A two-day workshop on the Humanitarian, Development and Peace (HDP) Nexus and Children Affected by Armed Conflict has brought together stakeholders, government officials, and civil society organizations in Jos, Plateau State. The forum, held at Villa Grande Hotel from September 29 to 30, 2025, focused on strengthening resilience and building peace in conflict-affected communities, with a key highlight being the symbolic presentation of ₦26 million in humanitarian support to beneficiaries.
Representing the Secretary to the Government of Plateau State, Arc. Samuel Nanchang Jatau, Mr. Gayi Timothy Gayi commended ECOWAS, GIZ, and civil society partners for convening what he described as a timely dialogue. He noted that Plateau has endured more than two decades of recurring conflict, farmer-herder clashes, and armed attacks displacing over 31,000 households as of May 2025. He stressed that humanitarian aid, development, and peace must work hand in hand, adding: “Relief without development fosters dependency, while development without peace remains unsustainable.”
The Director General of the Plateau Peace Building Agency, Dr. Julie G. Sanda, welcomed participants and underscored the devastating impact of prolonged conflicts, particularly on children. She called for synergy between humanitarian aid, development, and peace interventions to rebuild lives and restore hope.
Bashar Aminu, Senior Counsellor at the ECOWAS Permanent Mission to Nigeria, hailed the workshop as a significant platform for advancing inclusive responses, particularly for women and children. He urged stakeholders to show courage in developing innovative solutions that strengthen peace and stability.
Similarly, Dr. Sintiki Tarfa Ugbe, Director of Humanitarian and Social Affairs at the ECOWAS Commission, described the dialogue as more than a workshop but “a movement rooted in unity, healing, and rebuilding.” She emphasized ECOWAS’ vision of peace, security, and prosperity across the region.
Ashoms Azi, who represented the Plateau State Emergency Management Agency (PLASEMA), highlighted the severe humanitarian challenges facing displaced communities and reaffirmed government’s commitment to relief and peacebuilding.
Speaking for GIZ, Myriam Wedraogo explained that the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) provides transitional development assistance to strengthen resilience and prevent future crises, stressing that sustainable recovery is not possible without bridging aid and development.
Yakubu Mohammed Adamu of the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, in his remarks, noted that women and children are not just victims of conflict but also resilient agents of change who deserve education, healthcare, and livelihood opportunities. He assured that the ministry will continue to combine immediate relief with long-term development, while promoting stronger coordination with partners like ECOWAS.
The workshop concluded with a renewed call for collaboration among humanitarian, development, and peace actors to build resilience, restore livelihoods, and foster sustainable peace in Plateau State.