A women-led cross-border peace dialogue and mediation process between communities in Northern Plateau and Southern Kaduna Local Government Areas (LGAs) was formally launched on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, in Jos, Plateau State.
The initiative, convened by the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue (HD) with support from GIZ and the Plateau State Peacebuilding Agency (PSPBA), brought together government officials, security agencies, traditional and faith-based leaders, women leaders, and representatives of border LGAs from Riyom and Bassa in Plateau State, as well as Jama’a and Kaura LGAs in Kaduna State.
Chairing the launch, former Minister of Water Resources, Hon. Sarah Ochekpe, described the initiative as both symbolic and strategic, noting that it represents a deliberate choice to prioritise dialogue over division in communities long affected by violent conflict.
She commended HD for its sustained peacebuilding engagements across Plateau State and the wider Middle Belt, particularly for placing women at the centre of the peace process. According to her, the persistent exclusion of women from negotiations has weakened many peace efforts, despite women bearing the greatest burden during conflicts.
“Many children have been born into communities that have never known peace,” Ochekpe said, stressing that sustainable peace requires intentional and inclusive action. She called for continuous training, economic empowerment, and social support for women mediators to enable them sustain their peacebuilding roles.
The Country Manager of the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue, Dr. Chris Agoha, said the dialogue process is informed by years of conflict analysis in Plateau and Kaduna States, where violent clashes driven by ethnic, religious, political, and economic factors have persisted for more than two decades.
He noted that while several peace initiatives and ceasefire agreements have been implemented in the past, many failed due to weak follow-through and unresolved root causes. Dr. Agoha added that research consistently shows peace agreements are more durable when women are actively involved.
“Women have unique access to communities and play critical roles in reconciliation, early warning, and grassroots mobilisation,” he said, describing the women-led mediation model as a viable pathway to addressing cross-border conflicts.
Delivering a goodwill message on behalf of the Director General of the Plateau State Peacebuilding Agency, Dr. Julie G. Sanda, Celestina Avizavi Christopher described the initiative as a significant step toward transforming shared borders into bridges of cooperation.
She noted that although border communities share markets, farmlands, cultural ties, and family relationships, they have also experienced cycles of mistrust and violence. According to her, centring women in peacebuilding is not symbolic but a strategic activation of one of the strongest peace assets within communities.
Christopher outlined the objectives of the initiative to include the establishment of a structured and sustained dialogue process, improved coordination among institutions and stakeholders, and alignment with the Women, Peace and Security agenda of the PSPBA.
Chairman of Bassa Local Government Area, Hon. Dr. Joshua Sunday Riti, speaking on behalf of participating council chairmen, welcomed the initiative, describing women as critical agents of peace and positive social change.
Also speaking, HRH Jonathan Mamman from Kaura Local Government Area thanked HD for its intervention, particularly in equipping women with peacebuilding skills. He described the collaboration among the four LGAs as timely and essential in view of past cross-border tensions, expressing optimism that outcomes from the dialogue would cascade to grassroots communities.
The launch marks the beginning of a sustained women-led dialogue and mediation process aimed at addressing the root causes of cross-border conflicts and fostering peaceful coexistence between communities in Northern Plateau and Southern Kaduna.
This top of the class commercial property is special for its prime location, expanse and usability advantage. It offers a rare advantage in proximity, vintage and class. Situated on the number one (No.1) commercial street of Plateau state, it is bordered on both sides by ECO and UNITY Banks. Famously housing Southern Fried Chicken (SFC), it is a unique ownership for investors, business owners or status symbol.
If you’re looking for a premium investment opportunity in the heart of Jos, this exceptional commercial property on Ahmadu Bello Way offers unmatched value, visibility, and versatility.
Property Overview
Situated at No. 5 Ahmadu Bello Way, widely regarded as the number one commercial corridor in Plateau State, this high-end property is ideal for a wide range of business uses including a banking hall, shopping mall, office complex, retail outlet, or plaza.
