From Abel Daniel, Lafia
A socio-cultural Group, Middle Belt Brain Trust (MBBT) in collaboration with Institute for Integrated Transitions (IFIT) has organized capacity training for Traditional Rulers in Nasarawa state to curb boundary conflicts and insecurity in the geopolitical zone
Speaking at the two day capacity building seminar on Monday, governor Abdullahi Sule said the training is in line with his administration’s policy to provide capacity building for traditional rulers on conflict management.
Sule stressed that the event is targeted at entrenching the culture of peace and harmonious co-existence not only in the region but the country at large.
“As you are aware, the Traditional Institution plays pivotal roles in the maintenance of peace and security at the grassroots.”
He however promised that his administration will continue to accord priority attention to the institution by providing the enabling environment for Royal Fathers to contribute their quota to peaceful co-existence and societal development.
The governor therefore called on the participants to leverage on the training to add to their experiences on how to resolve disputes.
In his address, MBBT Chairman- Gen (rtd) Martin Luther Agwai commended governor Abdullahi Sule for his support and commitment to bring lasting peace and harmony in the zone.
The security expert said they had various engagements sessions, outreaches and dialogues with key stakeholders which culminated in the convening of the first Nasarawa Stakeholders Forum.
He also noted that in carrying out the report, some challenges were observed but believed that with sustained determination and hard work, the goals of lasting peace and security could be achieved.
“The reality is that the failure of existing institutions to manage grievances has itself become a major conflict driver, as most community-level conflicts that start out as civil disputes, and that are not solved, escalate to violence and identity conflicts.”
He however concluded that Improving grievance management capacities at the community level would translate into making grievance management and timely resolution of disputes accessible to prevent civil disputes from becoming identity conflicts.