By Ankeli Emmanuel (In Sokoto State)
Stakeholders Tuesday gathered at the Dankeni Hotels to make valuable inputs towards the validation of the Sokoto Peace and Conflict Analysis (PCA) Research Report conducted by the Crech Research and Development Institute (CRADI).
The research funded by the European Union and implemented by International Alert in partnership with Action Against Hunger and Save The Child Initiative (STCI)
In his welcome remarks, the Programme Manager, Nigeria, International Alert, Mr Sunday Momoh Jimoh said the essence of the validation meeting was to ensure that stakeholders make their inputs towards arriving at an agreeable stance on the research report.
According to Jimoh the entire research can only gain the needed attention when stakeholders gives their perspectives, adding hence it deals with a very sensitive matter of peace and conflict analysis.
Presenting the Overview, Process, Methodology and Key Findings from the Draft PCA Report, Mr Rinji Kwarkas, the PCA Data Analysts and Field Coordinator said, conflict exposure is extremely high across Sokoto state, adding 90.82% of respondents agreeing to have experienced or observe conflicts in their communities.
"The report presents the finding of Peace and Conflict Analysis (PCA) conducted by Crest Research and Development Institute (CRADI) on behalf of International Alert and it's consortium partners (Action Against Hunger and Save The Child Initiative) to inform the implementation of the Residence, Engagement and Conflict Prevention for At-Risk Population' Protection (RECAP) Project in Sokoto State funded by the European Union".
According to Jimoh, the particpapatry, mixed context-sensitive cum mixed method approach research drew primary data from 18 local government areas of Sokoto state and systematically analysed the drivers of such conflict, their actors, trends as well as it's dynamics alongside existing peace factors and opportunities.
Talking on the characteristic of Sokoto's conflict, the research affirmed that banditry constitutes (74.4%,) followed by farmers/herders conflict (54.5%) the political conflict (54.5%), resource based dispute (41.9%) while communal conflict remains comparatively lower than (20.6%).
Speaking earlier in his goodwill message, the District Head ( Sarkin Yakin Gagi) Alhaji Umar Jabi said attaining relative peace would only be possible when leaders remain upright and refused to compromise justice.
According to Sarkin Yakin Gagi, no society will be save when leaders institutionalize corruption, encourage gender inequality, entrench religious denials, encourages tribalism, regional imbalance, and denial of freedom of speech as well as, access to free and quality education.
He also blamed the media for contributing to the rot, saying most media house have now become mouth piece of the government rather than performing their constitutional responsibly of holding leaders accountable to masses.
Stakeholders at the validation meeting include the Spokesperson of Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) Prof. Tukur Baba, members of the Sokoto State House of Assembly, CSO's, Security Agencies, Lawyers, representatives of People with Disability, Youth and women group as well as religious leaders. NNL.
