FLASH POINT

By Shehu Yahaya

Kaduna state Governor  Senator Uba Sani, has unveiled the Women Peace and Security Action (KAD-SAP WPSII) and Youth Peace and Security Action Plan (KAD-SAP YPS) documents.

Governor Sani attributed this move to the commitment of government towards achieving sustainable peace building process in the state.

Speaking at a symposium organized by a Consortium of 37 organizations in Kaduna to mark the International Day of Peace 2024 on Saturday, September 21, Governor Sani said the gathering was a celebration of a fundamental human aspiration for peace, reaffirming our commitment to harmony, understanding, and cooperation in the society.

The Governor who was represented by the state Commissioner for Human Services and Social Development, Hajiya Rabi Salisu, urged the people to pledge to uphold tolerance, cooperation, engage in acts of kindness and service to humanity which will embrace peace as a guiding principle in our daily lives. “Let us celebrate our differences and promote cultural understanding, support peace builders, activists, and leaders working towards reconciliatory processes, while advocating for policies that prioritize peace, justice, and human rights.

“Today as we gather to celebrate this momentous occasion, I unveil the Women Peace and Security Action Plan 2 and Youth Peace and Security Action Plan documents in Kaduna State, which is attributed to the commitment of government towards achieving sustainable peace building process.”

”In addition, I’m to inform you all that after the unveiling, the actual Launch of the two documents will be done at a later date,” Sani said.

Earlier in his address, the Executive Vice Chairman, Kaduna State Peace Commission (KSPC), Saleh Momale, said the theme of this year’s Int’l Day of Peace “Cultivating a Culture of Peace” perfectly resonate with the state.

According to him, this is one of the happiest moments in the recent history of Kaduna State as the government and people of the State and numerous civil society organisations are echoing a united chorus of peace, at the same time and at the same venue.

He explained that the theme of the symposium “Strengthening the Culture and Values of Peaceful and Harmonious Coexistence in Kaduna State” relayed a simple and clear message – Kaduna State no more need violence.

Momale averred that discrimination and intolerance in our day to day living sow the seed of discontent, which if unaddressed, will breed resentment and violence; noting that wars, violence and disturbances sprout from the minds of few humans which is cultivated through hateful teachings, weird ideologies and poor moral upbringing.

“Societies are dragged into situations of insecurity and instability when leaders failed and the majority of people collude against themselves by failing to cooperate to address shared problems. These were among the factors that allowed Kaduna State to drift towards violent conflicts with monumental negative effects on key indices of human development.

“I use this rare occasion to once again thank the good people of Kaduna State for having faith in our unity in diversity; and for cooperating with each other, putting aside the unhealthy rhetoric of ethnic, religious and sectional discrimination.

“Our Royal Fathers, Emirs and Chiefs across the State are supporting the Government in the maintenance of law and order and management of intercommunity relations. In particularly the Chairman, Kaduna State Council of Emirs and Chiefs, His Highness, the Emir of Zazzau has devoted himself to the promotion of peace and stability and has provided enormous guidance and support to the Kaduna State Peace Commission.

So are our religious leaders, with the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and Jama’atul Nasril Islam (JNI) serving as the key anchors in the promotion of peace. The House of Kaduna Family, an interfaith platform is also contributing to the formulation of inclusive policies that are promoting good governance and enhancing interfaith dialogue.

“I urge all the people of Kaduna State to cultivate a value of peace, and to sow a seed of peace that will grow and radiate peace so that social harmony will be the tasty fruits of our daily lives,” he said.

In his remarks, representative of the Agom Bajju, Professor Kwasau A. Ayuba ‘Dan Masani Bajju’ said in contextualizing the concept of peace in Kaduna state there is only one thing – justice.

He said when there’s justice in whatever we do with one another, nobody will complain. He emphasized on the need for the people to be sincere with one another and ensure that we move with the world peace.

Prof Ayuba urged all the people in the state to join hands with the KSPC and encourage them to carry on with the good work they have been doing.