Stakeholders in governance, peacebuilding, and human rights have emphasized the importance of community resilience as a critical strategy for preventing and countering violent extremism in Kogi State and Nigeria at large.
This was the focus of discussions during the Open Governance Forum (OGF) Episode 16, a radio program organized by INGRA-NIGERIA in partnership with CHRCR, with support from Situation Room – FCDO, Nigeria.
Speaking on the program, Hamza Aliyu, Executive Director, Initiative for Grassroots advancement in Nigeria (INGRA-NIGERIA), Comrade Idris Miliki, Executive Director, Conscience for Human Rights and Conflict Resolution (CHRCR), described community resilience as the collective capacity of communities to resist radicalization, promote peaceful coexistence, and respond effectively to early signs of violent extremism. He noted that communities are often the first to observe suspicious activities and emerging threats, making them central to any preventive strategy.
They identified factors such as poverty, youth unemployment, social exclusion, weak governance, and the spread of misinformation as key drivers of violent extremism in Nigeria and particularly in Kogi State. He stressed that addressing these root causes requires inclusive governance and active citizen participation.
The speakers highlighted the crucial roles of youth and women, describing them as both the most affected by insecurity and the most influential actors in building peace. They called for increased investment in education, skills development, economic empowerment, and leadership opportunities to reduce vulnerability to extremist recruitment.
Addressing the issue of mistrust between communities, government, and security agencies, the guests advocated for stronger collaboration through dialogue, transparency, community policing, and effective information-sharing mechanisms.
They also warned against the growing use of propaganda and false narratives by extremist groups, urging communities to promote peace messages, strengthen digital literacy, and engage in interfaith and intercultural dialogue to counter extremist ideologies.
The speakers concluded by calling on citizens to take personal responsibility for ensuring safer and more resilient communities, especially during the festive season, by remaining vigilant, promoting tolerance, and reporting suspicious activities through appropriate channels.
The Open Governance Forum continues to serve as a platform for citizen engagement and policy dialogue aimed at strengthening democracy, peace, and inclusive development in Nigeria.
