Mercy Corps Nigeria has trained parents in Kaduna State on effective strategies to identify signs of violent extremism.
The training of trainers’ workshop was held in Kaduna in partnership with the Kaduna State government.
The `Parenting for Peace’ training is under its Community Initiatives to Promote Peace (CIPP) programme designed to equip parents and youth influencers with skills to aid prompt identification of violent extremist ideologies and address the risk factors for recruitment by violent extremist groups.
Mr. Maurice Amollo, CIPP Chief of Party at Mercy Corps Nigeria, said they understood the influence of parents as role models on impressionable teens and pre-teens.
He said the sustainability of the initiative is also critical as trainees are expected to step down the training to their peers within their various communities.
He said the CIPP is a peace-building programme to improve local capacity and skills to manage disputes and strengthen women’s capacities to prevent and resolve conflicts.
“It also increases collaboration among communities with government agencies, CSOs and local leaders to address the root causes of conflicts, and develop strengthened and more sustainable early warning and early response mechanisms,” he said.
