Clergy urges unity to tackle ethnic, religious conflicts in Taraba

A renowned preacher and peace advocate, Rev Gideon Para-Mallam, has voiced deep concern over the persistent ethnic and religious conflicts that have plagued Taraba State.

He described them as significant barriers to peace and development.

Speaking during a community engagement meeting in Wukari local government of Taraba, Para-Mallam urged stakeholders to work together to address these entrenched divisions.

Newspot observed that the meeting brought together representatives from religious, traditional, political, and women’s groups across Wukari, Takum, and Ussa LGAs.

“Taraba has endured its fair share of divisions, driven by religion, inter-ethnic tensions, and chieftaincy disputes. These factors remain the primary triggers of conflict in the three LGAs we assessed,” he said.

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The clergy, who highlighted the efforts of the Gideon-Funmi Para-Mallam Peace Foundation to address these challenges through Project Zamanlafiya Taraba, said the initiative aimed at fostering understanding, collaboration, and peace among diverse communities.

He also announced the establishment of Conflict Management Support Groups in Wukari, Takum, and Ussa LGAs to enhance advocacy and peacebuilding in the region.

According to him, these groups are designed to empower local communities to take ownership of the peace process by addressing conflicts at their roots.

“Our mission is to spread the message of peace and ensure that stakeholders in these three local government councils lead the charge in fostering interfaith and inter-ethnic harmony,” he said.

In their remarks, participants from Christian and Muslim leaders, women’s groups, youth organizations, and political representatives pledged to work collaboratively to ensure peace prevails in the entire Taraba South and the state as a whole.

Supporting the position of the clergy, the women’s leader of the Jukun Youth Cultural and Development Association, Justina Achiken, emphasized the importance of inclusivity in peacebuilding efforts.

She noted that while women often bear the brunt of conflicts, they also play crucial roles in reconciliation and community healing.