A group under the auspices of Community of Sant’Egidio has said that violence is responsible for poverty, and has never solved any problem.
The Country Responsive of the group, Henry Ezike stated this during a peace dialogue organized for Southern Kaduna community in partnership with Catholic Archdiocese of Kaduna and Kafanchan.
According to Ezike, it is time to end violence and killings in southern Kaduna so that people can enjoy the riches of the land.
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He described as tragic, that most people in the area regard violence as a means for resolving disputes.
“Tragically for many of our people in Kaduna state, they believe that violence and killing is one possible means of resolving disputes.
“But today, we want to say that violence is the mother of poverty and has never solved any problem, rather it worsens the problems and create wounds,” Ezike added.
He appealed to government officials, religious and traditional leaders, the youth and security personnel to reject the language of division and work together to create a new architecture of peace.
“All of us need to forgive and be forgiven. The injustices of the world and of history are not healed by hatred and revenge, but by dialogue and forgiveness,” he stressed.
In his remarks, the Archbishop of Kaduna, Most Rev. Mathew Ndagoso, said peace must start from the grassroots.
Ndagoso who was represented by Rev. Father Daniel Kyom, said in his 18 years as Bishop from Maiduguri to Kaduna, he had realised that the grassroots remained the foundation for peace.
“Anywhere I go, I meet with traditional, religious and political leaders at the grassroots, because i do believe that if you are looking for true peace, this is where it is, at the grassroots.”
Also, the Deputy Chief Imam, Kafanchan Central Mosque, Dr Muhammad Kassim called on religious leaders to educate their followers against negative preaching, practices and behaviour.
Kassim said dialogue, peaceful coexistence, tolerance and matual understanding should be actively embraced by all adherents of Islam and Christianity.
Over 3000 Stakeholders and leaders from Kajuru,Kachia and Jema’a local Government area participated in the Interfaith Peace Dailogue with theme: “Peace is the Future”.
