The Kukah Centre, in partnership with the Global Right non-governmental organization, convened a high-level town hall meeting on Tuesday with the aim of fostering peace and security in North Western Nigeria.
Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah, the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese and a key participant in the event, emphasized the importance of addressing recent events in the region. He attributed the insecurity in the country to factors such as sectionalism, fanaticism, injustice, and religious intolerance.
Bishop Kukah stressed the need for a better understanding of religion when dealing with societal issues and urged stakeholders to unite against the menace, as insecurity is not bound by religious affiliations. He also emphasized the role of effective communication and dialogue facilitated by the government in resolving these challenges.
Sokoto State Governor, Dr. Ahmed Aliyu, represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Religious Affairs, Alhaji Abubakar Toronkawa, affirmed his administration’s commitment to peace promotion through youth and women empowerment, job creation, and frequent security meetings.
The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, represented by Dr. Muhammad Jabbi Kilgore, highlighted factors like bad governance, injustice, and inequality contributing to insecurity. He called for fairness in governance and accountability among leaders.
The Sokoto State Commissioner of Police, Ali Hayattu Kaigama, affirmed the police’s commitment to peace through community policing and collaboration with other security agencies.
Stakeholders present at the event underscored institutional failures as key contributors to security challenges, mentioning corruption, economic hardships, poverty, and unemployment. They condemned vigilante justice and advocated for respecting the rule of law.
This collaborative effort between the Kukah Centre and Global Right aims to foster a united front in addressing security concerns in the region, focusing on building dialogue and understanding among various stakeholders.
