Rising conflict necessitated “Peace Desk’ initiative – IPCR DG

Increasing conflict challenges with its humanitarian crises in the nation led the institute to come up with “Peace Desk” initiative, the Director General of Institute of Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR), Dr. Bakut tswah Bakut has said.

Dr. Bakut who made this known Tuesday while delivering his welcome address at first Zonal Training of Core Agencies and Workplaces PeaceDesk Leaders in Core Agencies, Ministries and Departments organized by the Institute in Abuja said it has been observed that there are debilitating issues of conflicts in the various geo-political zones, as a result of herders-farmer conflicts, ethno-religiouby, violence, communal clashes, cult gang attacks and terrorism.

Continuing, Bakut who was represented by the Deputy Director               Library Unit of the Institute, Mr. Patrick Okoro lamented that these unholy acts have unfortunately caused the avoidable death of very resourceful Nigerians.

His words, “The surging cases of conflicts in the country with attendant humanitarian burden made it imperative for the Institute to strategically design various strategies for peace promotion and peacebuilding, including this initiative that brought all of you here today.

“It has been observed that there are debilitating issues of conflicts in the various geo-political zones, as a result of herders-farmers conflicts, ethno-religious violence, communal clashes, cult gang attacks and terrorism.

“The above obnoxious events, has unfortunately caused the avoidable death of very resourceful Nigerians.

He also expressed happiness for having workplace peace minded audience in the Institute as part of the outcome of strategic extension of peace promotion activities to the Nigeria workforce and labour sectors.

He stated that is similarly gratifying to note that the persons training today have been part of the previous workplace peace engagement activities that climaxed in the need to commence this Fist Zonal Training of Proposed Workplaces PeaceDesk Leaders in Core Agencies and MDAs.

Speaking on Mainstreaming Peace in the Workplace Project, Head of Directorate of Internal Conflict Prevention and Resolution, Hepzeboh Achanya represented by Assistant Director, National Conflict Early Warning/Early Response, Steve Agbo said the initiative was aimed at managing the rising conflict in the land.
Achanya noted that the prevailing conflict situation has led to displacement of people and even unemployment making it possible for some to lose their means of livelihood.