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Stakeholders Commit to Restoring Peace as GPD Launches PARSULP Project in Plateau

Published

11 months ago

November 19, 2025

vicky

Stakeholders across government, traditional institutions, civil society, and conflict-affected communities have pledged full support for a new peace and livelihood initiative launched in Jos on Wednesday, as Global Peace Development (GPD) unveiled the Promoting Agropastoralism Reconciliation and Resilience for Sustainable Livelihood and Peace (PARSULP) project.

The event, held at the Villa Grand Bouquet Hall, brought together representatives of farmers, herders, development partners, security-linked institutions, and state officials to endorse a coordinated strategy for addressing long-standing agro-pastoral conflicts across Plateau and three other states.

Funded by SPRiNG, Tetra Tech and ActionAid, the PARSULP project seeks to strengthen local peace structures, rebuild fractured relationships, and promote livelihood cooperation between farmers and herders.

Communities Must Lead Peace Efforts — Danjuma Mohammed

In his welcome address, the Project Manager, Danjuma Mohammed, said the initiative comes at a “critical moment” for Plateau State, which has faced decades of resource-driven conflicts.
He emphasized that peace cannot be imposed externally but must be owned by the communities.

“Your presence here reflects your commitment to supporting peace and stability across our communities. Plateau has been a hotbed of conflict for over 25 years. What can we do together to reverse this trend?” he asked.

According to him, PARSULP will deploy participatory assessments, cooperative development, agricultural outreach, community-led action plans and policy dialogues to “move communities from tension to cooperation.”

Conflict Has Caused More Harm Than Many Realize — GPD Executive Director

Delivering the keynote, GPD Executive Director, Ebruke O. Esike, warned that violent competition over land and water has displaced thousands and eroded centuries of inter-group relations.

“Nigeria has recorded more displacement from farmer-herder conflict than even the combined casualties from Israel and Ukraine,” he noted, stressing the urgency of reconciliation.

He said the project will promote agroforestry, strengthen community resilience and support cooperatives involving both farmers and herders—especially women, who he described as “pathways to deeper reconciliation.”

State Ministries, Peace Agencies and Grassroots Leaders Back Project

Goodwill messages from government representatives reinforced the project’s importance to Plateau’s development.

Representing the Commissioner for Agriculture, Markus Pam described agriculture as the state’s backbone and urged both groups to “learn from past failures” to rebuild trust.

From the Ministry of Livestock, Abubakar Ladinu, Ardo of Bachit, dismissed stereotypes that label Fulani communities as perpetrators of violence.

“We are all victims. Those causing attacks are criminals. We want peace and development, and we are behind this project 100%.”

The Plateau Peace Practitioners Network (PPPN) also pledged full support, calling reconciliation “an intentional process that must involve everyone.”

Similarly, the Plateau Peace Building Agency, represented by Kenneth of the strategic communications team, praised the initiative for aligning with the agency’s humanitarian-development-peace (HDP) framework. He encouraged implementers to work closely with Plateau’s forestry, agricultural and climate-smart institutions.

Local Communities Call for Justice, Restoration and Lasting Reconciliation

Grassroots leaders from Riyom LGA—one of the most affected by violent attacks—welcomed the project as long overdue.

The Ward Councillor of Riyom, Hon. Wycliffe T. Wanson, said communities have “waited too long for meaningful intervention” and assured stakeholders of full collaboration.

The Village Head of Gulom Kwi, Joshua Dong Kuron, highlighted years of displacement and loss, appealing for sincerity and realistic solutions.

“People have been killed, displaced, and traumatized. We must be honest about the issues and work together to restore what we have lost.”

The District Head of Riyom, HRH Samuel Jok, said communities—not security agencies—must take responsibility for rebuilding peace.

“If we want real peace, it is we, the people, who must bring it back. Security agencies will not live here forever. We must sit together and confront what went wrong.”

A New Chapter for Peace in Plateau

With stakeholders expressing overwhelming support, the PARSULP project aims to usher in a new era of cooperation between agro-pastoral actors, reducing tensions over land and resources while promoting joint economic opportunities.

The launch marked the unveiling of community-driven peace plans developed from assessments across 45 wards in Plateau, Benue, Kaduna and Katsina States.

Organizers said implementation will begin immediately, with emphasis on community inclusion, justice, women’s participation and sustainable livelihoods.

