Jos: The Federal Government has launched the Presidential Community Engagement Peace Initiative (PCEPI) to address the ongoing insecurity challenges in the North-Central region of the country.
According to News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the initiative is spearheaded by Mrs. Abiodun Essiet, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement for the North-Central region. Speaking at the launch event in Jos, Essiet emphasized that the initiative is designed to promote peace and security across states in the region. She highlighted the recent rise in violence, including banditry, farmer-herder clashes, insurgency, and kidnapping, which have resulted in significant loss of lives and property.
Essiet explained that the initiative aims to create a proactive response by placing communities at the forefront of peace-building efforts. “This is why we are gathered here today to launch a new pathway through the Presidential Community Engagement on Peace Initiative,” she stated.
During the event, the Gbong Gwom Jos, Da Gyang Buba, urged Nigerians to teach historical antecedents to younger generations, suggesting that understanding history could provide better insights into resolving ongoing conflicts in the region.
Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau, who inaugurated the initiative, expressed that it would significantly contribute to promoting peaceful coexistence in the region. He noted that the initiative aligns with the belief that peace is a shared responsibility and emphasized the importance of local communities in leading conflict resolution and peace-building efforts under the Tinubu-led administration. “It will also build bridges of trust between citizens through shared commitment and dialogue,” Mutfwang added.
