Stakeholders from conflict prone communities in Benue State have pledged to promote peace and restore security across their respective Local Government Areas as they insist that development cannot thrive without lasting peace.
The commitment was made during a one-day training on effective communication, conflict resolution and peacebuilding organised by the African Initiative for Peacebuilding, Advocacy and Advancement (AfriPeace) with support from SPRiNG.
Participants at the training agreed that peace remains the only viable option for sustainable development at community, state and national levels, stressing the need for collective action to address insecurity.
Speaking on the sidelines of the event, Reverend Father Peter Adikpe of Saint Peter’s Quasi Parish, Ulam in Gwer LGA, expressed optimism that peace would return to rural communities in the state.
“We are open to Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR). This programme has broadened our understanding, especially on communication. How we speak and listen can either calm tension or create fear and anxiety,” he said.
Mohammed Danlami, representing the Muslim community in Oju LGA, said participants were ready to transfer the knowledge gained to the grassroots.
“We were taught peacekeeping, conflict analysis and practical solutions for lasting peace. This will help in building a crime-free society,” he noted.
Chief Ogbu Onda of Oju LGA said the training had already helped him address a crisis in his community.
“I have applied what I learnt here to resolve a conflict. When I return home, I will continue to use these methods to address issues like land encroachment, threats to life and kidnapping,” he said.
Anne Ochediko said the training showed participants how to resolve disputes without resorting to litigation.
“ADR is cheaper and more effective. We have learnt how to handle disputes through communication and live peacefully with one another,” she said.
Anthony, a participant living with a disability, stressed that persons with disabilities suffer the most during crises and called for sustained peace efforts.
The AfriPeace Coordinator in Gwer West LGA, Adakole, said insecurity had stalled development in the area for over 15 years, noting that peace remained the only solution.
“The only option we have is peace,” he said.
AfriPeace Programme Officer, Rahab Kwaja, explained that the training was necessitated by the breakdown of social cohesion, which had enabled criminal networks to exploit grievances through attacks, raids, destruction of public infrastructure and kidnappings.
She said AfriPeace was implementing a community-driven peacebuilding intervention in Benue and Plateau states, working with traditional institutions, women, youth, civil society groups and local authorities.
Kwaja added that the project, “Building and Strengthening Community-Level Structures and Mechanisms for Peace, Security and Justice,” aimed to strengthen ADR mechanisms, rebuild trust, reduce violence and improve response systems in vulnerable communities.
