Stakeholders Unite For Reconciliation In Southern Kaduna

BY AMOS TAUNA, KADUNA – Communities in Southern Kaduna have agreed to forge a common goal towards the restoration of peace and understanding in the area in spite of the incessant killings that led to the destruction of lives and property between farmers and Fulani herdsmen.
They have also agreed to eschew bitterness and promised to be their brother’s keepers by ensuring continuous consultations among themselves for a harmonious relationship.
The area had in recent times witnessed unimaginable destruction of lives and property as a result of misunderstanding between the natives and Fulani herdsmen causing a major setback in all ramifications in Southern Kaduna.
In a peace and reconciliatory meeting organized by Global Peace Foundation Nigeria (GPFN), in Kafanchan, Jema’a Local Government Area of Kaduna State on Thursday, the gathering had in attendance Southern Kaduna Peoples’ Union (SOKAPU), Miyetti Allah Breeders Association (MACBAN), Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI), Jema’a Foundation, Youth organizations, Mobgal Fulbe Development Association and other community leaders affected during the recent insecurity that erupted the area.
The National President of SOKAPU, Barr. Solomon Musa, said the people of the area are known to be hospitable, thereby resulting in the presence of the different ethnic groups residing in the area for years. He assured that SOKAPU would continue to embrace humanity and urged all ethnic groups in the area to always discuss issues that will be in the overall interest of Southern Kaduna.
He assured that SOKAPU would continue to support and defend anybody in the area, irrespective of any difference that is unjustly treated within and outside Southern Kaduna.
In his own remarks, leader of Miyetti Allah Breeders Association, Alhaji Haruna Usman, regretted the recent destruction of lives and property that took place, stressing that as one family under God, there was the need for those living in Southern Kaduna to be fair to one another and embrace one another for peace and sustainable development.
Speaking along the same line, the leader of the Christian Association of Nigeria in the area, Venerable John Bwakwot and his Jama’atu Nasril Islam counterpart, Alhaji Barau Abdul, called on all and sundry to forget the past with the aim of ensuring the realization of the message of understanding and friendship among the people of Southern Kaduna.
The affected communities in the recent crises threw their weight behind efforts made by Global Peace Foundation Nigeria in ensuring lasting peace among the different ethnic groups in Southern Kaduna by forgiving one another of all that took place.
However, various speakers at the meeting stressed the need for regular consultations among the various communities with the view to identifying any unforeseen circumstance and ensure they are guided with the spirit of forgiveness, tolerance, love and understanding.
The Country Director of GPFN, Mr. John Oko, while expressing joy with the new development in Southern Kaduna, thanked God Almighty for the initiatives by stakeholders towards finding a common ground for resolving their differences through dialogue.
The northern coordinators of GPFN, Rev Joseph John Hayab and Sheikh Halliru Abdullahi Mairaya, expressed gratitude with the level of understanding, love and perseverance shown by the various stakeholders by embracing one another in the spirit of oneness.