Map of Taraba State in North East Nigeria
BY NANA AISHA, Jalingo –
Some concerned Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs) committed to social cohesion and violence prevention, have called on the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and The Muslim Council of Nigeria (MCN) to promote peace and unity in Taraba State.
The call followed the recent tirades between the Taraba State Chapters of The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and the Muslim Council of Nigeria.
In a joint statement signed by The Executve Director, African Resillent Initiative for Community & Sustainable Development (AfRICOSUD) Mr. Onyeka Nwigwe and Executive Director, Safe Environment and Community Health Initiative(SECHI), Fidelity Nashuka, urged both parties to seek better avenues to dialogue and find peaceful resolution of their differences.
The statement noted that the recent tirades between the religious organizations are early warning signs that should not be overlooked.
“We acknowledge the role of faith leaders in nation-buiding and their impacts cannot be overemphasized While we acknowledge the concerns of the two religious bodies, we advice that they seek better avenues to dialogue and find peaceful resolution of ther differences”.
“As the election circle begins, stakeholders, especially religious organizations and their leaders should endeavor to douse tensions and promote harmony and unity as their actions or inactions tend to impact the political atmosphere negatively or positively”.
“We were all witnesses to electoral violence recorded in the state after the 2019 general elections and the resultant loss of lives and properties, which necessitated the state government to impose a two- week curfew. We don’t want a repeat of that as we build up to the 2023 elections”, the statement said.
The group, however, called on the people of Taraba State to be commit to building peaceful societies based on ideas that unite rather than divide and face our common enemies which are poverty, unemployment, banditry and other socioeconomic challenges that cripple development.
It also called on officials of the Taraba State Chapters of the CAN and MCN to stop the feud, work together to promote harmony and ensure peace in the state.
