IPCR signs MoU with tricycle operators on peace campaign

By Tobias Lengnan Dapam

The Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR) and the Keke Operators Positive Initiative (KOPI) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to engage tricycle operators across the country n peace building campaign.
Dr Bakut t.Bakut, Ag. Director General of IPCR and Mr Hassan Shettima, National President of KOPI, signed the MoU on behalf of the two organisations on Tuesday in Abuja.
KOPI is an NGO geared toward the well being and common interest of tricycle operators, popularly called “keke”, in the country.
According to the IPCR DG, the collaboration was to take advantage of the growing network of the tricycle operators across the country to further spread the message of peaceful co-existence among Nigerians.
He noted that the large numbers of ordinary Nigerians, cut across different background, that are in the tricycle transport subsector was a veritable tool to be harnessed in spreading the peace message.
“In our efforts at building a peaceful society for all, we have decided to use the national spread of the Keke operators in the campaign for peace.
“This collaboration that is formally taking place between the Institute and KOPI we enable us to positively engage the teeming members of the association as agents of peace.
“Every operator meets and relates with different people on daily basis, therefore they have the ability to build and maintain peace.,”he said.
Mr Hassan Shettima, the National President of KOPI, said that it was necessary to engage the tricycle operators in peace building initiatives since they relate with people on daily basis.
According to him, the numbers of tricycle operators and commuters are increasing across cities, and there is need to build peace consciousness in them.