Mitigating farmer-herder conflicts, crucial for nation’s progress – IPCR DG

By Ochiaka Ugwu

The Director General of Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR) Dr. Joseph Ochogwu has said that collective commitment to mitigating farmer-herder conflicts in Nigeria is crucial for the nation’s progress and prosperity.
Ochogwu who made this known Tuesday during a National Conference on the Management of Farmer-Herder Relations in Nigeria with the theme: “Creating a path to sustainable peace” in Abuja organized by the Institute in partnership with NEEM Foundation, KARUNA CENTRE for PEACEBUILDING and Office of Strategic Preparedness Resilience (OSPRE) said by acknowledging impact of climate change, economic hardship, arms proliferation, misinformation, underlying ethno-religious tensions and the need for more dialogue, they can lay the foundation for a peaceful coexistence between farmers and herders.
Ochowgu represented by Emmanuel Mamman, Director of Conflict Prevention, Management and Resolution at the Institute urged participants to see the conference not only as a platform for dialogue but also a catalyst for tangible action towards sustainable peace in Nigeria.
Continuing, Ochogwu said economic hardship has intensified the conflicts between farmers and herders with rural communities in many African countries, including Nigeria, disproportionately affected by socio-economic challenges.
Also speaking, Executive Director of NEEM Foundation, Dr. Fatima Akilu said the problems that both farmers and herders face were well know to us and the need to hear from farmers and herders as well as those who work directly with them as they tell us what they have faced with the aim of finding a solution.
Executive Director of KARUNA CENTRE for PEACEBUILDING, Ms. Polly Byers while calling for building a path way for sustainable peace said that peace was never built alone but needs community collaboration to be institutionalized.
Mr. Chris Ngwodo, Director General, Office of Strategic Preparedness Resilience (OSPRE) said unpunished crimes and unresolved crises have led to conflict making it possible for criminal element to unleash atrocities on citizens.
Inspector General of Police, Mr. Kayode Egbetokun represented by Assistant Inspector General of Police, Operations, Mr. Yusuf Sulieman pledged police commitment towards maintaining law and order to ensure a stable and peaceful society.