By Terna Chikpa, Jalingo
The Wukari, Takum and Ussa communities of Taraba State have signed a peace document initiated by the Gideon and Funmi Para-Mallam Peace Foundation, to end ethnic clashes.
PERISCOPE NIGERIA reports that the Gideon & Funmi Para-Mallam Peace Foundation, a non-governmental organisation, supported by the British High Commission Abuja, through the Foreign Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) UK, had in September, 2024, commenced a six months peace awareness and sensitization campaign to mitigate crisis in Wukari, Takum and Ussa, local government areas of Taraba state.
Our correspondent gathered that the “Project Zaman Lafiya, Taraba” was designed to sensitise stakeholders on early warning and early response to crisis motivated issues, forster mutual understanding, strengthen collaboration and facilitate reconciliation among different ethnic and religious groups in the local governments for peaceful coexistence.
This is due to the persistent ethnic and farmers headers crisis especially in the southern part of Taraba state.
Signing the peace accord in Jalingo over the weekend, the CEO, of the foundation, Rev. Dr. Gideon Para-Mallam commended stakeholders for their cooperation during the project.
Rev. Para-Mallam informed that the communities shall henceforth, explore non-violent options, rather dialogue in resolving all contentious issues of conflict between them.
“They are to work to restore the fractured social fabrics in their communities and continue to promote peace and harmonious coexistence among the diverse ethnic and religious groups in Takam, Ussa and Wukari LGAs, in seeking for healing, forgiveness and reconciliation.
“The undersigned representatives of the LGAs are committed to promote peace, understanding and cooperation in communities across Taraba state as peace ambassadors, promote the ideals of peaceful and harmonious coexistence among diverse ethnic and religious groups,” the CEO mandated.
Earlier, Mr David Snelling, a Human Rights Officer of the British High Commission Abuja, assured the commission’s continues peace support in Taraba and Nigeria.
Snelling emphasised the need for a sustainable peace and ethno-religious tolerance. He also commended community leaders for their efforts, and encourage them to sustain the advocacy for peace.
Meanwhile, the community representatives thanked Gideon and Funmi Para-Mallam Foundation for the initiative, and the British High Commission for the support.
They pledged continuous advocacy for peace to attract development and harmonious co-existence among ethnic and religious lines in the Taraba State.
