Stakeholders Champion Peacebuilding, Security in Benue

From Attah Ede, Makurdi

Stakeholders in troubled communities in Benue State have  committed themselves to building peace and restoring security in their respective Local Government Areas in the state.

The commitment was reached during a one-day training on effective communication, conflict resolution and peacebuilding techniques organized by the African Initiative for Peacebuilding, Advocacy and Advancement (AfriPeace) and supported by SPRiNG.

The stakeholders unanimously agreed that there is no alternative to peace if development must thrive in their various communities, the state and Nigeria as a whole, stressing the need to champion peacebuilding and security in their areas.

A young Catholic priest, Reverend Father Peter Adikpe, in charge of Saint Peter’s Quasi Parish, Ulam in Gwer LGA, expressed optimism that peace would be restored to rural communities in Benue State.

“We are open to Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR). It’s something we have been doing, but this programme opened our eyes to certain things we did not see before now.

‘We were also made to understand the importance of communication — how we listen and pass messages can make a huge difference, rather than speaking carelessly to generate fear and anxiety,” the cleric said.

For Mohammed Danlami, a representative of the Muslim community in Oju LGA, the participants were willing to disseminate the knowledge gained from the programme to the grassroots.

“We were taught peacekeeping and how to analyse conflict and find solutions for lasting peace in society. This will help us build a crime-free society,” he said.

Chief Ogbu Onda of Oju LGA noted that the different shades of crises across rural communities require peaceful resolution.

“The benefits derived from this training have already helped me in resolving a crisis in my domain while still here. When I return home, I will put it into practice to solve common crises such as land encroachment, threats to life and kidnapping, among others,” he stated.

Anne Ochediko emphasised that the participants had learnt how to resolve conflicts without resorting to court.

“We have learnt how to resolve conflicts using ADR. It is cheaper to resolve our conflicts within ourselves through effective communication. We have learnt how to live peacefully with one another,” she said.

Anthony, a participant living with a disability, stressed the need for peace, noting that persons with disabilities (PWDs) suffer most during crises and would appreciate lasting peace at all costs.

On his part, the Coordinator of AfriPeace in Gwer West LGA, Adakole, opined that the training would help participants promote peace at every opportunity, noting that for over 15 years, there had been little development in the area due to insecurity.

“The only option we have is peace,” Adakole said.

The Programme Officer of AfriPeace, Rahab Kwaja, explained that the training was necessitated by the breakdown of social cohesion, which created fertile ground for criminal networks to exploit existing grievances through coordinated attacks, raids on communities, destruction of public infrastructure and the kidnapping of women and children.

“In response to these challenges, the African Initiative for Peacebuilding, Advocacy and Advancement (AfriPeace) is implementing a comprehensive, community-driven peacebuilding intervention in Benue and Plateau states.

“The organisation works closely with traditional institutions, women, youth, civil society groups and local authorities to address the root causes of violence while strengthening dignity, inclusion, accountability and local ownership of peace processes,” she said.

Kwaja added that the project, “Building and Strengthening Community-Level Structures and Mechanisms for Peace, Security and Justice,” was designed to respond to the multilayered nature of conflict by strengthening ADR mechanisms and other interventions to rebuild trust, reduce violence and improve response systems within vulnerable communities.