Apology issued: NIPSS Director-General reaches out to Berom community, calls for calm

Professor Ayo Omotayo, Director-General of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, NIPSS, has offered apologies to the Berom people for his remarks during a television interview following the attempted attack on the institute, which were misinterpreted and not meant to hold the ethnic group responsible for the incident.

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The Director-General's position was outlined in a statement signed by Dr Osime Samuel, Head, Public Affairs, NIPSS, Kuru, and made available to journalists in Jos on Tuesday.

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In a letter to His Royal Majesty Da Jacob Gyang Buba, the Gbong Gwom Jos and Chairman of the Plateau State Council of Chiefs and Emirs, Professor Omotayo expressed deep regret over the misunderstanding caused by his comments and appealed for calm.

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He explained that his comments were based on reports and speculations already in the public domain, and he did not intend to suggest that the Berom people were responsible for the attempted attack or that they had any organised militia.

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Professor Omotayo conveyed his sincere apologies to the Berom people for any unintended offence or distress his remarks may have caused, and he asked the traditional ruler to pass on his message of goodwill and reconciliation to the Berom people.

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He reaffirmed his respect for the Berom people, acknowledging their role as one of the institute's principal host communities, with whom NIPSS has maintained a cordial and mutually beneficial relationship based on trust, cooperation, and a shared commitment to peace and national development.

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The Director-General 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, and community impact projects.

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According to him, these initiatives reflect his belief that the well-being of host communities is closely tied to the success and stability of the institute.

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Professor Omotayo appealed to all stakeholders to remain calm, exercise restraint, and avoid actions or statements that could heighten tensions while security agencies continue to investigate the attempted attack on the institute.

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He 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.