First Lady Oluremi Tinubu has called for a permanent end to bloodshed in Plateau as she donates ₦1 billion to the victims of recent violence in the state.

Mrs Tinubu, who held an interactive session with stakeholders during a visit to Jos on Thursday, prayed for lasting peace in Plateau.

Addressing Governor Caleb Mutfwang, traditional rulers, religious leaders, security agencies, women’s groups, community members, and others, Mrs Tinubu expressed concern over the ongoing violence that had plagued the state for years.

“This visit is filled with mixed emotions. I came here as a mother whose heart bleeds each time I hear about killings or bloodshed.

“It took me some time to respond, but I want to assure you this will be the last time I will respond to such a situation in Plateau,” Mrs Tinubu said.

She recalled being welcomed at the airport by a young girl offering fruits and calling Plateau “the land of peace and tourism”, a moment she said she took as a divine sign of hope.

Referencing the recently restored National Anthem and its call to “hand unto our children a banner without stain”, she urged the leaders to reflect on the legacy they were leaving behind.

“Have we truly protected our land? Women do not fight. We are asking the men to protect us, to ensure our children grow up without fear,” she added.

The First Lady announced the donation under the Renewed Hope Initiative, her personal intervention project to support vulnerable Nigerians.

She also handed food and other essential items to the people through the governor’s wife, Helen Mutfwang.

Mrs Tinubu clarified that the funds were not from government coffers but from people of goodwill who were supporting her initiative.

“I do not have vast sums of money, but what I have is meant to bring life. This is not government money. It is what I have raised to help others,” she said.

She further appealed to the traditional rulers to play their role as custodians of peace.

Responding, Mr Mutfwang thanked the First Lady for her support and described her as “a mother of the nation” who had shown consistent compassion for vulnerable communities.

He lauded Mrs Tinubu for her dedication to humanitarian efforts through the Renewed Hope Initiative.

The governor, however, assured Mrs Tinubu that the state was committed to peace and reconciliation, as his administration was engaging leaders of faith, traditional rulers, and communities to end the decades of violence.

“We promise to provide leadership that unites us. With voices like hers encouraging us, we are confident we’ll get there,” he said.

(NAN)