By Huldah Shado
Traditional rulers in Southern Kaduna have thrown their weight behind a peace and unity initiative championed by the Southern Kaduna Christian Leaders Association in collaboration with prominent Islamic clerics.
The high-level summit, held Thursday in Kafanchan, gathered monarchs and religious leaders from across ethnic and religious backgrounds in what observers described as a historic and transformative meeting aimed at lasting peace and development in the region.
Chairman of the Southern Kaduna Christian Leaders Association and convener of the summit, Apostle Emmanuel Kure, said the initiative was designed to consolidate recent gains in regional stability and to forge a unified front for peaceful coexistence.
“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. This gathering is about building bridges and restoring confidence,” he stated.
The Emir of Jama’a, Alhaji Muhammadu Muhammadu II, and the Chief of Kagoro, Dr. Ufuwai Bonnet, speaking on behalf of the traditional institution, commended the initiative as timely and necessary.
“The initiative was not only commendable but essential for the survival of our people,” the Emir of Jama’a declared.
Dr. Bonnet echoed the sentiment, urging leaders to rise above ethnic and sectarian interests. “We must stand as one people. If we are united, nothing can hold us back,” he said.
Both royal fathers pledged their full support to ensure the success of the peace-building effort.
The summit also drew community elders, youth leaders, and influencers, many of whom expressed hope that the gathering would mark the beginning of a new era of inter-ethnic and interfaith cooperation in Southern Kaduna.
