The Tiv \/ Jukun crisis has persisted for so long. We have lost thousands
\nof precious lives and immeasurable property and resources. Many are
\nmaimed for life or living in displacement. Tens\u00a0 of thousands of
\nchildren have been orphaned by conflict and millions of our fellow
\ncitizens now face threats of starvation in the face of rising food
\nsecurity. Our society has been degraded far beyond anybody’s
\nimagination. It seems there is no end to our disillusions and
\npredicaments.<\/p>\n
History teaches us that since the creation of man,the human race lived
\nwith violence and conflicts. In the biblical Book of (Genesis 4:1-8
\nKJV), Cain and Abel\u00a0 are the first two sons of Adam and Eve between whom
\nthe first human conflict and violence started, which led to the death of
\none of the two brothers ,since then\u00a0 violence never ceased.
\nViolence will always occur till the end of time. However, all subsequent
\nconflicts and violence since Cain and Abel ended at one point or the
\nother. All the horrendous wars, battles, expeditions in what ever form
\nended at\u00a0 some points and human kind were able to embrace peace and
\nlived together.<\/p>\n
Violence is a free commodity. Nobody has exclusive right to possess and
\nperpetrate violence. Even the most peaceful and the most pious may be
\ncajoled to indulge in violent activities. In\u00a0 Taraba state the
\nTivs\/Jukuns have lived with violence and destruction for so long to the
\nextend that our people are no longer afraid of violence. We are more and
\nmore becoming immuned to death and destruction. The Tivs\/Junkuns live
\nside by side with violence, they walk through violence, and are now
\ntaking instability for granted.<\/p>\n
Since 1959 to date, our children and grandchildren were either born into
\nor grew up in violent circumstances. Beyond that, since the advent of
\nparty politics in 1998, thousands of our youths were recruited in
\nviolence as political vanguards and thugs.
\nWhen violent broke out between the Tivs\/ Jukuns in year 2000, the two
\nethnic groups did not find it difficult to recruit their adherents
\nbecause of the availability of readymade violent elements. The
\nknowledge, culture, tradition, custom, costumes and attitudes of a child
\nare reflected in what he watches and observes while growing up. Today,
\nmany of our children see nothing wrong in negative behaviors. Many of
\nthem are savering relationship with their communities. Disrespect to
\nelders, constituted authorities and rudeness to parents are most
\nprevalent.<\/p>\n
It is apparent that all the good deeds, struggles, and all that hold
\ndear as a people are at the verge of extinction.
\nTherefore, we must understand and appreciate our unfortunate state of
\nexistence and change for peace and peaceful coexistence. It is the only
\npanacea for us as a people. We must individually and collectively
\nswallow our prides, primodial considerations and preconceived positions
\nin order to reach out to all violence proned individuals and groups to
\nconvince them to embrace peace. It is difficult but nothing is
\nimpossible with the intervention of the Almighty God.
\nAs stated earlier, there were no permanent wars or conflicts. Wars and
\nconflicts must end at a point. And peace is always attained when a
\ncommon ground is accepted by both the victims and the aggressors.
\nUnabated aggression claims more victims and expands to consume humanity.
\nOurs should not be an exception.
\nWe must bring an end to all forms of conflict, violence and
\ndestructions.<\/p>\n
For now we\u00a0 have lost our precious, cherished and beloved sons and
\ndaughters in all spheres of life- our soldiers, police, SSS, Civil
\nDefence etc and indeed thousands of innocent people who knew next to
\nnothing as to why they died.<\/p>\n
The surest way to end the Tivs\/Jukuns conflicts is for the two groups to
\nhave a rethink and deeply reflect on the consequences of their
\nactivities to their motherland.
\nThey must retrace their steps back to peace and peaceful co-habitation.
\nThe Tivs\/Jukuns must know that conflicts must and need to end at a point
\nin time. It is needless to continue to suffer in the bush inflicting
\ndeath, destruction and hardship on your own people.
\nThe Tivs\/Jukuns must be reminded and guided to accept that all of us
\nhave equal stake and rights in Taraba state.
\nTaraba state is collective project, we must stop hate speeches, threats
\nto one another, accept our common humanity and heritage. We must live
\ntogether in peace and progress. God Almighty in His infinite mercies and
\nwisdom created us in Taraba state, and we are Tarabians. It is not by
\nchoice but divinely ordained.
\nTo be continued..<\/p>\n
Citizen John Akevi
\n07037017010<\/p>\n
The Tiv \/ Jukun crisis has persisted for so long. We have lost thousands of precious lives and immeasurable property and resources. Many are maimed for life or living in…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":67371,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-67370","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-articles-opinions"],"yoast_head":"\n