After facing a torrent of backlash and condemnation following his recent remarks, in which he tagged the Berom people as militias, the Director-General of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Professor Ayo Omotayo, has tendered an apology to the Berom Nation and the people of Plateau State in general.
Omotayo had gotten into trouble last week during an
interview on Arise TV following a series of attacks on the institution where
about four people including security personnel were killed and in the heat of
the interview, he had described the attackers as “Berom Militias”, a remark
that drew the anger of the indigenes including the lawmaker representing Jos
North in the National Assembly, Sen. Pam Dachungyang, the Berom Youth-Moulders
Association, BYM, political figures, traditional and religious leaders, youth
groups and the general public who felt the comment was derogatory and an insult
to the Berom ethnic group.
Following the barrage of condemnation, the NIPSS DG, on
Monday, June 6th, retraced his steps and apologized for the remarks, which he
claimed were taken out of context.
In the apology letter addressed to the traditional ruler of
the Berom Nation, His Royal Majesty Da Jacob Gyang Buba, the Gbong Gwom Jos and
Chairman of the Plateau State Council of Chiefs and Emirs, Omotayo expressed
regret over what he described as the misunderstanding generated by his
comments.
He stated that his intention was not to disparage or blame
the Berom people or associate them with the attack on the institute. According
to the DG, his remarks were made while responding to questions during a rapidly
evolving security situation and merely referred to reports and speculations
already circulating in the public domain.
“I neither intended to attribute responsibility for the
incident to the Berom people nor to suggest the existence of any organised
militia associated with the Berom Nation,” Omotayo stated.
He, however, appealed to the traditional ruler to convey his
sincere apologies to the Berom people for any offence or distress the remarks
may have caused, while also reaffirming his respect for the Berom Nation,
describing the people as one of the institute’s principal host communities with
whom NIPSS has maintained a cordial and mutually beneficial relationship over
the years.
The Director-General further noted that the institute had
continued to implement several community-based programmes aimed at empowering
young people and strengthening its relationship with host communities.
“The initiatives include annual summer coaching classes, ICT
and digital skills training for youths, mentorship programmes in secondary
schools, support for girl-child education, and other community development
projects.
“These initiatives reflect my enduring belief that the
well-being of our host communities is inseparable from the success and
stability of the Institute,” he stated.
In conclusion, Omotayo appealed to all stakeholders to
remain calm and avoid actions or statements capable of escalating tension while
security agencies continue investigations into the attempted attack on the
institute.
“NIPSS is committed to promoting peaceful coexistence,
mutual respect, and constructive engagement with all host communities,” he
added, pledging the institute’s continued support for initiatives that promote
unity, security, and sustainable development.
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