Kaduna Peace Model: A Beacon of Hope for Nigeria – Commissioner

From: Femi Oyelola in Kaduna

The Kaduna State Commissioner for Information, Malam Ahmed Maiyaki, has announced that the state government is providing bandits with access to education, healthcare, and livelihood opportunities instead of cash payments in an effort to end years of killings and kidnappings.

This initiative, known as the Kaduna Peace Model, represents a significant shift from confrontation to dialogue.

Maiyaki shared this information at a one-day workshop on Peace Journalism, organized by the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Kaduna State, in collaboration with the Global Peace Foundation Nigeria and the Ministry of Information, Kaduna State.

He explained that the government has decided to reopen markets, schools, and healthcare centers that were closed due to insecurity, following requests from leaders of armed groups.

This decision has led to substantial progress, with over 500,000 hectares of farmland being recovered and agricultural and commercial activities revitalized in Giwa, Birnin Gwari, and Kauru Local Government Areas. Markets have reopened, and 20 to 30 cattle trucks are now operating weekly on roads that were once feared by travelers.

According to Maiyaki, the Kaduna Peace Model is founded on the principles of inclusiveness, justice, and shared responsibility. It unites traditional and religious leaders, women’s and youth groups, civil society organizations, security agencies, and development partners to foster a new narrative of tolerance and peaceful coexistence.

The model has successfully facilitated the safe release of over 500 captives through negotiations, without the payment of ransom or the use of force.

Maiyaki highlighted examples of former bandit leaders, such as Jan Bros and Yellow One Million, who now serve as community peace mediators, contributing to stability in previously unstable areas. The peace model is effective because it is widely embraced by the people, enabling communities to collaboratively create peace rather than having it imposed by the government.

Stakeholders, including the Global Peace Foundation Nigeria and the Nigeria Union of Journalists, have commended the Kaduna Peace Model. Rev. Joseph John Hayab, the Country Director of Global Peace Foundation Nigeria, urged journalists to focus on solution-oriented stories that encourage reconciliation and national healing.

Mrs. Fatima Omone Shuaibu, Head of the Department of Strategic Communication and Media Studies at Kaduna Polytechnic, emphasized the importance of unity-driven narratives that promote coexistence over division.

In conclusion, Maiyaki stated that the Kaduna Peace Model is a dynamic and evolving process founded on trust and shared ownership. He emphasized that peace becomes more sustainable when people have a vested interest in it. Governor Uba Sani’s administration is committed to maintaining the peace model, focusing on justice, inclusivity, and a selfless love for the people.