By: Mayen Etim
KADUNA, North-West Nigeria -To mark this year’s World Peace Day celebration, a UN Harmony Week Winner, Pastor (Dr.) Yohanna Buru, on Thursday, honored community leaders and peace ambassadors in Kaduna State, for their service to humanity and efforts to promote peace and unity within their communities.
In his address at the Barnawa award ceremony, Pastor Buru, who is also the founder of Peace Revival and Reconciliation Foundation of Nigeria said the event was to honour some citizens identified as peace builders who have and are still playing critical roles in maintaining peaceful coexistence in their different communities.
Some of the awardees include: the District Head of Barnawa, Alhaji Kabiru Zuberu was honoured for strengthening relationship and peaceful coexistence among the diverse religious and ethnic groups in his domain; while Alhaji Gambo Ibrahim, the Sarkin Gabas, a respected traditional leader was recognized for his unwavering commitment to fostering peace and unity in his community -Tudun Wada, Kaduna, and also contributed to the establishment of a security outpost in the area.
His peace initiatives extend to engaging women and youth in underprivileged neighborhoods, where he advocates for religious tolerance, love, and togetherness, laying the foundation for a brighter future. His work as a member of the Community Peace Observers (CPO), highlights his dedication to creating lasting harmony.
The Chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Barnawa chapter, Pastor Emmanuel Chet, expressed gratitude to God for the event and urged the organizers to not only stopped in Barnawa community, but extended the foundation’s activities across the state.
Also, the Chairman of Jama’tul Nasir Islam (JNI) in Kaduna South, Alhaji Salisu Abdullahi, said the honour was timely because it was given to who deserved it.
He said: “I have lived in Barnawa for over 40 years now. The District Head (Hakimi) Barnawa is someone I know from my childhood. I know the kind of family he comes from. His father during his life time embraced all in Barnawa. So, it’s not something new that he has continued in his father’s footsteps.”
The third awardee at the Kakuri Gwari (Kasuwan Monday) venue of the ceremony is the Chairman of the Association of Peace builders, Mallam Yusuf Abbas.
Abbas, who said he was grateful for the recognition disclosed that the group’s said: “Here, we have Christians and Muslims who are businessmen, traders, security personnel among us who are doing whatever they can to promote peace in the community. During festivity periods like Sallah, Christmas and New Year we celebrate together, exchange pleasantries, and advice ourselves on the way forward in seeing that peace continue to reign in our communities.
“Today, I feel honoured and happy with the award. I did not know that one day someone would come here and recognize what we’re doing and honour us just like the way I have been awarded. So, I thank the organization for this honour and I promise to do more on what I have been doing.”
Also speaking at the Kakuri Gwari (Kasuwan Monday) venue of the award, the Deputy Imam of Juma’at Central Mosque Kakuri, Mallam Shuaibu Adamu, said the peace being enjoyed in Kakuri among the different ethnic and religious groups in the area was achieved through dint of hard work, commitment, sincerity of purpose among others.
He enjoined other citizens to emulate the peace building efforts ongoing in Kakuri Makera communities.
Recall that in 2021, communities of Barakallahu, Down Quarters, and Kurmin Mashi were recognized by the Foundation for the “Best Muslim-Christian Peace Settlement” award.
Pastor Buru said despite the ethno-religious and political crises that have affected peace and stability in the state, the communities of Kurmin Mashi, Barakallahu, and Down Quarters have remained united as one.
“If all Kaduna communities could follow the example set by Barnawa, Kurmin Mashi, Barakallahu, and Down Quarters, there would be peace and development. These communities should be role models for all others in the state,” he added.
The World Peace Day is celebrated annually on September 21, with over 150 countries participating in the observance.