Abuja — Vice-President Goodluck Jonathan has set up a 15-member committee to work out ways towards a lasting solution to the recurrent Jos crisis.

The committee was set up at a consultative meeting summoned and presided over by the vice-president at the State House, Abuja yesterday.

Elder statesman and former Plateau State governor, Chief Solomon Lar, was appointed the chairman of the committee while Ambassador Yahaya Kwande will serve as co-chairman.

Other members of the committee include, Mrs Hannatu Chollom, Mr. John Samci, Prof. N. Gomwalk, Ibrahim Dasuki Nakande, Ambassador Fidelis Tapgun and Senator John N. Shagaya.

Senator Ibrahim Mantu, Hon. Leo Dilkon, Most Rev. I.A. Kaigama, Sheikh Dawud Balarabe, Mrs Fati Kyari, AVM U. Abbas and Alhaji Saleh Hassan are also members of the committee.

The committee is, among other terms of reference to critically examine the issues surrounding the recurrent violence in the state and work out how various institutions and levels of government can interact to ensure that the crisis is resolved once and for all.

In a related development, the vice-president also invited religious and traditional leaders as well as political stakeholders in the state to a meeting at Aso Rock and advised against the incessant killings and destruction of properties in the state.

In attendance were Plateau State Governor, Jonah Jang and his deputy, Mrs. Pauline Tallen; former governor, Joshua Dariye; National Security Adviser, Sarki Muktar; National President of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Archbishop John Onaiyekan; and Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa'adu Abubakar III.

Others include, former Deputy Senate President, Ibrahim Mantu; Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Yayale Ahmed; Jeremiah Useni; Gbong Gwom Jos, Buba Gyang; and a host of others.

Jonathan told the gathering that the development in the state had been quite embarrassing and must not be allowed to degenerate to the level Niger Delta region found itself in.

The Vice-President warned that the only way to restore the lost glory of the state which was known for its tourist attraction is for the people to live peacefully. "For that to happen we need to talk to ourselves as members of one family, we must tell ourselves the home truth that enough is enough and we must without sentiment and as leaders speak to ourselves sincerely with a view to rebuilding the old plateau," he said.

In his opening remark, the vice president urged the gathering to talk sense into each other so as to stop the wanton destruction and killing which are capable of destroying the economy of the state.

He warned that the situation must not be allowed to degenerate to the level Niger Delta region found itself in.

"If Plateau State continues to boil the way it is boiling, the local economy would be completely destroyed. If you move to some part of the Niger Delta, areas that used to bubble before now shadows of themselves and we pray and believe that the situation in Plateau does not get to that level," the vice-president said.

"Plateau as a middle belt state has served as a link between the North and the South, the Christians and the Muslims. Although there were minor social conflicts even in the time past, what we are witnessing recently is quit embarrassing and we all will collectively see how we can bring this to an end.

"That is the role that would be played by the Federal Government, the state and the ordinary residents and indigenes of plateau to make sure that we don't get to this level again that is becoming a major embarrassment not only to the people of Plateau State but to the whole nation."

Governor Jang on his part urge leaders in the state to be patient enough to hear both sides of an issue before reacting.

"I believe as a governor of plateau state that one of the major problems we have as a nation is the fact that our leaders are not patient to wait and hear two sides of a story before they make statements that will either help solve the problem or help to inflame the problem.

"So I want to plead with our prominent citizens holding high positions that when a problem erupts in a place that there are people who want to justify the cause of their actions and they run to certain areas give their own story and leaders start issuing statement without knowing the background or what actually happened. I want to plead that we should seriously take note of that."

On his part, Bishop Onayekan said, "Since we have heard so much talk about religion, we just feel that much of the talk about religion is purely misused and abuse of religion and we are anxious to liberate ourselves from this manipulations."

"We do admit that there are some elements of religion in it, whatever element in it we take responsibility to address it but we also know that there may be other issues those concerned must address and stop hiding under religion.

"And, I think the good thing about this gathering is that the truth would be told and not only for Jos that brought us here but the issues on the Plateau are also on the plan and on the valleys all over Nigeria and we I think we also have to put that very clearly to mind that if we really want to go down to the root of this matter we should not just be thinking of the Plateau and as already mentioned what happened in Plateau have affected people all over Nigeria.

The Sultan of Sokoto who also added his voice to the issue urged the gathering to be frank on whatever they feel is the problem in the state.

"And I want to call on everybody here to be very frank on whatever you feel you should say in this meeting. Whatever problem you think you have either with the government of Plateau, or with the Federal Government or with the leaders of the ulama in this country, or the leadership of the Christians in this country please say so, because as it is said the truth shall set you free," he added

"So, you should be very blunt and say it without mincing words. But one other thing I want to bring up here, as a religious leader, I keep on wondering when I hear people making comments about such crisis as religious crisis, I refuse to accept that."

Solomon Lar in his remark said, Plateau State was once adjudged as the most peaceful and accommodating state in the federation the state. He advised the press to be among the people to unit and build the state.