Gombe ACReSAL conducts peace-building training for communities

The Gombe State Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) Project has begun a three-day peace-building training for members of the Early Warning Early Response (EWER) committee from the 11 Local Government Area of the state.

Dr Sani Jauro, Gombe State ACReSAL Project Coordinator while speaking at the opening ceremony held in Gombe on Monday, said the move was to foster harmony and prevent conflicts in communities where ACReSAL Projects are implemented.

Jauro said that no fewer than 310 members of the committee comprising religious and community leaders and other stakeholders who shape public opinions in their communities were being trained.

He said that the objective of the training was to empower the participants with the knowledge needed to maintain peace and resolve disputes effectively.
He stressed that the training was essential for the smooth implementation and success of ACReSAL projects in the state

Jauro while emphasising the importance of peace-building in protecting community livelihoods and securing the investments made by the project, commended communities in the state for promoting peace.

He stated that the state government under the leadership of Gov. Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State has invested a lot of resources in maintaining the prevailing peace in the state.

“This training is to consolidate that effort to ensure that we sustain the peaceful coexistence that Gombe estate is known for.

“Peace-building is essential for the successful implementation of ACReSAL projects, which aim to tackle land degradation and climate change in the region.

“This is why we are engaging them towards building a conflict-free society,” he said.

Jauro said that during the training, participants would be assisted in developing early warning and early response systems to identify and address potential conflicts before they escalate.
Alhaji Mohammed Abubakar, the village head of Doho community in Kwami Local Government Area of Gombe State lauded ACReSAL for the training.

Abubakar said the training would enhance his ability to resolve conflicts particularly farmer-herder-related conflicts.

Mrs Justina Umar, women leader from Malam Inna community in Gombe LGA commended ACReSAL for including women in the training, stressing that such would ensure that no one was left out.