Key Features
Gallery-style architectural design with a modern, high-end finish
Spacious landmass of over 3,700m² — one of the largest available on this prime street
Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) ensuring secure and verifiable ownership
Free from encumbrances — ready for immediate transaction
Previously occupied by a well-known brand (Southern Fried Chicken), adding commercial prestige
Prime Commercial Property for Sale on 5 Ahmadu Bello Way, Jos
Strategic Location Advantage
This property boasts a superb location with excellent accessibility and strong commercial appeal:
Located on Jos’ busiest and most sought-after business axis
Bordered by major financial institutions including ECO Bank and Unity Bank
Almost directly opposite GTBank, ensuring high traffic and visibility
Ideal for businesses seeking prominence and easy customer access
This is a rare opportunity to acquire a landmark commercial property in a prime location. Whether you’re an investor or business owner, this property offers the perfect blend of size, visibility, and strategic positioning to elevate your enterprise.
Prime Commercial Property for Sale on 5 Ahmadu Bello Way, Jos
Stakeholders from across Plateau State have issued a communiqué outlining key challenges and recommendations for addressing farmer-herder conflicts, criminality, and land disputes in the state.
The communiqué was released at the end of a two-day Multi-Level and Multi-Sectoral Roundtable on Sustainable Peace Infrastructure held at Novel Suites, Jos, from April 21 to 22, 2026.
The roundtable brought together government officials, traditional rulers, civil society organizations, security agencies, women and youth groups, as well as other critical actors to deliberate on strategies for strengthening peace and stability in Plateau State.
Focus on Dialogue and Sustainable Peace
Participants said the engagement provided a platform to examine the root causes of recurring conflicts and develop actionable strategies to promote peaceful coexistence.
The discussions, which included two panel sessions, explored issues around criminality, land disputes, and farmer-herder tensions, with emphasis on building trust, enhancing coordination, and strengthening existing peace structures.
Key Challenges Identified
In the communiqué, stakeholders highlighted several interconnected challenges fueling insecurity in the state.
Top among them were persistent security threats, including cattle rustling, kidnapping, illegal mining, and arms trafficking, as well as difficulties in identifying perpetrators, particularly alleged foreign elements.
They also pointed to weak law enforcement, limited trust between communities and security agencies, and operational challenges faced by security personnel.
Farmer-herder tensions were attributed to crop destruction, retaliatory attacks, underage grazing, and increasing competition over land and natural resources due to population growth.
Land-related conflicts, including land grabbing, poor documentation, displacement, and weak enforcement of land laws, were also identified as major drivers of violence.
Other concerns raised included governance gaps, lack of political will, inadequate identification systems, poverty, and limited access to modern agricultural practices.
Participants further decried the role of misinformation and unprofessional reporting in escalating tensions, as well as the impact of gender-based violence and the marginalization of women and vulnerable groups.
Stakeholders Proffer Solutions
To address these challenges, stakeholders called for strengthened security and justice systems through improved collaboration among security agencies, enhanced intelligence gathering, and the deployment of technology.
They also recommended continuous dialogue between farmers and herders, establishment of early warning systems, and the creation of joint platforms for resolving disputes.
On land governance, participants urged the government to enforce land laws, improve land documentation, and ensure fair resettlement processes for displaced communities.
They further advocated for the adoption of modern farming and livestock practices, including access to financial and technical support, improved seeds, and better farm security measures.
Stakeholders emphasized the need for inclusive governance, calling for the integration of herders into formal security structures and stronger collaboration between government and communities.
They also stressed the importance of responsible journalism and conflict-sensitive reporting, as well as the enforcement of laws addressing gender-based violence and the inclusion of women in peacebuilding efforts.
Commitment to Lasting Peace
The stakeholders reaffirmed their collective commitment to addressing the root causes of conflict and building resilient communities across Plateau State.
They urged the government to implement past recommendations, strengthen citizen engagement, improve population data systems, and facilitate the safe return of displaced persons.
The communiqué concluded with a call for sustained collaboration among all actors to ensure a peaceful, stable, and prosperous Plateau State.