Taimako Community Development Initiative, a Civil Society Organisation, has in partnership with International Alert sensitised the management and students of Adamu Tafawa Balewa College of Education Kangere on conflict resolution skills.
Alhaji Bashir Usman, a representative of Taimako at the event, said it became imperative to sensitize both students and their host community on the best strategies to handle indigene/settler conflicts which may likely arise due to cultural shock.
He said students at the college came from different cultural backgrounds which may not be in tandem with what is obtainable in the community, thus brewing conflicts which oftentimes, if not properly handled, lead to loss of lives and property.
Mr Bashir argued that if both the management of educational institutions and host communities are empowered with the right conflict management skills rates at which conflicts arise will be trimmed to the bearest level.
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He said Taimako, with funding from International Alert is implementing a project titled: Youth Arise, Community Peace and Security Round Table Meeting in Yobe and Bauchi State, adding that Gamawa and Bauchi local governments were selected to benefit from the programme.
Mr Bashir also advised Kangere community to consider peaceful dialogue, as a panacea towards resolving any conflict among them to improve peace and security in the area.
Hajiya Binta Adamu, Senior Programme Officer on Gender-Based Violence Syndicate In Supporting Women and Children Initiative (SISWACHI) described Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) as an extreme force capable of destroying the life of perpetrators and victims alike.
She said considering the eliminating consequences of SGBV, the management of Adamu Tafawa Balewa College of Education must put in place appropriate mechanisms to checkmate the trend to provide a safe and conducive learning atmosphere for the girl-child in the institution.
Hajiya Binta warned students to avoid taking illicit drugs, lousy dressing and walking alone at night to protect themselves from being sexually harassed.
She called on parents not to shield SGBV suspects by not reporting the matter to appropriate security agencies.
Some of the participants interviewed expressed their appreciation for the initiative and described the programme as a wake-up call to face the challenges against them and commended Taimako Community Development Initiative and the International Alert for the programme.
