The Nasarawa State House of Assembly has expressed its readiness to enact a law for the establishment of a peace commission to proffer solutions to farmer/herder crisis in the state.
Speaker of the Assembly, Ibrahim Abdullahi, gave the assurance at a peace dialogue workshop on Monday, in Lafia.
The News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, reports that the workshop was organised by the United Nations Development Programme, UNDP, for members of the Assembly and other stakeholders.
NAN also reports that Abdullahi was represented by the Deputy Speaker, Mr. Nehemiah Dandaura.
According to him, the importance of peace to societal development cannot be overemphasised, hence the need for the establishment of the commission.
“We want to commend the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) for organising this workshop, which is aimed at promoting peace in the state.
“We, as an Assembly, are ready to support any programme that will promote peace in the state, as no society or nation can achieve any meaningful progress and development without peace.
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“Peace is the necessary requirement for development, particularly for any nation, hence the need to support any organisation out to promote peace in the state and the country at large,” he said.
The speaker also expressed the determination of the Assembly to pass resolutions and enact laws that would have direct bearing on the lives of the people of the state.
The Emir of Keffi, Shehu Chindo, who spoke on behalf of other traditional rulers, also commended UNDP for organising the workshop, assuring of the traditional rulers’ commitment to promoting peace in the state.
Earlier, Abdulwahaba Ba, the Project Manager, UNDP said that the programme was organised to create awareness on the need to establish a peace agency in the state.
“This will go a long way in promoting peace among farmers, herders and other people of the state and Nigeria at large,” he said.
He solicited for the support of the lawmakers, traditional rulers and other stakeholders towards promotion of peace for the overall development of the state.
In attendance were the Emir of Lafia, Justice Sidi Bage (rtd.), Lawal Nagogo, the Orinye Rindre and representatives of the association of physicall-challenged persons in the state.
NAN