Peace Architect
The outbreak of crisis has pushed communities to fashion out desperate measures to promote and maintain peace. In north central Nigeria, the farmers/herders crisis is an issue that has breed peace architects and mechanisms for the resettlement of the displaced rural dwellers, who are mostly peasant farmers. One of such people in the vanguard for peace in Mbalaa Council Ward of Makurdi, Local Government Area in Benue State is Mr. Peter Adinya, a former Secretary to a traditional institution, former member/secretary of different dialogue committees and a front-runner for the District Head of Mbalaa. He spoke to The Transmitter’s Denen Daniel on the return of peace to his District and his expectations in the forth selection process, for a new District Head of Mbalaa. Excerpts:
THE TRANSMITTER: What roles do you play in the community?
Mr. Adinya: My role and those of like-minds is majorly centered on peace building. We are always on the alert to know where there is tension and we usually step in to calm situations and bring in peace.
THE TRANSMITTER: Can you share with us about your community in some of these crises?
Mr. Adinya: Being on the borderline comes with a lot of challenges and one of them being that of constant confrontations and attacks, especially the herders/farmers clashes. However, beginning from 2012, the situation of communities along the borderline got worse. In most cases, the impact of these attacks leaves everything into ashes. It is always a bad outcome whenever such attacks occur as things are usually destroyed. The first major attack came in 2012 and immediately was followed in 2013. By 2014, we returned home, only to witness another heavy attack in 2015. These attacks continued in 2017, 2018 but from 2019 to date, we have not witnessed attacks again. However, the loss of loved ones and properties has greatly affected my people.
THE TRANSMITTER: What do you think is the reason behind break in attacks?
Mr. Adinya: In 2017, the state came up with a law, the Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law. We knew that there were going to be resistance because the herdsmen have been on ground for many years and trying to push them out required a well-organized security against all forms of resistance. We ran away from our villages and at some point, we returned from the IDPs camps, because we were not willing to submit ourselves at the mercy of hunger. Back home, we identified dialogue as key to solving the crisis. We engaged the herdsmen in dialogue and in the course, a deal was reached, that when they destroy any farmland, they will pay. On the other hand, we warned ourselves not to engage in any rustling or killing of cows, no matter the grievances. With these agreements on ground, we are experiencing relative peace. Our resolve has become a reference point to other communities.
THE TRANSMITTER: How do your people appreciate your efforts?
Mr. Adinya: By yielding to our advice, that is how I can say our people have appreciated our efforts. I am a trained peace advocate, because I have been a participant in different peace building workshops. Currently, I am among participants drafted from seven states of the federation who are undergoing training on peace building in the states prone to farmers/herders crisis.
THE TRANSMITTER: What can you say about the dialogue workshops?
Mr. Adinya: So far, it has been a good experience, particularly a presentation from Austin Iwar, a retired AIG of Police, who presented an impactful paper. We also share experience about our communities as related to the crisis of farmers/herders. The story of a man from Nassarawa who narrated how his wife was killed and how it has been difficult for him sitting on a roundtable with herders for dialogue helped the organizers to further deepen their resolve to promote dialogue among communities.
THE TRANSMITTER: How have you been able to bring your wealth of experience to bear on your community?
Mr. Adinya: We usually organize town hall meetings on the outcome of workshops, to share knowledge on new ways of promoting peace. We expand our scope of coverage by engaging the traditional institution in the community.
THE TRANSMITTER: The challenge of youth restiveness?
Mr. Adinya: The atmosphere is tensed already and when engaging the youths in any conversation, we avoid any form of language that will aggravate the situation. So, we approach the youth with utmost diplomacy. I am proud to announce that our youths have been cooperative in terms of peace building. You must understand with youth because they have the energy for certain things and when you disregard them, it is always at your peril.
THE TRANSMITTER: Is this peace move a short or long term solution to the crisis?
Mr. Adinya: The success on ground is just a short term success. If long term goals must be achieved, the security of the state must be revamped. Without qualitative security, the law will not see its aims. It is good news that the state has awarded a contract for the construction of Makurdi-Yogbo, Udei road. When completed, it will ease movement for security operatives. So, you can agree with me that a good road network alone can solve the problem of insecurity.
THE TRANSMITTER: There has been intensified call on community policing. As an expert, what will be your take?
Mr. Adinya: It is a welcome idea. However, care must be taken when it comes to drafting young men and women into community policing. The traditional institution must be closely engaged since they would be the best to tell who in the community is qualified for the job.
THE TRANSMITTER: What do you think is your credibility as a candidate for District Headship?
Mr. Adinya: First, my many years of service in the traditional chamber and the experience gathered is a plus. Second, I am from the favored zone and the district head I served as secretary was a man of good leadership qualities. I took time to learn from him and I believe when I am finally installed as a chief, I will not depart from all I have learned from him. It is also important to promote intercommunity peace by being fair and firm in decisions in times of dispute with other communities. Let us continue to explore opportunities there are through dialogue for endurable peace. Also, the traditional system and its processes of selecting rulers should be freed from partisan politics so as to restore the glory of the institution.
