The Centre for Peace and Conflict Management of the University of Jos in collaboration with the Royal Netherlands Embassy in
Nigeria has organized another in the series of peace advocacy visits to some communities in Jos North Local Government Area.
The programme designed to promote peaceful coexistence is a follow-up to similar visits to some communities sometime back.
An official of the centre Mr. Obadiah Samuel told Unijos Echo, that the programme is targeted at communities that have borne most of the brunt of crisis to get to know their experiences, grievances and developmental challenges that has created a form of frustration in them.
He said the centre had engaged various group such as the media, youth, women, security agents, to help in preaching peace but that it has not yielded much results hence a focus on people at the community level. “If they are enlightened and they are able to stand their grounds against violence, this will help in distorting the plans and manipulations of entrepreneurs, politicians and individuals who want to instigate crisis for their selfish interest”, he stressed.
Samuel added that Rikkos, Fillin-Ball, Nasarawa and Tinna Junction communities were the target of the current visit adding that Angwan Rogo, Jenta Adamu and Angwan Rukuba communities were visited earlier.
During the various visits the team engaged women, youth, elders, religious and community leaders to hear their point of views concerning the crisis, its causes and the way forward. Reports gathered from this exercise are to be compiled and sent to appropriate quarters such as government at all levels, international partners, etc. for action.
By Kehinde Mefolere (400 Level)
