NGO urges leaders to preach forgiveness, peace coexistence

By: Omirin Joshua

A Non-governmental Organization, (NGO) Allamin Foundation for Peace and Development, has urged the stakeholders including religious and traditional leaders to preach forgiveness and peace coexistence for the victims of insurgency and repentance in the state.

The Executive Director, Allamin Foundation for Peace and Development, Hamsatu Allamin made the call during a one-day quarterly project reflections, dissemination of learning and best practices with theme: “Strengthening Capacities and Will for Transitional Justice and Reconciliation in Borno State” held in Maiduguri on Thursday.

Hamsatu said the aim of the quarterly meeting was to get feedback from all the stakeholders and partners with views to come up with better approach that will ensue lasting peace in the state.

She also emphasized the need for everyone to support transitional justice hence it is not an individual struggle rather a collective participation in the overall interest of peace and development.

She revealed that transitional justice has started yielding positve results as some of deradicalized women went to the bush to convince their husbands and bring them out of the bushes to embrace peace and reintegration process.

“These people was misinformed and they have startd showing remorse, in fact they are seeking for forgiveness and regretted of their actions.

“So, we went to the community to engage the leaders and individuals especially women and youths to understand that some of them also are victims and there is a need for us to preach forgiveness and embrace peace.

“I can tell you that out of 90 of them we started this project with, 80 of them are now community peace champion and some of the women go the bush and come out with their husbands to embrace peace, peace is essential and I urge all our leaders to continue preaching peace,”she disclosed.

Also, the stakeholders suggested that security measures should be intensified by the security agenices and volunteers including cjtf, vigilantes, hunters and youths in the remote villages as clashes between framers and loggers are still being experienced.

The stakeholders also recommended participation of community leaders and other religious in the execution and implementation of transitional justice in their communities.

Earlier, Allamin Foundation Project Manager on Reintegration, Mr. Samuel Orahii welcome the community stakeholders and partners, saying it is essential to get feedback from them for effective implementation of the transitional justice, reconciliation, and reintegration process.

The project was funded by UKaid for Foreign, Commonwealth & Development office (FCDO) under the conflict, Stability and Security Funds in the Lake Chad Basin.

NGO urges leaders to preach forgiveness, peace coexistence