By Golok Nanmwa
Director-General of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, NIPSS, Professor Ayo Omotayo, has apologised to the Berom people over remarks he made during a television interview after the attempted attack on the institute, saying they were misconstrued and never intended to blame the ethnic group for the incident.
The position of the Director-General was contained in a statement signed by Dr Osime Samuel, the Head, Public Affairs, NIPSS, Kuru and made available to journalists in Jos on Tuesday.
In a letter addressed to the Gbong Gwom Jos and Chairman of the Plateau State Council of Chiefs and Emirs, His Royal Majesty Da Jacob Gyang Buba, the NIPSS Director-General expressed profound regret over the misunderstanding arising from his comments and appealed for calm.
He explained that while responding to questions on a rapidly evolving security situation, he merely referred to reports and speculations already in the public domain, stressing that he neither intended to attribute responsibility for the attempted attack to the Berom people nor suggest the existence of any organised militia associated with Berom people.
Omotayo conveyed his sincere apologies to the Berom people for the unintended offence and distress his remarks may have caused and appealed to the traditional ruler to convey his message of goodwill and reconciliation to the Berom people.
He also reaffirmed his respect for the Berom people, acknowledging the community’s role as one of the institute’s principal host communities, with whom NIPSS has maintained a cordial and mutually beneficial relationship founded on trust, cooperation and a shared commitment to peace and national development.
The Director-General further highlighted several community-focused initiatives implemented under his leadership, including annual summer coaching programmes for students, ICT and digital skills training for youths, mentorship programmes in selected secondary schools, support for girl-child education and empowerment, as well as community impact projects.
According to him, the initiatives reflect his belief that the well-being of host communities is inseparable from the success and stability of the institute.
He appealed to all stakeholders to remain calm, exercise restraint and avoid actions or statements capable of heightening tensions while security agencies continue investigations into the attempted attack on the institute.
Omotayo reiterated NIPSS’ commitment to promoting peaceful coexistence, mutual respect and constructive engagement with all its host communities, assuring that the institute would continue to support initiatives that foster unity, security and sustainable development.
