By Stephen Adeleye, Lokoja.
The Community Initiatives to Promote Peace (CIPP) of the Mercy Corps Nigeria, on Tuesday in Lokoja, commenced training for 50 volunteers on peace techniques to prevent and counter violent extremism.
The Programme which was the fourth set of CIPP’s ‘Parenting for Peace: ‘Training of Trainers’ workshop, have participants drawn from four local governmet areas in Kogi State.
The Head of Project Communications of Mercy Corps, Mrs Damilola Aina, said the program was designed to equip parents, youths and influencers with skills to aid prompt identification of violent extremist ideologies.
She added that the program would also address the risk factors for recruitment by violent extremist groups which would increase the use of positive parenting methods to build resilience to violent extremist ideologies.
She noted that a similar training had been held in Kano, Kaduna and Katsina States.
According to her, the programme is in partnership with the Kogi Ministry for Women Affairs, office of the Special Adviser to the Governor on SDGs, and the state Commissioner of Police.
Aina acknowledged the critical role that parents play in raising their children to abhor violence and shun violent extremism tactics.
She explained that the training would feature interreligious experts and facilitators who would teach participants from high-risk environments how to identify key drivers and signs of radicalization.
Aina added that it would equip participants to understand motivations behind violent extremism, how to prevent and counter violent extremism, and the role of family in preventing violent extremism in the community.
She added that the trainees were expected to step down the trainings to their peers within their various communities.
According to her, CIPP is a peacebuilding programme that seeks to improve local capacity and skills to manage disputes, strengthen women’s capacities to prevent and resolve conflict.
“CIPP increases collaboration among communities with government agencies, CSOs, and local leaders to address root causes of conflict, and develop strengthened more sustainable Early Warning and Early Response mechanisms.
“CIPP is being implemented across six states in North Central and North West (Benue, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kogi and Plateau states).
“It is supported by USAID and implemented through a consortium, led by Mercy Corps that includes African Radio Drama Association (ARDA), Interfaith Mediation Centre (IMC), Pastoral Resolve (PARE), and Savannah Center for Diplomacy Democracy & Development (SCDDD).
“Mercy Corps is a leading global organization powered by the belief that a better world is possible. In disaster, in hardship, in more than 40 countries around the world, we partner to put bold solutions into action — helping people triumph over adversity and build stronger communities from within. Now, and for the future,” Aina said.
