The Nigeria Union of Journalists Plateau State Council has called on stakeholders in the peacebuilding processes in the state to focus attention on the proliferation of Small Arms and light weapons in the state.
The State Council Chairman, Ayuku Pwaspo made the call when she received the Plateau State Women Mediation Group supported by Cleen Foundation, a Non Governmental organisation.
Krestnews reports that Issues raised with the Executive of the Nigeria Union of Journalists by the leader of the Women mediators, Libabatu Mohammed were the role of women in peace building process in the community, fight against drug abuse and the need for engagements to finding lasting peace among the warring communities.
while acknowledging that women remain peace makers in any society, Pwaspo said the visit by the group is coming at a time that the state has witnessed series of crisis and the need to achieve peace .
The NUJ Chairman promised to partner with the group in other to de-escalate conflict and restore peace to affected communities and in the country at large.
Leader of the delegation who is the Woman Mediator Jos North Libabatu Mohammed said their visit was to seek for more areas of partnership towards sustaining peace in some parts of the state.
Mohammed added that as part of their commitments towards achieving the needed peace, the organisation is meeting with key stakeholders in Jos North, Mangu, Wase and Riyom Local Government Areas to create awareness on the objective and the mission of the group and as well as solicit their support and collaboration.
According to Libabatu Mohammed, the session also provided a platform for open dialogue and knowledge exchange between critical stakeholders in the media, , Government, Ministries, Departments, Agencies and Mediators.
While answering questions from Journalists during the visit, Libabatu Mohammed and Senior Programme Officer of the Cleen Foundation Bernard Ekobay said they will engage security agencies, Non state Actors, Peace Building Agency, Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, and Traditional rulers to ensure the information is further disseminated right to women in rural communities.
Krestnews observed that the delegation had other women mediators drawn from Mangu, Riyom, Wase, Women in Peace and Security WPS.