Shehu Sani’s peace offering

Children of Jos and Children of Kaduna are two books by the activist that explore the themes of peace and the dark and frightening spaces left by the lack of it. Essentially, the books are one and the same but for the cover page and the title. The text and illustrations are the same. The […]

Children of Jos and Children of Kaduna are two books by the activist that explore the themes of peace and the dark and frightening spaces left by the lack of it. Essentially, the books are one and the same but for the cover page and the title. The text and illustrations are the same.

The book(s) uses what the author calls “artistic representations” – colourful sketches that graphically depict what happens in the absence of peace, to reach out to children in conflict areas. The haunting pictures of dysfunctional societies with all sorts of social services shut down and people in agony are complemented by scriptural references to peace. Christian scriptures are interchanged with Hadiths of the Prophet of Islam, both admonishing peace and abhorring violence and discrimination.

The author also introduces each sub-theme with quotations on peace and tolerance by famous personalities in history. Children flipping through the pages will come across wisdom nuggets from Indira Gandhi, Martin Luther King, John F. Kennedy and many more.

This colourful book(s) will no doubt go a long way in providing the much needed social re-orientation of children, not only in Jos and Kaduna, but numerous other Nigerian cities, towns and villages held hostage by the unfortunate security situation in the country.  Even those living in relatively peaceful areas will certainly benefit from this work.

And what’s more? The books are not for sale and one can only hope they reach as many children as possible.