USAID trains MDAs in Gombe on conflict mitigation
The State Accountability, Transparency and Effective State to State Activity has trained 29 officers from Ministries Departments and Agencies MDAs and Civil Society Organisations CSOs, on conflict mitigation in Gombe State.
The training supported by United States Agency International Development USAID was to promote a better understanding of the key principles of dialogue and conflict mitigation, enhance the knowledge and skills of participants on conflict mitigation approaches,assist participants to develop a contextual conflict plan and provide technical support for the implementation of the conflict mitigation plan.
Introducing the State to State Activity to participants, the Gombe State Team Lead Muhammad Abubakar said the activity focuses on improvement of Basic Education, Primary Health, Water and Sanitation sectors and works with state government to ensure accountability and transparency in governance.
He said the activity conducted series of trainings for top government officers, legislators and Civil Society Organisations to build their capacities on good governance and that it intervention led to the rise of internally generated revenue for Gombe especially in the face of dwindling monthly allocation.
Facilitating the conflict mitigation sessions the State to State Conflict Advisor Danjuma Dauda said in conflict, most people act on their perceptions and experience without verifying.
He said people rushed into conclusion without hearing from both sides calling for patience and dialogue with parties involved.
“Conflict mitigation is to prevent, when you try to prevent the conflict and it is not working then you strategize to mitigate or manage in such away it does not erupt to violence.
“Treat everyone with honour and dignity, treat people justly, with equality,in an even handed way and according to agreed laws and rules.People feel that you have honoured their dignity,when you treat them without discrimination or unjustly: At the heart of the principal of fairness is the need to create a level playing for ground all,” he said.
Participants were also introduced to Gender and Social Inclusion GESI in conflict mitigation by the Specialist Mrs Mercy Filli who spoke on inclusion of especially women and people with disabilities in conflict management or peace talk.
According to Filli, “we feel there is need to integrate women men and people with disabilities PWDs into all programme activities.because they are all key players in peace building.”
The GESI specialist said the vulnerable groups are most often left out in decision making and planning calling for their inclusion.
Some of PWD participants who spoke to Periscope Nigeria include, Aishatu Salihu and Munira Ibrahim appreciated state to State for including them in the training .
“Most organisations and government do not engage us in their activities but thanks to State to State for the inclusion of PWDs that makes us very happy and that also gives us sense of belonging’
The venue of the training is also friendly to us especially for me who has challenge in walking,” they stated.
Also speaking, Director of Administration and Finance of the Gombe State Ministry of Information and Culture Mrs. Asabe Soji and a representative of the Ministry of Finance Kabiru Lamido said they were now better trained on conflict management.
Soji said “As Director of Administration and Finance most cases of conflict are brought to me for immediate attention. So, I have learnt that I should hear from all aggrieved parties before concluding on the matter. ”
According to Lamido.”I have learnt processes of conflict handling.”
