Empowering Youth: New Training Program to Combat Extremism and Violence

A large number of young individuals in Yobe State have recently undergone training aimed at combating extremism and addressing issues of religious and cultural violence through strategies of peacebuilding and mutual understanding.

The training emphasized the importance of nurturing dialogue across generations by creating peace champions and encouraging civic participation, with the objective of narrowing the growing divide between different age groups.

During the event, Fatima Kolo Lawan, the Executive Director of ZAI Development Foundation, highlighted that this initiative is a response to the escalating extremism and violence, while also tackling gaps that hinder peace, trust, and the involvement of youths in community decision-making processes.

Lawan further stated that youth leaders from ten different organizations were provided with essential skills in peacebuilding, mentorship, and dialogue facilitation. The training aims to equip participants to return to their communities with better preparedness to encourage conversations, avert conflicts, and promote active citizenship.

Additionally, Lawan mentioned that the youths were trained to engage in respectful and constructive discussions with elders, traditional and religious leaders, as well as women and other stakeholders to foster understanding and prevent division.

Mr. Tachia Jarlath, the training consultant, explained that the project is intended to identify and groom young individuals to become peace advocates within their communities. He emphasized that participants should share the knowledge and skills gained, which will contribute to preventing youth recruitment by extremist and violent organizations.