The Global Peace Foundation Nigeria, on Thursday, called for the formation of peace structures to manage conflicts and promote peaceful coexistence in communities.

The Country Director of the Foundation, Rev. John Hayab, made this call when the group paid a courtesy visit to the Chief of Kuje Area Council, Alhaji Haruna Jibrin, in Abuja.

Hayab said such structures would also help to solve problems that occur before it escalates to bigger issues, saying this was necessary before conflicts happen.

According to him, part of the challenges facing the country could be linked to poor understanding, noting that the organization works in communities that are not in conflict so that they will not even have conflict.

“All hands must be on the deck, as stakeholders, community leaders, we need to work together, evil will not disappear amongst us if we don’t unite. But when we unite, we will stop it.

“The issues around us should not be seen as not one’s problem, it is everyone’s. The recent kidnapping of children should worry everyone, they are our children, it is not a regional matter, They are Nigerians, so every Nigerian should work together.

“One of the challenges we have in this country is that we don’t work in communities that are not in conflict, Then when there is conflict, people are already tensed and confused. We need to build structures of peace across the communities so that they will not start running helter-skelter”.

Hayab emphasized that the emir’s efforts in maintaining peace and passion for delivering good leadership to his people were commendable, hence the partnership in the implementation of programs to enhance social cohesion among the inhabitants of the area.

He stressed that the visit was also to inform the palace of the organization’s plan to engage the community people in her peacebuilding campaign with a view to strengthening their peaceful coexistence by putting a peace structure in place.

This, he said would be done with members trained and equipped with necessary tools for further engagement of community members, youth, women, faith leaders, and elders of the community with a view to achieving the desired result.

The Northern Coordinator for the Global Peace Foundation Nigeria, Sheikh Halliru Maraya, stressed that the visit was to show solidarity and sought support in achieving social cohesion among people of diverse ethno-religious background.

He reemphasized that people of diverse cultures, religions, and ethnicity must be sensitized to promote tolerance as the nation is being faced with enormous security challenges.

He cited a hadith that Prophet Muhammad S.A.W said that the best among mankind is the one who benefits humanity and as such we shall do all we could as Nigerians to promote peaceful coexistence among people in hostility.

“People should continue to live peacefully with one another because no community globally can achieve success, development, and growth in an atmosphere that is void of peaceful coexistence.

And that is why we are here in order to promote peaceful coexistence amongst the locals, We are members of one family regardless of any social differences, be it religious, geographical. We are all members of one family under God”.

In his remarks, the Royal Highness, Alhaji Haruna Jibrin, stated that it was the collective responsibility of all to promote peace in the country, saying no religion encourages violence.

He lamented on how the ravaging insecurity has halted many communities from sourcing livelihood and achieving development, saying no community leader will want his community to be in chaos.

He prayed and hoped that the criminals perpetrating all sorts of crimes in the society would repent from their heinous acts so that peace will reign in the nation, without fear of attack or being kidnapped.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the Global Peace Foundation convenes and implements development projects on peacebuilding, education, entrepreneurship, and youth leadership development.

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