From Noah Ocheni, Lokoja
The Secretary to Kogi State Government, Dr. Mrs Folashade Arike on Tuesday in Lokoja inaugurated the State Conflict Management Alliance ((SCOMA) with a call on the People to seek and embrace peace as a panacea to sustainable development.
Arike gave the charge at the inauguration of the State Conflict Management Alliance (SCOMA), convaned by ACTIONA/ Participation Initiative for Behavioural Change in Development (PIBCID).
Arike who described conflict as a necessary evil especially when people live together, however urged people to learn to forgive one another towards managing conflicts.
The Secretary to the State Government who was represented at the occasion by Mr. Benjamin Ajodo, Director, Cabinet and Special Services, described peace as a non negotiable aspect of living.
She described ability to manage conflict by the present administration as the reasons for the relative peace being enjoyed by the people commended Gov. Yahaya Bello for making security of lives and property his priority.
Earlier in her opening remarks, Halima Oiza Sadiq, Executive Director, Participation Initiative for Behavioural Change in Development (PIBCID), said SCOMA creates a platform for strengthening measures to tackle and respond to violent extremism.
She described peace as the basis for the socio economic development of any nation, saying, SCOMA aims at encouraging broad societal participation and oversight of conflict Management mechanism.
In his brief overview of SCOMA, Afeduntan Adesina Adewale, Manager, Social Mobilization, Actionaid, said the alliance when implemented will ensure inclusiveness of constructive engagement between groups towards ensuring accountability and feedback on security processes.
He added that SCOMA aims to equally improve capacity and effectiveness of Communities and relevant institutions to respond to violence and to promote peaceful coexistence.
Adewale noted that the expected outcomes of SCOMA helps to coordinate early warning and response mechanism, adding “it will lead to better coordination, improve professionalism, build trust and confidence, and it allows better understanding of information flow about underlying and triggers of conflict in the state.”
Highlight of the event was the inauguration of the Kogi State 32 Man SCOMA Committee, headed by the Secretary to the State Government as Chairman.
Other members of the committee where drawn from the traditional institution, persons with disability, tertiary institutions, women and youth organisations, the State Assembly, Farmers and Market Association, and other critical stakeholders formed part of the committee.
