A non-governmental organisation, Azurfa Women and Youth Development Initiative, has trained about 100 members of two Kaduna communities in conflict management.

The three-day training had in attendance mainly farmers and herders from Ungwan Masara and Aduwan 4 communities in Jema’a Local Government Area.

The training was organised with support from the Strengthening Peace and Resilience in Nigeria (SPRiNG) Programme— an initiative of the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Development Office, and implemented by Tetra Tech.

In her speech at the training in Kafanchan, Executive Director of AWOYDI, Monica Tanko, explained that the exercise was informed by recurring clashes between farmers and herders in the area.

Ms Tanko stated that the training sought to sensitise the participants to the need for peaceful co-existence as well as equip them with skills to navigate conflicts effectively.

According to her, the training will be replicated in more communities across Kaura and Zangon Kataf Local Government Areas in the coming days.

On his part, a Peace and Conflict Management Consultant, Mugu Bako, made a presentation on ‘Conflict Management Styles, Anger Management, Dialogue and Mediation’.

Mr Bako also stressed the need for forgiveness and reconciliation as recipes for peaceful co-existence.

He said, “I want to encourage us all to open up, because the moment you share your experiences, the easier it is to forgive. If you don’t forgive, you will continue to live with the wounds, which is harmful to your physical and emotional wellbeing.’’

Mr Bako enjoined the participants to step down the training to other members of their respective communities.

Two of the participants, Raphael Leo and Hadiza Umar, thanked the organisers for building their capacities on conflict management.

They promised to let go of the past and put into practice what they had learnt to prevent and effectively manage future conflicts in their communities.

Other participants also called for an end to alleged crop destruction through herders’ activities and the blockage of cattle routes by the farmers to achieve lasting peace.

(NAN)