By; AMOS TAUNA, Kaduna
In continuation of her peace building process in Kagoro Chiefdom, Global Peace Foundation (GPFN) Nigeria took another step forward with the formation and inauguration of the Kagoro Peace and Reconciliation Committee alongside other sub-committees.
This was informed by the belief that only by the people taking ownership of the peace-building processes themselves can there be sincere commitment for peace and harmony.
GPFN therefore, provided the platform which was best described by the elected chairman of the committee as “the gathering of the cloud with rain when all efforts to put off the inferno on a thatched roof have failed.”
The event which took place on December 6, 2022 at the Kagoro Town Hall in Kagoro town, was graciously attended by representatives of the Kagoro traditional council, religious leaders, people living with disabilities, men, women and youth from various communities within the chiefdom.
Addressing participants at the event, Rev John Joseph Hayab, the Country Director of GPFN represented by Abdul Ahmed, the Programme Manager of the organization, narrated the success stories recorded by the formation of the Southern Kaduna Peace and Reconciliation Committee, as well as those of Zangon Kataf and Kauru Peace and Reconciliation Committees.
He therefore, stressed that if given the same commitment, this one can yield even better result in the restoration of peaceful coexistence in Kagoro chiefdom.
Speaking further, Hayab charged the people particularly those who would be selected to serve in any of the committees to see it as a divine assignment and as a form of service to humanity.
He however, warned that selection and nomination should be devoid of religious sentiments and any other form of parochial divides.
Next was the nomination and selection of the committee members by the people which reflected lack of bias as both Christians and Muslims, young and old as well as people living with disabilities were duly represented.
Aside the Kagoro Peace & Reconciliation Committee, other sub-committees such as the Quick Response & Mediation, Research & Development as well as Emergency & Relief Sub-Committees were also constituted and inaugurated.
In his acceptance speech, the Chairman of the Peace and Reconciliation Committee, Mr. Kambai Sule expressed gratitude to God and appreciated GPFN for this laudable initiative.
He also thanked the people for selecting him to lead this assignment which he described as the best in his life time. He added that peace is what they all want irrespective of their religious inclinations or ethnicity because without peace, everything is useless.
He pledged that his team will work tirelessly and without reservations to see that all forms of divides and differences in the chiefdom are wiped away.
In conclusion, Mr. Kambai charged all participants to join hands with the committee members for the return of peace and harmony. He added that they all must start from their respective homes and immediate communities.
As a way of kick starting their assignment, the committee chairman said preparatory to the return of the famous “AFAN NATIONAL FESTIVAL” that has not been observed in the recent past owing to insecurity concerns, an inter-religious prayer session would soon be held.
He assured the people that all socio-cultural, economical and religious activities would soon return in the chiefdom.
The joy of the community over the laudable feat knows no bound as expressed by some of the community members.
Mrs. Christiana Iliya who spoke said “the people of Kagoro have accepted today that the Hausas and the Fulani are part of us and we need each other. We are happy and our king is happy.”
Phoebe Daniel who spoke on behalf of the people living with disabilities said “ we are the most vulnerable people in the society in crisis situations but are never considered in the scheme of things when security issues are discussed but the coming of GPFN has brought something different and we are grateful.”
Hardo Shuaibu Abdullahi who is the vice chairman of the inaugurated Peace and Reconciliation Committee said his people are part of this chiefdom, so, when peace has its way, they are very happy. He concluded that “I am so happy to be part of this project and I promise to be sincerely committed in all the effort to bring back peace to this land.”
The Kagoro Peace and Reconciliation Committee is expected to liaise with the traditional council, local government authority, the security agencies and the office of the Global Peace Foundation, Nigeria in carrying out its assignment.
