NGO engages Plateau communities in peace dialogue

As part of efforts in building trust and peace among warring communities that have been engulfed by farmers/herders’ conflict, The Pastoralists Resolve (PARE), a Non-Governmental Organization brought together stakeholders of Irigwe, Fulani and Bace to dialogue together.

Mrs Jemila Abdul Kwalzoom, the lead coordinator of the NGO said peace can be achieved through commitment and sincerity by the leaders involved.

She said, “basically, we seek to address the issues of Farmers/Herders’ conflict in four LGAs of Plateau State with a view of mitigating the rampant attacks and counter attacks in the state.”

She added that the choice of Bassa LGA is because, for sometimes the LGA has been the epicenter of the conflict in the state and that necessitated the focus so as to sustain the work of peace promotion as well as foster cohesion.

According to Kwalzoom, The community project initiative for peace is a consortium of PARE, Mercy Corps, IMC, Savannah Center and ADGA that is working tirelessly and relentlessly in peace building.

Facilitators at the program took the participants on thought provoking and practical sessions on the need to live together in unity and harmony.

Participants at the peace engagement applauded the organizers for the continued efforts in ensuring that peace is broker and promoted among them, urged them to sustain the tempo which will definitely bring about the desired results.

President of Irigwe Youth Movement (IYM), Comrade Ezekiel Peter Bini charged the participants to step down the lessons that have learnt to the grassroot in order to replicate all that is necessary. Not only saying but putting every word to practice is key.

Chairman of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Bassa Branch , Idris Yau also corroborated on the the need to forgive one another forge ahead.

Other stakeholders who spoke at the program which took place on Friday March 18,2022 at Crest Hotel Jos includes; Traditional Rulers from Irigwe, Mista- Ali, Ardo and leaders from Bace Community.

Highlight of the dialogue was cluster and interactive sessions where members interfaced with one another on the need to discard animosity, enmity, sentiments and other factors that have been proliferating the conflict.