Search for Common Ground closes project, hands over peace, security committees to Youth Leaders Network

By Akanji Alowolodu, Bauchi

In the cause of implementation of a 2-year programme aimed at creating mutual understanding and trust among Christian and Muslim communities in Bauchi State, a Non-governmental Organization (NGO), Search for Common Ground, in collaboration with the State Government, has built peaceful coexistence among the two divides.

The feat was achieved through the peace building initiative which close out ceremony was held in Bauchi with handing over of a 15 – Man peace and security committee established during the implementation of the Nigeria Youths Care project in Yelwa and Gudum Sayawa communities in Bauchi LGA, as part of the renew vigour to sustain peaceful coexistence in various Bauchi communities.

According to the Project Coordinator of Search for Common Ground, Munnira Askira, “basically the responsibility of the Committee is to make sure that they sustained that peace initiative even after the project closure.”

Munira Askira explained that, “What they would be doing in their respective communities is promoting interfaith harmony and also solving issues that have to do with interfaith, interrelated crises and tension that araises in the communities”

Munira Askira stresses that, “They are to understand early warning signals and develop response mechanism in their various communities as well, this is what they would be doing as their roles”.

On challenges, she explained further, “Normally, in the community we are working with, we don’t experience too much challenges because acceptance is what we have gotten and sometimes in organizing our activities or community events”

“In terms of mobilization, this is, where we have challenges, but we were able to overcome them because we included some of their members to join our movement to aid in that mobilization of people to come out for the activities”Munira Askira maintained

Also speaking, Gift Omoniwa, the Director Programmes, explained that during the project, they recorded successes because of the collaborative efforts, particularly with relevant stakeholders with government at the centre.

She stated that, “In the last 24 months, through the Nigeria Youths Care project, “Search for Common Ground and the Youth Leaders Network (YLN) has established Bauchi Youths Religious Advocacy Network.”

She also said that, a group of 22 young people who represent youths, lead organizations network, after their capacity has been built, towards promoting freedom of religion and beliefs in Bauchi state.

Gift Omoniwa added that, “We also witnessed today, such as “social media platforms, social media influencers and community peace platforms as well those who have been supported and stakeholders who have attested to the positive impact of the project.”

“And for us as an organization, we are hopeful that, the gains of the project should be sustained and the impact would continue to be felt in Bauchi, Gombe and Plateau States,” She maintained.

Seun Justin, Coordinator of the Young Leaders Network also appreciated the efforts of other groups who contributed immensely to the success of the project.

According to him, “Yelwa and Gudum communities are hotspot for interreligious conflicts over the two years and that’s the reason we decided to domesticate our engagements and even with other communities around, like Anguwan Kusu, Tsakani, Kagadama and Lushi, these are conflict areas.”

He stressed that, “We planned together, executed together, also we oriented them, to understand the concept of identity and peaceful coexistence, this was one of the initiatives we developed”.

Seun Justin added that, “And we also supported these young leaders to develop community driving initiatives, that tends to institutionalized peace among the various communities we have engaged.”

“Part of the successes recorded was that we have been receiving calls to come and implement similar initiatives elsewhere, but we cannot because of limited resources,” He concluded.

During the closing out event, many young peace advocates were engaged and showcased their experiences, while taking the project initiatives with seriousness it deserved.

Various peace stakeholders and networks graced the closing ceremony while reflecting on the achievements and the way forward in peace building among communities in Bauchi state and beyond.

At the end, It was a story born of pain but also one of hope as the two communities which were once torn apart by religious violence, are now walking a new path towards peace.

As the two-year peacebuilding project came to an end, the group inaugurated a 30-member Interfaith Peace Committee to ensure the sustainability of their efforts.

The Gudum and Yelwa communities, two densely populated communities at the heart of Bauchi metropolis have seen their share of painful history as religious tensions once ignited deadly violence leading to homes being burned, lives lost and Families torn apart.

But today, change is taking root as
Rev Joshua Ray Maina, a survivor of the crisis, still carries emotional scars but has since embraced the need to peaceful coexist having been destined by God to live at the community.

Others including traditional rulers and religious leaders gave positive testimonials about the impact of the project which has ensured that peace, unity and trust returned to the elsewhile violent communities.

In the aftermath of the project, 30 community members, Muslims and Christians, youths leaders, and women have taken up the mantle of peace as ordinary people with an extraordinary mission.

The NGO believes that even the most fragile peace can grow stronger if nurtured by those who once stood on opposite sides as it is now, calling on both authorities and everyday citizens to protect and promote this new found unity.

From the ashes of conflict, a new chapter is being written in Bauchi, one of unity, dialogue, and second chances for the communities of Gudum and Yelwa to cohabit peaceful.