ActionAid Nigeria (AAN) and Participation Initiative for Behavioural Change in Development (PIBCID) has inaugurated peace clubs in six pilot schools in Kogi state as part of efforts to address the menace of violent extremism, radicalism amongst youths and build peace across communities in the state.
The initiative which was done in collaboration with the Office of the Special Adviser to Kogi State Governor on Education and Kogi State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), also witnessed the formal launch of the “Peace Club Mentors’ Guide”.
Speaking during the event which held at the Glass House of the Kogi State Government House Lokoja, Country Director of ActionAid Nigeria, Mrs Ene Obi said youth were vulnerable group and mostly used as tools for violence and other social vices, hence the need for the Peace Club initiative.
Obi, who was represented by the Director of Finance of the organisation, Mr. Oluwole Elegbede stressed that the programme was aimed at engaging the youth, particularly pupils and students in peace advocacy and conflict resolution.
“One of the things we challenged ourselves is to combat this issue of radicalism among our youths. One vehicle through which it can be achieved, we believe is to engage directly with the youths and their groups and that informed the formation of these peace clubs across the various youth organizations here.
“What we are doing is the launch of the Mentors’ Guide. We are launching the Mentors’ Guide because you don’t give people a responsibility without a guide.
“The message of the Country Director is to embrace peace and to make sure we all appreciate the fact that we need one another”, he said.
Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello while inaugurating the Peace Clubs, tasked members to be agents of peace in their respective schools and in all they do.
The State Governor, represented by the Special Adviser on Health Matters, Dr. Ahmed Attah commended ActionAid for its numerous interventions aimed at promoting peace in the state, adding that ActionAid has set the pace for peace in Kogi state.
