On March 3, 2020, the Adamawa Peacemakers Initiative (AUN-API) had a quiet leadership change with President Dekle of AUN handing over to Alhaji Gambo Jika as the new chairman. Alhaji Gambo Jika is a chieftain of the Muslim Aid Group, Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) and vice-chair since API’s inception. With this development, the body became organically detached from AUN.
“We need to move API forward,” said President Dekle, “and the best way to do that is for AUN to stay involved, but API needs to stand on its own now.”
Dr. Dekle still believes in the ideology of the organization, a reason she still wants to remain a member.
AUN’s Vice President for University Relations, Dr. Abba Tahir, is still the Secretary of the NGO whose birth was midwifed by AUN seven years ago.
"AUN will always be one of the founding partners for API. But AUN will no longer be in the lead for API. I want to see API take off. I want to see API sort of emerging from the shadows ... and run," said Dr. Tahir.
Bishop Peter Makanto, the presiding Bishop of the Upper Room Churches, was elected the Vice-Chairman.
Since it was established in 2013, API has undertaken a lot of humanitarian interventions and public enlightenment activities to ensure peaceful coexistence in Adamawa State and the Northeast at large. With the de-escalation of the insurgency in Adamawa state, API initiated a review in its activities with a strategic plan under President Dekle who advised the new leadership to continue from where she stopped.
“You need to take what was started as a strategic plan and move it forward. There are so many organizations that are coming into Northeast Nigeria now. And they are looking to fund activities.”
Alhaji Jika said it was indeed necessary for the API to move forward and fulfill its objectives. The new Chairman said he is happy that Dr. Dekle remains a member, adding that he would still need her support, in particular, and other members of the organization in general. He believes that with the AUN affiliated members who are professionals a lot can be achieved.
“I assure you that, together with your support, we will move this organization forward.”
A member of the organization, Hon. Saleh Kinjir congratulated the new chairman and stressed that the entire organization has a lot of confidence reposed in his ability.
Reported by Omorogbe Omorogiuwa