ActionAid Nigeria in partnership with Participation Initiative for Behavioural Change in Development, (PIBCID) has initiated a peace camp in Lokoja to train 500 youth in skills acquisition and prevention of violent extremism in Kogi state.
Director Organisational Effectiveness, ActionAid Nigeria and camp director for 2020 youth peace camp, Fumilayo Oyefusi disclosed this during the opening ceremony of the five days 2020 youth peace camp at Salem University in Lokoja, Kogi state.
According to her, the organizations have recorded tremendous progress in the communities in terms of peace building and prevention of violent extremism since the 2019 youth peace camp in the state, adding that most of the campers in the last year exercise have become peace ambassadors in their various communities.
“We believed that if our youth are economically empowered, it would be difficult for them to engage in violent activities, it would also be difficult for anyone to use them as political thugs.
The youth peace camp is being sponsored by Actionaid Nigeria in partnership with Participation Initiative for Behavioural Change in Development (PIBCID) with funding from, Global Community Engagement and Resilience Fund, (GCERF).
The project officer for System Structure Strengthening Approach against Radicalisation to violent Extremism (SARVE11), Anicentus Atakpu, said the objectives of the youth camp was to stimulate participants’ understanding of their personal and collective identities and their roles in preventing conflict.
“To enable participants to share personal experiences of conflict and violence and coping strategies in a positive and safe atmosphere of living and learning together as well as to motivate and support participants in their role as multipliers and peer leaders in peace- building activities with young people,” he said.
In her remark , the Executive Director, PIBCID Halima Oiza Sadiq, said the 500 youth were carefully selected from six local governments in twelve communities across the three senatorial districts of the state and they were expected to camped for five days to enable the organisers inculcate value orientation into them.
ActionAid Nigeria, PIBCID trains 500 youth on skills, violence prevention in Kogi
