Presidential Committee on North East Initiative (PCNI) on Tuesday commenced its one week training of judicial officers and traditional rulers in Taraba on peace building and traditional justice system.
Declaring the training open Gov Darius Ishaku of Taraba urged the people of the state to instill mutual trust and understanding among themselves to create ways for peace and coexistence.
Represented by the Permanent Secretary Bureau for Local and Chieftaincy Affairs, Alhaji Bello Yero, Ishaku said the mutual distrust among the people of the state was behind the constant crisis within the localities of the state.
He call on the Imams in the workshop to use their Mosque to preach Peace, unity and tolerance to their followers in other to create closeness between the two major religions (Christians and Muslims) in the state.
The governor also urge the traditional rulers in the state to advice their subjects to monitor the youths in their domains so as to discourage drug abuse and political thuggery among the youths at the time the country is heading to general election.
He call on the Lower Court Judges at the workshop to step up modalities that would bring traditional justice and accurate peaceful resolution while they deliver judgements in their various areas to avoid disharmony and distrust on the judicial system.
Dr Shekarau Agyu, the Aku Uka of Wukari and Chairman, Taraba tradition council said their palaces had become internally displaced (IDPs) camps due to incessant crisis.
Represented by the Dr Shehu Baju, the Chief of Mambilla, Angyu expressed hope that with the training, the chiefs and judicial officers would do their best in ensuring justice and peace to all.
“If you see the level of crisis these days, it is becoming technical and required good skills to tackle it.
“That is why this training is very important for all the chiefs, Imams and judicial officers for effective justice administration, he said.
Earlier in his address, the vice chairman PCNI, Mr Tijani Tumsah, said the main aim of the workshop was to bring the stakeholders together to play a role of mediators with the aim of reconciling differences, settling disputes and ensuring the fabric of the society to remain intact.
He employed the participants of the workshop to make judicious use of the opportunity of the training which they will acquire in the five day program.
