Two of Global Peace Foundation (GPF) Nigeria’s foremost leaders, Rev. John Joseph Hayab, Country Director, and Sheikh Halliru Abdullahi Maraya, Northern Coordinator, were decorated as Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Ambassadors during the 2025 Kaduna Settlement Week. The honor recognized their decades of service to interfaith dialogue, grassroots mediation, and moral leadership in some of Nigeria’s most divided communities. Their recognition symbolized not only individual achievement but also GPF Nigeria’s enduring commitment to fostering reconciliation and unity in a society often fractured by religious and ethnic divides.
2025 Kaduna Settlement Week hosted by the Kaduna Multi-Door Courthouse
The Settlement Week, held from July 28 to August 1 under the theme “Justice that works, Peace that Lasts,” was hosted by the Kaduna Multi-Door Courthouse (KDMDC) in partnership with the Kaduna State Judiciary and civil society partners such as GPF Nigeria. In a symbolic and historic gesture, courts across the state temporarily closed, allowing judicial officers to dedicate their time to resolving disputes through mediation, conciliation, Islamic Sulhu, and customary practices. This opened pathways to justice for thousands of residents, particularly marginalized groups who often lack access to formal legal processes.
Alternative Dispute Resolution Ambassadors
The opening ceremony also recognized other prominent figures, including Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani, Deputy Governor Hajia Hadiza Balarabe, Royal Father of the Zazzau Emirate Ambassador Nuhu Bamalli, Honourable Attorney General Sule Shaibu, and Ambassador Segun Ogunyannwo. Together, their decoration as ADR Ambassadors mirrored a collective commitment to justice rooted in dialogue and shared values.
In his remarks, Rev. Hayab emphasized that true peace is not defined by the absence of conflict but by “the presence of justice, truth, and understanding.” He added that the honor renewed his commitment to advancing dialogue and reconciliation in communities across Nigeria. Ambassador Ogunyannwo, who delivered the keynote address, described the week as a “powerful reflection of what justice should truly represent: accessibility, restoration, and respect for human dignity.”
A landmark innovation at this year’s event was the launch of the ‘Peace Vanguards’ initiative, which equips secondary school students with conflict resolution skills and ADR literacy. Students from Great Panaf and Zamani College Kaduna were inaugurated as young peace advocates, embodying the belief that peacebuilding must be nurtured across generations. Daily Settlement Clinics also ran throughout the week, providing free dispute resolution services. By the close of the event, more than 400 cases had been resolved, over 500 bilingual ADR manuals were distributed, and peace education programs were rolled out in more than 15 schools.
Kaduna Settlement Week Attendees
Hon. Justice Muhammad Tukur Mu’azu Aliyu, Chief Judge of Kaduna State, hailed the initiative’s impact on Nigeria’s justice system. “ADR has fostered a less adversarial and more harmonious approach to resolving disputes, promoting peace and understanding among parties,” he said, noting that it also helped decongest court dockets while preserving relationships.
For the Global Peace Foundation Nigeria, the recognition of Rev. Hayab and Sheikh Maraya marked an important milestone in its mission to advance peace through interfaith leadership, family strengthening, and a culture of service. By working hand-in-hand with government and civil society partners, GPF Nigeria continues to show that every conflict carries the possibility of peaceful resolution, and that justice and peace, when rooted in shared values, can truly last.
Learn more: Nigeria | Global Peace Foundation
