The Global Peace Foundation (GPF), a Non-governmental Organisation (NGO) has recruited some youth volunteers, to champion peace building efforts in Southern Kaduna.
The Country Director of GPF, Rev. John Hayab, while addressing the volunteers on Monday in Kafanchan, said:’ the aim of setting up the team was for people to take ownership of the peace process in the area.
“Since the crisis started we have been reaching out to different parties to promote peace and togetherness.
“The essence of establishing Global Peace Foundation Lead volunteer team in Jema’a Local Government Area is for people to take ownership of the peace process.
“Any peace process that is not people oriented is not likely to yield any meaningful result. But if people resolve to embrace peace, then there will be peace,” he said.
Hayab said that the foundation was founded on the premises that all human beings were members of ‘ One family under God’ hence, the need to love one another.
He charged the group to change the current negative narratives about Southern Kaduna and bring back its lost glory by being exemplary in their conduct.
“Try and change all the bad stories coming out of Southern Kaduna by being a shining example of peace, unity and togetherness.
“It’s time to show the world that good and beautiful things can also come out of Southern Kaduna and that you are peace loving people,” he added.
The Country Director decried the use of tribe and religion by some persons to manipulate others for their personal gain.
“The history of the world has shown that those who think they can manipulate religion can only do so for a short time as they cannot change God’s plan,” he noted.
He commended the recent peace pact between Takau and Dangoma communities, noting that it was a significant step in advancing the peace building efforts in the area.
According to him, the foundation is looking to initiate economic empowerment programmes to keep the youths engaged and put them off drug addiction and other vices.
“We are thinking of coming up with programmes for the youths because we know that one of the reasons we have tension is the harsh economic realities.
“We want a situation where our youths will be meaningfully engaged economically and not have the time to do drugs and all that.
“Because when they are into drugs and womanising, they become disorganised and find it difficult to plan their lives and make a meaning of it,” he said.
In his remarks earlier, the leader of the volunteer group and Focal Person, Timothy Machu, pledged the resolve of the youths to continue to work toward restoring lasting peace in the area.
Machu maintained that no fewer than 80 volunteers had so far come on board to devise ways of spreading the message of peace.
NAN reports that GPF is an international NGO that engages in innovative value-based approach to peace building.
Edited By: Emmanuel Nwoye/Sadiya Hamza
Source: NAN
