Working with the representatives of the Jaba Chiefdom, the Southern Kaduna Peace and Reconciliation Committee, which was formed out of Global Peace Foundation (GPF) Nigeria’s ‘One Family under God’ Campaign, commemorated the 2018 International Day of Peace on September 22.
Initially planned as a community sensitization program, the Jaba community expanded the program into a community-wide, interfaith and multi-sector celebration of peace. Since becoming involved with the Kaduna Peace and Reconciliation Committee, the tremendous improvement in community relations led the people to feel it was appropriate to celebrate peace.
The event brought together over 700 cross-sector leaders of the Jaba Chiefdom including Traditional Rulers, Faith, Women, Youth, Civil Society, and Government Leaders and was hosted at the Palace in Kwoi by the Paramount Ruler of Jaba Chiefdom, His Royal Highness, Dr. Danladi Gyet Maude.
Leaders and community members shared messages of peace, speeches, songs, dances, and interfaith prayers for sustainable peace and development in their Chiefdom.
GPF Country Director, John Oko reflected that, “The program was a wake-up call for us in that it emphasized that we should focus not on creating programs but rather inspiring and empowering the people of the community. The possibilities abound when we inspire and challenge communities to take charge of the [peacebuilding] process.”
The community has since adopted a commitment to engage in this kind of celebration every year to promote peace and harmony in the community.
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