Vice President Kashim Shettima has urged Nigerians to reject ethnic profiling, religious hatred and retaliatory violence in building a secure and inclusive federation, speaking at the 80th birthday celebration and book presentation for former Plateau State Governor Jonah Jang in Jos.

Shettima called for a renewed national commitment to peace as a shared responsibility between government, community leaders and citizens, describing Plateau State as Nigeria in miniature whose struggles and recovery reflect the wider national experience. He said sustainable development cannot take root amid fear and distrust, noting that the economic fortunes of Nigerian communities and states are closely interconnected, and condemned attempts to blame entire ethnic or religious communities for the crimes of individuals, arguing that such collective blame allows perpetrators to succeed twice, once by taking a life and again by poisoning trust among survivors.

Paying tribute to Jang, Shettima described him as a father figure whose influence extends well beyond his home community, thanking him for his military service and continued pursuit of peace in Plateau State, and announced that President Tinubu has appointed Jang’s son, Yakubu, as a Senior Special Assistant to the President. Former President Goodluck Jonathan described the celebration as a testament to Jang’s integrity, while Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang and Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia both praised Jang’s leadership legacy as a military administrator and elder statesman, and APC National Chairman Nentawe Yilwatda credited him with laying the foundation for Plateau State’s future development.