The West Africa Network for Peace building (WANEP) Nigeria has advocated the creation of a Peace building agency in Akwa Ibom, to support the efforts targeted at addressing conflict in communities across the state.

The network believes that the lack of an agency creates a gap and needs to be filled with a view to driving peace building initiatives and establishing sustainability.

The call by WANEP came up during an engagement with civil society actors, community stakeholders including men, women, and youth leaders on conflict prevention, crisis management, and peace building.

Speaking with Inspiration FM news, the Programme Director for WANEP, PATIENCE IKPEH OBALO said an agency will help institutionalize peace building in Akwa Ibom and enhance healthy collaboration.

Also, speaking about how crisis management can be used to strengthen Peace Building in Akwa Ibom, WANEP’s representative in Akwa Ibom state, Mr SAVIOUR AKPAN believes entrenching peace from the grass root cannot be undermined.

Mr SAVIOUR AKPAN, who serves as the Early Warning and Response reporter in the state, highlighted the critical role traditional institutions can play in crisis prevention and advancing peace.

A significant aspect discussed at the event was the benefits of early warning and response in conflict prevention and how key actors can be involved in driving this element to handle conflict with tact.

The discussions by WANEP, which were embeded in a 3 day capacity building for community actors, are expected to solidify efforts aimed at peaceful coexistence amongst Akwa Ibom citizens.

Expressing satisfaction over the positive impact of the training on them, the participants vowed to go back to their locate communities and step down the knowledge acquired, so as to ensure a peaceful co-existence at the grassroots.

The three day event ended with an action plan for the participants to begin a conflict resolution programme, while certificates were presented to them.