By Maryam Diallo
The Kaduna State Early Warning and Early Response (EWER) Stakeholders Forum has intensified efforts to promote peacebuilding and conflict prevention through an advocacy visit to the Kaduna State leadership of the Amalgamated Commercial Motorcycle Owners and Riders Association of Nigeria (ACOMORAN).
The visit, led by the Chairman of the Kaduna State Early Warning and Early Response Stakeholders Forum, Mr. Eric John, aimed to strengthen collaboration between both organizations and encourage greater participation of commercial motorcycle operators in promoting peace, unity, and security across Kaduna State.
During the engagement with the Kaduna State Chairman of ACOMORAN, Alhaji Garba Rabiu Giwa, at his office on Friday, July 17, Mr. Eric John emphasized the importance of building strong partnerships with community-based organizations that maintain direct contact with people at the grassroots level.
He explained that commercial motorcycle riders play a vital role in communities because of their daily interactions with residents, making them key stakeholders in the state’s Early Warning and Early Response system.
According to him, the collaboration will provide an opportunity for ACOMORAN members to support peacebuilding efforts by reporting early signs of conflict, suspicious activities, and emerging security challenges before they escalate.
Mr. Eric John noted that the advocacy visit was necessary given the association’s strategic role in the transport sector and its potential contribution to strengthening peaceful coexistence across Kaduna State.
He urged ACOMORAN members to continue supporting initiatives that promote peace ,tolerance, dialogue, unity, and harmonious relationships among people of diverse backgrounds.
Speaking during the visit, the Kaduna State Team Leader of the Network of Peace Journalists (NPJ), Ibrahima Yakubu, described the engagement as a significant step toward strengthening collaboration among peace actors.
He said effective peacebuilding requires the active involvement of all sectors of society, including transport unions, traditional institutions, religious leaders, civil society organizations, and the media.
Yakubu added that stronger collaboration between peace stakeholders and community-based groups would enhance information sharing, improve early response mechanisms, and contribute to preventing conflicts across the state.
Also speaking, Mr. George Benjamin of Hope for the Village Child, Kaduna, described the meeting as timely and important, considering the various roles ACOMORAN plays in promoting peace, unity, and social cohesion across the state
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In his response, the Kaduna State Chairman of ACOMORAN, Alhaji Garba Rabiu Giwa, expressed appreciation for the visit and welcomed the opportunity to strengthen the association’s partnership with the Early Warning and Early Response Stakeholders Forum.
He assured the delegation of ACOMORAN’s commitment to supporting initiatives that promote peace, unity, and peaceful coexistence in Kaduna State.
Alhaji Garba Rabiu Giwa added that collaboration with relevant peace organizations would help create a safer environment, strengthen community relationships, and encourage members of the association to contribute positively to security, peacebuilding, and sustainable development across the state.
