Conflict Resolution: Kukah Centre Partners Taraba University Peace Centre
BY AMEH IDUJAGI, JALINGO – The Kukah Centre (TKC), has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with The Institute of Peace Studies and Conflict Management (IPSCM) of the Taraba State University, Jalingo to tackle conflicts in the state and beyond.
The MOU signing was the high point of a one day conference by the Kukah Centre in partnership with (IPSCM), that was supported by the Department of International Development (DFID), UK on ensuring sustainable peace and development in Taraba.
Speaking at the occasion, the Director of Kukah Centre, Dr Attah Barkindo, said the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Most Rev Dr Matthew Kukah established the Centre in 2008 to raise funds to conduct research that would turn out results that would help build a peaceful society.
Barkindo said that it was unfortunate that the entire North East region with a population of over 30 million people does not have a functional company that can employ up to 5,000 people.
He urged the young to stop drugs, violence and blind support for politicians without vision for development of the society.
In his own remarks, the Director of the Institute of Peace Studies and Conflict Management (IPSCM), Taraba State University, Prof Talla Ngaraka, said the centre is happy to have an understanding with the Kukah Centre which already has a global outlook.
Ngaraka noted that the MOU is the major move by IPSCM to effectively carry out peace management.
For the Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof Vincent Tenebe, who was represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Administration, Dr Nicholas Nimesan, the MOU would help the university to contribute better to a peaceful Taraba and the nation.
Fr Justine Dyikuk, a fellow of the Kukah Centre and Dr Deji Abdulsalami of the Taraba State University, who presented papers at the occasion, urged the people to embrace alternative dispute resolution for a better society.
Forefront News reports that religious leaders, traditional rulers, lecturers, security agents, women groups and students attended the event.
