Torchbearers Impact Network (TIN) has launched a two-day peacebuilding campaign #OneMalete to strengthen the students-indigenes relationship in Malete community as part of their grand plan to drive peaceful coexistence and unity in the state.
The campaign will run from Friday 25th to Saturday 26th July 2021 online and physical respectively.
“We can no longer pretend not to be aware of the deteriorating relationship between indigenes and students in parts of Malete community. Not with the several clashes experienced last semester. While we are aware conflicts are normal in a growing community, it can not be left to fester,” according to a statement by Ibraheem Abdullateef, Founder Torchbearers Impact Network on Thursday.
“Specifically, we want to state that the issues between students and indigenes as recently witnessed are due to distrust and suspicion of one another’s motives. This is not healthy for progress. Residents in Malete community must live together in peace and harmony for education and business to thrive.”
It stated further that TIN partnered with the Centre For Community Development; Faculties of ICT; Law; and Agric KWASU to enrich representation in the peace advocacy programme.
“It is important to note that we are doing this with Centre for Community Development; Faculties of ICT; Law; and Agric in KWASU to achieve the objectives. We have informed the school safety and security unit and even the police. Peace and security is everyone’s responsibility and we must be ready to play our part,” the 300l student of Mass Communication noted.
The statement also quoted Deputy Coordinator Centre for Community Development, Dr Fatai Akosile saying that the project is not to apportion blames but to seek out better relationship with the hosting community in line with the University vision.
“#OneMalete is a brilliant initiative by one of our students and we are proud to support it. We are not out to blame anyone. What it seeks to achieve is to tell the story of our togetherness. The programme is in online and physical version to widen its scope and impacts. We shall be converging to remind ourselves of the essence of our relationships and why it matters to be solid. We need to reestablish that KWASU students and Malete indigenes are partners, not opponents. We, therefore, urge all to take charge of our image by joining resolutely to preach peace and spread love in their own capacity while every effort is being made by government and security agents to secure lives and properties of every citizen.”
Torchbearers meanwhile urged students and members of the University community to shun hate speech and other acts capable of eroding peace and unity in #OneMalete.
