By Aisha Abdulfatah
Voice and Accountability platform or VAP is a coalition of civil society organization including media organizations in Kano. The platform is working to promote peace and good governance. Recently, the group is implementing a project the aims at “Establishing a sustainable local peace and conflict resolution Assembly in Kumbotso local government area of Kano State.
The broad objective of the project is to help reduce the upsurge of conflict and crime in the area and Kano in general; this is informed by a research study by VAP conducted in 2018 of the rising cases of violence and family disputes in the area.
The project has series of activities that includes stakeholder consultations, trainings and mentoring of community members and the conflict resolution assembly members on conflict resolution, techniques and management strategies.
The training on “Conflict Resolution Techniques and Crime Prevention Techniques” is one of many trainings being conducted for the peace assembly to drive peace process in the community.
The training had religious leaders, community leaders, youth organizations, security agencies, human rights organizations and women groups.
Community mobilization officer of VAP, Sagir Salihu Chedi while introducing the objective of the training says it is the fourth of its kind for the already formed peace and conflict resolution assembly of the local government. He says the aim of the training is to have a well-informed Peace and Conflict Assembly Members with good knowledge of conflict resolution techniques to manage any conflict in the area.
VAP Executive Director, Isiyaku Ahmed says the activity will improve, empower and encourage the Sustainable Peace and Conflict Resolution Assembly Members to drive the peace process in their communities. He also says the activity will lay emphasis on the importance of the structure, roles and responsibilities of the Assembly Members being clearly outlined and defined for proper communication and coordination.
The resource person at the event, Retired Assistant Inspector General of Police Alh. Salisu Fagge made presentations on “Crime Prevention and “conflict management strategies”. He admonishes participants to be wary of Kidnappers, thugs and other petty criminals in their respective communities. He says parents should take responsibility of their children and be mindful of the company they keep.
AIG Fagge, Rtd, also says every member of the community should be on the alert of who their neighbors are to avoid harboring criminals in the society.
Ahmad Tahir is the Chairman, Kumbotso Peace and Conflict Resolution Assembly, he says the training will added value to their work as mediators in the community, he thanked VAP for organizing the series of trainings. security is everyone’s business, it is therefore expected that community members should play the of complementing the efforts of constituted authorities through conflict resolution and management to promote peace in their community.
