The District Head of Kawo in Kaduna State Alh. Jibril Sani Magaji says tree is a symbol of nature that represents peace, unity and progress for humanitarian growth and development.
The traditional ruler stated this during a tree-planting exercise to mark the 2022 International Youths day organized by Mercy Corps Nigeria, NGO in collaboration with Generations for Peace and other stakeholders in Kawo, Kaduna State, Nigeria.
Represented by a community leader Alh. Isiaku Garba, the district Head said the importance of tree-planting cannot be over-emphasized as it is being passed from generation to generation, while providing a platform for people to enjoy healthy atmosphere in their communities.
According to Alh. Jibril, trees are also a platform where people especially elders and youths always gathered to tell stories and make decisions regarding the progress of their communities.
He posited that, settling dispute and initiating reconciliation for people also formed parts of what elders do in their varius communities under the tree with a view to promoting development and growth of their terrain.
The Senior Programme Officer, Mercy Corps Nigeria Mr. Emmanuel Shall said during the event that the initiative was parts of its five-year project under community initiative to promote peace, CIPP.
Emmanuel Shall pointed to the fact that the event became imperative following the need to provide for them safe spaces where issues around peace and progress of their communities would always be discussed.
While the trees are being nurtured by the youths of the community, he said, it is hoped that they will continue to tell the good story from generation to generation as they continue to use their youthful spirit to promote peace toward having a progressive and United society.
In an address, Country Manager, Global Young Generation for Peace Development Initiative Jelilat Abidoye said the tree-planting exercise was to promote peace and unity for the different ethnic and religious groups in Kawo community, and to also provide a platform for them to engage in a result oriented conversations on how to improve peaceful coexistence and ensure the safety of people living in Kawo community.
The Peace Ambassador described youths as the backbone of every civilization in which its success and failures lies on their shoulder, hence the need for them to be resolute in being front runner in addressing conflict issues head on rather than being participants in it.
She commended the youths in Kawo community for their continued efforts toward transforming Kawo into one of the most peaceful multi ethnic and religious communities in Kaduna State.
The initiative that was climaxed by tree planting at Governmen Secondary School, and other strategic locations in Kawo, also featured enlightenment and sensitization for youths to live in peace, and shun engaging in social vices such as alcohol and drugs for a better Kawo and Nigeria at large.
Daniel Karlmax.