Algorithm Obi

PLATEAU, WE NEED TO HAVE AN HONEST CONVERSATION WITH OURSELVES. Sometimes, I sit back and think deeply about our dear Plateau State. A beautiful land, blessed with wonderful people, rich cultures, and so much potential. Yet, a land that has suffered so much pain, insecurity, killings, and divisions. And honestly, beyond the long-standing insecurity and the painful attacks on our people, there is something else that has been bothering me lately. Whenever I go through Facebook groups and social media conversations involving Plateau people, especially our youth, I cannot help but notice how deeply divided we have become. It is either you are Catholic or Pentecostal, ECWA or COCIN. It is either you are Berom, Tarok, Ngas, Mwaghavul, or one of our other beautiful tribes. It is either you are PDP or APC. And sometimes, it feels like we have become so consumed by these identities that we forget the one thing we all have in common: we are Plateau people. To be clear, there is absolutely nothing wrong with our different tribes, churches, or political affiliations. These are important parts of who we are. But when these identities become more important than our shared humanity and the future of our state, then we have a serious problem. The “us versus them” mentality is becoming increasingly worrying. Most of the time, we seem more interested in defending our own people, our own church, or our own political party than standing up for what is right. And this is where my concern lies. A society that lacks social cohesion will inevitably struggle to achieve meaningful development and progress. How do we build a prosperous Plateau when we cannot even agree to stand together? How do we demand good leadership when our own divisions make it difficult to hold one another accountable? How do we build a future for ourselves and children when we are constantly finding new reasons to distrust one another? I know that our problems are complex. I know that insecurity, injustice, and the attacks on our communities are real, and those responsible must be held accountable. We must never confuse the need for unity with the need to ignore wrongdoing. But we must also be honest with ourselves. We cannot keep pointing fingers at everyone else while refusing to examine what is happening within us. Perhaps it is time we all took a step back and looked ourselves in the mirror. Not as Berom, Tarok, Ngas, Mwaghavul, or any other tribe. Not as Catholics, ECWA, COCIN, or Pentecostals. Not as APC or PDP. But simply as people who call Plateau home. Because at the end of the day, when Plateau suffers, we all suffer. When Plateau fails to progress, our children inherit that failure, regardless of their tribe, church, or political party. I sincerely believe it is time for us to wake up before we allow our differences to completely tear us apart. Plateau is our home. We may not agree on everything, but surely, we can agree that our home is worth saving. Let us start looking beyond ourselves, beyond our tribes, beyond our churches, and beyond our political affiliations. Because if we continue down this path of division, we may eventually find ourselves with no one else to blame but ourselves. May God heal our land and give us the wisdom to heal our hearts toward one another. Bless 🙏🏽 @nanj_wuyep