Konshisha, Oju LGAs sign peace agreement in Benue

In a bid to restore peace to the troubled warring communities of Bonta and Okpute in Konshisha and Oju Local Government Areas of Benue State, leaders of the two communities have signed a natural resource peace agreement.

The peace agreement, which was organised and coordinated by the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue and supported by the Federal Republic of Germany, was held on Monday at the Benue Hotel, Makurdi, with the representative of the State Governor, Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia, and the two royal fathers; Tor Tiv, HRMs, James Ayatse and Ochidoma, and John Odogbo, in attendance.

According to the pact, all parties involved in the communal clashes in both local government areas had agreed to shun conflicts and embrace peace in order to live in harmony and promote peaceful coexistence in the State.

Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr Hyacinth Alia, represented by his deputy, Sam Ode said that only peace can engender development and economic growth in any society.

The governor noted that traditional rulers, religious leaders, women and youths all have various roles to play in building and sustaining peace for the mutual and peaceful co-existence of border communities

Governor Alia assured that the resolution and recommendation from the Konshisha-Oju Natural Resource Peace Agreement would be studied carefully and appropriate action would be taken where necessary.

He said, “The Benue State Boundary Committee appreciates the continued partnership and collaboration of the CHD in ensuring that workable solutions to the numerous land disputes and conflict challenges that face our state are being achieved.

“I, therefore, encourage the border communities of Konshisha and Oju local government areas to engage in the exchange of royal visits, cross-cultural and cross-border economic activities to pave the way for peaceful coexistence among them.

Earlier, the Country Manager, Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue, Dr Chris Agoha, explained that the agreement falls squarely into the aspiration of the communities for total peace and development for all, especially the vulnerable population, which has suffered the negative impact of the crisis and has been deprived of their common heritage.

He disclosed that the agreement would be a model of peace-making and conflict resolution to be emulated by the wider communities of Benue State and Nigeria in general.

In a keynote address, the former Vice Chancellor of Benue State University, Professor Charity Angya, called on Konshisha and Oju communities to embrace peace, ensure contact cooperation and communication among individuals, and uphold conciliation for the sustainability of the peace agreement.

The two royal fathers promised that the agreement would be executed by the latter and commended the Benue State Government for the cooperation accorded to humanitarian development in entrenching peace in the state.

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