KADUNA UPDATE: Peace Commission deploys early warning system

Remarks at the launch of the Conflict Early Warning and Early Response System (CEWERS) of the Kaduna State Peace Commission, held in Kaduna on Wednesday, 30th June 2021

PROTOCOLS

1. I wish to commend the leadership of the Kaduna State Peace Commission on the major milestone of developing and deploying the Conflict Early Warning and Early Response System (CEWERS). The acquisition of such a powerful tool provides another validation of the mandate of the Peace Commission, and the contributions the agency is making to peace and security in Kaduna State. 

2. It is important to recall that the Kaduna State Peace Commission is a product of the peculiar history of the state. This government established the Peace Commission in 2017 as part of its efforts to overcome the legacy of violent conflict that has blighted the state since the Kasuwan Magani crisis of 1980. The reports of various commissions of inquiry that were constituted to establish the causes of various episodes of ethno-religious and communal crises in the state make for sober reading and invite a commitment to say never again. 

3. The Kaduna State Executive Council therefore decided to constitute the Peace Commission as an institutional mechanism to help prevent conflict and incline communities to a peaceful resolution of differences. The final impetus for this step was provided by this government’s consideration of the White Papers of the reports of the peace committee established by Governor Patrick Yakowa of blessed memory and the Agwai Committee on violent conflict in southern Kaduna.

4. The mission to prevent and resolve communal conflict remains a priority. This state has suffered too much and too long from violent conflict. An early warning and response system will no doubt contribute to helping our state to overcome such a baleful legacy of conflict.

5. Bandits and other insurgents have unleashed fear and anxiety in communities across the state. The criminals kill people, steal property, burn houses, harass farmers and rustle livestock. The 2020 security incidents report issued by our Ministry of Internal Security show that banditry is a problem across the state, and that it is also complicating communal relations in our more diverse communities. Victims of the depredations of these criminals often turn on those they believe share ethnic or religious affinity with them. Stopping the bandits is an essential contribution to ending communal conflict.

6. I wish to seize this opportunity to thank our many individuals, bilateral, multilateral and civil society partners that have supported our conflict mitigation efforts leading to the creation of the Peace Commission in several ways from day one. We recognise His Excellency Governor Simon Bako Lalong of Plateau State, General Martin Luther Agwai, the Amir of Birnin Gwari, the Centre of Humanitarian Dialogue (HD), Alice Wairimu Nderitu then of HD, now a special assistant to the UN Secretary-General in New York, Dr. Yakubu Sankey of HD, Ford Foundation, MacArthur Foundation, UKAID/DFID/FCDO, the Government of Norway, United States Institute of Peace (USIP), USAID, the British Council, OSIWA, CLEEN Foundation, Plan International, Mercy Corps, NERI , UNDP  and indeed the UN system in Nigeria and others too numerous to mention.

7. His Grace, Reverend Dr. Josiah Idowu-Fearon deserves special commendation for his sacrifice and great work as chairman of the Kaduna State Peace Commission. We are grateful for the contributions of Priscilla Ankut, Dr. Saleh Momale and Hajiya Khadija Hawaja Gambo as pioneer commissioners. We thank co-chairmen Apostle Emmanuel Kure and Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, and members of the House of Kaduna Family, for their contribution to peacebuilding in Kaduna State.

8. We have had in Priscilla Ankut a competent, result-oriented pioneer Executive Vice-Chairman of the Peace Commission. I wish to seize this opportunity to express the government’s gratitude for Priscilla’s contribution to the advancement of peace and harmony in Kaduna State. As she moves on to assume another peace-building position at the African Union headquarters in Addis Ababa, we want Priscilla to know that we are proud of her as a daughter of Kaduna State, and we are elated by AU’s recognition of her proven capabilities. We are confident that she will bring her national experience scaled up to the continental level. The government and people of Kaduna State wish her every success.

9. I wish to place on record our gratitude to our traditional, religious and community leaders, particularly His Royal Highness, the Agwatyap, Sir Dominic Gambo Yahaya. We are grateful for the advice of His Royal Highness the Emir of Zazzau Ambassador Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli and his predecessor Alhaji Shehu Idris.

10. With gratitude and Almighty God, and in furtherance of our commitment to peace and harmony in communities across our diverse state, it is my unique pleasure and privilege to launch the Conflict Early Warning and Early Response System (CEWERS) of the Kaduna State Peace Commission.

Thank you for listening.

God Bless Kaduna State.
God Bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, OFR
Governor of Kaduna State
June 30, 2021.