By John Okeke
The Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR) has taken its peace building sensitization campaign for Nigerian youths to Katsina State.
Speaking during a courtesy call on the Emir of Daura, His Royal Highness, Umar Faruk Umar at the emir’s palace in Daura, Katsina state, the Director General of the Institute, Dr. Bakut Bakut said the Institute as the foremost think-tank on peace and conflict prevention in Nigeria is committed to peace building and conflict prevention for sustainable development.
The sensitization campaign in partnership with the Member representing Daura, Mai’adua and Sandamu, Federal Constituency, Katsina State, Hon. Fatahu Muhammed was targeted at the youths on peace building in Daura, Mai’adua and Sandamu local government areas in the State.
Dr. Bakut who had earlier visited Mai’adua and Sandamu local government areas told the Emir that the Institute recognize the important role played by the traditional and religious institutions as agents of change and public enlightenment especially in peace building and conflict resolution in their immediate communities and the country at large.
He therefore appealed to traditional and religious institutions in the country to partner with the Institute to find lasting solutions to the myriad of contemporary security challenges bedevilling the nation. “we are here to solicit your support as our royal fathers in charting a path for the restoration of peace and harmony in conflict areas and the nation at large.”
While interacting with Stakeholders during the sensitization workshop, Dr. Bakut called on the youths and women to live in peace with one another, adding that without peace, there would be no development, noting that conflict discourages investment which consequently leads to poverty. He therefore called on the youths to engage themselves in community services as part of their contribution to nation building.
Responding the Emir of Daura, Alh. Umar Faruk Umar commended the Director General IPCR Dr. Bakut Bakut and the Hon. Fatahu Muhammed for initiating the laudable peace building programme for youths in the constituency.
He assured them of his Emirate’s continued support of issues that would promote peace and development in Katsina State in particular and Nigeria in general.
Also speaking at the event, the APC women leader, Sandamu Local government Area, Mrs. Fatimah Shazali emphasized on the need for women as building blocks of the society to support all peace building efforts as they are always at the receiving end of violence. She also appreciated Hon. Muhammed Fatahu for partnering with IPCR to organize peace building workshop in their localities.
In his address earlier, special Assistant to the Katsina State Governor on sport, Ahmed Abubakar Adidas urged women and youths to embrace peace and harmony as no development takes place without peace and tranquillity.
