30 participants have been trained and engaged in consultative learning sessions on Conflict-Sensitive Climate Adaptation Practices in Benue State.
Organised by International Alert Nigeria, with funding from the Government of Ireland, the training and consultative session was held at the Conference Hall of Ritz and Gold Hotel and Suites in Makurdi.
Mr. Kengkeng Ati, Senior Project Officer International Alert Nigeria told participants that the project aims to leverage peace to address conflicts arising from the adverse effects of climate change.
He urged participants to view the approach as emphasising dialogue, strategic engagement, policy, and application of the “Do No Harm Principle” towards achieving peaceful coexistence.
According to the lead facilitator, Dr. Alfred Jimin, Associate Professor of Agronomy and Weed Science at Joseph Sarwuan Tar University, Makurdi (JOSTUM), the training focuses on inclusiveness and climate adaptation.
Dr Jimin explained that the topics are streamlined so that each participant learns a skill in inclusion, noting that part of what has exacerbated the crisis is that not all stakeholders are always included in conflict resolution.
“It is also looking at the steps that can mitigate crisis and promote peace, as well as some of the highlights of climate issues that have aggravated conflict between farmers and herders,” Dr Jimin stated.
Some of the participants, including Miss Msendoo Akule and Mr Ibrahim Joseph Asongo, Coordinator of the Platform for Youth in Climate Leadership, who shared their experience with TNT, said the knowledge gained from the training would help them with project management.
“I learnt more about conflict resolution and different strategies that can be adopted to tackle conflict. I also learned about the importance of inclusion in project management so that no one feels left out or unimportant,” Miss Msendoo told TNT.
“As a platform, we will be carrying out climate adaptation sensitisation. Knowledge gained here will help in designing an inclusive and conflict-sensitive climate adaptation sensitisation campaign,” Mr. Ibrahim stated.
