PEACEBUILDING IN GENESIS 13: 5-12 AND ITS IMPLICATIONS ON IKPAYONGO COMMUNITIES OF BENUE STATE
Abstract
Conflict remains a major problem in the world today, and no group can be said to have permanently eliminated conflict from its interactions. In Nigeria, Ikpayongo community in Benue State is one of the societies bedeviled with conflicts. The conflict which was caused by claims to ownership of over 1000 plots of land has claimed many lives and properties. Since its inception in 2009, various steps have been taken by government and non-governmental organizations to resolve the conflict, which proved counter-productive. This paper examines the nature, causes and effects of conflict, the efforts made in resolving the conflict and find out the place of Genesis 13:5-12, in peacebuilding among Ikpayongo communities of Benue State. To achieve the purpose of the study, a descriptive, historical and Biblical criticism method was adopted by the researcher to carry out this study. The study reveals that peacebuilding is achievable, only when the nature, causes and effects of conflict in Ikpayongo is properly addressed using the Abraham’s model of peacebuilding through dialogue and reconciliation. The researcher recommends among others that government should be encouraged to establish an agricultural industry, for the employment of Ikpayongo youths and establish an operational military base on the disputed land to restore peace permanently. Christian leaders should negotiate and reconcile the opposing parties and provide peacebuilding schemes by encouraging the people to stay apart, but stay in peace using Abraham’s peaceful model in Genesis 13:5-12.
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