserves greater national attention is the question of sustainable funding. If we establish a reliable funding framework for State Police, we will significantly strengthen our collective capacity to confront insecurity across the country.

As I emphasized during the discussion, if we fail to act now, we will ultimately pay a much higher price in the future. This is a defining moment for our nation. We must seize this opportunity to build a security system that reflects our realities, protects our citizens, and secures the future of Nigeria.

I joined my brother governors under the auspices of the Northern Governors’ Forum and the Northern Traditional Rulers’ Council in Kaduna to take a decisive step towards strengthening our collective response to the security challenges confronting Northern Nigeria.

A major outcome of our meeting was the inauguration of the 21-member Board of Trustees of the Northern Nigeria Security Trust Fund (NNSTF), a regional initiative designed to provide sustainable support for intelligence gathering, inter-state security coordination and strategic interventions aimed at restoring peace across the 19 Northern states.

As governors, we resolved that insecurity requires coordinated action backed by sustainable financing. To this end, we collectively committed to contributing ₦1 billion monthly to the Trust Fund to complement ongoing efforts by the Federal Government and strengthen our regional security architecture.

I am particularly pleased that Plateau State will be represented on the Board of Trustees by our former Senator, Napoleon Bali, whose wealth of experience will contribute meaningfully to the success of this initiative.

Our discussions went beyond security operations. We acknowledged that lasting peace can only be achieved by addressing the root causes of insecurity, including poverty, unemployment, illiteracy and the challenge of out-of-school children. We therefore reaffirmed our commitment to expanding investments in education, agriculture, youth empowerment, skills development and community resilience.

We also resolved to work more closely with traditional rulers, local governments, security agencies and community leaders to strengthen intelligence gathering, prevent conflicts and protect our farming communities during the current rainy season.

I commend the Chairman of the Northern Governors’ Forum, Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, for his leadership in driving this important initiative, and I appreciate the invaluable support of the Northern Traditional Rulers’ Council under the leadership of His Royal Highness, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III.

I equally welcome the commitment of the Board of Trustees to deploy technology-driven security solutions, strengthen accountability and ensure transparent management of the Fund in pursuit of measurable improvements in the security of our people.

For Plateau State, peacebuilding, dialogue and collaboration remain central to our administration’s agenda. We will continue to work with our neighbouring states and all relevant stakeholders to combat insecurity, protect lives and livelihoods, restore confidence among farmers and investors, and build a safer, more prosperous Northern Nigeria.

Together, through unity of purpose and collective action, we can overcome our security challenges and create a future of peace, stability and shared prosperity for our people.

Today, I was delighted to join the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, ably represented by my dear brother, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, the National Chairman of the APC, alongside the Honourable Minister of Works, Sen. Engr. David Umahi, CON, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, PhD, represented, to officially flag off the rehabilitation of the Babban Lamba–Sharam Road (Phase II) in Plateau State.

This important project is yet another demonstration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's unwavering commitment to the development of Plateau State and the well-being of its people. The President has continued to show compassion, empathy, and genuine friendship through deliberate investments in critical infrastructure with the challenges confronting our state.

I sincerely appreciate Mr. President for approving the dualisation of the Akwanga–Jos–Bauchi–Gombe–Maiduguri Road, a landmark project that will significantly improve transportation, stimulate economic growth, and strengthen regional integration across the North-Central and North-East.

The Babban Lamba–Sharam Road is far more than a road project. It is a strategic economic corridor that will connect communities, facilitate the movement of people and goods, improve access to markets, and unlock the vast agricultural and commercial potential of the area.

I am optimistic that the people of Plateau State will continue to appreciate the President's remarkable commitment to our development and will reciprocate this goodwill in 2027.

I also look forward to greater collaboration with the National Chairman of our great party, Prof. Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda, whose leadership continues to make us proud. Together, I am confident we will attract even more developmental projects that will improve the lives of our people and move Plateau State to greater heights.

I equally commend the Honourable Minister of Works, Sen. Engr. David Umahi, for enhancing the scope of this project by adopting continuous reinforced concrete pavement technology.

I also appealed to the President to graciously approve the construction of the Maraban Jama'a–Barkin Ladi–Mangu–Pankshin–Kanke–Langtang–Shendam to River Ibi Road in Taraba State.

This strategic road corridor will enhance connectivity across Plateau and Taraba States, facilitate the movement of people, goods, and services, boost agricultural and commercial activities, and stimulate socio-economic development throughout the region.

