Over 100 youth victims of violence from seven local governments in Southern Kaduna have completed their livelihood support orientation programme ahead of a six months skill acquisition programme.
A statement issued by the Peace Commission said 100 youths drawn from Chikun, Kajuru, Kachia, Sanga, Kaura, Zangon Kataf and Kauru local government areas participated in the programme which was conducted at Citizenship and Leadership Centre, Shere Hills in Jos, Plateau state.
According to the statement signed by the Executive Vice Chairman/CEO, Kaduna State Peace Commission, Barr. Priscilla Ankut, “the orientation programme for livelihood support for youth victims of conflicts from Southern Kaduna was organized by the Kaduna State Peace Commission (KAPECOM) in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) with funding from the Embassy of Norway in Nigeria.
“Victims from Anambra and Benue states who are resident in the affected communities are also benefitting in the programme.
“The applicants were recommended by Non-governmental organisations (NGOs) working with community based organisations (CBOs) in the LGAs following engagement and advocacy programmes while actual screening was conducted by the Peace Commission.
“The orientation programme lasted two weeks and precedes the actual six-month training programme which will be conducted by the National Directorate of Employment (NDE) in Kaduna. Under the programme, the beneficiaries would undergo training in areas such as hair-dressing, carpentry, woodwork, welding, tailoring and livestock production.
“This support is aimed at helping the youths from conflict affected communities to restart their lives through entrepreneurship that would help reduce poverty and unemployment. The Peace Commission believes that sustainable peace will best be achieved when structural drivers of poverty and youth unemployment is addressed.
“Beneficiaries of the orientation exercise expressed satisfaction with the programme and are confident that it will impact positively on their lives.”
