By Beauty John, LAFIA
Nasarawa state governor Abdullahi Sule, Thursday, inaugurated the state’s Conflict Management Alliance Committee (SCOMA) to help in improving conflict management and broaden societal participation.
The Governor who was represented by the Secretary to the state government, Mr Aliyu Ubandoma, said the essence of the committee was among other things to help in conflict prevention and management.
He described security as bedrock of harmonious coexistence and socio – economic development of the society, adding that since the inception of his administration, several efforts had been made to safeguard lives and property of the citizens.
“The constitution of this committee was a deliberate effort aimed at securing environment in view of the rising crime and criminality,” he said.
Members of the committee were drawn from security agents, civil society groups, non governmental organisations, media, representative of the state Assembly and people living with disabilities among others were selected based on their competence.
While commending various security agents in the state for their efforts in securing lives and properties, he charged the committee to justify the confidence reposed in them while discharging their responsibilities.
Earlier, Mrs Ene Obi, Country director, Actionaid Nigeria, lamented the level of insecurity in the country, stating that structures, such as SCOMA would influence policy and practice changes that would promote conflict resolution, stability and reconciliation.
Obi said that organisation in partnership with Global Peace Development and Beacon Youth Initiative had established and supported structures in communities and local government areas towards creating an enabling environment for prevention of violent extremism in the state.
She noted that the same partnership has brought about the inauguration of the State Conflict Management Alliance (SCOMA), which is aimed at improving conflict management mechanism by encouraging broad societal participation and oversight of conflict management in Nasarawa state.
“We are optimistic that this peace and security architecture will contributes in an improved capacity and effectiveness to respond to violence and promote peaceful coexistence, while creating an increase synergy between relevant institutions towards nonviolent resolution of conflict in the state,” she said.
The convener of SCOMA, Mr Ebruke Esike, Executive Director, Global Peace Development (GPD), In his remark said the participation of the security agents, civil society groups, NGO, women, media and other relevant stakeholders, was an efforts to locate the roots of security challenges.
