The peace process in Chawai Chiefdom in Kauru Local Government Area of Kaduna State received a boost at the weekend following a successful stakeholder meeting with representatives of the communities at Damakasuwa.
In addition, the paramount traditional ruler of the chiefdom, Alhaji Yahaya Muhammad, congregated with his people for the first time after relocating following hostilities amongst the communities several months ago.
All representatives from Hausa, Fulani, Irigwe and Chawai communities pledged to work towards achieving sustainable peace in the chiefdom which was attended by among others, the member representing the area in the House of Representatives, Alhaji Mukhtar Zakari and the deputy speaker of Kaduna State House of Assembly, Dr. Isaac Auta Zakai.
The meeting was organised by Kaduna State Peace Commission (KAPECOM).
The chiefdom has been dogged with recurring clashes between the Irigwe and the Fulani communities with the resultant collateral damage affecting the entire chiefdom.
Hajiya Khadijah Hawaja Gambo, a Permanent Commissioner with Kaduna State Peace Commission (KAPECOM), expressed optimism at the outcome of the consultative dialogue and urged the communities, especially the stakeholders, to bury their differences and work toward achieving peace.
Khadija also urged the people to appreciate their differences and use their diversity as a tool toward establishing peace and order and developing their communities.
According to her, the use of uncomplimentary language in the media and collective profiling of individuals and ethnic entities in criminal activities tended to fuel clashes and conflicts rather than help in resolving same.
She urged the stakeholders to take the lead in sensitising their people on the need to forgive each other and explore opportunities to collaborate in their bid to achieve sustainable peace.
Speaking at the interface session, the deputy speaker, Rt. Hon Isaac Zakai highlighted the need for the communities to report their grievances to relevant authorities rather than taking the law into their hands by way of self help.
Others present at the interactive were Col. DC Nwankwo, the Commander, Operation Safe Haven, Sector 7 and the representative of Area Commander the zone, ASP SA Abdulhamid.The four communities were mandated to articulate their grievances in the form of position papers and forward them to the state peace commission within 14 days
