Traditional rulers, Christian leaders, and Islamic clerics in Southern Kaduna have united in a historic peace initiative aimed at fostering lasting harmony and development in the region. The high-level summit took place on Thursday, May 22, 2025, in Kafanchan, bringing together monarchs and religious leaders from diverse ethnic and faith backgrounds.
The peace summit was convened by the Southern Kaduna Christian Leaders Association in collaboration with prominent Islamic clerics. Apostle Emmanuel Kure, Chairman of the Christian Leaders Association and convener of the meeting, emphasized that the gathering was necessary to consolidate recent gains in stability and chart a path for coexistence and progress.
“The times are changing, and if we do not rise above old wounds and divisions, we may lose the opportunity to build the future our children deserve,” Kure said. “This gathering is about building bridges and restoring confidence.”
In a rare show of unity, the Emir of Jama’a, Alhaji Muhammadu Muhammadu II, and the Chief of Kagoro, Dr. Ufuwai Bonnet, spoke on behalf of traditional rulers, expressing strong support for the peace efforts. They described the initiative as timely, necessary, and vital for the survival of the people of Southern Kaduna.
“This initiative was not only commendable but essential,” the Emir said, while Bonnet called on all stakeholders to rise above ethnic and political interests, stressing, “We must stand as one people. If we are united, nothing can hold us back.”
The summit also attracted elders and community influencers, many optimistic that the dialogue would mark a new era of inter-ethnic and inter-religious collaboration in the region. The event is seen as a critical step toward institutionalizing peace in Southern Kaduna, a region long troubled by ethno-religious tensions and violence.
Reports indicate that the summit forms part of a broader strategy to involve traditional institutions in peacebuilding frameworks, with plans to establish ongoing dialogue forums and joint development committees.
Stakeholders have called on the Kaduna State Government and security agencies to provide support and ensure the implementation of the summit’s resolutions, underscoring the importance of sustained backing for the initiative’s success.
