STRATEGIES FOR PEACEFUL COEXISTENCE AMONG RELIGIOUS GROUPS IN PLATEAU STATE

A STUDY OF JOS CITY AND ENVIRONS

Abstract

The challenge of inter-religious co-existence in Nigeria is on the increase with different factors motivating the ill-relationship among the religious groups in the country. Plateau is one of the states that suffer grossly from the effects of the religiously motivated crisis. The focus of the study is pragmatic in approach as it aimed at making contribution towards addressing the challenge of the inter-religious co-existence in Plateau state. The research argues strategies for peaceful co-existence among the religious groups. Therefore, the study considers a historical, theological, and social approach to X-ray the problem of lack of peaceful coexistence among the adherents of different religions in Jos City in particular and Plateau State in general and how such can be addressed. The research combines both literature review and oral interviews and utilizing Frustration-aggression theory and appreciative inquiry. The research found out that the residents of Jos want to live in peace despite their diversity and differences like they lived before 2001. The deep-seated mistrust of adherents of other religions due to years of conflicts remains a major barrier. However, the residents of Jos desire to work towards achieving peace for meaningful human development. Historically Jos city was peaceful until 2001; factors responsible for the peace in Jos were identified. Reasons for the lack of peaceful living as well as strategies for peace-building in Jos and Plateau State were identified. This paper proposes that religion can be turned into a means for peace-building in Jos City.