International Day Of Peace: Zaman Tare Visit/Host Kaduna Communities

By Oyoyo Oyoyo

With peace being the bedroock that attracts development and unity in communities, the Zaman Tare project of Caritas Nigeria has celebrated the 2021 United Nations International Day of Peace with a visit and hosting of some communities of Kaduna south local government.

This is as part of it's activities to mark the Day in the state.

The year(2021)celebration tagged "Recovery Better For An Equitable And Sustainable World" was held in Barnawa as Art exhibitions, drama, Musical performances to thrill the array of Religious, traditional, Women and Youth leaders among others were among the activities carried out.

ZAMAN TARE, a project of Caritas Nigeria, Funded by European Union, (EU) in partnership with CAFOD and DREP, presently operate in Kaduna and Jos and Niger Republic.

Mr Daniel Ogabaila, the representative of CAFOD, while speaking at the event said the International Day of Peace and the theme " Recovering Better For An Equitable And Sustainable World " is laudable 

According to him, "One of the things we are doing is using our art exhibitions to also contribute to the fact that people can actually live in peace, equity and have a sustainable world, where every body will Iive in harmony " he added

According to him, Zaman Tare, as a project is basically, looking at religious and cultural intolerance and how people can live in harmony, that's our own little contribution, which is funded by European Union, (EU)

"Obviously, it's our little contribution to what is happening all around the world and we believe that it is doable, it is doable; Kaduna will enjoy peace and that is our contribution, he added

Similarly the Dakacin/Sarkin Barnawa South/ Shagari low cost, while speaking in Hausa, said the meeting today is great as it the UN International Day of Peace (IDP),which holds every year, " We have decided to host this great conference to interact and discuss issues of living together "

He noted, that Barnawa and its environs have no problems with religious harmony, owing to the efforts of by their religious and traditional rulers, while assuring the people that they will continue to pray for peace adding that since he has been here for over four decades, he has not heard of conflicts.

In the same vein, Pastor Jonathan Jeremiah Naye, of the Glory of God Ministries, Barnawa Low cost, said his message to both Christians and Muslims is to live in peace with one another and to the Christian he noted that they should not forget the essence of Peace " and that is why Jesus Christ actually came, he came to give his life so that we can understand peace "

While emphasizing the need to understand and respect each other irrespective he said'" I just want to employ and encourage that we cannot overemphasize the issues of Peace, Peace is cardinal to our nationhood, our political leaders should emphasize and live in peace, practice peace.

He added that what's really tenable is what you act, not what you say "

On his part, Imam Mustapha Sufi, Barnawa, said his call for religious harmony between Muslim and Christians and on other faiths is drawn from the wonderful Arts exhibition today where one of the Visual artists showed a man reading and studying his Holy Book " so my call to our youths is to learn more about their religion, whether Christian or Muslim

"If you do not know what the Koran and Bible say that is why one can easily be involved in terrorism and crisis, in fact, this is my clarion call, that Nigerians should take seriously the teachings and knowledge of their faiths to be able to stay away from insurgency and other forms of criminality and embrace peaceful coexistence " he added

On her part, the Women Leader, Zaman Tare, Barnawa, Mrs Larai M.Bako, called on women to continue to work together in peace and unity, so that our children can learn and follow same, from the kind of love, unity we exchange between Christians and Muslims"

While urging all to desist from religious and tribal differences and discriminations , called for religious tolerance and education to create awareness, enlightenment on the issues impeding peace and harmony in the state and country, adding that the Arts exhibition and musicals had sent a strong message of peace and living together.

On his part, the ward head / Secretary, Zaman Tare, Kakuri, Mallam Tafarki Sani Idris, described the International Day of peace celebration as a wonderful development, saying " That is what we want, because it strengthens peace, unity, cooperation and increases knowledge "

He called on parents to impact on their children the right religious ideals and knowledge, "They need to seek wisdom, knowledge, clemency, generosity and patience, if we have all these qualities, you will live in peace with one another and respect each other's belief" he stressed

Also, the Youth leader, Zaman Tare, Makera, Dr. Lado Rabiu, admonished his fellow youths that there's nothing like living together in peace, pointing out that without peace there cannot be progress in our Kaduna state and that snowballs and affects our freedom to worship, go to markets, work, schools

"We call on Muslims and Christians and people of other faiths to unite, love each other and relive the life we are known with in the past, adding that it is not good to destroy lives and property, this is evident when our society lacks peace and when faced with crisis situations " he maintained