On Saturday, 21st September 2024, the Plateau Peace Practitioners Network (PPPN) hosted a celebration of the International Peace Day at the Government House, Little Rayfield, Jos, Plateau State.

The event, which commenced at 11 am, was themed “Cultivating a Culture of Peace on the Plateau” and brought together peace practitioners, civil society organizations, religious leaders, and notable figures from within and around the state. Among the key organisations present was the International Center for Peace, Charities, and Human Development (INTERCEP), which continues to play a pivotal role in the promotion of peace, human rights, and conflict resolution across Plateau State.

Speaking during the opening remark of the event, the PPPN president, Mr Nanmak D. Bali, urged everyone present to contribute their quota to the peacebuilding process in Plateau state and beyond. 

A major highlight of the event was the inauguration of the advisory council of the PPPN, where our Executive Director, alongside 16 others, was inaugurated.

As a seasoned legal practitioner with years of experience in human rights advocacy, conflict resolution, and governance, Barrister Iornongu’s contribution to the advisory council will no doubt contribute to the network’s vision of building and sustaining peace on the Plateau.

Another highlight of the event was the paper presentation by Rev. Dr. Gideon Para-Mallam, represented by Dr. Prince Charles Dickson. The paper, titled “Cultivating a Culture of Peace,” looked into the different aspects of peacebuilding in Plateau State, and covered critical themes, including the need for a culture of peace, the complex relationship between religion, conflict, and peace, and the pivotal role of interfaith dialogue in fostering sustainable peace.

Rev. Dr. Para-Mallam stressed the essential role that religious leaders must play in building bridges of peace. He cautioned against the use of divisive language that incites violence, urging leaders to promote cooperation across religious divides. He further stressed that peacebuilding must go beyond temporary solutions, recommending that the government and all stakeholders seek long-term resolutions and avoid taking sides in conflicts.

Some key recommendations from the paper included:

1. Government should remain neutral in religious and ethnic conflicts.
2. Terms such as arne (infidel) and kafir (unbeliever) should be regarded as hate speech.
3. Long-term solutions, not transitory measures, should be pursued through meaningful dialogues.
4. Religious leaders must refrain from making inflammatory statements that incite violence.
5. Faith leaders should collaborate to create safe spaces for dialogue and reconciliation.

Another highlight from the event was the unveiling of the Plateau Peace Practitioners Network Journal which documents significant contributions to peacebuilding within the state and provides a platform for thought leaders and practitioners to share their insights.

The unveiling was particularly notable for INTERCEP, as the Executive Director, Barrister Clement Iornongu, and Programme Officer, Mr. Shalom Kasim, had their articles published in the journal, which again reinforces our intellectual and practical contributions to the peace process.

Barrister Clement Iornongu’s paper, titled “Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War (DPCW): The Declaration that Will Sustain Global Peace,” provided a comprehensive analysis of global peace efforts and the role that declarations like the DPCW can play in ensuring lasting peace. In the paper, Barrister Iornongu argued that while declarations like the DPCW hold significant promise in reducing conflict, global peace can only be achieved through a collective and sustained effort by all nations. Mr. Shalom Kasim’s article, titled “The Transition: Reflections on Growth, Change, and the Way to Peace,” drew from his background in the publishing industry and looked at the connection between personal growth and societal change, and urged everyone to contribute their quota in whatever way they can, in whatever position they find themselves.

The event also featured a two sessions of spoken word performance by VictorWords, the Chairman of the Plateau State Chapter of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA). Through his performance, he reminded the participants of the power of art and literature as tools for social change and peace advocacy.

In the second session of the spoken words performance, a young boy, whose name escaped me in the excitement of the moment, took to the stage and also delivered an interesting spoken word piece, urging for unity in the efforts toward peace.

What This Means for INTERCEP

For INTERCEP, the International Peace Day celebration marks another significant step in its mission to promote peace, human rights, and development in Plateau State. The appointment of Barrister Clement Iornongu to the advisory council of the PPPN places INTERCEP in a very strategic position to influence peacebuilding policies and collaborate with key stakeholders across the state. This role will allow INTERCEP to continue advocating for conflict management, poverty reduction, and good governance while ensuring that vulnerable groups, such as women and children, are protected.

The publication of two articles by INTERCEP’s leadership in the PPPN journal shows the intellectual contributions that we are making to the peace movement in Plateau State. They show that INTERCEP is committed to creating a peaceful and just society, where human dignity is upheld, and conflicts are resolved through dialogue and understanding.