The Presidential Committee on North East Initiative (PCNI), has urged communities affected by the insurgents to avoid ethno-religious crisis that could derail the current rehabilitation programme of Federal Government.
Lt.-Gen. Theophilus Danjuma, Chairman of the committee made the call at the Peace Building Town Hall Dialogue Meeting for Michika and Madagali Local Governments Areas of Adamawa, held on Sunday in Mubi.
The Chairman, who was represented by Brig. -Gen. Habila Vintinaba, Chairman, Sub-Committee on Security in the PCNI, stressed the need to avoid crisis that could stall the smooth implementation of the rehabilitation programme.
Danjuma further advised members of the communities to adopt dialogue as it was the only mechanism for the sustainability of peaceful coexistence among them.
He explained that the PCNI was prepared to begin full implementation of the rehabilitation programme of the Boko Haram affected communities.
He, however, expressed hope that there would be a total end to insurgency in the affected areas.
He also explained that the government was committed to end the plight of the insurgency affected communities through the development of the North East.
Danjuma advised the communities to live in peace and guard against those who manipulate them to resort to violence against one another.
He also called on the community leaders to make good use of the town hall meeting and discuss issues bothering on their peaceful coexistence.
According to him, “our expectations are that the affected communities will sustain the resolutions on peace building which they are part of after the dialogue.’’
Earlier, Prof. Oshita Oshita, Direction-General, Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR) said that dialogue was one of the critical strategy adopted globally in resolving conflicts.
Oshita, who was represented by Mr Mbah Chukwuemeka, Project Coordinator for the IPCR said that the Institute has equally adopted the same mechanism to build peace in Adamawa and other crisis ravaged communities.
According to him, without peace, there cannot be development as `peace can build but violence can only destroy’.
NAN reports that the town hall dialogue was organised by the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution in partnership with UN High Commissioner for Refugees in collaboration with PCNI.
NAN also reports that the dialogue which is the second in the region after the one held in Gembu in Taraba, brought community leaders, religious leaders, women and youths groups together.
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