An NGO, Global Peace Foundation Nigeria (GPFN), on Thursday urged stakeholders in Southern Kaduna not to get tired of meeting to promote lasting peace in the area.
The Northern Coordinators of the Foundation, Rev. John Hayab and Sheik Haliru Maraya made the appeal at the stakeholders meeting of Southern Kaduna Peace and Reconciliation Committee held in Kachia, Kaduna State.
The meeting was organised by GPFN in conjunction with Kaduna State Peace Commission.
Major stakeholders at the meeting included the Christian Association of Nigeria, Jama’atul Nasril Islam, Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association, Southern Kaduna People’s Union and Southern Kaduna Muslim Ummah Development Association, among others.
The coordinators said peace building is a continuous process, as such it is important to talk to all concerned stakeholders from time to time to achieve permanent solution.
“The meeting is a review of conflicts situations so as to find lasting solutions,” the coordinators said.
In his remarks, the Chairman of Southern Kaduna Peace and Reconciliation Committee, Mr Solomon Musa, appealed to all stakeholders to drop their differences “so that peace can reign in our communities.”
Executive Vice Chairman, Kaduna State Peace Commission, Mrs Priscilla Ankut, said peace building is for optimistic people, adding that “as optimistic people, we will continue to build bridges.”
Ankut said the commission would work with the Foundation in its efforts to contribute to the peace and stability of Southern Kaduna.
“For us at the Peace Commission, by participating in the meeting, we can solicit ideas, inputs and suggestions to help the Commission in implementing its mandate of ensuring peaceful co-existence in Kaduna State,” she added.
According to her, the Commission offers a coordinating platform of bringing all initiatives at play in the state by various stakeholders to achieve lasting peace through mutual respect and understanding.
“There are very many groups in the state that are well meaning and ready to contribute to the peace process in the state.
“The Commission came in to coordinate all these efforts and make sure we are all aligned to a strategic vision, which is to ensure peaceful coexistence, justice to all and for us all to embrace our diversity.”
The vice chairman stressed that the commission would not get tired of consultation, which she described as “fundamental to any peace process.”
“Fundamentally, speaking with people is important to peace building; we will continue to identify new actors and groups and engage them to find a permanent peace in the state,” Ankut said.
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