The Executive Secretary of Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND), Professor Suleiman Bogoro has re-emphasised the need for peaceful co-existence and unity in Northern Nigeria. Bagoro stated this in Kafanchan during a peace summit organised by the Northern Christians Pilgrims Commission (NCPC) and Concerned Citizens of Southern Kaduna with the theme, “De-escalating violence in Southern Kaduna”.

Prof. Bagoro, who is also a Security and Conflict Consultant, implored participants at the summit to be frank in their submissions as only then could a solution be found.

According to him, many misguided elites are emphasising the differences in the North, rather than focusing more on the things that will unite the North.

He noted that “the time has come to do things differently and we have no option than to focus on things that will unite the people”.

The TETFUND boss argued that the Rwandan crisis is a classic example that should serve as a reference point for Southern Kaduna and Northern Nigeria to have many Kagames that would rise and unite the people.

Bagoro revealed that there is a political angle to why the Southern Kaduna crises have continued like recurring decimals unabated.

He used the occasion to advocate for more federal and state presence in Southern Kaduna, stressing that it would help in reducing poverty and the lingering crisis that has bedeviled the region for long.

Declaring the summit open, the Executive Secretary of NCPC, Rev. Yakubu Pam said the commission deemed it fit to organize the summit in order to provide a platform for the warring parties to dialogue and take ownership of the peace process.

“Anytime I hear of killings, banditry anywhere in the world, it brings me vision of catastrophe, pains, trauma and agony that God’s creation are subjected to.

“Our mission here is to facilitate a peace process through dialogue and negotiations as well as enhancing participation and cooperation among all stake holders. Rev Yakubu Pam said.

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Bogoro to Northerners— let’s focus more on what unites us.