By Sanee Sule, Jalingo
Elders from the Muri Emirate in northeastern Taraba State have pledged to rebuild trust and foster mutual understanding to drive peace and development in the region, at the first Muri Peace Summit held in Jalingo.
The gathering, organised by the Muri Patriotic Elders’ Forum (MUPEF) under the theme “Our Peace, Our Progress,” brought together leaders across ethnic and religious divides to address recurring communal tensions and chart a path toward stability.
Participants said they would prioritise dialogue, reconciliation and collective action to strengthen unity in the emirate, which has faced periodic conflicts affecting security and economic growth.
MUPEF, a platform comprising senior community figures, outlined plans focused on peacebuilding, conflict resolution through mediation and arbitration, and campaigns to promote democratic values and development across the region.
Speaking at the summit, Dr Yusha’u Sallau Jen, a fellow of the Institute for Crisis Resolution, Peace and Conciliation, said mutual respect among communities and religions was critical to sustaining harmony.
“Peace is not negotiable for sustainable socio-economic development,” he said, warning that persistent communal clashes continue to undermine unity and progress in the area.
Retired Brigadier General Jeremiah Faransa described the summit’s theme as a call for collective responsibility, noting that peace and development require deliberate effort and sacrifice.
“Conflicts drain resources, destroy livelihoods and slow societal progress,” said Faransa, who also chairs the Taraba State Internal Revenue Service.
The Emir of Muri, Abbas Tafida, represented by Wazirin Muri Ibrahim Malle, commended the initiative and pledged the support of the Emirate Council toward ensuring lasting peaceful coexistence.
Other speakers, including Senator Abubakar Tutare and Bishop Ande Emmanuel of the United Methodist Church Nigeria, emphasised the need for stronger collaboration across societal groups to achieve enduring peace.
MUPEF Chairman Hassan Ishaku said the forum’s membership is limited to elders with proven records of service, committed to guiding the emirate toward peace, prosperity and sustainable development.