News

Ex-NPA MD, Dabo dumps APC

Published

2 hours ago

October 15, 2026

PlateauReports

A former Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority, Aminu Dabo, has dumped the All Progressives Congress, APC.

Dabo, who was chairman of the APC caucus in Dambatta Local Government Area of Kano State, resigned from the party in a letter dated October 7, 2026.

The letter was addressed to the chairman of Dambatta Gabas Ward.

He said he took the decision after careful consideration of personal reasons and his future plans.

According to him, he has already submitted the resignation letter to the appropriate party officials in Dambatta for further action.

Dabo thanked the leadership of the APC for giving him the opportunity to serve and for the confidence reposed in him.

“I remain grateful for the cordial relationship I enjoyed and appreciative of the experience gained during my time of service,” he said.

Recall that Dabo was a governorship aspirant in Kano State and previously served as the Commissioner for Land in the state.

Ex-NPA MD, Dabo dumps APC

News

Miners Association Seeks Support To Unlock $3bn Gemstone Export Potential

Published

2 hours ago

October 15, 2026

PlateauReports

By Martha Agas
The Gemstone Miners and Marketers Association of Nigeria (GMAN) has urged the Federal Government to simplify export procedures, tackle smuggling and promote local processing to unlock Nigeria’s $3 billion gemstone export potential.

GMAN President, Adeniran Ajibade, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Abuja.

He spoke on the sidelines of the 11th Nigeria Mining Week, where stakeholders examined strategies for developing Nigeria’s gemstone value chains.

Ajibade said Nigeria possessed diverse, high-quality gemstones distributed across the country, with production largely dominated by artisanal and small-scale miners.

He said the sector could generate about $3 billion in trade, boost foreign exchange earnings and create employment opportunities for young Nigerians.

Ajibade noted that GMAN conducted a baseline study covering gemstone resources in northern and southern Nigeria, which confirmed their widespread distribution.

“It generates hard currency, so it will boost our foreign exchange earnings, and, of course, much of it may not be reflected because there is some very high level of smuggling,” he said.

Ajibade said Nigerian gemstones had gained recognition in international markets, including Tucson, Bangkok, Hong Kong, Israel and India, despite limited mechanisation and value addition.

He, however, said widespread smuggling made it difficult to determine the sector’s actual contribution to the economy.

The GMAN president called for government support for feasibility studies, local processing and branding to improve the quality, value and international competitiveness of Nigerian gemstones.

“Once we add value to it and we do the branding, definitely we can achieve great results for the nation,” he said.

Ajibade said the association was ready to collaborate with government and private investors to develop the sector and attract international gemstone and jewellery brands.

He said GMAN was collaborating with the Thailand Gem and Jewelry Traders Association and stakeholders from Brazil, India and Sri Lanka to exchange knowledge and expand market access.

He urged the government to involve industry operators in formulating export regulations, noting that miners and dealers understood the practical challenges facing the sector.

Ajibade said legitimate international buyers should be able to purchase Nigerian gemstones, repatriate their funds and export the stones through simple, transparent and efficient procedures.

He also called for the full activation of the International Gemstone Centre built by the Federal Government in Ibadan to serve as a hub for miners, dealers, investors and buyers.

Similarly, Prof. Akinade Olatunji, immediate past President of the Nigerian Mining and Geosciences Society, advocated local processing to increase the economic benefits Nigeria derived from its gemstone resources.

Olatunji, a professor of Applied Geochemistry, said Nigeria had historically produced some of the world’s finest gemstones, particularly in Plateau and Nasarawa states.

He decried inadequate industry records, which he said had limited knowledge of the sector’s actual contribution to the national economy.

“Unfortunately, we don’t keep records. Now, if you look at the places where they have mined in this country, either in Oyo, Nasarawa, Plateau, or Kaduna states, we produced some of the best,” he said.

Olatunji urged Nigeria to strengthen domestic processing capacity instead of exporting rough gemstones to countries such as Thailand for cutting and polishing.

He said developing the local value chain would retain more economic benefits within Nigeria while creating employment opportunities for young people.

The professor also urged geology and mining engineering graduates to acquire practical field experience and pursue careers in the sector to support its sustainable development.

NAN reports that stakeholders made the recommendations during a panel session titled “Developing Nigeria’s Gemstone Value Chains” at the mining week.

They called for increased local processing, skills development and effective branding to strengthen the industry and create more jobs for Nigerians. (NAN)

Edited by Kamal Tayo Oropo