By John Okeke
The Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR) at the weekend takes peacebuilding campaign to Zango Kataf/Jaba Federal Constituency, in Kaduna state.
The campaign which was led by the Director General of IPCR, Dr Bakut Tswah Bakut, who represent President Muhammadu Buhari was in partnership with Hon. Amos Gwamna Magaji, a member representing Zango Kataf/Jaba Federal Constituency Kaduna State.
Director General met with four traditional rulers of Zango Kataf/Jaba Federal Constituency. The four traditional rulers were, Agwam Bajju, Nuhu Bature, Ngbair Fadan Kamantan, Mr. Adanu Alkali, Agwam Kamuru, Mr. Yohanna Sidi Kuka and Agwam Atak-Njei, Mr. Dominic Gambo Yahaya.
Underscoring the importance of IPCR established in the year 2000, Bakut told the traditional rulers that the objective of the Institute is to address conflict not only in Nigeria, but in other Africa countries.
He told the traditional rulers that it’s only the agency that has the mandate to look into issues of conflict and also advise federal government on the way forward.
He said: “The Institute is established as an intellectual base to support government in its task of promoting a culture of peace and peaceful conflict management.”
The DG added that the Institute is charged with the mandate to provide relevant information and regular advice to government in peace negotiation and settlement of conflict.
Bakut pointed out that without peace there would be no meaningful development, noting that conflicts have led to the destruction of lives and properties. He said government gave the Institute the task to preach peace, “that is why we have to talk to our people about peace.”
Responding, Agwam Bajju, Nuhu Bature appreciated President muhammadu Buhari, the Director General and the Honourable member for working towards ensuring there is peaceful co-existence in their area.
Ngbair Fadan Kamantan, Mr. Adanu Alkali, also said if there is anything the nation needs at the moment is peace. A nation without peace, will not have meaningful development. “We need peace in this nation, nothing can be more appreciated than peace” he said.
Agwam Kamuru, Mr. Yohanna Sidi Kuka, who spoke in Hausa language said that without peace, Nigeria as a nation cannot go anywhere, “with what we have been going through we need this campaign.”, he said
Agwam Atak-Njei, Mr. Dominic Gambo Yahaya, explained to the DG that traditional institutions spent 80 percent of its time in the resolution of conflicts, adding that their role is related to what IPCR is doing.
During the peace building training for community stakeholders of the Constituency, Honourable Magaji, who was represented by Barrister Timmy Kambai, said that peace is the foundation of everything, adding that people discuss peace without looking at the issues that brought conflict, which is injustice.
He emphasized that one of the promised made by the lawmaker was that there will be peace and tranquility in the Constituency.
The Director General IPCR, who also spoke at the stakeholders’ training, said that “there is need for us to have peace as that is the desire of Mr. President, who approved the request of the Honourable member to fulfill his promises to his people, particularly to have peace in his community”.
The DG explained that peace must go hand in hand with justice, adding that human dignity must be respected. He explained that the training is to understand the importance of peace and how to avoid conflict.
The resource person at the event, Dr. Ayuba Caleb, Principal Research Fellow, IPCR explained that peace is fundamental to the growth of a people. He said peace can be positive or negative. He said that positive peace is when inclusive governance is promoted, while negative peace is when privileges are denied and the people forced to keep quiet.
