News
RURCON’s JISRA Peace Campaign Fosters Interfaith Harmony Across Plateau Communities
The Rural Development Counsellor for Christian Churches in Africa (RURCON) has recorded significant strides in promoting peaceful coexistence across Plateau State through its ongoing “Faith Community for Peace” campaign—part of the Joint Initiative for Strategic Religious Action (JISRA) project, supported by Tearfund and other global partners.
Over a two-day community-based review held from July 2 to 3, 2025, RURCON convened religious leaders, traditional rulers, women, and youth from Corner Soldier, Zaruma, Dutsen Kura, and Rafiki communities to reflect on the journey toward lasting peace and tolerance.
Jos North Communities Reflect on Progress
On Day One, participants from Corner Soldier and Zaruma in Jos North LGA gathered at Goodlife Hotel to assess the impact of the JISRA project.
Mrs. Dinatu Ayizat, Executive Director of RURCON, described the initiative as transformative:
“For the first time, Muslims and Christians in these communities now interact freely. Women are stepping into leadership roles—one has even been elected community counselor.”
Elizabeth Onu, JISRA Project Officer, explained the campaign’s layered strategy, starting with intra-faith dialogue to resolve internal divisions before fostering interfaith unity.
“Many conflicts stem from value clashes. We helped them first heal within before reaching across,” she said.
Testimonies from both Christian and Muslim community members echoed similar sentiments.
Pastor Willson Nwadike of Zaruma commended the initiative for encouraging collaboration between religious and traditional leaders, while Aminu Isa, representing Muslim youth from Corner Soldier, noted increased youth participation in development activities.
Traditional leader Markus Sani Nyam, District Head of Hallnambu (Anaguta Chiefdom), added:
“These teachings have restored peaceful coexistence. We now understand how to live peacefully, regardless of tribe or faith.”
Day Two: Stories of Reconciliation in Bassa LGA
On July 3, the program moved to Rafiki and Dutsen Kura in Bassa LGA, where stories of interfaith collaboration and reconciliation took center stage.
Jibrin Isah, a religious leader in Dutsen Kura, shared how mistrust has turned into mutual respect:
“We now worship side by side. Our children go to the same schools and we clean our streets together.”
Women leaders like Maryam Abubakar and Blessing Ezekiel praised their growing inclusion in decision-making processes. Youth leader Jafaru Isah credited financial empowerment schemes like the Adashe savings initiative for helping youth establish businesses and turn away from drugs.
According to Elizabeth Onu, a remarkable shift is taking place:
“Even Imams are now involving women in religious discussions. Traditional leaders are allowing daughters to inherit family property. That’s real change.”
District Head Adik Adankala emphasized personal responsibility for peace:
“Peace starts with us—not with the President or the government.”
Sustaining Peace: Reflections and the Road Ahead
RURCON’s director, Mrs. Ayizat, reiterated that religious bias was a primary trigger of conflict in the affected communities.
“Today, Christians and Muslims not only coexist, they lead together. That’s real transformation.”
She highlighted the success of JISRA’s three-pillar approach: intra-faith dialogue, interfaith cooperation, and advocacy. With the first two yielding significant gains, focus now shifts to deepening advocacy and influencing policy.
Despite the achievements, some challenges remain. Musa Saleh warned about external forces attempting to destabilize peace, while others stressed the need for continued training to maintain progress.
The JISRA project, now in its fifth year, operates in Plateau and Kaduna States, including Zokuwa, Ayaga, and Gidan Waya in Southern Kaduna. As momentum builds, both RURCON and local leaders are calling for greater institutional support to consolidate these peacebuilding successes.
Imam Haruna Abubakar of Corner Soldier summed up the transformation:
“This project has restored what we lost—trust, dialogue, and unity. Now we celebrate each other’s festivals, pray together, and build together.”
By Philomina Attah
The Anglican Communion has called on Christians to rebuild their relationship with God and one another to foster unity and societal transformation.
The Keffi-Karshi Missionary Diocese of the church made the appeal in a communiqué issued at the end of the First Session of its First Council, held at St. Peter’s Anglican Church, Karu, Abuja.
The communiqué was signed by the Clerical Secretary to Council, Ven. James Bashayi, and Chancellor, Sir Chijioke Emeka (SAN), and made available to newsmen on Tuesday in Abuja.
The council meeting, presided over by the Bishop of the Diocese, Rt. Rev’d Gershinen Dajur, had the theme “Building Together With God.”
The diocese noted that genuine national and spiritual rebuilding begins with true repentance and a renewed relationship with God.
It rejected division, tribalism, ethnicity, pride, and indifference, while urging Christians to embrace unity, teamwork, and collective responsibility in serving God and humanity.
On the state of the nation, the council expressed concern over worsening insecurity, including terrorism, banditry, and kidnapping.
It called on security agencies to strengthen intelligence gathering, improve personnel welfare, and address root causes such as poverty, unemployment, and arms proliferation.
While noting with cautious optimism the gradual national macroeconomic stability, the diocese urged government to ensure that economic reforms translated into better living conditions for citizens.
It called for prioritised food security, job creation, affordable energy, social protection, and support for small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs).
Ahead of the 2027 general elections, the council cautioned against stifling opposition parties, noting that multi-party participation was vital for democratic accountability.
It urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies, political parties, and voters to ensure free, fair, and credible elections, while advising citizens to reject inducement and vote for competent leaders.
The council also advocated an independent and impartial judiciary to safeguard justice, law, and order, especially in resolving post-election disputes without political interference.
On health and education, the diocese called for increased funding, better welfare for workers, infrastructure upgrades, and sustained investment in technical and vocational education.
It commended the Federal Government’s policy shift toward skill acquisition and employability for graduates.
The council expressed delight over the growth of the Anglican Communion globally, commending the Church of Nigeria for its commitment to biblical orthodoxy, evangelism, and leadership within GAFCON.
Dignitaries at the event included the Bishop of Kaduna, Most Rev’d Timothy Yahaya; Bishop of Jos, Rt. Rev’d Ephraim Gongden.
Goodwill messages were received from the Primate of All Nigeria, Most Rev’d Henry Ndukuba, and others.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Mark Longyen
-
News2 days agoGagdi Mourns Former Plateau Speaker Peter Azi, Describes Him as a Man of Humility and Kindness
-
Business4 days ago
NAICOM Recapitalisation: Universal Insurance Secures ₦7.13B Equity Deal with FPNG, Awaits NAICOM Approval
-
Business3 days ago
Asaba Incident: Aircraft’s black box data overwritten after crew flew back to Lagos
-
News4 days ago
Osun Speaker’s residence surrounded – Adeleke’s TICC raises alarm [VIDEO]
