By joy Odor
The Metropolitan Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, His Grace, Most Reverend Ignatius Kaigama has described the tense and nagative social consequences conflicts between the Tiv of Taraba and Jukun of Benue Sates as a stubborn boil that refused to go away.
He stated this in his presentation titled, Tiv and Jukun Women: “Veritable Instruments in the Search for Peaceful Co-existence” at the Women Peace-building Conference in Abuja under the auspices of the Foundation for Peace, Hope and Conflicts Management (FPHCM) on Thursday, 8th of August 2020.
He noted that the destruction and killings between both seems to have become a constant and suspicion while distrust and hatred are so strong that some Jukun and Tiv people are allergic to the name of the other.
Bishop Kaigama was of the opinion that many efforts at peaceful resolution have been made to avoid prejudice and stigmatization to see themselves as one Image in God have failed.
Archbishop Kaigama said the gathering of Tiv and Jukun Women in Abuja for solution is a very positive step and a wonderful boost to peaceful co-existence among the two ethnic groups, saying women are very peace instruments.
“You women stand a better chance and have the moral and emotional advantage of talking to your husbands, children and relations.
“Dear Jukun and Tiv women, please tell your children, husbands to drop their arms.
“They should avoid prejudice and stigmatization and learn to forgive and see in one another the image and likeness of God.
“Many efforts at peaceful resolution have been made so far but the tensed between Jukun and Tiv relationship seems like a stubborn boil that refuses to go away. What is the cause of this mutual antagonism and hostility” he stressed.
Bishop Kaigama therefore advised for deep examination of ethnic historical factor such as colonialism, the reality of the Kwararafa Kingdom and the sensitivity of ethnic identity as causes of the conflicts, pointing out that it is a tragedy that Jukun and Tiv people keeps going in parallel lines, each claiming to be right and to be the victims each time a crisis occurs.
The Catholic Archbishop said Jukun and Tiv are facing collective threats from all angles, emphasizing that this is the time for them to transcend prejudice, stereotyping, artificial barriers, discrimination, mutual and violence to face future both in terms of social welfare and security.
He also urged priest, pastors, traditional and other church leaders to avoid getting sentimental involved, taking sides or whipping up sentiments but use it’s advantage of privileged theological studies to stand apart from parochially divisive narratives that strain relationships.
The Metropolitan Catholic Archbishop of Abuja call for more moderate and reconciliatory utterances or statement from political leaders, traditional and religious leaders and elders who should speak the language of peace instead of war.
In his opening address, the Bishop of Jalingo diocese, His Lordship, Most Reverend Dr. Charles Hammawa said conflicts undermines social trust, the rule of law, human rights and ultimately give license to impunity.
Represented by a lecturer at the Veritas University, Reverend Father Dr. Peter Kamai, Bishop Hammawa opined that as homes and community are destroyed, peoply becomes increasely vulnerable to poverty, crime and exploitation.
He stressed that for peace to reign over the world, all have to stand steadfast against evil forces but unify by protest and practice solidarity, noting that it is the unity of people that intimidate forces of evil.
The Jalingo Catholic Bishop said in pursuing of peace and development, the role played by women is crucial as women suffered most in places affected by conflicts yet women are the agent and catalysts of change who make a durable peace possible.
“Women are indeed peacemakers. Peacemakers are declared, and are called sons and daughters of God.
“Please, women of Benue and Taraba state, rise up and write your names in gold and contribute to building trust, acceptance and peace among the fighting ethnic groups in our States.
“Prevail in whatever means to stopping this protracted carnage, an ill wind that blows no good to anyone o group” he said.
Earlier in his welcome speech, the Executive Director of the Foundation for Peace, Hope and Conflicts Management (FPHCM), Reverend Father Professor Anthony Bature explained that the aim of the conference is to have the women undergo series of workshops and seminar to be equipped with the knowledge of Peace-building.
According to him, the women will serve as an advocate for peace, preach peace and proffer solution as mothers in their various communities.
Rev. Father Bature mentioned that the women that would be endorsed as Peace Ambassadors at the end of the conference will carry out research to other women at the grassroots level, assist with the data collection aspect and report to the field teams after which the reports will be harmonized and published for reference purposes.
“FPHCM was established in 2019 with the soul aim of having a society where peace, justice, trust and harmonious co-existance prevail.
“FPHCM is a not for profit and Non-Governmental Organization that works to establish peace and harmonious co-existance, justice, equity, and fairness, trust and reconciliation, non violent societal transformations, gender equity and equality, women, youth empowerment and development, skills acquisition, entrepreneurship promotion, climate change, renewable energy, environmental protection, preservation, agriculture, education and health.
“The theme for this year’s conference is “Women are key to Peace”.
“This conference is a part of our organization core values as well as it’s visions and missions in building a peaceful society deviod of violence, unjust social structures and mutual suspicion among tribes, religion and ethnic groups while creating a structure that will facilitate Human capital development and environment protection peace in and between conflicting communities in the north Central region and beyond”Fr Bature narrated.
