By Brenda Agba
Stakeholders in the peace building process have been charged to join hands together to create a better and prosperous future for Benue State.
Secretary to the Benue State Government (SSG), Prof Joseph Alakali, gave this charge while delivering a key note address at the One-Day Coordination Meeting for Peace and Reconciliation which was organized by the Benue State Commission for Peace and Reconciliation (BCPR), with support from Center for Humanitarian Dialogue and held at Eyah’s Hotel and Suites in Makurdi.
Prof Alakali, who described peace building as a multi-faceted endeavor that requires collaboration, innovation and sustained efforts, enjoined stakeholders to leverage on their collective strength, expertise and resources to address the root causes of conflict in order to build lasting peace.
Speaking further, the SSG said, “Let us seize this opportunity to forge new partnerships, explore new ideas and take bold steps towards a more peaceful world noting that the challenges we face are significant but so too are the opportunities before us.”
Describing peace as not merely the absence of conflict but the presence of justice, equity and mutual respect, Prof Alakali sued for the collective efforts of all stakeholders including development partners, Civil Society Organizations, the private sector, security agencies, the government as well as individuals to achieve more positive results.
He expressed appreciation to various stakeholders whose efforts have led the state thus far even as he charged participants at the meeting to review the achievements and progress already made in promoting peace in Benue State with the view of charting the way forward towards building a state free from hostilities and conflicts.
The Director General, BCPR, Josephine Haba in her remarks, disclosed that the major objective behind the meeting was to bring stakeholders together to facilitate dialogue, knowledge sharing and collaboration between the Commission and development partners towards creating a better coordination of the peace response in Benue State.
Speaking on behalf of security agencies, the Force Commander of Operation Whirl Stroke, Major General Sunday Igbinomwanhia, assured of their continuous support especially in the area of enforcement and called on the government and other relevant stakeholders to put more energy into educating the herders on the Ranches Establishment aspect of the Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law rather than dwell more on the Anti-Grazing aspect as this will go a long way in promoting better understanding and compliance.
Earlier in his address of welcome, the Board Chairman of BCPR, Rt. Rev. Nathan Inyom commended the Benue State Government for signing into law, the Benue Peace Law as well as the establishment of the Commission.
Rt. Rev. Inyom further prayed the Benue State Governor, Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia to create an enabling environment that will pave the way for proper implementation of the Benue Peace Law and bring it to a standard he will be proud of.
Also present during the meeting were representatives of various organizations including the State Coordinator of NEEM Foundation, Henry Anoliefo Esq and the Lead Facilitator, Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue, Dr Ahmed Yassin as well as the Benue State Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs, Hon. Aondowase Kunde among others.