GOVERNOR MUTFWANG TO PARTNER WITH FIRST BANK TO BOOST PLATEAU ECONOMY Plateau State Governor, His Excellency, Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, has called for deeper collaboration between the Plateau State Government and First Bank of Nigeria to accelerate economic development, particularly in agriculture, mining, energy and rural development. The Governor made the call when the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of First Bank of Nigeria, Mr. Olusegun Alebiosu, paid a courtesy visit to the Governor at the New Government House, Little Rayfield, Jos. Intimating Governor Mutfwang on progress made so far, Alebiosu said the bank was interested in supporting agriculture and rural development in Plateau State, while exploring opportunities in energy, including solar power and power plants, as part of efforts to stimulate economic development. He said the bank was also willing to support the mining sector and other productive activities, stressing that sustainable economic development required a strong partnership between government and the private sector. “It is partnership and we need to get those things done,” noting that while investments in areas such as power generation could be driven by the private sector, government had a critical role in creating the enabling environment for businesses to thrive. The First Bank MD, who commended the Governor for the initiatives being undertaken despite the security challenges confronting the state, said the bank was determined to deepen its relationship with Plateau and contribute to economic empowerment. He disclosed that First Bank has 11 branches located in Plateau State, urging the state to give the bank the opportunity to do more in supporting its economic aspirations. Responding, Governor Mutfwang commended First Bank for its transformation over the years, describing the development as evidence that innovation and a willingness to embrace change could produce remarkable results. Mutfwang further challenged First Bank to consider immortalising the historic legacy of its Terminus branch, which he said was associated with the banking history of former British Prime Minister, John Major. The Governor also urged the bank to deepen its relationship with Plateau communities, particularly through support for microfinance institutions, saying this would help expand access to financial services, expertise and guarantees for people at the grassroots. Governor Mutfwang recalled the bank's contributions to Plateau, including its corporate social responsibility intervention for patients at the Jos University Teaching Hospital, and encouraged the institution to make such interventions more sustainable. He said the state was ready to strengthen its partnership with First Bank, but expressed concern over the difficulty of accessing affordable developmental financing, particularly for agriculture and infrastructure. “We can't expect upscale production as a nation if we are not able to provide the right financing structure for agriculture,” the Governor said, stressing the need to move beyond consumption to production and processing. Governor Mutfwang expressed hope that First Bank, through its participation in the Bankers’ Committee and other platforms, would contribute to developing financing mechanisms capable of supporting increased production, processing and economic growth in Plateau State. Gyang Bere, PhD Director of Press and Public Affairs to the Executive Governor of Plateau State. 8th October ,2026.

GOVERNOR MUTFWANG HIGHLIGHTS PLATEAU AGRICULTURE, ENERGY AS POTENTIAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR EUROPEAN INVESTORS Plateau State Governor, His Excellency , Caleb Manasseh Mutwang, Esq, has called for a new phase of partnership between Plateau State and the European Union, anchored on mutual benefit, investment and the exchange of greater opportunities. The Governor made the call on Tuesday, September 29,2026 while hosting the Ambassador of the European Union to Nigeria, His Excellency Gautier Mignot, to a state dinner at the Banquet Hall of the New Government House, Little Rayfield, Jos. Speaking on the backdrop of the Ambassador's engagements with key institutions in the State, Governor Mutfwang said Plateau was prepared to deepen its relationship with Europe while also positioning its agricultural, energy, educational and cultural assets for international partnerships. The Governor identified agriculture as one of the sectors where Plateau could build a stronger international partnership, drawing attention to the State's diverse agricultural products and its capacity for expanded production. "We believe that there are many things that we can offer Europe as land for agriculture becomes more scarce in Europe. You can be sure that Africa is just beginning investments in agriculture," Governor Mutfwang said. He said the emerging relationship should be driven by mutual respect and shared interests, rather than a one-sided expectation of assistance. Governor Mutfwang introduced the EU Ambassador to acha, one of Plateau's indigenous cereals, after observing his appreciation of the meal. He also called for livestock and dairy production as another area with significant potential, noting that Nigeria continues to spend substantial resources importing dairy products despite the opportunities for local production. Beyond agriculture, the Governor placed energy development high on the partnership agenda, expressing appreciation for the European Union's collaboration in exploring energy solutions for health institutions across the State. He specifically called for the actualisation of the 5-megawatt hydropower project at Assop Falls, supported through UNIDO, saying Plateau looked forward to seeing the project come on stream. "We hope that we will see that come on stream as soon as possible," Mutfwang said. He said Plateau had commenced preparations to develop the sector and expressed the State's desire to benefit from European experience and technology in moving towards modern livestock management. "We hope that with your own experience we will leap from where we are into the mechanized stage of livestock management," he said. Governor Mutfwang further urged the EU diplomatic community to look beyond Nigeria's major commercial centres and explore Plateau State, recalling earlier and potential European partnerships in agriculture and industry. Responding, EU Ambassador His Excellency Gautier Mignot, expressed appreciation to Governor Mutfwang for the hospitality extended to him, describing his first visit to Plateau as an experience that had left a strong impression. "I was very curious to see it firsthand when I heard a lot about the wonderful weather of Plateau State and beautiful landscapes. And I must say I haven't been disappointed at all," the Ambassador said. He, however, singled out the hospitality of the people as one of the most striking aspects of his visit. "But the hospitality of the people of Plateau State, I think, is what impressed me most in the last three to four hours," he said. The Ambassador also commended Governor Mutfwang's detailed knowledge of the partnership between Plateau State and the European Union, saying he was impressed by the Governor's understanding of the various areas of cooperation. "I was very much impressed that His Excellency was fully knowledgeable about our partnership, much more than ours, by the way," Mignot remarked.