Winner of the UN Harmony Week Award, Yohanna Buru, has honoured some community leaders and peace ambassadors in Kaduna State for their dedication in promoting peace and unity.

The event was in commemoration of the 2024 World International Peace Day.

The cleric recognised three peace ambassadors from Barnawa, Tudun Wada, Kakuri Gwari, and Makera communities in Kaduna South Local Government Area for their pivotal roles in fostering peaceful coexistence.

The honoured individuals included the District Head of Barnawa, Alhaji Kabiru Zuberu, for his efforts to strengthen relationships and promote peaceful coexistence among the diverse religious and ethnic groups in his domain.

Others were the Sarkin Gabas of Tudun Wada, Gambo Ibrahim, who was instrumental in establishing a security outpost in his community and steering youths away from drug abuse and crime, and Yusuf Abbas of Kakuri Gwari/Makera for his commitment to peace building in his area.

During the award ceremony held in Kaduna, Mr Buru, who is also the National President of the Peace Revival and Reconciliation Foundation of Nigeria, highlighted the critical roles the awardees played in maintaining peace and unity within their communities.

The clergyman called for more collective efforts to achieve lasting peace not only in Kaduna State but across Nigeria.

He stressed the need for continuous collaboration amongst community leaders towards building a peaceful, decent, and successful society.

Responding on behalf of other awardees, the Sarkin Gabas of Tudun Wada, expressed gratitude for the recognition and reaffirmed their commitment to fostering unity, peace, and development of their areas.

“This can be done particularly through engaging women and youths in promoting religious tolerance, understanding, respect for each other’s values, belief, and tradition,” Mr Ibrahim said.

Also, Chairman, Association of Peace Builders, Yusuf Abbas, expressed appreciation for the honour, noting that his group had fostered a peaceful environment where Christians and Muslims continue to live and work together harmoniously.

He urged other communities in Kaduna State and beyond to emulate the good and holistic efforts, and commit to sincerity in their peace building activities.

Speaking at the event, the Deputy Imam of Juma’at Central Mosque, Kakuri, Shu’aibu Adamu, attributed the peace being enjoyed in Kakuri to the hardwork and dedication of community members.

He encouraged other areas to learn from the peace building efforts in Kakuri, adding that unity had been maintained despite the ethno-religious and political crises that affected some parts of the state.

Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria, Barnawa chapter, Emmanuel Chet, expressed happiness for the event and called for the expansion of the foundation’s peace building activities across the state to strengthen relationships among communities.

Similarly, Chairman, Jama’atu Nasril Islam in Kaduna South, Salisu Abdullahi, commended the recognition of deserving individuals.

He confirmed that the honourees have long been dedicated to promoting peace and unity in their communities.

According to him, the event is apt in view of the efforts of local leaders in promoting peace in their respective domains.

(NAN)