The convener of the three day peace summit in Southern Kaduna, Rev.Yakubu Pam has said that peace is a gift of mankind to each other and is not given by magic. He made the assertion in Kafanchan recently during the opening ceremony of the three day peace summit to foster peace amongst the citizenry of southern Kaduna. In the words of Rev Pam, ” peace is not given by magic, it is a gift of mankind to each other. It is those who give peace that have peace”. He added,” peace is a two -way street, to receive peace, you have to give peace”. Rev Pam who is the Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Christian Pilgrim Commission also emphasized that forgiveness is key for enduring peace any where in the world, and Southern Kaduna is not an exception. He urged the aggrieved persons to forgive those that had caused them pain. He explained further that love is an act of endless forgiveness. According to the NCPC boss, “it is not easy to forgive, but remind your self that harbouring the resentment will only aggravate your pains”. The NCPC helmsman further affirmed that conflict is an inevitable fact of human existence, but if properly understood and managed effectively, “,we can improve both the satisfaction and productivity of our social relationships”. He opined that government efforts need to go beyond the initial phase of containing trouble spots, therefore he advised that adequate attention and investment must be directed towards conflict prevention and management which underscores the importance of the peace summit. He averred that the reason for the gathering of who is who to discuss the way forward for Southern Kaduna was to facilitate a peace process through dialogue and negotiations as well as enhanced participation and cooperation amongst all participating stakeholders. He said with deep sense of concern that his heart bleeds whenever he hears about killings and banditry taking place anywhere in the world,, especially its effects on the most vulnerable groups. The theme of the three day peace summit is “The De Escalation of conflict in Southern Kaduna and the way forward”.

High profile personalities presented papers on conflict resolutions, including Prof .Suleiman Elias Bogoro, the Executive Secretary Tertiary Education Trust Fund TETFUND among others. The peace summit is expected to be rounded off on 10th September with a communique for implementation.

The Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Christian Pilgrim Commission Rev Yakubu Pam has said that a three day peace meeting would be convened in September to seek lasting solutions to the crisis in Southern Kaduna.

He disclosed this recently in Kaduna during a condolence visit to the Southern Kaduna Peoples Union at Barnawa, Kaduna state. The NCPC Boss said he at the Secretariat of the Union to pay a condolence visit on the lost of lives of innocent people of Southern Kaduna following the recent crisis that erupted in the area. He called on both the Federal and state government to ensure that the perpetrators of the heinous crime in Southern Kaduna were brought to justice. He affirmed that the Union had been the voice of the people and that the Southern Kaduna people are receptive, accommodating and friendly to visitors in their communities. Rev. Pam described the current situation in Southern Kaduna as the hand work of the enemy. He promised to talk to the power that be to fish out those behind the killings. He cautioned that for peace to be restored in Southern Kaduna all players must be circumspect with their utterances so as not to escalate the fragile situation.

Speaking, the President of the Union, Hon. Jonathan Asake said the NCPC boss ” is a messenger of peace “, he congratulated him on his recent appointment as the Executive Secretary of the NCPC which he said was a well deserved one because of his relentless commitment to peace building. According to him, ” we are not in anyway surprised that you have continued in what you know how to do best ”. He affirmed that only inclusive leadership that would help to restore the crisis in Southern Kaduna. In the words of Hon. Asake, ” we in Southern Kaduna have tried to tell the world that what is going on is genocide and ethnic cleansing and that the actions and in actions of our leaders and utterances are not helping matters. ”

In a related development, the NCPC helmsman also met with the Southern Kaduna Elders led by Major General Zamani Lekwot rtd. in his residence in Kaduna. He intimated the rtd. General that he was there on a message of condolence to empathize with them on the lost of the innocent lives of the people of Southern Kaduna following the recent attack on their communities. He described the Southern Kaduna as a mini Nigeria where people live in peace and harmony. He described the current situation in the area as a painful period for the people. In the words of the NCPC Boss ” the questions in the mouth of every Nigerian is when will this crisis end”. He further tasked the elders of the Southern Kaduna to forgive their enemies while promising to do his best to raise the level of intelligence so that those who come to the communities in the night to kill innocent and harmless people would be stopped. He equally called on the Southern Kaduna youth to ceasefire in order to chart a new course, adding that the elders had a big responsibility to ensure that the younger ones do not take laws into their hands.

Speaking, General Lekwot congratulated the No 1 Christian Pilgrim Officer of the Federation on his recent appointment, adding that “NCPC is a platform that unites all faithful, going on pilgrimage is the dream of every believer”. He thanked the NCPC boss for coming to commiserate with them in their trying moment. He averred that the root of the problem must be addressed in order to create a conducive atmosphere for peace to reign. He called on the government to do more than they were doing presently and do the needful, adding that “Nigeria is not a banana Republic and the rule of the law must be enforced”. He said, “we want the bandit to live us alone so that life will return to normal”.

Rev. Pam was also at the Southern Kaduna Development Association Forum where he met with their Chairman, Dr Zuwaghu Bonat and other leaders of the association. He condoled with them on the lost of the innocent lives of the good people of Southern Kaduna.

He tasked them on the need for a ceasefire and for peace to reign in Southern Kaduna.

The Executive Secretary of The Nigeria Christian Pilgrim Commission Rev. Yakubu Pam has said that the situation in the North East region of the country had become a concern for every Nigerian. He disclosed this on Thursday, 20^th August, 2020 while playing host to the executives of the North East Students Peace Foundation who paid him a congratulatory visit in Abuja. In the words of the NCPC boss, “The North East is a region of concern for every Nigerian, it is giving us a negative image because of the lost of lives of innocent people which has resulted to the springing up of internally displaced persons camps (IDPs)”.

He expressed his deep sympathy with the people of the North East region in particular and the entire Northern Nigeria in general. The NCPC boss though deeply touched by the situation in the North East stated however that he could see a solution coming the way for the region with the caliber of youths represented by the executives of the North East Students Peace Foundation. According to him, “I am seeing a solution to this problem, we have seen youths with a change of mindset like you”. He further affirmed, “When we have youths like you displaying an exemplary leadership style for the people, I am sure a lot of youths with negative mindset will be converted”.

Rev. Pam further explained that without a change of mindset there would be no development. He told them that they possessed the right charisma to influence other youths who are adamant and who see nothing good about this great Nation.

He urged them not to limit their activities to North East alone, because the whole Nigerian needs to know them because they have the charisma and character.

The NCPC helmsman assured them that he would do his best to collaborate with them on the area of peace and inter faith harmony.

Earlier, the President of the Association, Comrade Mujahed Tahir informed the No. 1 Christian Pilgrim Officer of the Federation that the body was formed as a result of the insurgency in the North East and was primarily established to engender peace and harmony.

He explained that both the two dominant religion – Christianity and Islam preach peace.

Comrade Tahir also stated that part of the foundation’s mandate is to select credible individuals who had done the nation proud by honouring them with a distinguished leadership award even outside the North East. According to the President of NESPF, “Our country needs leaders not rulers”. He described the NCPC boss as a master strategist, a peace builder and a man of character”. He added, “you have always try to be ahead of others”. He explained that Rev. Pam possessed all good principle standards of governance hence he deserved the highest award of the foundation.

Comrade Tahir also thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for appointing Rev. Pam as the Executive Secretary of the NCPC. His words, “In all the appointments Mr. President has made, this is the best appointment so far”.

The highlight of the visit was the conferment of the Five Star General of Aluta-Grand Commander of Northern Nigerian Youth, GCNNY on the Executive Secretary