The Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project (L-PRES) has commenced the training of 110 traditional rulers, herders, farming communities and government officials on alternative dispute resolution mechanisms in Sokoto State.
The training workshop was organised by L-PRES in collaboration with Khadilad Support Services on Wednesday in Sokoto. It was tagged “Strengthening Alternative Dispute Resolution for Peaceful Coexistence, Community Resilience and Sustainable Livelihoods among Farmers and Host Communities in Sokoto State”.
In his address, the State L-PRES Project Coordinator, Surajo Abubakar, said participants would acquire practical skills for identifying emerging disputes, facilitating dialogue, supporting peaceful settlements and strengthening community-based mechanisms for conflict prevention and resolution.
Abubakar said the ultimate objective was to identify practical approaches that could be adapted to local realities, with the measure of success being the extent to which the knowledge gained is translated into practical action in communities.
“We are not supposed to be suppressed. We are being escalated into violence, causing loss of lives, destruction of property, displacement and destruction of livelihoods.
“Sustainable peace requires the collective efforts of farmers, pastoralists, traditional institutions, local government authorities, security agencies, civil society organisations and other community stakeholders.
“L-PRES considers alternative dispute resolution, as it is popularly known, an important component of building community resilience. It provides practical mechanisms through which stakeholders can use negotiation, mediation and conciliation to address grievances and find peaceful solutions,” Abubakar said.
He added that L-PRES remains committed to interventions that strengthen livestock productivity, resilience, peaceful coexistence and sustainable livelihoods.
According to him, committees were inaugurated by Sokoto L-PRES at the state and local government levels, and members are routinely invited to understand dispute and resolution mechanisms for peaceful coexistence.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Livestock and Fishery Development, Bello Wamakko, reiterated the state government’s commitment to supporting livestock farmers through dam construction, new cattle routes and other sustainable programmes.
Wamakko said the government had rehabilitated destroyed and encroached areas and provided inputs to pastoralists at subsidised rates across the state.
He enjoined traditional rulers and other group leaders to live up to expectations in sustaining the knowledge and applying it to resolve crises and differences in their respective communities.
The lead resource person, Dr Mudassir Gado of Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, presented a paper on farmer-herder conflicts, drivers, dynamics, early warning and pathways to peace, as well as on alternative resolution, negotiation and dialogue principles.
Speaking on behalf of participants, the District Head of Bodinga, Bello Abdulrauf, said the training would improve their understanding of L-PRES activities and help create public awareness for better appreciation of the project, as well as dispute resolution mechanisms.
