In Kaduna state a group of youths are using various forms of art to promote the culture of tolerance and peace.
The convener, Suchet Baba, believes events like this can help remove inherent religious and cultural barriers that hinder peaceful coexistence and triggers intolerance.
These youths in Kaduna are turning to arts in a bid to promote peace and tolerance in the state.
The event includes artworks in the fields of painting, performance, music, and photography by youths from different regions of the North.
The distinctive sessions here are aimed at opening dialogue that emphasizes cultural and religious tolerance
They strongly believe that through arts, inherent barriers that hinder peaceful coexistence can be addressed.
Kaduna state was among other Northern states that have faced severe security challenges in 2022.
This has shaped the narrative in the minds of Non- northerners making some of them apprehensive to even visit despite several attractions and developments.
These are some of the narratives performers here hope to change.
Going forward the youths are hoping to reach out to more communities with events like this and create platforms for people of diverse ethnic and religious backgrounds to interact and exhibit their talents, skills and works.
ABUJA-KADUNA HOSTAGES RELEASED
Terrorists who abducted victims of the Abuja-Kaduna over N6 billion may have been paid to the terrorists to set most of their captives free.
The Terrorists had attacked an Abuja-Kaduna passenger train on March 28, 2022, during which 14 persons were killed and 63 officially declared abducted.
The attack, forced the Nigeria Railway Corporation, NRC, to temporarily suspend activities on the route while President Muhammadu Buhari directed security agencies to rescue the victims.
The 23 remaining captives were, released almost six months after they were kidnapped by Boko Haram terrorists.
Their release was announced by Usman Yusuf, Secretary, Chief of Defence Staff Action Committee, CDSAC.
A Presidential Committee, reportedly set up by the Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor, to look into the abduction of victims of the Kaduna-Abuja train attack, secured the release of the remaining victims in the terrorists’ captivity.
40 of the abductees were reportedly released after the payment of ransom though the Statemenmt on the release of the remaining 23 hostages was silent on whether ransom was paid or not.
The government and its agents have denied paying any ransom to the terrorists but reports said victims’ families were made to cough out N100 million each to secure the release of their loved ones.
