NGO trains 102 teachers on peace building

An NGO of the Catholic Archdiocese of Jos, has trained 102 secondary school teachers and education supervisors on peace building in Plateau.

The NGO is known as the Justice Development and Peace Commission (JDPC),

The trainees, according to Mr Boniface Anthony, the NGO’s Programme Manager, Emergency Preparedness and Response, are expected to serve as “proactive trouble shooters” especially in areas considered crises-prone.

He told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Jos on Saturday, that the training, tagged “Changing Hearts for Peace”, had participants from across the 17 Local Governments Areas.

The official said that the NGO targeted teachers for the training because of their interaction with all manners of people – the poor and the rich, as well as the young and old.

“The teachers particularly became a target because they mould young minds; we want them to instil virtues of peace amongst our youths,” he explained.

He said that the NGO’s primary mandate was the restoration of lasting peace on the Plateau to reclaim its glory as a warm home for all.

“ We expect the teachers and supervisors to train their students toward attitudinal change in favour of peace,” he said.

The programme manager said that the project would last till 2020 so as to capture more trainees that would train others.

Anthony called on government and other relevant stakeholders to support the gesture so as to rid Plateau of violent conflicts.