Jaba LGA's Landmark Peace Summit: A Bold Step Toward Unity in Kaduna State

By Abubakar Labaran

In a historic move to strengthen community ties and ensure lasting peace, the Jaba Local Government Council in Kaduna State convened its first-ever Peace and Security Summit at the Rakiya Event Centre in Kwoi.

Themed "Bridging the Divide: Uniting Farmers, Herders, and Youth for a Prosperous Community," the landmark gathering brought together diverse stakeholders committed to fostering harmonious coexistence in the region

Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani, lauded the Executive Chairman of Jaba LGA, Hon. Larai Sylvia Ishaku, for pioneering this initiative. Represented by his Special Adviser on Peace and Conflict Resolution, Alhaji Danlami Adamu, the Governor emphasized that the foundation of lasting peace rests on our shared humanity.

"Citizens must prioritize their human connections over tribal or religious affiliations," Adamu conveyed, adding that fairness and mutual respect are non-negotiable pillars for community peace.

The Governor reaffirmed his administration's unwavering commitment to securing the state as a prerequisite for meaningful development.

Hon. Henry Marah, member representing Jaba Constituency in the Kaduna State House of Assembly, urged citizens to resist the temptation of taking the law into their own hands. He stressed the importance of reporting grievances to proper authorities, noting that even minor disputes can escalate into full-blown crises if mishandled.

While acknowledging the summit's timeliness, Marah wisely cautioned that accidental incidents can still trigger tensions, urging all parties to exercise wisdom and restraint.

In her stirring address, Hon. Larai Sylvia Ishaku framed the summit as more than just a discussion it was a roadmap toward sustainable peace, mutual understanding, and development.

"Jaba LGA is known for its cultural diversity and hardworking people," she stated. "Our farmers sustain our communities, our herders drive the livestock economy, and our youth are our greatest asset for the future. Yet when conflicts arise among these groups, everyone suffers—lives are lost, livelihoods destroyed, and development stalls."

Ishaku defined peace not merely as the absence of conflict but as the active presence of justice, dialogue, tolerance, and mutual respect. She called on all parties to reject divisive narratives along ethnic, religious, or occupational lines.

"Let us choose cooperation over confrontation and dialogue over violence," she implored.

The Chairman emphasized that the summit was designed to build trust, strengthen collaboration, and establish practical mechanisms for conflict prevention, early warning systems, dispute resolution, and community policing.

"Security is everyone's responsibility. Government alone cannot achieve lasting peace without traditional rulers, religious leaders, security agencies, women, youth organizations, farmers' associations, and herders' groups," she added.

Ishaku extended her appreciation to Governor Sani for his steadfast commitment to peace and inclusive governance throughout Kaduna State.

Keynote speakers, including Mr. Bamai Abu Nehemiah, Senior Special Assistant on Security Matters, and CSP Namaibindiga, Commander of Fushing KADA (Kaduna State Police Command), addressed pressing concerns raised by herders, farmers, traditional institutions, CAN representatives, youth groups, CDAs, and security agencies.

They identified hate speech, lack of trust, and poor understanding between groups as primary drivers of conflict, appealing to all parties to avoid actions that could trigger unrest. The presenters stressed that national security is fundamental to meaningful development.

Major General Peter Dauke (rtd), Chairman of the occasion, described the summit as both timely and essential for sustaining Jaba LGA's tradition of peaceful