In the lead-up to the forthcoming International Day of Peace, the Plateau Peace Building Agency (PPBA) held a press briefing to discuss its ongoing efforts and preparations. The Director General, Mrs. Julie G. Sanda, delivered key remarks on the agency’s milestones since its establishment in 2016 and its vision for lasting peace in Plateau State.

Mrs. Sanda highlighted the agency’s proactive role in conflict prevention through research, dialogue, and strategic partnerships. She underscored the agency’s independence from political interference, allowing it to focus on its mission of fostering peace through neutral, community-driven approaches. The PPBA’s initiatives include building peace structures within local communities, collaborating with governmental and non-governmental organizations, and working with international bodies to address and prevent conflicts.

As part of its “Month of Peace” observance in September, the agency will engage in various activities such as media campaigns, community dialogues, and peace walks, aimed at promoting a culture of peace. The focus will be on leveraging the media, particularly social media, to spread positive messages and counter violence narratives. Mrs. Sanda also detailed plans for further peacebuilding initiatives, including dialogues with women and youth, sporting events, and activities aimed at bringing together segregated communities.

During the session, journalists raised concerns over the recent surge of violent attacks in Plateau communities. In response, Mrs. Sanda acknowledged the evolving nature of conflicts, from community-driven clashes to more organized, criminal acts of violence. She explained that these attacks, often linked to land grabbing, displace entire communities, creating new challenges for peacebuilding.

To address these dynamics, the PPBA is conducting an in-depth conflict assessment to update its strategies. Mrs. Sanda stressed the importance of a multi-stakeholder approach, involving security agencies, community leaders, and local peace structures, in effectively combating the rising violence. While security responses are necessary, the agency remains committed to strengthening community resilience, promoting social cohesion, and providing psychosocial support to affected populations.

She further emphasized that continuous dialogue, despite frustrations, remains crucial in resolving conflicts. Mrs. Sanda called for collaborative governance, especially around contentious resources like land and water, to ensure lasting peace. However, she also noted that issues like land grabbing require more than peacebuilding; they demand coordinated security and governance interventions to achieve long-term stability in Plateau State.

The press briefing concluded with a renewed call for collaboration between all stakeholders to advance the agency’s peace initiatives and work towards a secure and harmonious Plateau State.