The Farmers and Herders Initiative for Peace and Development (FHIPD) is an International Centre that supports and promotes non-violent approaches to conflict transformation through a combination of research, community dialogues and action.
Salihu Musa Umar popularly known as Salim is a project manager, and conflict and policy analyst. He is a National Publicity Secretary and a member of the National Executive Council of MACBAN (Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria). MACBAN is one of the biggest pastoralists associations in Africa.
As part of his duties, he manages projects on nomadic education and the peaceful resolution of farmer-herder conflicts on behalf of the Farmers and Herders Initiative for Peace and Development (FHIPD). Salim is a Fellow of the Civilian Institute of Democratic Administration, Tema, Ghana, and a Member of the Public Administration Institute of Nigeria. Salim is a 2019 alumni of the International Human Rights Training Programme – Equitas, Abbott College, Montreal, Canada.
Salim has served as Special Assistant to the Executive Governor of Plateau State on Special Duties, advising on the peaceful resolution of farmer-herder conflicts. He further served as a Senior Special Assistant to another Governor in the same State, working as a Community Relations Advisor. In 2007, he served as a member of the Presidential Committee set up to resolve the lingering crisis between herders and farmers in Nigeria. Salim has served in several Government Boards and Parastatals including as a member of Plateau State Pilgrims Welfare Board.
Salim served as Chairman of the Fulani Peace Committee, set up by the Government of Plateau State in 2015 to establish peace between the Berom (farmers) and Fulani (herders) who are the key protagonists in Plateau State Nigeria. It was while working in this capacity that an International Organization, the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue (HD) approached Salim to lead the Fulani people as the head of delegation to meet in a dialogue with other ethnic communities in Jos. Salim chaired and was the lead negotiator for the Fulani community. The dialogue led to the Declaration of Commitment to Peace and Cooperation of the Inter-Communal Dialogues and Conflict Mediation in Jos, Plateau State.
He later worked as an advisor, conflict, and policy analyst and was instrumental in guiding the organization towards two more agreements The Kafanchan Declaration of Kaduna and the Southern Plateau Inter-Communal Peace Dialogue.
Prior to working with Government, Salim worked in a multi-national corporation for twelve years, leaving as Customer Service Manager, traveling all over Nigeria, garnering knowledge about people and their lifestyles that he now puts to use in creating peaceful co-existence programs. Salim studied Local Government Studies at Kaduna Polytechnic and holds a Master in Public Administration (MPA) from Nasarawa State University, Keffi. He has a Ph.D in the same field from the same University.
Salim is a very passionate conflict and policy analyst and peace advocate and community leader who enjoys a robust relationship and respect from farmers and pastoralists alike in his country Nigeria and in East, North and West Africa. Salim was, in 2019, a member of the Directorate of Field Operations in the Presidential Campaign Council, tasked to ensure a violent conflict-free Presidential Election for the whole of Nigeria.
Reverend. Jesse Mallam is a clergyman. He is strongly involved in the charting course for peace and dialogue amongst farmers, herders and even amongst religion groups. He has served in different peace dialogue committees. He served as the secretary for Peace dialogue forum Sanga LGA Kaduna state.
He served in the Peace drafting Committee set by Hon. Mazan Woje Kacchia LG. He served as a member of Peace and Harmony. Muslims and christian Youth Joint forum. Jesse also served as a member of Religion harmony Kaduna state where members are spread across the 23 LGAs of Kaduna State. Rev Jesse Mallam received an award for promoting religious tolerance among the people in 2012 by, Kachia Joint Youth Reconciliatory forum Christian and Muslims.
He also represented the Bajju Community in Kachia LGA during the Peace dialogue led by HD and he participated in the Kafanchan Declaration. In different fora, Jesse participated and contributed largely in peace dialogue because he has faith in it and believed it.
Reverend. Jesse Mallam has served as Secretary Christian Association of Nigeria Sanga LGA, Chairman CAN and Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria Kachia LGA. He has worked honestly among all kinds of peoples to dialogue for peace.
Rev. Jesse Mallam studied Bible and Theology and also obtained M.A Ed from Evangel Theological Seminary Jos. He has worked as a clergy for over twenty years with his wealth of experience of living with different people, he is using it in these dialogue for peace.
Today, because of his honesty and desire for peaceful coexistence amongst herders, farmers and religious groups he is working and learning more with Farmers and Herders Initiative for Peace and Development Africa.
Barrister Ladi Agyer Joy Madaki is Deputy Chief Registrar- Litigation, High Court of Justice, Jos, Plateau State of Nigeria. As head of Litigation she handles; Case Management, Law reporting, Case Law Research and enforcement of court orders. She holds a Bachelor of Laws Degree [1992] and a master’s Degree in International Law [2008] from the University of Jos.
