By Maureen Sheyin
An interfaith Sensitisation Programme for religious leaders on Tolerance and peaceful coexistence among communities in Kachia/Kagarko Federal Constituency of Kaduna State has been held.
The programme which was organised by Member Representing the Constituency, Gabriel Saleh Zock in collaboration with the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR) was aimed at strengthening peace and tolerance amongst Communities in the Constituency.
Though there has been relative peace in the constituency, the programme was more or less a proactive measure to ensure and further strengthen existing peace and harmonious understanding amongst the constituents.
Speaking at the event, Zock ,who expressed delight at the relative peace in Kachia/Kagarko Constituency within the year under review, said since elected he has provided projects that will further help to engender development and sustain peaceful coexistence .
According to him , most often time failure to provide those basic amenities create unnecessary window for violence and breach of Public peace.
Hon Zock further explained, ” It is time to give back to the Community that gave me the opportunity to represent them in the House of Representatives ,hence the decision to provide Electricity, portable water supply and build school structures for various Communities across the 14 wards within the Constituency.
Worried about high unemployment rate ,I decided to create an Empowerment scheme in 2019 to assist women and youths with grants for small scale businesses.
In the area of Agriculture as the mainstay of our people, I used personal funds to procure fertilizer for farmers during the rainy season to ensure they have good harvest.
In a brief remarks, former Speaker of Kaduna State House of Assembly, Nuhu Goroh Shaddalafiya commended Hon Zock for taking the bold step to organise the interfaith stakeholders meeting at critical period, especially with emerging threats amongst Community members over insecurity.
According to Shaddalafiya , the meeting geared towards strengthening peaceful coexistence amongst members of the communities will surely help to ensure Sustainable peace in Kachia/Kagarko areas .
While acknowledging the various laudable constituency projects by Hon Zock ,the Former Deputy Speaker stressed, “that without peace and security within the Constituency, the projects become useless”
He however urged the lawmaker to remain fair to all constituency saying, ” Once a leader is Elected on any Political party platform, he automatically becomes a leader of all regardless of party or religious affiliations
He also urged parents to deliberately avoid statements capable of creating hatred between or amongst children and members of Communities .
He suggested that a forum for interfaith meetings be established as a platform to discuss issues that strengthens peace within the federal constituency .
In his speech, the Director General ,Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution, ICPR Dr. Bakut Tsuwa represented by Mr Gabriel Jiya charged religious leaders on the need to constantly preach messages of peace and tolerance.
He further said religious leaders are charged with responsiblity of peace building, advocacy and empowerment .
The DG who insisted on religious leaders to come together to unite adherents against conflict and violence, maintained that Conflict is counter productive, creates distress, hatred and disharmony and lead to rise in criminality.”
“We are Proud to be associated with Hon Zock, One of the most important thing is to have an environment for peaceful coexistence.
“For peace to reign there must tolerance across religious, ethnic and Political backgrounds.It is God’s desire for people with different faiths to coexist.
“Thus, there must be deliberate attempt to avoid violent conflicts and desist from negative narratives that can ignite crisis and conflicts”.He stated .
The District Head of Sabon-Sarki ,HRH Jacob James Dogo in his remark said the interfaith meeting for Religious ,Traditional and Community leaders is not only apt ,but timely.
He thanked the lawmaker for organising the stakeholders meeting to discuss issues that will bring about peaceful coexistence in Kachia/Kagarko .