Herders, farmers sign peace pact in Jema’a LG

In an effort to put an end to frequent clashes between farmers and herders in Godogodo Chiefdom of Jema’a Local Government Area of Kaduna State and an NGO, Interfaith Mediation Centre, has inaugurated a farmers and herders peace protocol.

Inaugurating the treaty, the Council Chairman of Jema’a, Mr. Peter Danjuma Averik, said peace remained paramount in any society, hence all hands must be on deck to sustain the relative peace being enjoyed in the area.

Mr. Averik emphasised the need for tolerance among herders and farmers and tasked them to embrace dialogue in resolving challenges.

The chairman,  who spoke through his Vice, Mr. Micah Ngboni, lamented that insecurity had taken the country backward, maintaining that his council had resolved to fight against all tendencies that could lead to breakdown of law and order.

In his remarks, the Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture of the Kaduna State University, Kafanchan Campus, Prof. Sodangi Abbas Ibrahim, who was the chairman of the occasion, commended Interfaith Mediation Centre for championing the cause of restoring peace to Godogodo.

Prof. Ibrahim appealed to the people to bring back the lost glory of tolerance and togetherness among people of different faiths and cultures, as that was the only way peace could be sustained for improved development.

While reviewing the project, Imam Nuryan Ashafa, from the Interfaith Mediation Centre, Kaduna, said farmers and herders had agreed to come together and proffer a way forward to restore peace in their communities.

Earlier, Pst. James Movel Wuye, also of Interfaith, Kaduna, while presenting the protocol, said the area had suffered a lot due to sustained crises which led to loss of lives and property, hence that both parties had agreed to put an end to the menace and restore lasting peace.

Responding, the Chief of Godogodo, Mr. Iliya Ajiya, commended the Centre for its contribution and enjoined parties to adhere to the peace pact they signed for improved growth of the area.