Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State has called on media practitioners in Nigeria to project the state positively at all times.
Mutfwang made the call when the Executive Council and other members of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) visited him on Thursday in Jos.
The governor, who thanked the media for the support so far, however, called for more sustained collaboration towards the success of his administration.
Mutfwang expressed deep commitment to deliver good governance, saying that his administration had initiated policies aimed at enhancing the welfare and wellbeing of the people.
Mutfwang, who acknowledged that insecurity remained a major problem on the state, insisted that his administration had adopted measures towards tackling the menace.
“As government, we identify the security challenge as a distraction and not the main problem.
“The main problem is that we are yet to unleash the potential of Plateau and that is why we came into government, to bring the state out of the the trenches of poverty to the prosperity that we ought to enjoy.
“For us, it is about making life better for our people, developing a better economy that is beyond federal allocations, and we think we have the resources to be able to do so.
“That remains our key objective and focus, and so we need the support and collaboration of the media to get to our destination,”he said.
Mutfwang said that his administration had revived the agriculture sector and given special attention to transport sector, particularly with the introduction of metro bus services and the train services.
He said that the state government had also transformed the health and education sectors, adding that it had also prioritised the welfare of its workers through prompt payment of salaries and capacity building.
“Because of our interest in livestock development, we created a special ministry to harness the potential in that sector.
“We are also reviving the hospitality and tourism sector. With the support of partners, we have changed the face of the Jos Wild Life Park and other key tourists attractions in the state.
“Through Public-Private Partnership arrangement, we are currently revitalising the famous Hill Station Hotel and Jos Hotel.
“To boost sporting activities, we are also remodeling the Rwang Pam Township Stadium to an international standard.
“All of these and many other initiatives are aimed at attracting investors and boosting the economy of the state,”he said.
The governor promised a robust partnership with the media in repositioning the state and place it on the path of steady growth and development.
He reiterated that peace and prosperity remain the twin pillars of his administration, citing decisive measures such as the revival of Operation Rainbow, prompt convening of the State Security Council, and the establishment of a modern Security and Information Center to enhance statewide safety.
On infrastructure, the Governor highlighted progress in all 17 local government areas, including 380 kilometers of rural roads under the World Bank-assisted RAMP project and the completed Utong-Kong flyover. He assured that strategic investments in roads, markets, agriculture, and industry will diversify Plateau’s economy beyond federal allocations.
Education, he said, is receiving special attention, with a 50 percent tuition reduction for indigenes, a 300 percent increase in scholarships, and interventions that rescued tertiary institutions from collapse, all aimed at preparing Plateau’s youth for global competitiveness.
In health care, Mutfwang cited upgrades at Plateau Specialist Hospital and the expansion of health insurance coverage from 93,000 to 208,000 enrollees, reaffirming his determination to make Plateau a model of affordable and quality health services.
Commenting on Agriculture, he described as the backbone of his prosperity agenda, the Governor said the sector is being revitalized through partnerships with IITA Ibadan, the revival of BARC Farms, improved livestock breeds, feed production, and plans for a modern abattoir with a 500-cattle daily capacity.
The Governor also highlighted the renewed investor confidence in Plateau’s tourism and commerce sectors, with redevelopment efforts at Plateau Hotel, Hill Station Hotel, and Jos Wildlife Park through private-sector partnerships. Tourism, he emphasized, would once again be a pillar of the state’s economy.
Speaking on behalf of the delegation, NGE President, Eze Anaba, praised the Governor’s bold peace initiatives and the revival of The Standard newspapers, insisting that Plateau’s unique story must continue to be told by its own people. He commended the administration’s effort to restore calm across previously troubled communities.
Responding to questions later, Mutfwang addressed employment, security, and agricultural reforms. He pledged transparency in future recruitments, explaining corrective measures on suspended appointments inherited from the previous administration, and vowed to combat land-grabbing in border communities.
On agriculture, he acknowledged the challenges of market glut caused by massive food imports and assured that innovative measures are being explored to boost local production, processing, market access, and fully harnessing Plateau’s comparative advantage in agricultural value chains.
He also called on journalists to remain responsible in shaping national discourse, noting: “The media plays a critical role in shaping perceptions and strengthening democracy. I will always encourage you to do your job, but we must all be mindful of how information is framed and its potential impact on society.”
Highlighting security, the Governor acknowledged the peculiar challenges of Plateau’s border communities and stressed that legislative engagement, operational strategies, and community cooperation remain crucial to overcoming threats. He further vowed to sustain pressure on the Federal Government to complete the long-delayed Jos-Bauchi-Gombe federal road contract, awarded since 2018, describing infrastructure as critical to Plateau’s economic future.
Mutfwang assured that Plateau is rising above years of crisis into a new era of peace, prosperity, and productivity, determined to restore its reputation as Nigeria’s “Home of Peace and Tourism.”
The visit climaxed with a guided tour of key transformational projects under the Mutfwang-led administration, after which the Guild extended an invitation to host the Governor at its forthcoming national conference in Abuja.
