By Mohammed Tijjani
A total of 100 volunteers have completed training on dialogue processes to promote peaceful coexistence in Kaduna State.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the training of the ‘Dialogue Ambassadors’ was facilitated by Rev. Fr. Onuh Ladi , a Priest of the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto.
Ladi said on Saturday in Kaduna that he was inspired to initiate the project by the King Abdulaziz Institute for Intercultural and Religious Dialogue (KAICIID).
The cleric spoke at the end of the two-day training on Intercultural and Interreligious Dialogue for residents of Kaduna North Local Government Area.
“As part of my requirement for graduation, I took the initiative to train 100 participants on dialogue, based on the topic ‘intercultural and interreligious dialogue’,” he said.
He explained that out of the 100 people trained, 40 were women, 40 youths and 20 religious and community leaders drawn from both Muslim and Christian communities.
The cleric said that the dialogue ambassadors were drawn from Abakpa, Sabon Tasha, Kawo, Unguwan Kanawa among others.
On the two-day training, Ladi said it was to give people of different backgrounds, cultural and religious identities, the opportunity to understand themselves and live together in peace.
“The ultimate aim is mutual understanding and peaceful coexistence, harmonious living and peace in Kaduna state and Nigeria at large,” he added.
In his remarks, Mr Atiku Sankey, Special Adviser on Peace and Conflict Resolution to Gov. Uba Sani of Kaduna State, commended the initiative saying it was in line with government’s desire for a peaceful state.
“Dialogue is very important,” he said, adding that as a government they would continue to encourage more conversations around peaceful coexistence and mutual respect across the state.
He assured that the governor was ready at all times to implement any recommendation that would strengthen peaceful coexistence in the state.
Sankey said the government would use conventional and social media, and other outlets to send out messages to improve peaceful coexistence in communities and educate the youths on peace building.
Fr. Stephen Ojapah, a KAICIID Fellow, urged the ambassador to reach out to their communities and translate the essence of dialogue and mutual respect for peaceful coexistence.
