Media and Traditional leaders responsible for peace in Borno – NGO
A non-governmental organisation, Allamin Foundation for Peace and Development, has commended the traditional leaders and media institutions for playing pivotal roles in restoring peace in Borno State.
The Executive Director of the foundation, Hamsatu Allamin stated this during the end of the project dissemination event with the theme: “Strengthening Capacities and Will for Transitional Justice and Reconciliation in Borno State” held in Maiduguri.
She said the project had strengthened the traditional institutions to influence the attitudes of Borno people towards integration and transitional justice in the state.
According to her, while responding shortly to newsmen reflecting on the results and lessons learned during the implementation of the project in the state.
“What we have learnt in the project is the importance of partnership, no one can do it alone; no one is an island so I think inclusion matters a lot whatever one is doing it is important to be inclusive.
“Bring in people that can help make everybody active participants and make people ownership is equally important. So collectively we can achieve the set goals together, implement better, achieve better and make positive impact to the society.
“Today we have come to an end of strengthening capabilities and will for traditional justice in Borno state, during the implementation process we have set up forums and now with the stakeholders, we reflect on what we have achieved so far in support of victims, survivors, relations and affected communities in relation to reintegration and social justice”, she said.
She expressed optimism that the aim of the foundation which includes developing skills for conflict resolution, mitigation and management and general peacebuilding is yielding the desired outcomes.
The District Head Yerwa, Engr Mohammed Abba Sanda said training of traditional, religious, and community leaders was a turning point of the project in the state considering their roles to the grassroots people.
“This project for the past years has enhanced our capabilities, they built capacity on how to work with fragile communities. Indeed, it was a good project for us.” he commended.
Speaking, the Vice Chairman of Borno State NUJ Council, Comrade Abdulkarim Haruna opined that journalists in the state have played a significant role in peacebuilding as well as the reintegration of deradicalised Boko Haram members into the Borno communities.
“To succeed as an organisation you need media support, the journalists are ready to contribute toward restoring peace and development in Borno state.”
