By Gabriel Udeh, Kaduna
In a bid to boost peaceful coexistence through Dialogue and Non Violent Actions, some members of Network of Nigerian Facilitators (NNF) of the United States Institute of Peace, paid an advocacy visit to the Paramount Ruler of the Kaninkon Chiefdom, His Royal Highness, Tum Nikyob, Mal. Tanko Tete last week, in Bakin Kogi, Kaninkon Chiefdom, Jema’a Local Government, Kaduna state Nigeria.
The Project Facilitator, Sekyen Dadik, who said the visit was aimed at introducing the Network of Nigerian Facilitators and its Dialogue Project to the Traditional ruler, also solicit his blessing and support to engage community members in Goska and Dangoma Communities of his chiefdom in peace dialogues.
She said the project titled: Community Dialogue for Peace and Stability among Goska and Dangoma Communities in Kaninkon Chiefdom, Jema’a Local Government of Kaduna State seeks to engage key stakeholders through dialogue to restore trust and peaceful coexistence within the community.
His Royal Highness, Mal. Tanko Tete alongside other Council members including the Village Heads of Goska and Dangoma, the target communities for the project received the team. He appreciated them “for counting it worthy to knock on his door to inform him of the project”.
Mallam Tete assured the team of every cooperation needed from the Village Heads and the Council Members. He said, “the Chiefdom will put an eye on your project and will give our full cooperation so the aim of the project will be achieved“.
Rev. Bitrus Dangiwa, also a member of NNF reiterated that the Dialogue process targets communities with differences and they are brought to work together to proffer solutions that work for all parties to ensure lasting peace.
The Goska and Dangoma communities experienced major crises after the 2016 christmas eve attack, which led to interventions in 2017, however, pockets of attacks and counter attacks between herders and farmers persist threatening the fragile peace in the communities.
The Community Based Dialogue project which will last for a year is under the United States Institute of Peace, Network of Nigerian Facilitators‘ programme.
