The Dutch Ambassador to Nigeria, John Groffen, has commended the University of Jos for prudently using the grant it received from the Netherlands. He was speaking on Thursday when he paid a visit to the University to get briefing on the N48 million grant offered it by the Centre of Conflict Management and Peace Studies of the Royal Netherlands Embassy in 2007.

Groffen, while addressing the management staff of the institution called on the university to utilise the money and ensure that the current peace in the state is sustained. He said that the neglect of the region was what motivated his country to assist the institution in peace building after the outburst of violence.The ambassador also called on Nigerians to be peaceful during the 2015 general elections and shun all violence.

The Dutch Ambassador to Nigeria, John Groffen, has commended the University of Jos for prudently using the grant it received from the Netherlands. He was speaking on Thursday when he paid a visit to the University to get briefing on the N48 million grant offered it by the Centre of Conflict Management and Peace Studies of the Royal Netherlands Embassy in 2007.

Groffen, while addressing the management staff of the institution called on the university to utilise the money and ensure that the current peace in the state is sustained. He said that the neglect of the region was what motivated his country to assist the institution in peace building after the outburst of violence.The ambassador also called on Nigerians to be peaceful during the 2015 general elections and shun all violence.

The director of the Centre, Mr Nanvem Gambo stated that the centre had held series of workshops and peace talks with violence-prone communities since it embarked on the project. He added that traditional rulers and opinion leaders in addition to other partners also participated in peace advocacy visits to the communities.

Gambo added that the grant supported the university in realising positive results in reuniting warring factions and communities that considered themselves enemies and were “no go areas.” He said “It shows clearly that the intervention by the Netherlands grant has assisted in returning peace in Jos .

The Vice Chancellor of the University, Professor Hayward Nafuyai, thanked the Dutch embassy for the grant and noted that Netherlands was a major stakeholder in peace studies at the University.

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Netherlands impressed with utilisation of N48 million grant at University of Jos