One of the most demanding universal concerns currently is the relentless struggle for lasting peace. This is because no meaningful progress can take place in an environment of war and rancour. However, this universal concern is often encountered with grit and determination by peace-building agencies worldwide. The most cardinal characteristic that is crucial in piloting such an agency to success is a trailblazer who embodies the real spirit of a peacemaker; their diplomacy, thoughtfulness, tranquility, and resilience is a symbol of hope against conflict and violence.
It is an open secret that Plateau State, the once cherished home of peace and tourism has been ravaged by conflicts, crises and unprovoked herders attacks for over two decades now. Therefore, the decision of His Excellency Barr Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, the Executive Governor of Plateau State, to appoint Dr Julie Sanda, a world known peacemaker and an encyclopaedia of conflict management as the Director General of the Plateau State Peace Building Agency is not only commendable but it is ground breaking and a positive attestation of the governor’s leadership recruitment process.
The importance of having a quintessential peacemaker like Dr Sanda at the helm of a peace building agency, whose wealth of experience on both the national and international stage has seen her mediated between warring factions, trained peace advocates up to the United Nations level and researched on lasting solutions to crises that initially seem perpetually unending is indeed a bold testament to the fact that Gov Mutfwang is desirous of ending the vicious circles of conflicts, unprovoked attacks and seemingly coordinated ethnic cleansing.
As a peacemaker, Dr Sanda whose last position before the appointment was Principal Research Fellow, Dept of Conflict, Peacekeeping and Humanitarian Studies (DCPHS), Centre for Strategic Research and Studies (CSRS), National Defence College (NDC) Nigeria is no doubt a critical actor in peace building. At her last responsibility, the DG who was an Editor of Africa Peace Review has amongst her functions Policy Research, Leadership development, Course Development and Design, Facilitation, Monitoring and Evaluation, Administration. These functions are knitted to ensure facilitating negotiations and mediating conflict, which are core in the heart of a peace building agency like that of Plateau State.
Having initiated and conducted researches for the National Defence College and collaborated smoothly with other (external) researchers with record high successes, the new DG will in no small measure stabilize the fragile peace of the state by collaborating with external sources to effectively train and mentor the staff of the agency, stakeholders and the general public to be more proactive in nipping in the bud violence, crises and attacks.
With her so many years of managing Strategic-Level Peace Support Operations (PSO) Training and Activities of CSRS and NDC, Course and Curriculum Design, Development and Facilitation, Dr Sanda’s appointment will not only profit the state in peace building the nation at large considering the indispensible statue of Plateau State in the nation.
During the ugly Christmas eve dastardly attack on innocent citizens of Mangu, Bokkos and Barkin Ladi LGAs, accusation and counter accusations between the civilian and military dominated the aftermath of the mayhem. With Dr Sanda at the helm of Plateau State Peace Building Agency, Civil-Military Relations will be strengthened, more women will play prominent role in Peace and Security as well as the youth
The pluralism of Plateau State calls for inclusivity which forms the bedrock of a peacemaker’s guiding philosophy and Dr Sanda with her years at the zenith of peacemaking in the world recognizes that peace is a communal endeavour. It absolutely certain that she will emphasize what unites us by fostering inclusivity and respecting the differing viewpoints within a community and de-emphasize what divides us. Surely, the pluralism and different perspectives with diverse voices shall be integrated in the peace process Dr Sanda will undertake.
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