Cardinal Onaikan Foundation has trained some Plateau students and ethnic leaders on cultural dialogue and ethnic rivalry to build peace and promote peaceful coexistence.
Mr Emmanuel Panden, Fellow of the Onaikan Foundation who coordinated the training held in Pankshin, said that peace is not a product that can just be picked but must be built.
Panden said that the workshop was aimed at bringing youths from different ethnic nationalities together, telling them that they were human beings first before any other consideration.
The fellow said that the one-day workshop was for the participants to understand their unique differences in line with the creation of God.
He further said that the training was to let the student leaders understand the needs of the different cultures and the need to respect and tolerate each other’s cultures.
“Whatever tribe one is coming from, you should understand that we are all one.
“It’s humanity first, so we have to protect and support one another,” he said.
Mr Santos Larab of the University of Jos said that cross-cultural dialogue would help the leaders understand the strength of unity.
Larab said that society was suffering from insecurity, but youth could be used to engender peace.
“For peace to reign in our society, you must capture the young ones.They are the entry point, and these are potential leaders for tomorrow. If you get them, society will benefit,” he said.
Dr Solomon Mangut, former Dean of the School of Education at the Federal College of Education (FCE), Pankshin, said that the training would be the beginning of better things happening individually and collectively.
Mangut said that anyone who wants to divide students along ethnic lines was not helping them.
“In any community where I find myself living, I ensure that I’m part of the community.
“I ensure that whatever good I can do in that community, I do it because when that community prospers, I prosper too.
“And when things are not going well, you discover that you’re never at peace.
“You will discover that what would have been very easy for you has become difficult.
“So if we must begin to build the needed peace that brings development, peace begins with each person that is here.
“So as students, your future leaders, if we must move this country, if we must move these things, if we must move this college, let us all agree that wherever you are, whatever you do, you do the right thing,” he advised.
Dajuma Gokum, Dean of Student Affairs, FCE Pankshin, appealed to the participants to pay attention and give back to society after the training.
Gokum said that this was the only way to show what they gained from the workshop.
Mr Wambutda Lapdang, Students Union Government (SUG) President FCE, appreciated the organisers for imparting their invaluable knowledge