By Frederick Peters, KADUNA
NEWSDAILYNIGERIA: The Action aid Nigeria incolloboration with Global Peace Development,( GPD) has formed and inaugurated elected Executive officers of Kaduna Youth Peace and Security Network, infurtherance of its commitment at mitigating violent extremism in the state and Country.
The one day interaction which held on Tuesday in Kaduna, attracted Youth leaders and groups, CSOs and stakeholders from across selected local government areas of Kaduna State. Speaking, Representative of Actionaid Nigeria, Mr Chinedu Nwokolo, said” it’s very important meeting for us, it’s a day we’ll be establishing the Kaduna youth peace and security Network, it is very important for us because we know that some areas of the state have been hotbeds of voilence within the past few years
Speaking, representative of Actionaid Nigeria, Mr Chinedu Nwokolo, said” it’s very important meeting for us, it’s a day we’ll be establishing the Kaduna youth peace and security Network, it is very important for us because we know that some areas of the state have been hotbeds of voilence within the past few years
” and being that the young persons are important in the piloting the affairs of the state and also for us on the project, the young persons are also a key target for us on the project,
“that’s why we said it is also necessary to incorporate young persons, support the young persons in Kaduna to establish a network that can engage effectively with the government on issues of security and promoting peace in Kaduna state” he stressed
Similarly, the Kaduna state Coordinator, Global Peace Development, Mrs Chat Adamu said ” the essence of gathering today is to form a network for Kaduna peace and security and as part of the system and structures of strengthening approach against radicalization to violent extremism, the SARVE III project; this is one of the activity from that project” she added
According to her, to achieve that “We feel that the youths have a role to play in fostering peace in Kaduna state, that’s the vision of this activity; we are looking at the future, how Kaduna state youth can play an important role in fostering a society that values peace, justice and solidarity and respect for human rights and dignity” Adding that the array of participants cut accross youth groups in the state.
On her part, the Director of Youth Development, Kaduna State Ministry of Human Serviices and social development, Hajia Maryam Mau’ zu, represented by Mr Joseph Abiriyi, while commending the organizers for the laudable initiative, called on the Kaduna youth peace and Security network and Nigerian youths, to embrace peace without which there’ll be no meaniningful development and growth.
Stressing that, when there’s peace there’ will be development, while urging the youths to unite and live in peace with one another, so that we can move our state and country to greater heights.
A participant from the Basileia Vulnerable Persons Rights lnitiative, Barr Jennifer Agbaji, while describing the program said ‘ it’s an event that is bringing relevant stakeholders to talk about best practises and ways to tackle violent extremism; I think, it’s a good work in the right direction because all stakeholders are involved,
” it’s also a kind of way to network and inaugurate a new youth coalition; finding coalitions working on peace these days is difficult, so it’s a very welcome idea, we’ll all bring our inputs into it” she stated
She further said ” violent extremism is multi- faceted problem it requires multiple stakeholders and collaboration, so it’s good that every one is on board to ensure that we mitigate this violence” she reiterated
Another participant, from Enhancing community’s Action for peace and better health initiative, Yushau Mohammad Abubakar, while expressing satisfaction on the program, said ” because I was opportuned to recently attend a weeklong training on violent extremism by the prestigious Kofi Annah Peace Building Center in Accra, Ghana,
” so looking at that and them talking about voilent extremism and preventing it among young people and women in Kaduna state is actually very important
Adding that, ” this is very important topic, it will help us to manage our current level of violence that’s happening in the state” he added
The highpoint of the one- day program is the election and inauguration of the newly elected state officials of the Kaduna Youth Peace and security Network