WIC Marks Int’I Day Of Peace In Grand Style, Holds ‘Village Square Meeting’

By Nomsu Baba

NEWSDAILYNIGERIA- The Interfaith Forum of Muslims and Christian Women’s Association also known as Women’s Interfaith Council (WIC) marked this year’s World lnternational Day of peace with an event tagged” Village Square Meeting,” on Thursday at the Catholic Media Centre, Independence Way, Kaduna.

Declaring the occasion open, the Hon Commissioner of Human Services and Social Development Hajiya Hafsat Mohammed Baba, through her representative, stressed that no achievement can be feasible without peace, hence, the need for solid cooperation among communities

In her opening remarks, the WIC Executive Director Rev. Sr. Veronica Oyeanisi, OLA, said the gathering became necessary so as to reflect on issues bothering women and youths. “We have gathered in this Village Square to deliberate on issues that concerns everyone of us, especially women and youths.”

She said that since the period of last year’s Covid-19 pandemic, women have been faced with different forms of violence such as gender based violence, sexual molestation and kidnapping, hence the need for such gathering to holistically deliberate on how to use policing approach to minimize those anti-social happenings.

The key note speaker, Hajiya Hajara Yahaya Tanko, noted that, an ideal community is where differences are not shown on individuals due to their beliefs and other orientations. “An ideal community can be defined as a place where your race, sexual orientation and beliefs are not judged, but rather are considered and accepted.

” It is possible to have sustainable Communities, by women and youths playing their parts of policing their communities.” She added

On his part, Imam Sulaiman Isa Adam from From Igabi Local Government, said that rumours, lies, lack of respect and love from unbelievers are the major causes of violence and other social vices threatening peaceful coexistence in our various communities, because lack of respect is being preached by those fake Christians and Muslims.

” If we can love our neighbours, I see no reason why we should be fighting; and I see no reason why we will allow our younger generation to be devils of our society today.” adding that “If we can respect the teaching of our religion, Islam and Christianity, I want to assure us that globally, we’ll live in peace and harmony.”

Similarly, the Secretary of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Kaduna State chapter, Rev. Caleb Ma’aji, appreciated WIC for putting out this great event, and stressed how cordial relationship between the religious leaders have been helping in curbing issues synonyms to religious crisis in the state.

” CAN and JNI are working as sister organization, essentially what we are called to do by God is to preach godliness, to preach humanity, to preach tolerance, love for one another, respect of each other and share love in practice towards one another.” he said

It should be noted that colourful event was organized to mark the end of the WIC’s week, 2021, with a theme: Policing our Communities for Sustainable Peace; the Role of Women and Youths. Having visited different places within the week such as the State House of Assembly and the Bishop’s court among others

Furthermore, this year’s celebration was to complement the UN’s International Peace Day, which was observed on Tuesday 21st September, 2021, with a theme: Recovering Better for an Equitable and Sustainable World.

The high points of the event was the presentation of two awards given to the organization by German based International organization, and a sister organization (Zaman Tare), as well as the induction of Hajiya Hajara Yahaya Tanko into the prestigious organization. Guests were well entertained by the WIC peace troupe, and the delicious morning and afternoon meals, code named ” water trek and peace bite.”

Recall that the, non governmental organization (WIC) was established in the year 2010, with the vision to have “a society where Muslims and Christians live together in peace, where the rights of women are respected, and where women and youths are protagonists of peaceful coexistence and development.

Six LGAs in the state covered by this organization are Chikun, Igabi, Kaduna North, Kaduna South and Jama’a. These LGAs all presented presented their positive achievements and the their proposals for the organization to look into them.

In her closing remarks, the General Coordinator Hajiya Amina Kazaure said ” I want to thank everybody for believing in us, if you had not believed in us you would not have spent your time and resources, just to be here with us, the essence of this gathering is that each Local Government has its own peculiar problems and peculiar ways to solve them, which others can learn from.”

“The essence of policing is because we are members of the community, we know who is who… And we should be able to device means to bring to an end to whatever is happening that is not idle.” She reiterated