By Amos Tauna
Communities in Southern Kaduna, northern Nigeria, have agreed to forge a common goal towards the restoration of peace and understanding in the area. following the incessant killings that led to the destruction of lives and property between farmers and Fulani herdsmen.
They have also agreed to eschew bitterness, promised to be their brother’s keepers and continuous consultations among themselves for a good harmonious relationship.
The area had in recent time witnessed unimaginable destruction of lives and property as a result of misunderstanding between the natives and Fulani herdsmen causing a major setback in all ramifications in Southern Kaduna.
In a peace and reconciliatory meeting organized by Global Peace Foundation Nigeria, GPFN, in Kafanchan, Jema’a local government area of Kaduna State on Thursday, the meeting had in attendance Southern Kaduna Peoples’ Union, SOKAPU, Miyetti Allah Breeders Association, MACBAN, Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Jama’atu Nasril Islam,JNI, Jema’a Foundatio, Youth organizations, Mobgal Fulbe Development Association and other community leaders affected during the recent insecurity that erupted the area.
The National President of Southern Kaduna Peoples’ Union, SOKAPU, Barr. Solomon Musa, assured that the people of the area are known to be hospitable thereby resulting in the presence of different ethnic groups residing in the area for years. He assured that SOKAPU would continue to embrace humanity and urged all tribes of the area to always discuss issues that will be the overall interest of Southern Kaduna.
He assured that SOKAPU would continue to support and defend anybody in the area irrespective of any difference that is unjustly treated within and outside Southern Kaduna.
The leader of Miyetti Allah Breeders Association, Alhaji Haruna Usman, while contributing during the meeting regretted the recent destruction of lives and property that took place and stressed that as One Family under God, there was the need for those living in Southern Kaduna to be fair to one another and embrace one another for peace and sustainable development.
The Christian Association of Nigeria leader in the area, Venurable John Bwakwot and Jama’atu Nasril Islam, Alhaji Barau Abdul also echoed the same thing calling on all and sundry to forget the past with the aim of ensuring the realization of the message of understanding and friendship amog the people of Southern Kaduna.
The affected communities in the recent crises threw their weight behind efforts made by Global Peace Foundation Nigeria in ensuring lasting peace among the different ethnic groups in Southern Kaduna by forgiving one another of all that took place.
However, various speakers in the meeting stressed the need for regular consultations among the various communities with the view of identifying any unforseen circumstance and ensure they are guided with the spirit of forgiveness, tolerance, love and understanding.
The Country Director of Global Peace Foundation Nigeria, GPFN, Mr. John Oko while expressing joy with the new development in Southern Kaduna, thanked God Almighty for the initiatives by stakeholders towards finding a common ground of resolving their differences through dialogue.
He noted that the step taken by the people towards forgiving one another was a steping stone and assured of Global Peace Foundation readiness to work closely with the various groups towards finding lasting peace in Southern Kaduna.
The northern coordinators of GPFN, Rev. Joseph John Hayab and Sheikh Halliru Abdullahi Mairaya expressed gratitude with the level of understanding, love and perseverance shown by the various stakeholders by embracing one another in the spirit of oneness.
They noted that the various speakers were able to identify conflict based challenges that rocked the area of its divine plan by God for harmonious relationship of man irrespective of any different affiliation.
