The Social Justice and Human Development for Peace Initiative (JDPC) of the Catholic Archdiocese of Jos, has unveiled the findings of a research it conducted to promote peace in Plateau and Kaduna State.
Rev. Fr. Basil Kassam, the Assistant Coodinator of JDPC, said that the research was conducted under its project tagged “Barometer of Cultural and Religious Pluralism in Nigeria”.
Kassam further that the project was supported by the Catholic Agency for Overseas Development (CAFOD) and funded by Observatoire Pharos, a French organisation.
He explained that the research was conducted in Barkin Ladi, Bokkos, Kaura and Jama’a Local Government Areas of Plateau and Kaduna state.
The assistant coordinator said that the research, a pilot scheme, had provided practicable solutions towards boosting peaceful coexistence among Nigerians.
“This research is to help us facilitate how we can engage people, particularly on the issues of early warning and early response.
“So, the research will help policymakers, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), both local and international partners, to respond more positively and more comprehensively to peace building in our communities,”he said.
Kassam, who expressed optimism of a peaceful Nigeria, called on religious and community leaders, youth and women groups, among others, to unite towards achieving lasting peace in the communities
Speaking, Mr Mwansat Samuel, the Lead Researcher, said that the research aimed at finding common grounds in a pluralistic society like Nigeria.
Samuel, a Lecturer with the Department of Mass Communication, University of Jos, identified rumours, misinformation, hate speech, identity-based claims and historical grievances as some of the causes of conflicts in the communities.
Other identified causes of conflicts he said were declining communication among leaders, social segregation, drug abuse, exclusion, among others.
“Part of our recommendation is that the National Assembly should clearly differentiate in the constitution between an indigene and a settler, as it is with the issue of citizenship.
“State Houses of Assembly should enact legislation recognising long-term residency as the legal basis for civic rights, thereby replacing the indigene-settler classification system.
“The Federal Government should formally declare and deploy dedicated protection to shared economic infrastructure, including mining sites, grazing corridors, irrigation scheme and transport hubs.
“Religious councils and faith leaders should partner with regulatory bodies and civil society to establish clear guidelines against hate speech and inflammatory preaching, actively promoting tolerance and interfaith dialogue,”he said
Samuel also said that CSOs, security agencies, traditional institutions and local government authorities also have key roles to play towards ensuring lasting peace in the communities.
