Towards strengthening peaceful co-existence in Kogi State, ActionAid Nigeria in collaboration with Participation Initiative For Behavioral Change in Development (PIBCID), with funding from Global Community Engagement and Resilience Fund, (GCERF), has began the training of 500 youths against violence extremism in Kogi State.
The 500 youths are expected to stay together in a peace camp in Lokoja according to the organizers will be drilled on the need to be an advocate of peace building and to ensure harmonious working relationship irrespective of religion, ethnicity or political affiliation.
the 2021 Annual Youth Peace Camp on Preventing Violent Extremism (PVE) with focus on fostering Youth Peace and Security, is in line with United Nation Security Council Resolution 2250, provides a platform for peacebuilding initiative and engagement among Kogi youths.
The Youth Peace Camp is themed “Shaping Peace Through Harmonious Cohabitation is in pursuance of the System and Structure Strengthening Approach against Radicalization to Violent Extremism (SARVE II) project in Kogi and Nasarawa States, is aimed at building community resilience against radicalization and Violent Extremism (VE).
Participants were drawn from 12 communities across 6 LGAs spread across the 3 senatorial districts of Kogi state which include Agbaja, Emekutu, Ujagba, Ugbedomagwu, Tajimi, Koto, Ette/Akpasu, Osaragada, Aku, Osisi, Ukowa and Inata.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the 2021 Peace camp, the Director Organization Effectiveness in Actionaid Nigeria, Mrs Funmilayo Oyefusi said the organization expect to build the physical, emotional, and the intellectual capacity of the participants adding that participants would be able to stand as an independent peace Ambassadors in their various community.
Oyefusi who is also the Camp Director of this year’s edition of Actionaid Nigeria peace camp said the participant will be economically dependant for themselves adding that when they are empowered economically and socially, youths will not be recruited to participate in conflicts or involved in violence extremism.
Mr. Anicetus Atakpu, Resillience Programme Coordinator with ActionAid, Team Lead of the SARVE 11 Project, disclosed that the Peace camp becomes necessary as the youth population when compared with other age groups, have increased risks of involvement in violence as both victims and perpetrators.
He noted that violence can affect every aspect of young people’s lives, hampering their prospects for education, employment, health and reducing their ability to form healthy personal and social relationships.
Mr. Anicetus said this year’s efforts is geared towards equipping youths as peaceful future leaders, said they will be furnished with adequate life and entrepreneurial skills as well as psychosocial support to keep them armed against the influence of conflict.
He said the week-long camp will also create opportunity for the young people to be mentored and guided as they will be taken through a holistic pact programme on, “Impact of Mental Health as detriment to youth productivity and Violent Extremism”, “Menace of Drug Abuse among Youths in Kogi State” by the NDLEA, “Understanding Peace”, Introduction to Conflict Prevention”, “Role Youth in Peace Building”, among others using participatory learning approach.
Halima Sadiq, Executive Director Participation Initiative For Behavioral Change in Development, (PIBCID), in her remarks noted that the essence of the peace camp is to raise peace champions across the 21 Local Government Areas of Kogi State.
” This is the third edition of the peace camp in Kogi State. The youths in the next five working days and seven camping days will be taken through diverse training skills. They will be impacted with skills on peace building, conflict resolution, and skills acquisitions. By the time they get to their various communities, they would have become peace ambassadors. Similarly, the training would enable the Youths serve serve as a mediators when it comes to peace resolution to prevent violence extremism” she said.
While declaring the peace camp open, the Kogi State Commissioner for Youths and Sports Development, Hon. Idris Musa lauded Actionaid/PIBCID for their impact in the society stressing that, participants should translate what they have learnt in the camp to the outside world.
According to him, there is need to enhance good morals adding that, when there is absence of peace, there will be crisis.
The Commissioner also applauded the State Government under the leadership of Governor Yahaya Bello for his proactive steps in securing the State.
Continuing, Idris said ” in Nigeria today, there is insecurity everywhere. There is massive kidnapping in other state but we are not witnessing it here in Kogi State. I make bold to say this that Kogi State is 100 percent safe. Kudos, to Governor Bello, because he means well for our State”.
In her remarks, the Kogi State Commissioner for Women affairs and Social Development, Hajia Fatima Kabir Buba while giving the participants a charge at the youth camp explained that youths are the most dominant in any society and must play an active role in peace building.
“History reminds us that young people are in the front burner of building a great nation through promoting peace and oneness. Our country have been a victim of terror which has affected our economy and education. Through our collective efforts as peace builders, we can put an end to this menace” she maintained.
On his part, the Special Adviser to the Governor of Kogi State on Sustainable Development Goal, (SDG) Hon. Nasir Ohiani urged participants to seize the opportunity of the peace camp by making positive contribution for the development of Nigeria as a nation.
” The #Endsars saga was an eye opener in Nigeria. Those that participated in this protest are youths within the age bracket of 25-30. That protest led to the destruction of properties which does not speak well of any nation”.
The State Security Adviser Commodore Jerry Omodara while admitting that the state is enjoying peace said it was due to collaboration from relevant stakeholders.
Omadara said the State Government under the leadership of Governor Yahaya will leave no stone unturned to weed out criminals elements from Kogi State.
The 2021 Youth Peace Camp will close on October 1st, 2021, is holding at Kogi State polytechnic, Lokoja.
#END