By; JACOB ONJEWU DICKSON
Southern Kaduna Farmers, pastoralists embrace peaceful means of resolving conflicts, as NGO holds dialogue in Kaduna
Farmers and pastoralists in Southern Kaduna have resolved to embracing peaceful means of resolving conflicts that might arise between them.
The resolution was taken at a One-day Inter Community Dialogue For Farmers and Pastoralists held in Kaduna on Wednesday.
The forum which attracted stakeholders from both communities, traditional, political and religious leaders from the affected communities, was organized by Search For Common Grounds Nigeria in partnership with Justice Development and Peace Commission (JDPC), with support from the United States Agency for International Development(USAID).
In an interview on the sidelines of the dialogue, representative of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) from Kachia, Reverend Chom, Isah Dang said that the dialogue was timely and would impact on Christians especially at a time like this during the Easter Season.
He said that on getting back to Southern Kaduna, he would ensure that the message of peaceful co-existence and that of forgiveness and love would be spread to the grassroots.
Also fielding questions from newsmen, Ibrahim Al-Kassim of the Jama’atul Nasril Islam (JNI), Southern Kaduna axis, stressed that it was better to live in peace than in pieces.
On the issue of settlers and indigenes, he said that the constitution was clear on the matter, that Nigerians as long as they are citizens of the country were free to be indigenes of wherever they are resident, provided they live there peacefully and contribute to its development.
Senior Programme Manager of Search For Common Ground, Sani Suleiman said that even before they sent out invitation to the participants of the dialogue, both groups had been yearning for an opportunity to sit on a round table and talk.
He explained that though differences exist between religions and ethnic groups, they should always be resolved through non-violent means.
“We are happy that the community leaders from both sides have taken responsibility and playing roles in helping communities to shy away from violence,” he added.
The Chairman Interim Management Committee of Jema’a Local Government Area, Ibrahim Leo Shekari commended the organizers for the dialogue.
On the issue of security threat on farmers that is threatening food security, he explained that the government has advised farmers who are scared of going to farms to contact security personnel to escort them.
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