By Isreal Adamu, Jos
Building on the successful establishment of State Peace Architectures across Niger, Kebbi, and Kwara states, the international peacebuilding organization, Search for Common Ground, has extended its peace initiatives to the local level with the launch of the Local Peace Architecture (LPA) in Borgu Local Government Area (LGA) of Niger State under the ECPS Project.
The ECPS Project, titled “Nigeria-Benin Border Communities Peace Initiative: Enhancing Collaboration for Peace and Security in Kebbi, Katsina, Zamfara, Kwara, and Niger States,” focuses on improving peace and security in border communities through capacity building, institutional strengthening, and cross-border collaboration.
The newly established LPA serves as a platform for peace and security, bringing together state and non-state actors to engage in regular, constructive dialogue on existing and emerging issues. Meeting monthly or bi-monthly, the platform seeks to provide actionable solutions and recommendations, ensuring early conflict warnings are addressed to prevent escalation into violence.
Inclusive Stakeholder Support
The LPA’s establishment ceremony, held in New Bussa, the headquarters of Borgu LGA, witnessed broad participation from critical state actors. These included representatives from the Borgu LGA administration, security agencies led by the Area Commander of the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigerian Army, Federal Road Safety Corps, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Nigeria Immigration Service, Nigeria Customs Service, traditional leaders, religious groups (CAN and JNI), as well as youth and women organizations.
Speaking on behalf of the Borgu LGA Chairman, Deputy Chairman Nasiru Abdullahi lauded the initiative and pledged unwavering support for the newly established LPA. He emphasized the importance of inclusivity, urging the integration of communities affected by various insecurities to create a comprehensive approach to addressing challenges in the border region.
The Area Commander of the Nigeria Police Force in Borgu, Ahmed Tanko, also expressed commitment to collaborating with Search for Common Ground and the LPA to achieve their shared objectives. He advocated for expanding the LPA to include additional stakeholders who were not initially part of the project’s design.
Search for Common Ground’s Perspective
Alfred Mangai, Media Coordinator of the ECPS Project, expressed gratitude for the robust support from stakeholders in Borgu LGA. He highlighted the critical role of the LPA in addressing both existing and emerging security issues through proactive dialogue and collaboration.
Mangai also urged members of the LPA to set aside ethnic, religious, and political biases, reaffirming that the platform seeks to promote peace and security without advancing any specific political, religious, or ethnic agenda.
The Local Peace Architecture is expected to play a pivotal role in fostering sustainable peace and ensuring the security of border communities in Niger State and beyond.
