Facilitate Roundtable Peace Dialogue Sessions: Dialogues were facilitated by two experts in peacebuilding and community engagements. The Revd Dr. Gideon Para-Mallam facilitated sessions on: Exploring our Shared Humanity: The Role of Different Stakeholders in Fostering Inter-faith and Inter-ethnic Harmony for Mutual Development. Below are testionies from the session.
An Imam, Aboki Sarki, a Representative of the Muslim Council in Wukari, said: “I have been attending this kind of meetings in regards to religion and in regards to peace. This *Project Zaman Lafiya* became the best. I am a Muslim, today is the first day I heard from a Christian and Jukun brother speaking of the truth about main cause of the crises in Wukari.”
Another, Rev. Wunuji Babale CAN Representative in Wukari said: “One of the key things that was mentioned which caught my attention, is the fact that all of us irrespective of our religion, or ethnic background, are human beings. All of us are created in the image of God. This singular understanding will help us; it will help reduce the crisis and troubles we have in the land.”
The second lead facilitator is Dr. Istifanus Gimba who focused on: Current State of Relations Between Different Communities and Faiths in Southern Taraba.
The Dialogue provided a safe space for discussions that promoted mutual understanding and respect on understanding and embracing our humanity and between communities with local authorities. The sessions also established a foundation for future engagements, collaboration and cooperation.
A Representative of the Muslim Council Takum, Mallam Danladi Aliyu said: This event is laudable, it reminds me of a Reverend who we used to work together in advocating for peace but his transfer has made the work very difficult. It is my prayer and hope that by the end of this Project Project Zamanlafiya, I will find another reverend partner to work with. We report with joy that his prayers were answered as he and another reverend were both nominated to serve in the TCMSG – Takum.
Rev. Nzunde Elisha Shamaki said this at the end: “The rate of attacks in Ussa LGA is alarming, there is also the issue of youth unemployment which is a probable factor that the youths can be used as a tool to perpetrate violence. It is my earnest hope that this Project Zamanlafiya, will contribute to bringing peace in not only in Ussa and Taraba State. ” – Ussa