CSOs Unite to Train Stakeholders on Conflict Mitigation Initiative in Taraba

 

By Godwin Agia 

The Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), Research and Action for Peace Network (REcAP Network) in collaboration with WANEP- Nigeria, have on Wednesday commenced a 3-day workshop on conflict prevention and peacebuilding with the aim of promoting peace and stability in the region.

Mr Emmanuel Ami-Okhani, staff of West Africa Network for Peacebuilding, WANEP- Nigeria, noted during the programme in Jalingo that the initiative aims to build the capacity of civil society organisations in Nigeria, West Africa and strengthen their role in promoting peace and stability across the region.

The training workshop, themed ‘Conflict Prevention, Violent Extremism, Crisis Management and Peacebuilding’ brought together key stakeholders to discuss strategies for mitigating conflicts in Taraba State.

Emmanuel Ami-Okhani, who is one of the resource persons, emphasised the importance of collective responsibility in promoting peace among communities, stressed that individuals and institutions must play their part in fostering understanding and tolerance.

Ami-Okhani highlighted the crucial role of peace promotion in Taraba, noting that it remains essential for the state's development and prosperity.

"We are here implementing a project called Research and Action Network for Peace (REcAP). The project is funded by the European Union and implemented in 18 countries, including Nigeria.

"The purpose is to strengthen the capacity of local actors to conduct crisis management, conflict prevention, mediation, and peacebuilding. For the northeast, we are focusing on Taraba State today.

"The project seeks to establish a sustainable network of experts specialised in peacebuilding, conflict prevention, and violent extremism in West Africa and the Lake Chad Basin, including Nigeria," he said.

Speaking earlier, Boniface Koson, State Coordinator for WANEP-Nigeria, explained that the workshop's objective is to build capacity for civil society actors, women, and youth groups on conflict prevention, violent extremism, crisis management and peacebuilding.

Participants at the workshop also took turns and shared their views on ways to mitigate crises in Taraba, including farmer-herder clashes and ethnic and religious tensions. 

Those who contributed to the discussion included Rev Fr Odinaka Chukwu, State Chairman of the Dawaki Disability Development Initiative, Mallam Sadiq Muhammed, Dr Jennifer Uniga, and Mikin Yonana, the State Programme Officer of ACOMIN.