The leadership of the Tiv ethnic group in Zamfara State has called for the establishment of an inter-ethnic peacebuilding committee in Taraba State to address the recurring crises among the various ethnic groups in the state.
They made the appeal over the weekend during the celebration of the Silver Jubilee of Tiv Traditional Leadership in Bali Local Government Council of Taraba State.
Led by the leader of the Tiv ethnic group, who also doubles as the Tiv monarch in Zamfara, Zaki Abaver Joels Terkuram, they emphasized that creating such a committee would help resolve conflicts at their early stages, fostering development and prosperity across the state.
Presenting a paper titled ‘Principles of Effective Leadership Among Tiv Traditional Leadership in the Maintenance of Peace, Unity, and Progress in a Divided and Multi-lingual Society,’ the monarch, on behalf of his subjects, recommended initiatives such as inter-ethnic dialogues, mutual visitations, joint economic empowerment projects, and modern mediation techniques as effective tools for achieving lasting peace among warring communities.
He also urged leaders to demonstrate quality leadership by guiding their people toward sustainable development and peaceful coexistence.
“Leaders are everywhere, but there is a scarcity of quality leadership that builds people in our time,” he lamented.
Criticizing the alleged prevalence of transactional leadership, which he said stifles development in many communities, he advocated for transformational leadership that inspires and empowers people to achieve a shared vision.
“A transformational leader inspires and empowers their followers to foster innovations and positive changes within a community,” he explained.
While commending the Tiv Traditional Leadership in Bali Local Government Area for their exemplary traditional and socio-cultural leadership, he encouraged other leaders to adopt similar approaches to preserve and enhance their leadership roles for the benefit of their communities.
Tiv monarch advocates for peacebuilding committee to resolve ethnic conflicts in Taraba