The Zamfara State government has inaugurated a 46-member State Early Warning, Early Response (EWER) Committee to strengthen peacebuilding and conflict resolution efforts across the state. The inauguration, held on Wednesday, marks a significant step towards promoting stability in the region.
The committee was established by the Voluntary Aid Initiative (VAI), a civil society organisation (CSO), in collaboration with the Karuna Centre for Peacebuilding and the NEEM Foundation. The initiative aims to facilitate proactive responses to potential conflicts.
Officiating the event, the State Commissioner for Justice and Attorney-General, Abdul’Aziz Sani (SAN), lauded the initiative as both timely and essential for ensuring peace. Represented by Musa Shuaibu, Director of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) at the Ministry of Justice, Sani explained that the committee members were drawn from a diverse pool, including security agencies, traditional rulers, and officials from various ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs).
He further outlined that the committee would include representation from farmers, herders, civil society organisations, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), religious institutions, and other critical stakeholders across Zamfara.
“This initiative is timely, given the current importance of peace and stability, not just for Zamfara, but for humanity as a whole,” Sani said. He noted that the effort aligns with Governor Dauda Lawal’s administration’s commitment to fostering peace, community dialogue, and sustainable conflict resolution.
Sani emphasized the administration’s readiness to partner with local, national, and international organisations to further these goals. “On behalf of the state government, I commend VAI, the Karuna Foundation for Peacebuilding, and the NEEM Foundation for their contributions to peace in the state,” he added.
He urged the committee members to act in the best interests of Zamfara and reminded them that their selection was based on trust, encouraging them to carry out their duties with sincerity and dedication.
Speaking earlier, Musa Umar, Executive Director of VAI, highlighted the mandate of the committee as part of a broader project titled Promoting Stability, Access to Justice, and Accountability in the North West region of the country.
“The state EWER team will play a pivotal role in promoting peace, stability, and conflict resolution,” Umar explained. He also revealed that similar committees have been set up in six communities within Maru and Bungudu Local Government Areas (LGAs), each composed of 28 members.
Umar applauded the state government and other stakeholders for their support, noting the project’s considerable impact. “To date, over 1,000 conflicts involving more than 3,000 parties have been resolved through this initiative,” he concluded.
