NGO CALLS FOR SYNERGY TOWARDS PROMOTING PEACEFUL COEXISTENCE AMONG NIGERIANS

KANO_____A leading non governmental organisation, NGO in Nigeria, the Center for Peace and Environmental Justice, CEPEJ has embarked on a two-day working visit to the North West of Nigeria, Kano State in particular, with a view to partnering and collaborating with similar organisations so as to assist the Federal and State Governments to proffer solutions to the rising spate of insecurity, banditary, kidnapping and other vices confronting the country today.

The CEPEJ delegation led by its National Coordinator, Comrade Mulade Sheriff paid the familiarization/courtesy visit to discuss and seek collaboration with the NGOs in Kano State on how to promote peace through Early Warning System.

The Executive Director, Centre for Human Rights and Civic Education (CHRICED) in Kano State, Comrade Ibrahim Zikirillah welcomed the Mulade-led CEPEJ team, and said the hosting of the CEPEJ Boss was a great opportunity for them to share knowledge and experiences on how to tackle insecurity, build peace, and educate the youths on the need for them to shun violence in their communities, and embrace the spirit of peaceful coexistence.

Comrade Zikirullahi added that the Resource Center for Human Rights and Civic Education which is regarded as an organization of active citizens, started in Lagos, and now in Kano, with an Office in Abuja. He said CHRICED also networks and engages in so many activities.

According to him, the body is working on a project titled Social Mobilization for Transparency and Accountability in Maternal Health, and Resource Budgeting in Kano State; it promotes democratic participation in Kano State, fosters transparency and accountability in constituency project delivery in Kano State, as well as promotes human rights and civic education among Kano people.

The CHRICED Executive Director applauded CEPEJ for its activities and programmes, and invited CEPEJ National Coordinator to attend the 15th anniversary of CHRICED coming up later this year.

Responding, National Coordinator of CEPEJ, Comrade Sheriff Mulade said the NGO focuses on five (5) thematic areas – peace building, good governance, fundamental human rights, justice, as well as environmental sustainability, and uses conferences, seminars, rallies, symposia, workshops, town hall meetings or people’s parliaments, as well as educational research as advocacy strategies.

Comrade Mulade said CEPEJ is committed to community development and other humanitarian activities, and works with Government, parastatals, professionals, other NGOs and stakeholders at both national and international levels.

The CEPEJ Boss also revealed that the NGO had organized national conferences in Nigeria and other countries in Africa, mobilized experts on peacebuilding, human rights, environment and security to speak as resource persons. He cited the conference held at the Koffi Annan International Peacekeepig Training Centre, Accra, Ghana as an example.

The ceremony featured the exchange of pleasantries and a group photograph between the CEPEJ and CHRICED teams.