By MOHAMMED DANBABA
Leaders from Northern Nigeria have launched a renewed push for peace and religious harmony, as prominent elders visited the national headquarters of Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) and the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in a high-level reconciliation effort aimed at healing long-standing divisions between Muslims and Christians in the region.
The visit, led by former Northern Elders Forum (NEF) spokesperson, Dr Hakeem Baba Ahmed, marked a symbolic and strategic step in addressing decades of mistrust, sectarian tensions, and violent conflicts that have claimed lives and disrupted social cohesion across Northern Nigeria.
Northern Reconciliation Group Takes the Lead
Dr Baba Ahmed led the delegation under the banner of a newly formed initiative known as the Northern Reconciliation Group (NRG). The group comprises respected Northern leaders from both Islamic and Christian backgrounds who share a common conviction that peace is the only sustainable path forward for the region.
According to Dr Baba Ahmed, the reconciliation mission reflects a collective realization that Northern Nigeria has paid an enormous price for recurring crises, ranging from ethno-religious violence to insurgency and communal clashes.
“We have come together because we believe that God created us as one people, despite our different faiths,” he said. “Muslims and Christians in the North must rise above suspicion and fear. The time has come for unity, peace, and mutual respect.”
He explained that the NRG was born out of concern over the deep scars left by years of conflict, which have stunted development, weakened social trust, and exposed millions to poverty and insecurity.
Call for Unity After Decades of Conflict
The Northern elders reconciliation mission comes at a time when the region continues to grapple with insecurity, economic hardship, and social fragmentation. From farmer-herder clashes to insurgent attacks and sectarian unrest, Northern Nigeria has endured repeated cycles of violence that elders say must not be allowed to continue.
Dr Baba Ahmed stressed that reconciliation is no longer optional but necessary for survival and progress. He urged religious leaders to use their moral authority to calm tensions, guide followers toward tolerance, and reject narratives that promote division.
“Our region has suffered enough,” he added. “We cannot continue on this path and expect a different outcome. Peace is the foundation for everything else—development, education, and prosperity.”
CAN: ‘A New Voice Is Rising in the North’
Responding to the delegation, Reverend Joseph John Hayab, Chairman of CAN in the 19 Northern states, welcomed the initiative and described it as a turning point in Northern Nigeria’s history.
He acknowledged that the region has experienced years of fighting and misunderstanding but expressed optimism that the elders’ intervention could reset relationships between religious communities.
“We will tell the world that although there has been conflict and deep misunderstanding in Northern Nigeria, a new voice is rising,” Reverend Hayab said. “That voice is saying, ‘Enough is enough.’ We are determined to resolve our differences and move forward together.”
He noted that faith leaders must play a central role in promoting dialogue at the grassroots level, where tensions often escalate into violence.
JNI Pledges Full Support for Peace Efforts
At the headquarters of Jama’atu Nasril Islam, the delegation received a warm reception from Professor Khalid Abubakar Aliyu, the Secretary General of JNI. He commended the elders for taking a courageous step toward healing old wounds.
Professor Aliyu emphasized that unity and cooperation attract divine support and practical solutions to complex problems.
“When people come together sincerely to solve a problem, the help of Allah will surely come,” he said. “Let us show everyone that we are strong together, that we are ready to build peace, and that we can make it work. You have our full support.”
He added that religious leaders must consistently remind their followers that violence contradicts the core teachings of both Islam and Christianity.
A Broader Message to Northern Communities
Beyond the symbolic visits, the Northern elders reconciliation mission sends a broader message to communities across the region. The elders urged citizens to reject hate speech, resist manipulation by divisive actors, and embrace peaceful coexistence as a shared responsibility.
Observers say the initiative could help de-escalate tensions if followed by sustained engagement, community-level dialogue, and joint peace-building programs involving youth, women, and traditional rulers.
Analysts also note that the credibility of the delegation—made up of respected figures with long public service records—adds weight to the reconciliation effort at a time when trust in political leadership remains fragile.
Hope for a United and Peaceful North
As Northern Nigeria faces mounting social and economic pressures, the elders’ visit to JNI and CAN has rekindled hope that dialogue can triumph over division. While challenges remain, stakeholders believe that consistent engagement between religious leaders could help prevent future crises and rebuild trust.
The Northern Reconciliation Group has pledged to continue consultations with other stakeholders, including traditional institutions, civil society groups, and government agencies, to ensure that peace efforts translate into lasting change.
For many residents of the region, the message is simple but powerful: peace is possible when leaders choose dialogue over silence and unity over suspicion.
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