A Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), International Alert Nigeria, with support from Irish Aid and other Partners has brokered a peace agreement among communities in Benue State, North Central Nigeria that have witnessed a decade of violence, hostilities, and community displacements.
The communities include Tiv and Jukun in Fiidi, Makurdi Local Government Area, and Egba, Oloagba, and Ekaida Communities in Agatu Local Government Areas of Benue State, all in North Central Nigeria.
The communities signed a peace agreement to end a decade of hostilities and violence which has led to loss of lives and properties.
Speaking at the Peace Signing ceremony in Makurdi, Benue State, the Country Director of International Alert Nigeria, Dr Paul Nyulaku-Bemshima, said employing a local peace and adaptation plan model tagged ‘Powering Peace through Climate Actions’ has addressed the factors fueling the distrust.
“These conflicts have caused untold hardship to the people, lots of killing and destruction of properties. These communities have gone through a long process of dialogue and negotiations on the issues that have actually led to conflicts in those locations. The conflicts are natural resource-based conflicts fundamentally land, water, and fish ponds. We have ensured that we take them through participatory processes and they have come up with their local peace and adaptation plans which lay out priorities that help them to deal with the impact of climate change, build social cohesion, and also increase income,” he explained.
To ensure that this peace agreement subsists, Nyulaku-Bemshima said the communities have gone through a field peer learning exercise, where they share experiences on conflict triggers and mechanisms employed by various communities to resolve conflicts.
He said the agreement was achieved after a year of dialogues, negotiations, mediations, capacity building, and empowerment.
“We hope that this agreement will fundamentally be in their hearts and will lead to sustainable peace in these communities,” he added.
The traditional ruler of Agatu “Ada Agatu” His Royal Highness, Chief Godwin Onah, expressed deep appreciation to International Alert Nigeria and its partners for facilitating the Peace Agreement to end the hostilities that had persisted for too long.
“Today seems to be one of my happiest days in life. This group of people came in and started Mobilising the community. Today, these people brought an end to my problems. These are things I have been yearning for. Now I have something to take back home to my fathers,” he enthused.
Members from Egba and Ekaida Communities also applauded International Alert and its Partners for facilitating the Peace between Tiv and Jukun and building their capacity for fish farming and briquette making, which not only addresses climate change and deforestation but also empowers them financially.
Director General of Benue State Commission for Peace and Reconciliation, Ms. Josephine Habba in her remarks said the hallmark of the success of the peace agreement lies in its prioritization of livelihood for peace, which promotes peaceful coexistence among communities.
“The project encourages entrepreneurship with a focus on peaceful values and conflict resolution. This is a successful climate action in promoting peace,” she said.
Highlights of the event included a round table at Fiidi community where implementing Partners Kende Aveese Foundation and Angel Support Foundation, traditional Leaders, religious leaders, and Youth Leaders reiterated their commitment to promoting lasting peace.
The Powering Peace through Climate Action Project is also being executed by International Alert Nigeria in Sokoto State, North West Nigeria.
