ActionAid, GPD, KAPECOM, Other Stakeholders Preaches Tolerance On Int’l Day Of Peace
http://www.newsportng.com.ng Peace Ambassadors and relevant Stakeholders in Kaduna state has joined the rest of the world to mark the 2023 International Day of Peace, tagged “Action For Peace: Our Ambition for the #GlobalGoals.”
The stakeholders: ActionAid Nigeria through her phase III project, System and Structure Strengthening Approach against Radicalization to Violent Extremism (SARVE III) in partnership with Global Peace Development (GPD), Kaduna State Ministry for Culture and Tourism and Mercy Corps, among other Sister agencies converged in Kaduna on Thursday, advocating for a violent free society through Cultural Peace Fiesta.
Speaking at the event, the Executive Director Global Peace Development, (GPD) Mr. Esike Ebruke, said they are using the Cultural Peace Fiesta to promote actions and initiatives that can contribute to peace in the various communities.
He added differences in culture should not be seen as tool to cause division among the various ethnic and religious groups but should be leverage upon to further strengthen the growth and development of Kaduna residents as a people.
The Executive Director also disclosed that the Peace Fiesta started with a football For Peace about a month ago, and was concluded on the 19th of September 2023, with Takau Community emerging winner of the cup out of the 12 communities where they are working.
He added that the foundation will continue to partner other relevant agencies in the state to ensure that peace thrive in all the nooks and crannies of the state, while noting that they have mentioned to the state government to institutionalized sport among the 23-LGAs of the state as one of the ways to groom young boys and girls to become strong men and women who will use their talents to increase their income capability.
In his remarks, the program coordinator ActionAid Nigeria, SARVE III project, Mr. Aliyu Adamu, said youth constitutes 70% of the population in Kaduna state and by extension, Nigeria and therefore the major focus of ActionAid Nigeria is to see that young people are engaged in different craft for self reliance.
Adamu explained that “If you look at the state and even Nigeria as a whole, youths are the majority and they are the ones who are on the frontline of being vulnerable to radicalization.
“One of the major causes is idleness. if the youths are idle, the tendency for them to be violent, destructive and cause other mayhem and conflict in the community is very high.
“That’s why one of our engagement is to see how we can engage youths for economic development by engaging them to be self reliance as this will take them away from other violence extremism such as taking of drugs and other violent activities.
“For SARVE III program, in Kaduna state, we have enrolled 300 youths both male and female to see how we can train them on skills acquisitions that has to do with livelihood components in terms of agriculture value change and that is one of our strategies looking at that to support the government and provide the livelihood and provide job opportunities for the Youths.” He said.
Appreciating the relevant stakeholders in their efforts to mitigate violent extremism in the state, the Executive Governor of Kaduna state, Senator Uba Sani said his administration will continue to partner with other peace loving stakeholders in the pursuance of lasting peace in the state.
Senator Uba Sani represented by his Special Adviser on Peace and Conflict Resolution, Mr. Atiku Sankey, said his administration recognizes the invaluable role played by the traditional institution because they serve as vital links between the government and the people.
He further noted that knowledge and wisdom are invaluable in maintaining peace and security in every society, and therefore he will tackle poverty head-on, through inclusive policies and programs, and ensure that no one is left behind, even as his government will remain committed to addressing insecurity and build sustainable peace and development, by empowering individuals and communities, fostering an environment of opportunity and growth.
