…Youth, women vital to peacebuilding process – CATAI
Amid persistent sporadic attacks by Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists in parts of Borno State, the Shehu of Bama has appealed to the Federal Government to deploy more troops and supply modern weapons to security forces operating in his domain.
Alhaji Umar Kyari Umar El-Kanemi made the call during an event organised by the Center for Advocacy, Transparency and Accountability Initiative (CATAI), in partnership with JAMI AL-HAKEEM and with support from the UNDP-PBF project, to commemorate the International Day of Peace in Bama at the weekend.
Represented by the District Head of Saur, Kaka Mallam Kaigama, the monarch commended the Nigerian military for the successes recorded so far in counter-insurgency operations but stressed that more still needs to be done.
He said: “Bama town was worst hit by insurgents, but we thank God for the measure of peace and security restored to our domain through the efforts of the military and the prayers of our religious leaders. We urge the Federal Government to support the security agencies with more troops and weapons to enable them tackle the terrorists.”
The Shehu also called on other traditional rulers in the state to support the security agencies in the fight against insurgency, noting that “security is everybody’s business.”
He commended the organizers of the event for what he described as laudable initiatives tailored to peacebuilding and fostering communal cooperation against terror.
Speaking at the event, the Executive Director of CATAI, Sadiq Abubakar, said the commemoration of World Peace Day was aimed at fostering unity, raising awareness on peaceful coexistence, and highlighting the active role of youth and women in local peacebuilding.
“The event is expected to deepen community awareness on peace values, empower participants to take ownership of local initiatives, and serve as a catalyst for sustained dialogue in Bama,” Abubakar said.
He added that the program would also “raise visibility of grassroots peacebuilding efforts supported under the PBF-UNDP project, inspiring similar actions in other conflict-affected areas of Northeast Nigeria.”
According to him, the initiative was designed to showcase cultural and peacebuilding efforts, strengthen collaboration among stakeholders, and provide a platform for participants to share experiences and propose solutions to community challenges.
The event brought together youth, women, traditional leaders, and community-based groups to reflect on the importance of peace, dialogue, and reconciliation in a community that has long been affected by conflict and instability.
