NGO moves to mitigate insecurity in Taraba

Gideon & Para-Mallam Peace Foundation, a non governmental organisation on Wednesday commenced a six months peace awareness and sensitization campaign to mitigate security crisis in state.

Revd Dr. Gideon Para-Mallam
President, and CEO The Gideon & Para-Mallam Peace Foundation, disclosed during the programme in Wukari town, Wukari local area of Taraba that the idea was targeted toward sensitizing Stakeholders on early warning and early response to crisis motivated issues.

Nigeria Tribune reports that the programme tag, “Project Zaman Lafiya Taraba,” is to train stakeholders in Wukari, Takum, and Ussa local governments to help build peace relationships among ethnic and religious groups in the state.

According to Para-Mallam, the organization was moved to advocate for peace in Taraba due to persistent ethnic and farmers headers crisis, especially in the southern part of the state.

The CEO noted that a Conflict Management Support Group in three LGAs to Scale Up Advocacy was to be constituted in the Wukari, Takum, and Ussa local governments.

He appealed for concerted efforts from all stakeholders to address the deep-seated ethnic and religious divisions that continue to challenge peaceful coexistence in Nigeria.

“Taraba, like other states of Nigeria, has endured its fair share of divisions, driven by religion, interethnic tensions, and chieftaincy disputes.

“To scale up advocacy and peace-building efforts, the Foundation has established Conflict Management Support Groups in Wukari, Takum, and Ussa LGAs.

The groups are designed to empower local communities to take ownership of the peace process and address conflicts at their roots.

“Our mission is to spread the message of peace and ensure that stakeholders in these LGAs lead the charge in fostering interfaith and interethnic harmony.

“This model will eventually be expanded to other LGAs to ensure representation in every senatorial zone across the state.” Rev. Gideon noted.

The correspondent also reports that the community engagement brought participation from Christian and Muslim leaders, women groups, youth organizations, political representatives, and disabled persons, who both commended the initiative as a progressive effort for peace and development.

“This is a timely intervention. We pledge to work collectively to ensure that peace prevails in our communities,” the stakeholders assured.