Kaigama, others sue for peace between Tiv and Jukun

The Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, Ignatius Kaigama, and other stakeholders have called on the Federal Gvernment to intervene in the recurring clashes between the Tiv and Jukun ethnic groups of Benue and Taraba States, which has plunged the people into greater poverty as homes and communities are destroyed.
Speaking at the Women Peaceful-Building Conference organised in Abuja on Thursday by the Foundation for Peace, Hope and Conflict Management (FPHCM), Kaigama lamented that the violence in parts of Taraba and the boarder settlements of Benue was getting out of hand.
He said that the crisis was plunging the populations into greater and greater poverty, while youths seem to look forward to the next crisis, instead of promoting positive viable agricultural activities in the areas to attract investors.
While stressing the importance of women in restoring peace to troubled communities, he appealed to the former Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Gen. Theophilus Danjuma (rtd.), former governors of Benue, George Akume and Gabriel Suswan, Senator Emmanuel Bwacha as well as other elders of the two ethnic groups to speak out emphatically for peaceful coexistence.
Kaigama noted that being major food producing communities in Nigeria, the violence was plunging the already impoverished States into greater poverty, and also affecting other States that benefit from the agricultural business.
He also noted that there is strongly rooted suspicion, distrust and hatred between the Jukun and Tiv, which cause had remained a mystery despite many panels of inquiry and reconciliation set up in the past.
“This gathering of Tiv and Jukun women in Abuja today is a positive step and a wonderful boost to peaceful coexistence among the two ethnic groups.
“Women are veritable peace instruments. You stand better chance and have the moral and emotional advantage of talking to your husbands, children and relations.
“Please tell your children, husbands or relations to drop their arms; they should avoid prejudices and stigmatisation, and learn to forgive and see in one another the image and likeness of God.
“The negative social consequences of the conflicts inflicted on one another have not and will never be helpful to anyone. Destruction and killings seen to have become a constant”, Kaigama stated.
Earlier, the Executive Director FPHCM. Rev. Fr. Prof. Anthony Bature, said the Foundation which believes strongly in peace, justice, and fairness, was concerned with raising women as ambassadors and catalysts for promoting peaceful coexistence in their communities.
Bature stated that the aim of the conference is to have the women equipped with the right knowledge of peace building and they will serve as advocate for peace and equally preach peace and proffer solution as mother’s in their various communities.”
Represented by Rev. Fr. Peter Kamai of the Veritas University, Catholic Bishop of Jalingo, Most. Revd. Charles Hammawa, in his remarks, admonished Christians to maintain peace with all men as much as possible.
“In pursuing growth and development, the role played by women is crucial. In places affected by conflict, women suffer enormously. Yet, time and time again, it has proven that women can and are the agents and catalysts of change who make a durable peace possible”, he said.
The clergy also urged women to rise up and contribute their quota to building trust and acceptance.