Governor Darius Ishaku of Taraba State

Presidential Committee on North-East Initiative (PCNI) on Tuesday commenced a one-week training of judicial officers and traditional rulers in Taraba on peace building and traditional justice system.

Gov. Darius Ishaku of Taraba, who declared the training open, urged the people of the state to instill mutual trust and understanding among people to promote peaceful co-existence.

Ishaku, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Bureau for Local and Chieftaincy Affairs, Alhaji Bello Yero, said that mutual distrust among people was behind the constant crisis in the localities of the state.

He urged Muslim and Christian clerics to preach peace, unity and tolerance to their followers for harmonious coexistence.

The governor also urged traditional rulers to advice their subjects to monitor the activities of youths in their various domains, to discourage drug abuse and political thuggery.

This, he said, would go a long way in ensuring peaceful environment, especially now that the country was heading toward the 2019 general elections.

He also called on lower court judges to step up modalities that would bring traditional justice and peaceful resolutions when they deliver judgments in their various areas to avoid disharmony and distrust.

Dr Shekarau Agyu, the Aku Uka of Wukari and Chairman of the state’s Traditional Council, said palaces had now become Internally Displaced Person’s (IDPs) camps due to incessant crisis.

Agyu, who was represented by Dr Shehu Baju, the Chief of Mambilla, expressed hope that with the training, the chiefs and judicial officers would do their best in ensuring justice and peace to all.

He added that “due to incessant crisis in many localities, palaces have now become IDPs camps in many areas.

“That is why this training is important for chiefs, imams, pastors and judicial officers for effective justice administration.”

The Vice Chairman of PCNI, Alhaji Tijjani Tumsah, said that the aim of the workshop was to bring stakeholders together to mediate, with the aim of reconciling differences and settling disputes.