By Anthony Maliki
The Kaduna State Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan said Kaduna citizens, especially those in southern part of the state can live together when they learn to communicate positively, negotiate effectively, and resolve conflicts amicably, instead of seeking to demean, demonize or denigrate.
He said peace is possible when people eschew inflammatory and politically charged rhetoric and resist the temptation to compromise the true values of community for fleeting profits
Aruwan made the statement in a one day sensitization of stakeholders in Jema’a/Sanga Federal Constituency on Conflict Prevention and Management, organized by the member representing the constituency, Shehu N. Garba, in collaboration with the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR), held in Kafanchan.
He said learning to live together entails developing an understanding of people, which leads to interdependence and peaceful, intelligent responses to the common challenges.
“Engagements such as this one, are aimed at building such an understanding, and entrenching respect for diversity and different identities – ethnicity or religion. They will also help us think more critically and face challenges with empathy. This kind of respect and understanding is the foundation of our living together in peace and harmony, and it is needed now more than ever.”
He also urged the people to reject the divisive narratives which have been circulated for decades, “If we do not first quell the rage within, the outward storm will never subside.” He added
“We can live together when we condemn wrongdoing in the strongest terms, call out criminal acts for what they are, and ensure criminal behavior is punished, and not view them through ethnic or religious lenses.”
Also speaking, the Director, Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution, Dr Bakut Tswa Bakut, who was represented by Barrister Gabriel Jiya of the institute, emphasized the need for patience and forgiveness in order to continue living together in peace and harmony.
Earlier, the lawmaker who hosted the event, Shehu Nicholas Garba (Sarkin Noma), said the decision to organized the program was borne out of his passion to promote peaceful coexistence among his constituents.
Sarkin Noma, who called on the people to embrace each order and live in peace to pave ways for constituency projects, also urged the security agencies to nip in the bud the rising insecurity, by addressing the issue of armed robbery and kidnapping that is rampant in Gidan Waya and Barde axis of Jema’a local government area.
