Faith for Peace project co-funded by Bread for the World, and European Union implemented by TEKAN Peace Desk on Wednesday organised a one-day advocacy meeting with wives of Gombe State legislators on freedom of religion and human rights protection.
Speaking during the engagement to discuss the outcomes and sustainability of the initiative, Hajiya Maryam Sadam, wife of the Deputy Speaker of the Gombe State House of Assembly, encouraged the legislative wives to apply the insights gained from the meeting.
She urged participants to leverage on their close community ties to further promote peacebuilding, religious tolerance, democracy, and human rights in Gombe State and Nigeria.
Sadam said, “Let’s endeavour to take the message of peacebuilding, democracy, human rights and religious tolerance to our husbands because we are closer to them.
“This is in a bid to take necessary action during their plenary sessions at the house of Assembly.”
While commending TEKAN Peace Desk for their efforts in promoting peace and religious tolerance, she added “the project has been impactful and beneficial towards sustenance of peace and promotion of religious tolerance in Gombe State.”
PERISCOPE NIGERIA reports that TEKAN Peace Desk’s “Faith for Peace” project, aimed at promoting peacebuilding, human rights, democracy, and religious tolerance, is approaching its final stages in Gombe State. The over two-year initiative, has been implemented across three senatorial zones which include Kwami, Billiri, and Yamaltu-Deba local government areas LGAs impacting a total of six communities.
As the project nears its projected conclusion in September or October 2025, Coordinator of TEKAN Peace Desk, Helen Haggai disclosed that the project has recorded significant progress, despite facing some challenges, including delays in participant attendance and minor implementation gaps. She credited the project’s success to a structured, time-bound plan and consistent support from partners.
“We are deeply grateful to our partners for their timely and continued support, which made the smooth implementation of this project possible,” Haggai said.
One of the major outcomes of the initiative is a policy brief developed with key recommendations for enhancing peace and tolerance in the state. The brief has already been submitted to the Gombe State House of Assembly for consideration, with hopes that it will lead to the enactment of new laws or the strengthening of existing policies on peacebuilding and interfaith relations.
Haggai also called for extended funding to expand the project to additional LGAs that have not yet benefited. She noted a measurable difference between the communities involved in the program and control areas, emphasising the project’s positive impact.
With its conclusion drawing near, the “Faith for Peace” project stands as a testament to the power of local engagement and collaborative effort in fostering lasting peace and development in Gombe State.