Together, we remain committed to building a more prosperous, connected, and economically vibrant Plateau State for the benefit of present and future generations.

It was a profound honour and privilege to join His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, represented by the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prof. Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda, alongside the Honourable Minister of Works, Sen. Engr. David Nweze Umahi, members of the Federal Executive Council, distinguished members of the National and State Assemblies, and other eminent Nigerians, at the official flag-off of the construction of the Akwanga–Jos Superhighway (Section I), a 125-kilometre stretch of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's fourth Legacy Project.

This historic project is the first section of the 700-kilometre, six-lane Akwanga–Jos–Kaduna–Bauchi–Gombe–Biu–Maiduguri Superhighway, a transformational infrastructure corridor that will boost economic activities, strengthen national unity, improve security, and unlock enormous opportunities for millions of Nigerians.

For the people of Plateau State and neighbouring communities, this is the fulfilment of a long-standing aspiration. It is a project that many stakeholders tirelessly advocated for, and today, we celebrate a promise fulfilled under the visionary leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

I sincerely thank Mr. President for approving and commencing this landmark project. His commitment to delivering life-changing infrastructure continues to inspire confidence and demonstrates that the Renewed Hope Agenda is translating into tangible development across our nation. By the grace of God, this superhighway will become one of the enduring legacies of his administration across these states.

Beyond connecting communities, this road will transform lives. It will provide easier access to markets for our farmers, reduce transportation costs, stimulate commerce, create employment opportunities, enhance the security of lives and property, and improve the overall quality of life for our people. This is the kind of infrastructure that drives sustainable economic growth.

I also express my profound appreciation to the Honourable Minister of Works, Sen. Engr. David Nweze Umahi, CON, whose dedication, passion, and relentless commitment to infrastructure development have been exemplary. His leadership and tireless efforts have been instrumental in translating Mr. President's vision into reality.

The people of Nasarawa, Plateau, Kaduna, Bauchi, Gombe, Borno, and indeed all Nigerians who will benefit from this vital highway, will remember President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Honourable Minister of Works for this bold investment in the future of our nation.

Together, we are building not just roads, but stronger communities, greater prosperity, and a more united Nigeria.

The wedding of my daughter, Nanbam, to Jeremiah Ayodele on Saturday, June 27, 2026, was one of the happiest moments for my family. Beyond the celebration, it reminded us that what unites us as Nigerians is far greater than whatever seeks to divide us.

I give thanks to God for His faithfulness and sincerely appreciate every Nigerian who celebrated with us through their presence, prayers, goodwill messages, and kind wishes.

I am especially grateful to the Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Kashim Shettima, for honouring my family with his presence. His attendance, coming shortly after his visit to Plateau State, reaffirmed the Federal Government’s solidarity with our people and its commitment to peace.

I also deeply appreciate my brother governors, members of the National Assembly, ministers, traditional rulers, religious leaders, diplomats, senior government officials, friends, and well-wishers from across the country who travelled to share in our joy. Your support means so much to my family.

The Vice President’s message that this union reflects the beauty of Nigeria’s diversity was both timely and inspiring. As this marriage brings together families from Plateau, Bayelsa, and Osun States, it reminds us that love, unity, and mutual respect remain the strongest foundations for nation-building.

To everyone who celebrated with us, whether in person or from afar, thank you for making our joy your own. I pray that God blesses you with many reasons to celebrate in your own families.

As Nanbam and Jeremiah begin this new chapter, I ask for your continued prayers that their home will be filled with love, faith, and God’s abiding grace. May the spirit of unity and peace that marked this occasion continue to guide Plateau State and our nation.

STRENGTHENING PLATEAU–CHINA PARTNERSHIP FOR ECONOMIC GROWTH

I was pleased to receive the Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Nigeria, His Excellency Yu Dunhai, and a delegation of Chinese investors at the Government House, Jos.

Our discussions focused on expanding cooperation in agriculture, infrastructure, mining, healthcare, tourism, and industrial development. We explored opportunities to attract investment, drive technology transfer, and create jobs for our people.

Agriculture remains central to our vision, particularly through the proposed 500-hectare Special Agro-Processing Zone near the Yakubu Gowon International Cargo Airport, which will strengthen value addition and open new export opportunities for Plateau products.

We also discussed responsible mining practices, livestock development, and leveraging China’s zero-tariff policy on Nigerian exports to access global markets.

I am encouraged by the strong interest shown by our Chinese partners and remain committed to building strategic partnerships that will position Plateau State as a competitive destination for investment, innovation, and sustainable economic growth.