Politics
A Non-Government Organisation (NGO), Mercy Corps, has advised Plateau Government to leverage on existing structures set up by various NGOs working in the state to resolve violent conflicts in communities.
Mrs Fatima Suleiman, the Resource Person for the organisation, gave the advice at the end of a 3-day meeting with stakeholders in Bokkos.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the meeting was part of activities for the wrap-up of its ”Community Initiatives to Promote Peace” project in the state.
The project, implemented in Ryom, Barkin Ladi , Bassa and Bokkos Local Government Areas of Plateau, lasted for four years.
Suleiman explained that NGOs had over the years built the capacity of women, youths, traditional, religious and community leaders, particularly in the areas of conflict resilience and management.
She said that women constituted a larger part of the structure established by Mercy Corps, aimed at fostering peace and promoting a safer environment for all.
“Over time, the various structures have improve the capacity to report conflicts and also provide solutions to conflicts issues.
”Various NGOs have provided impactful training to various groups in the state; the knowledge from these trainings are sustainable.
”The state government can use these groups to resolve the present skirmishes in various parts of the state; we have both Christians and Muslims in all the groups discussing and resolving conflicts issues
“For instance, the recent protest by women in Bokkos was brought under control by their leaders,” she said.
Speaking on behalf of the Plateau Chapter of Women Wing of Christian Association of Nigeria (WOWICAN), Mrs Grace Inuwa, urged women to pay close attention and ensure proper upbringing of their children.
”By so doing, nobody will easily use them to perpetrate violence in the community,”she said.
Inuwa, however, called on the government to introduce initiatives toward engaging the youths in viable ventures.
Haj. Kaltume Awalu, the Amira of FOMWAN in the state, called on both Muslims and Christians to be peaceful, tolerant, loving and promote social cohesion at all times.
On her part, Felicia Emereuwa, the Vice -Chairperson FIDA in Plateau, decried the vulnerability of women and girls during conflicts, and called on the government to fashion out ways toward ending the circle of violence in the state.
Mr Lukas Mallai, the Youth leader of the locality, attributed the root cause of violence conflicts, particularly among the youths, to high intake of illicit drugs
Mallai, who thanked mercy corps for impacting in the people, also urged parent to pay close attention to their children, adding that such move would address youths restiveness and other vices that usually lead to conflicts.(NAN)
F.A
April 21, 2024
Tags: structures
