By Jerry Tyosase
The Building Blocks for Peace Foundation says it is ready to contribute towards finding solutions to the current security challenges in Benue state.
Director General of the organization, Mr Rafiu Lawal who gave the assurance Monday in Makurdi during the launching of its office said the organization is out for Peace building, conflict resolution and creating entrepreneurship opportunities through training to enhance the capacity of women whom he stressed are the most vulnerable.
According to Mr Lawal, the theme ” strengthening local leadership in women, peace, security and peace in conflict setting” is aimed at peace building and empowerment of women, youth and other members of the Benue public as well as a tool for conflict and post conflict resolution mechanism in the state.
He described Benue as a strategic state in the food security architecture of Nigeria culminating in the launching of the state office.
Mr Lawal expressed gratitude to the governor of Benue state, Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia for approving the establishment of the office in the state and promised to live up to the expectation of his administration by achieving sustainable peace which is the cardinal vision and mission of the foundation.
Also speaking, Executive Director, Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR) Abuja, Dr Joseph Ochogwu commended the Building Blocks Foundation for taking a bold step by launching its office in Benue state and assured of the total support of the Institute in providing access to funding and collaborations that can sustain the project.
He said he insecurity in Benue has affected food security architecture in Nigeria which requires transitional and sustainable processes where herdsmen and farmers resolve their problems amicably as in the past while advocating for ranching as the best option.
Dr Ochugwu stressed that, it requires the proactive response of the security agencies to thrash out criminal elements to create a peaceful and harmonious relationship between farmers and herders and create more opportunities for enlightenment towards ranching with effective legislation which is very critical to holistic management of farmers – herders conflict.
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“We need to be smarter because if we did not deal with the rogue actors in transnational organized crimes and illicit mining actors, they may take advantage and create more havocs in our communities. What we have now is the criminalization of the herders – farmers relations that is creating negative impressions in Nigeria.”.
He described the presence of Building Blocks Foundation in the state as timely which is part of president Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda for national food security. According to him, “conflict is local, peace is also local. Therefore if Building Blocks Foundation is achieving its programme objectives, both Benue and the federal government will also be achieving their collective goals because every strata of governance is working for the good of the people”.
The representative of Ter Makurdi, Zaki Solomon Ajor, pledged the support of the traditional council to ensure the success of the project and appealed for the expansion of the project to cover the traditional institution.
