Southern Kaduna: CAN suggest dialogue with Fulani to end killngs
(A cross section of participants shortly after the make-meeting conveyed by GPFN held in Kafanchan on Wednesday)
//Richard Pius, Kafanchan, Northwest Nigeria//
Again, indigenous Tribes in the troubled Southern part of Kaduna State have agreed to come to a round table with the indigenous Fulanis of the area and dialogue on how best to end the crisis in that part of the State.
This was part of the resolutions reached after a Non-governmental Organization “Global Peace Foundation Nigeria” (GPFN) met with over sixty (60) representatives of native tribes and Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) on a Conflict Management, Resolution and Transformation consultation meeting held at St. John’s Hall in Kachia yesterday.
Speaking at the occasion, the Country Director GPFN, John Oko explained that, the purpose of organizing the meeting was to mediate in the peace-building process of the area as a result of the incessant attacks which he noted was in line with the Foundation’s vision of “One Family Under God” campaign.
It could be recalled that the Foundation had earlier met with indigenous Fulanis of the area on the same basis and urged them to feel free and air their grievances and also suggest ways they consider feasible in resolving the conflict.
Speaking on the theme of the meeting “Active involvement of Southern Kaduna Natives in peace-building process”, the Northern co-coordinators GPFN, Rev. John Joseph Hayab and Sheikh Halliru Abdullahi Maraya said, no society can live in peace except the people agree to bury their differences and tolerate one another.
They advised the people to always seek to address their problems through dialogue instead of resolving to destruction of lives and property which may not be the solution to the persistent problem.
Contributing, the Secretary Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Kaduna State Chapter, Rev. Sunday Ibrahim advised security personnel’s to be more proactive in responding to the plight of the people instead of being reactive.
Speaking through the Head of Administration, Haruna Michael, CAN re-echoed commitment to dialogue in resolving the crisis through reverting to the old order of their relationship with the Fulanis, which he noted can only be achieved in a round table.