Worried by the incessant herders and farmers’ bloody crisis across the country, the students of American University of Nigeria, Yola, have launched a non-governmental organisation on peace initiative called Ubuntu for Peace.
Speaking during the launch of the project on Friday, the Faculty of Law Advisor, Prof. Peter Genger explained that the Ubuntu Peace initiative is designed to end the crisis associated with climate change.
He declared that the farmers’ and herders’ crisis is caused by climate change due to scarce natural resources.
As a result, Genger called on government agencies, other non-govermental organisations, and private organisations to collaborate in expanding the initiative.
“By working together, we can build a harmonious and resilient future where people and nature thrive as a common ground for coexistence,” he said.
The don noted that the AUN students’ initiative is to foster peaceful coexistence, sustainability, and resilience in Adamawa State and beyond.
Professor Genger maintained that the AUN peace initiative is currently engaging in a global competition with other universities organised by the Manara Center for Peace and Dialogue in Abu Dhabi.
He pointed out that the initiative focuses more on three interconnected challenges: farmers-herders clashes, water scarcity, and climate change.
Thus, the professor emphasised that collaboration, harmony, resillience, social cohesion, environmental restoration, and equitable resource management should serve as a common ground for peaceful coexistence.
On the way out for peace, the Students Team Leader Isaac Utsewa, remarked that the Ubuntu for Peace will facilitate mediation workshops in schools and communities, between farmers and herders, encouraging understanding and cooperation to mitigate conflicts.
“Tackling Water Scarcity: the initiative will implement sustainable water solutions such as well installations to ensure equitable access to clean water, reducing competition for scarce resources,” he noted.
The STL further observed that a “community-led reforestation campaign will combat rising temperatures, rehabilitate degraded land, and promote climate awareness, through the awareness of tree planting,” he said.
