By
Shekara Anthony
In view of security challenges in some parts of Adamawa state, the Centre for Peace and Security Studies, Modibbo Adama University, Yola, has engaged state and non-state peace building actors to come up with a structured approach to encourage peaceful coexistence in the state.
The Peace building meeting which was organized by the university in collaboration with the United States Institute of Peace, took place in Yola Adamawa State, brought together security agencies, religious and traditional leaders, representative of state government, non-governmental organizations, community leaders as well as the media to brainstorm on ways to entrench enduring peace in the state.
Adamawa state has experienced and still experiencing security threats from Farmer Herder conflicts, Boko Haram insurgency, Communal Conflict, Kidnapping and Shilla Boys Menace, with negative impact not only on the economy but the general well-being of residents of the state.
While giving reasons why the peace building stakeholders meeting became necessary, the Director, Centre for Peace and Security Studies, Modibbo Adama University, Yola, Professor Jude Momodu, said there was protracted farmer herder conflict in the Numan Federation area of the state between 2016 and 2021, and engaging inhabitants of the area in discussions and meetings like this helped in reducing such incidents.
He explained that the recent communal crisis in Lamurde local government area of the state which claimed lives, would have been worse if not for the prompt intervention of state government and other critical stakeholders, stressing that meetings like this will deepen understanding among the people and promote peaceful coexistence.
Professor Jude Momodu, admitted that though conflict cannot be totally eliminated in human societies, but advised that when confronted with any crisis situation, dialogue is the best means of conflict resolution that all people should explore.
Earlier the Vice Chancellor Modibbo Adama University, Yola, Professor Ibrahim Umar, represented by Professor Shuaibu Mshelia, of the department of Agricultural Economics, said the university is committed to peace building processes in the state because according to him crises and conflicts do not only rob the people of development and growth but put their lives on retrogression.
In his remark, Special Adviser to governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, on Security Matters, Retired Brigadier General Abubakar Mormoni Bashir, said the outcome of the meeting will further guide the state government on policy formulations and programmes that will entrench peace in the state, pointing out that already the state government has put a lot of mechanisms in place to promote and maintain peace.
One of the stakeholders at the meeting and the District Head of Gyawana , Dr. Agoso Bamaiyi, who reviewed previous peace agency in Adamawa State, spoke strongly on the need to establish a Peace Building Commission in the state, adding that a meeting like this brings different groups together to talk to one another with the aim of fostering understanding thereby minimizing conflict.
Papers were presented on Understanding Infrastructure for Peace, Farmer Herder Conflict Management Committee as Government Response to Conflict in Adamawa State: Contributions and Constraints, and the Imperative of Establishing Peace Commission for Coordination of Peace Building Efforts in Adamawa State.
