By Amos Aar
SEARCH for Common Ground (SFCG) has organized a two-day workshop on “Strengthening Human Rights Monitoring Platforms for Stakeholders in Benue State.
Project Manager, Binta Mohammed, in a welcome address said, SFCG also referred to as “Search” is an international peace-building and conflict transformative organisation that promotes peaceful resolution of conflicts without seeking profit.
She disclosed that search which is headquartered in Washington DC and Brussels with its operations spanning 35 countries, is currently implementing a 24-month project entitled, “United in Security: A Collaborative Approach to Civilian Protection in Nigeria”. According to her, the implementation of the project will take place in three local government areas of Benue State; Otukpo, Makurdi and Guma while in Adamawa State, Yola North, Girei and Fufore LGAs will benefit from the project.
SFCG Project Manager, Mr Chorbe Joshua Gonlur, who was a Facilitator at the workshop said, the training was aimed at Strengthening the capacity of selected participants from Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), the media and the Government to improve coordination and collaboration as well as synergy to address and advocate human rights issues in Benue and Adama States.
Gonlur asserted that conflict is a phenomenon that can be resolved but violence is preventable through mutual respect for each other’s human rights and dignity.
Speaking on building trust between civilians and the security sector, the facilitator stressed that the security sector must practise fairness in addressing issues of conflict and human rights to win the confidence and trust of civilians while civilians must know and maintain the boundaries of their rights.
He also sensitized the participants on conflict sensitivity and human rights reporting, common ground approach as well as human rights monitoring platforms.
The workshop was interactive as it featured group discussions and presentations on different topics.
The two-day capacity building programme will continue and end tomorrow, April 14, 2023 at the same venue, Halidays Hotels, Makurdi.
