Collins Nnabuife, Author at Tribune Online

A high-level dialogue on peacebuilding and climate-related resource conflicts has underscored the urgent need for media collaboration, policy reforms, and multi-stakeholder engagement to enhance food security and national economic stability. The dialogue was organized by Women Farmers Advancement Network (WOFAN) ICON2 Project in partnership with the MasterCard Foundation. Speaking at the meeting, Hajiya Garba Salamatu, the Country Project Director of WOFAN ICON2 emphasized the connection between climate-induced resource limitations, security challenges, and food production. She stressed that addressing these issues holistically could promote peace, improve food security, and boost Nigeria’s economy. She emphasized the importance of addressing cross-cutting issues between peace building and climate change to promote food security and boost the national economy. One of the key discussions at the event centered on the role of the media in conflict resolution. Salamatu highlighted the impact of language in shaping narratives, cautioning against using terms that may portray pastoralists and crop farmers as adversaries. Instead, she advocated for more neutral and inclusive terminology, such as “livestock farmers” and “poultry farmers,” to foster a more positive perspective. She also noted the importance of media welfare, pointing out the risks journalists face in covering sensitive issues. Salamatu called for better protection measures, including insurance coverage for media personnel, to ensure their safety and reduce the likelihood of compromise. The role of traditional leaders was another focal point, given their influence in maintaining peace at the grassroots level. Participants explored how these leaders, as custodians of community relations, could mediate disputes between farmers and pastoralists. Professor Sadiq Isah from Bayero University, Kano who was one of the participants further emphasized that the program aims to help farmers adopt smart agricultural practices that maximize productivity without harming the environment. He noted that insecurity remains a significant barrier to agricultural success and stressed the need for dialogue-driven solutions to promote stability. The meeting concluded with a commitment to prioritizing actionable recommendations in both peacebuilding and climate change mitigation. Key legislative bodies are expected to play a role in translating these discussions into enforceable policies, ensuring long-term impact. As stakeholders move forward, the focus will be on strategic collaboration, including media sensitization, legislative backing, and community-led interventions, to create a sustainable framework for addressing climate-related conflicts in Nigeria’s agricultural sector. The MasterCard Foundation is partnering with organizations to create a five-year program targeting 675,000 farmers, with the goal of creating 10 million jobs in Africa and 1 million jobs in Nigeria. Prof. Tijjani Muhammad Bande, President of the 74th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) and former Vice-Chancellor of Uthman Dan Fodio University, Sokoto, has commended the national dialogue initiative, highlighting the importance of addressing food and nutrition security together. He emphasized that achieving this is crucial to meeting Sustainable Development Goal 2, which aims to end hunger by 2030. Similarly, Prof. Joseph Legend, Deputy President of the United Nations Positive Livelihood Award Centre (UN-POLAC), underscored the role of dialogue in peacebuilding. He noted that while ammunition may not always resolve conflicts, focus group discussions and fostering friendly, cordial relationships often provide more effective solutions. The Etsu Kwali and Chairman, Kwali Traditional Council, Luka Ayedoo Nizassan in his remarks, commended WOFAN’s Executive Director for her efforts in championing initiatives that benefit Nigerians. “I want to use this platform to first congratulate the CEO of WOFAN. She is undertaking a very courageous initiative—one that ideally should have been led by the government,” he stated. “This is a commendable effort from the private sector. Nigeria is 65 years old, and we only established the Ministry of Livestock in 2023. What have we done in the last 62 years? She deserves another round of applause,” he added. The Traditional Ruler emphasized the relationship between food security, economic growth, agricultural productivity, and peace. He said: “If one of these sectors is underperforming, it affects the entire system. That is why this gathering is so crucial and timely. Agriculture in Nigeria contributed 25.75% to employment in 2024 and has a significant impact on our GDP. “However, employment opportunities in agriculture are declining, and its contribution to GDP has stagnated due to conflicts, climate change, and other pressing challenges. We must take actionable steps to address these issues.” As traditional rulers, he noted that they are at the forefront of every conflict and directly experience the consequences of food insecurity. “When people are hungry, they come to our palaces first, even before going to political offices. Hunger and economic hardship affect us all. That is why we must be part of this cause,” he added. Furthermore, the United Nations Positive Livelihood Award Centre (UN-POLAC) Deputy President, Professor Joseph Legend, while noting the path to peacebuilding, maintained situations where ammunitions cannot help in addressing issues, focus group discussion may be the way forward, as well as a cordial relationship do on many occasions.