She served mandatory Youth Service in 1993 – 1994 in Maiduguri, Borno State at Premier Commercial Bank Plc. She was called to the Nigerian Bar, practiced for four [4] years with Miskom Puepet Law Firm, was later company secretary at Gold and Green Nigeria Limited; In 1999, she joined the Plateau State Government as a Magistrate 11 presiding over criminal and civil matters for sixteen years. In 2015, she was appointed Deputy Chief Registrar – Area Courts in 2015. She is a member of Federecion Internationale De Abogadas [FIDA – Nigeria] Plateau State Branch, Magistrates’ Association of Nigeria [MAN], Commonwealth Magistrates’ Association [CMJA], International Women Peace Group [IWPG] and Christian Lawyers Fellowship of Nigeria [CLASFON]. She is a peace builder, volunteer in humanitarian work, member of Evangelical Church Winning All, Women Group [Nassarawa Gwong, Jos], Chairperson Steering Committee on Gender Violence [OBSTEC], former Chairperson FIDA Nigeria Plateau State Branch and Board member of Media Campaign against Trafficking [MeCAHT].
Fatima Abdullahi Suleiman is the President, Islamic Counseling Initiative in Nigeria(ICIN).She holds a B.A.Combined Honors in Mass Communication and English Language, Bayero University of Kano, an M.A in Law and Diplomacy, and is currently a Phd student in Law and Diplomacy University of Jos, 2006 - 2008.
She is an alumnus of National Institute of Management, Nigerian Institute of Public Relations and National Youth Service Corps.She holds a Diploma in Mass Communication, Diploma in Word Processing, excel, Corel draw and Desktop Publishing and S.S.C.E Certificate from Baptist High School. At ICIN, Fatima has led projects such as monitoring political, conflict trends in Northern and North East of Nigeria, training of civil society organisations, interfaith leaders and government personnel in strategic planning, best practices in community service, Political and conflict analysis in Northern and North Eastern Nigeria on Preventing Electoral Violence, Preventing Violent Conflict in Northern Nigeria, Promoting Inclusive and Accountable Governance in a Peaceful; Interfaith Community Peace Building in Plateau; Research and Data Gathering of the Effect of Resource Mobilization on Development as a Result of Farmer Herder Conflicts; Legal Empowerment Programme for Women’ s Rights Nigeria Project–; Farmer / Herder Conflicts: Gender Perspective: Dialogue consultation meetings; Security and Good Governance Project); Integrated Girl Child Education and Child Right Law Project; Integrated Testing and Counseling for Women and girls; Prevention of Electoral Violence in Plateau State;
Dr Parichi is a qualified and experienced gender, peace and communication expert, who has experience in providing technical support in prevention and management of conflict prevention and development programs.
Her strengths also include strengthening organizational capacities in innovative programming and building and strengthening capacities in results-based programs and research. She has worked as a facilitator, trainer, and researcher on issues of gender, media, social change, development and conflict transformation. Her experience as an academic and consultant with state, non-state, regional and international organizations is evidence she can work with diverse multi-cultural groups. She is deeply committed to achieving social change through peaceful means by engaging all stakeholders, particularly minority groups, and grassroots organizations through her research and practice. As a gender and social inclusion expert Dr Parichi has worked with UNWOMEN, (UNICEF), (UNESCO) and OXFAM among others.
Dr. Sellah N. King’oro (https://www.linkedin.com/in/sellah-king-oro-8071a450) is a women, peace and security specialist, trainer, and advocate of the High Court of Kenya. She received a presidential trailblazer award in women, peace and security from the Kenyan president on 2 March 2023.
In October 2023, Sellah also received a shortlisted award medal from the Women in Defence UK in the inspirational category.
Dr. Sellah King’oro is currently the Senior Gender Advisor at the British Peace Support Team (Africa) where she builds the capacity of Troop and Police Contributing Countries to deploy quality military and police personnel to UN/AU peace support operations in Africa. She has contributed to reconciliation/ dialogue processes among communities in parts of East, Central and West Africa. Dr. King’oro has been a Charles Scheidt resident practitioner at the Institute for Genocide and Mass Atrocity Prevention at Binghamton University, USA. Before joining BPST(A), she had a 12-year public service function as the head of the Research and Policy at the National Cohesion and Integration Commission in Kenya.
Dr. King’oro has a Ph.D. in Peace and Conflict Studies, an MA in International Studies, a Bachelor of Laws, and a Bachelor of Education from various Universities in Kenya and overseas. Her honorary responsibilities include a membership of the Inclusive Narratives Practice Group - IFIT (ifit-transitions.org) convened by the Institute for Integrated Transitions (IFIT). She was appointed the Global Peace Index ambassador in 2015 by the Institute for Economics and Peace, is the past president of Rotary District 9212 Alumni Association and the current Rotary Peace Fellowship Coordinator for Africa. As part of community service, Sellah mentors a pool of next-generation researchers who desire to contribute to social change.
