Southern Kaduna: Peace Must Go Beyond Containing Trouble Spots – Rev. Pam

The convener of ‘A 3-Day Peace Summit in Southern Kaduna, Rev. Yakubu Pam has said that government’s efforts towards achieving peace must go beyond the initial phase of containing trouble spots by paying adequate attention and investment towards conflict prevention and management which underscores the importance of the peace in the society.

This is as he also said that peace is a gift of mankind to each other thus cannot be given by magic.

Pam, who is the Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC), stated these in Kafanchan on Tuesday at the Peace Summit to foster harmony and peace amongst the citizenry of Southern Kaduna, adding that the reason for the gathering of who is who is to discuss the way forward for Southern Kaduna towards facilitating a peace process through dialogue and negotiations as well as enhanced participation and cooperation amongst all participating stakeholders.

He said with deep sense of concern that his heart bleeds whenever he hears about killings and banditry taking place anywhere in the world especially its effects on the most vulnerable groups.

In his words; “Peace is not given by magic, it is a gift of mankind to each other. It is those who give peace that have peace. Peace is a two-way street. To receive peace, you have to give peace”.

Pam further said that forgiveness is key for an enduring peace anywhere in the world, adding that Southern Kaduna is not an exception and therefore urged aggrieved persons to forgive those that caused them pain.

The Peace Summit convener also said that love is an act of endless forgiveness, saying; “it is not easy to forgive, but remind yourself that harbouring the resentment will only aggravate your pains”.

The NCPC boss noted that conflict is an inevitable fact of human existence, adding however that if properly understood and managed effectively, it can improve both the satisfaction and productivity of social relationships”.

The theme of the three day peace summit is “The De Escalation of conflict in Southern Kaduna and the way forward”.

Personalities that presented papers on conflict resolutions at the Summit include the Executive Secretary of Tertiary Education Trust Fund TETFUND Prof. Suleiman Elias Bogoro among others.

The peace summit is expected to be rounded off on September 10, with a communique for implementation.