December 19, (THEWILL) – The Community Initiative to Promote Peace (CIPP) has pledged to tackle electoral violence, drug abuse and cultism, which have been prevalent in Benue communities in recent times through sustained peace initiatives.
The Monitoring and Evaluation Officer, Pastoral Resolve (PARE), Hajia Hadiza Nuhu, disclosed this on Tuesday, in an interview in Makurdi, the state capital.
Hajia Nuhu said that CIPP hopes to achieve its target through sustained peace sensitization which could help the people to change their negative behaviours for the better thereby, tackling the vices.
According to her, CIPP has put in place peace structures that would assist her in actualizing the aim of entrenching peace in the country.
“The peace structures that CIPP formed are Peace Committees, Women Peace Building Council and Community Peace Observers.
“CIPP is implementing projects in the North Central and North West. In Benue, it is carrying out projects in four Local Government Areas of Agatu, Buruku, Guma and Makurdi,” she informed.
She disclosed that in each of the four Local Government areas, only four communities are covered in building the capacities of community members to enable them to resolve disputes in their areas peacefully.
One of the members of the peace committee at Anter Community in Makurdi Local Government Area, Mr Victor Ioryoosu, said they were cohabiting with the Fulani herdsmen peacefully due to the peace initiatives they brought to bear on the inhabitants of the community.
According to Mr Yoryoosu, deviants on both sides were fished out and reprimanded, stressing that as a result, both the Tiv people and the Fulani herdsmen were living in peace and harmony.
Speaking separately, Mr Terkimbi Genyi and Regina Har, CPOs in the Agboughul community, said they ensured that peace reigns in their community as a result of various trainings that they have received from CIPP.
“Before now, our community was considered as a no-go area. A lot of bad things were happening there ranging from drug abuse to raising false alarms to cause chaos and tension in the community.
“However, the situation is different now because of the constant sensitization on peace. Most of them no longer take drugs but engaged themselves in meaningful ventures now,” he said.
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Participants
