Micro-influencers from Plateau, Bauchi, and Gombe States have toured several communities in Plateau State as part of a 3-day Exposure Tour under the Youth Collective Action for Religious Engagement (Youth CARE) Project.
The Exposure tour, organized by Search for Common Ground in collaboration with Young Leaders Network, took the participants to Doruwa Babuje in Barkin Ladi, Kwatas in Bokkos, and the Ten Commandments Prayer Site in Dwei, Jos South LGA.
According to Fatima Danlami, Digital Peacebuilding Project Officer with Search for Common Ground, the tour was aimed at helping influencers understand how Christians and Muslims live together peacefully. “Engaging directly with communities encourages empathy and helps reduce prejudice,” she said.
Danlami added that the influencers were expected to collect stories from the field to create digital content promoting peace and tolerance online. “We are building a strong network of digital ambassadors who will share these positive stories beyond their local communities,” she explained.
During the tour, the influencers participated in an inter-religious learning session organized by JISRA in Doruwa Babuje of Barkin Ladi. The session brought together religious leaders and peace actors from Plateau and Kaduna States to share experiences and foster interfaith unity.
Adanu Gabriel, DMEAL Officer at Dialogue Reconciliation and Peace Centre (DREP), said, “The session allowed participants to share lessons, challenges, and ideas to improve interfaith efforts. It also deepened their understanding of community engagement and peaceful coexistence.”
Rayyanu Haruna, JNI Chairman of Kwatas, shared that he has long been promoting peace by organizing town hall meetings that involve security agencies, traditional rulers, and youth for interfaith dialogue. Similarly, Prince Munonye, the CAN Chairman of Kakuri in Kaduna, said, “Christians and Muslims in my community have always lived in peace. We once gave an award to a Muslim cleric who entered a church for the first time in his life.”
Kaura Joshua, Project Officer on the Youth CARE Project, described the Exposure Tour as impactful and unique. He highlighted the significance of visiting Doruwa Babuje, a community that has remained united despite past conflicts.
He also spoke on the emotional moment at the Ten Commandments site in Dwei where Muslims and Christians stood together. “This moment broke stereotypes and showed how shared spaces can build mutual respect. It proves that peace is possible when we embrace dialogue,” Kaura added.
At the tour, Influencers from the 3 Northern states engaged with people of different faiths, listened to firsthand stories of unity and peaceful coexistence in the communities.
Ruth Matthew, an influencer from Plateau, said her experience in Doruwa Babuje was eye-opening. “Seeing Christians and Muslims live in unity despite past crises showed me the real power of Freedom of Religion and Belief in promoting peace,” she said.
From Bauchi, Victor Stephen expressed how deeply touched he was by the transformation he witnessed in Kwatas. “Hearing how people now resolve disputes peacefully and live like family was very encouraging. It proves that peace is achievable when communities commit to it,” he noted.
Fatima Lawan Sani, a micro-influencer from Gombe, described her visit to the Ten Commandments monument as a powerful moment. “As a Muslim, I joined Christians in prayer at the site. It was a moment of mutual respect that captured the true meaning of interfaith harmony,” she said.
The Exposure Tour not only highlighted the strength of community-led peacebuilding efforts in Plateau State but also empowered influencers to use their platforms to amplify stories of hope, unity, and religious tolerance across Nigeria.
