IN its bid to minimise clashes in Plateau’s rural areas, an NGO, Unique Center for Peace Building and Trauma Healing (UCPT), has organised a training on peace building mechanisms for Iregwe and Fulani community leaders in Bassa.

According to Mr Mugu Zaka, Executive Director of UCPT, the training, which is organised in collaboration with King Abdulah Bin Abdulaziz International Centre for Inter-religious and Intercultural Dialogue (KAICIID), will focus on traditional modes of resolving disagreements.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Iregwe communities have been hit by violent communal clashes believed to be caused by disagreements between farmers and herdsmen.

“We want to find a lasting solution to the crises; we believe that brutal force cannot end the violence. We want the people to see the need to resolve their issues amicably as they did in the past,” Zaka said.

He said that efforts would also be made to unite and reconcile the warring communities using tested mechanisms of team work and social cohesion.

“We intend to let them understand that no society will develop without peace and tranquility. It is also good for them to know that if we really need peace, we must embrace dialogue,” he said.

Zaka emphasised the need for mutual respect among the people, urging them to respect each other’s values and beliefs.

He said that the exercise would seek to build mutual trust among the rural dwellers by encouraging more interaction that will boost mutual confidence,” he said.

NAN reports that the training, which is part of UCPT fellowship programme with KAICIID, has participants from Fulani and Iregwe speaking members of the community. (NAN)

– Sept. 13, 2018 @ 16:55 GMT |