In a proactive move to foster harmony and prevent conflicts, the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) Projects are implemented, a two-day peacebuilding training was conducted for members of the Early Warning Early Response (EWER) committee from 10 communities where ACReSAL project are implemented in the Federal Capital Territory.

In her opening remarks, FCT ACReSAL Project Coordinator, Mrs. Caroline Opara, highlighted the objective of the training, which is to equip committee members with the knowledge needed to maintain peace and resolve disputes effectively. She emphasised that the training is essential for the smooth implementation and success of ACReSAL projects.

Mrs. Opara underscored the significance of peacebuilding in safeguarding community livelihoods and protecting the investments made by the project.

She encouraged the committee members, selected for their respected community leadership roles, to take the workshop seriously, as it will enhance their capacities and knowledge in early conflict detection, management, and resolution techniques.

“As community leaders,
it is your responsibility to ensure peace among your people,” Opara stressed. “In a crisis situation, everyone loses, there are no winners. It is therefore imperative that you take this training seriously, as the knowledge you will gain is tested, practicable and proven to be effective in conflict management”.

Mrs. Yiwa Imbalamen, Management Information System (MIS) Specialist from the Federal Project Management Unit (FPMU), emphasized the role of each member, stressing the need for them to always be on the ground to ensure that no issue threatening the peace of their communities goes undetected.

On his part, Mr. Attahiru Abdulkarim, Social Livelihood Officer (SLO), also from FPMU, highlighted the importance of social cohesion for sustainable development. According to him, peace building is not just about resolving conflicts but also fostering unity and cooperation among community members. He therefore urged the committee members to work closely with officials of the FCT ACReSAL Project towards creating an environment where everyone can thrive.

Presentations by Mr. Olalekan Ifelola, Natural Resource Officer (NRO), and Mrs. Margaret Oladoja, Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) Officer, provided participants with in-depth knowledge of peacebuilding and conflict resolution.

The training module covered the following topics: Understanding Conflict Dynamics, Early Warning Systems, Conflict Resolution Techniques, Building Social Cohesion, Sustaining Peace Initiatives

The highly interactive two-day event received overwhelmingly positive feedback from participants, who commended the practicality and relevance of the topics, highlighting how they addressed real-world challenges faced in their various communities.

The event concluded with a renewed commitment from attendees to implement the strategies learned and work collectively towards improved peace and well-being of their communities.