GPF Nigeria Director Rev. Joseph Hayab being received by the Commissioner of Police and Commissioner of Transportation of Niger State.

On November 17, 2021, GPF Nigeria representatives met with religious, traditional, and government leaders in Niger, Nigeria’s largest state, to introduce GPF’s peacebuilding approach as a way to curb the surge of violence in the region.

GPF Nigeria Director Rev. John Joseph Hayab headed a delegation in meetings with the Commissioner for Local Government and Internal Security, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Niger chapter, Council of Muslims Ulama, Police Commissioner, and traditional leaders.

In the meetings with the community stakeholders, Rev. Hayab called for unity among the diverse communities in Niger to combat violence and crime in the state. “We are here to tell them that if Christians and Muslims keep fighting each other, it will divide us as a country and give the enemy a better field to continue to operate,” he said.

Rev. Hayab and Northern Coordinator GPFN Sheikh Abdullahi Haliru Maraya introducing the OFUG Campaign to the Commissioner of Police, Niger State.

Sheikh Abdullahi Haliru Maraya, Northern Coordinator of GPF Nigeria, encouraged religious leaders and local leaders to promote the One Family Under God Campaign as part of the peacebuilding process. The campaign emphasizes common values like the belief that all of humanity shares a common origin and should respect each other.

Commissioner of Police for Niger State Bala Kurays expressed his appreciation for the GPF Nigeria visit., “Since my resumption in this office” he said, “no nongovernmental organization has come to support us towards ensuring the peace and security of the state.” The visit was timely, he noted, and he committed to support GPF Nigeria’s peacebuilding efforts in the state.

Members of the Council of Muslims Ulama participating in peace talks in Niger State.

Imman Sheikh Ibrahim Khalil, Chairman of the Council of Ulamah, said he was excited to begin the One Family Under God Campaign in Minna, the capital of Niger State. He hopes to share the message of the campaign at the weekly meeting of imams to begin the work of fostering peaceful coexistence in the state.

GPF Nigeria continues to promote peace in Nigeria through local advocacy, high-level consultations, and ongoing community peacebuilding efforts.

To learn more about GPF peacebuilding work in Nigeria visit Nigeria | Global Peace Foundation.