The Kaduna State Peace Commission, (KSPC) has carried out several interventions to address ethno-religious and resource-based disputes among diverse groups like farmers and pastoralists, youth’s restiveness as well as promotion of peaceful elections through sensitization, peace campaigns, training, and conflict resolution dialogue.
This was part of the information passed to participants at a one-day Reflection Meeting on strategies for achieving sustainable peace and social harmony in Kaduna State held at Hotel Seventeen, Kaduna.
In his welcome address at the opening of the one-day meeting, Dr. Saleh B. Momale, the Executive Vice Chairman of the state Peace Commission explained that the active collaboration between the Commission and security agencies, especially the Nigerian Police, Department of State Services, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and the Kaduna State Vigilance Service have resulted in more effective prevention of several violent conflicts in the State.
“The Early Warning Early Response System set up in the Commission with support from the UNDP and other CSOs has helped in identifying the threats to peace”.
Dr. Momale expressed delight that today many of the conflict-prone areas are no longer witnessing violence, even as efforts are ongoing to build social harmony that will ensure enduring peace and stability in all parts of the State.
“The Metropolitan cities of Kaduna, Zaria, and Kafanchan are now peaceful and vibrant, as we are optimistic that full and total reintegration across the ethnic and religious divides will soon be the hallmark of our urban and rural areas”.
“A key challenge facing the State is the nefarious activities of criminal gangs who are orchestrating varying degrees of violence against citizens”, he noted.
While noting the difficulties associated with controlling the activities of armed groups, the KSPC Executive Chairman called on the Federal and State Governments to devote sufficient financial resources, technology, and human capital to bring the activities to an end.
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| A cross-section of participants |
“In this pursuit, the security agencies can leverage on the expertise of the Commission in mobilizing citizens in the ongoing efforts towards ending the menace of violent crimes”.
He informed that the Commission and stakeholders will work to prepare a roadmap for sustainable peace and social harmony in Kaduna State under the 2023 2027 Strategic Plan.
Explaining the plan, Saleh Momale said, “The Strategic Plan will serve as the guiding document for peaceful and harmonious relations taking into cognizance that Kaduna State is among the most diverse in terms of ethnic, religious, political and socio-economic pursuits, and unless these diversities are adequately understood and positively exploited, they could easily be manipulated to cause social tensions and violent confrontations.
“The long-term goals intended to be achieved include functional institutions with the capacity to effectively mitigate and resolve conflicts, timely reporting and coordinated response to threats of violent and non-violent conflicts as well as amicable mediation and resolution of conflicts leading to harmonious coexistence and appreciation of diversity, he echoed.
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