… EDUCATION FOR PEACE …
An article by Aza Msue published by Leadership Nigeria
The Kaduna State Peace Commission (KAPECOM) has revealed that they will develop peace education to be included in the primary schools curriculum for pupils as one of the steps to address crisis and insecurity.
Addressing a news conference in Kaduna, Chairman of the State Peace commission,Most Rev. Josiah Idowu-Fearon, along with his team explained that, the proposed peace education to be taught at primary education will promote peaceful co-existence among residents, urging youths to be peace ambassadors in communities.
Recall that, governor Nasir El-Rufai had in November last year inaugurated the Kaduna State Peace Commission to promote and sustain peaceful and harmonious coexistence in the state. The establishment of the commission was necessitated by the frequent and avoidable violent conflicts that bedevilled the state for over the last 30 years.
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Where is peace education taking place?
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KAPECOM chairman, said in the last six months,the commission has taken its assignment with seriousness it deserves and initiated broad level engagement with diverse stakeholders including traditional,religious,political leaders among others:”Adopting a conflict-sensitive approach,the commission has intervened in many communal disputes in the state particularly in Kajuru,Jama’a and Kauru local government areas,where interventions were taken to prevent escalation of violent conflicts”
“In some LGAs such as Kauru,Igabi and Chikun,proactive measures were taken by stakeholders with support of the commission to prevent violent conflicts. Some unfortunate incidences of violence were recorded in Kaduna State in the last six months.The most worrisome of these were in Kasuwan Magani,in Kajuru,Angwan Mailafiya and Ninte in Jama’a and Kizakoro in Kauru local government areas of the state”
” The commission conveys its deepest sympathy to all the victims,while urging the relevant institutions and law enforcement agencies to strengthen surveillance to prevent the recurrence of these dastardly acts.Persons that lost loved one,persons that were wounded and who lost property are urged to remain peaceful and adopt non-violent means in seeking redress”
“Presently,we are at the stage of developing a strategic plan that will guide the activities of the commission over the next five years.In this process,we will make wide ranging consultations,and will engage all segments of the society.” Bishop Idowu-Fearon said.
He urged political parties in the state to be active agents of peace as another round of political activities ahead of 2019 elections draw near.
Bishop Idowu-Fearon, who is also the Secretary of the World Anglican Communion, however,called on stakeholders in the society to do and say things that bring people together rather than things that divide them.
(Thanks to the Global Campaign for Peace Education for bringing this to our attention.)