By Jerry Tyosase
Building Blocks for Peace Foundation, a Non Governmental organisatio mmn says it is reviewing the United Nations Security Council Resolutions (UNSCR) on peace and security to assist Benue state in domestication and implementation of the resolutions along with climate change .
Declaring a two day workshop organized by the organization in Makurdi open, the Executive Director of the Foundation, Mr Rafiu Lawal stated that, Benue state is currently undergoing several security challenges including climate change stressing that the youth are the most vulnerable group.
He said the two – day capacity building workshop for young women and youth on security and peace was aimed at developing peace and security in the state stressing that, the foundation is in partnership with global network for women in peacebuilding (gnwp-USA) a United States based organisation and the foreign mission of Republic of Canada .
Mr. Lawal said the workshop theme ” Localisation workshop on youth, peace and security” is aimed at training the youth with bias for young women to build capacity for young people, and policy initiatives to evaluate the environment as it affects the youth as well as young women.
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In her remarks, the guest speaker, Mrs Vivian Iorzua who represented the Federal Ministry of youth Development, stated that federal government has great interest in the youth of the country which led to the national youth summit held in Abuja on January 31st, 2024 which brought together youth leaders, policy makers, academia, traditional rulers, and religious leaders who supported the establishment of the 24 youth peace networks and 91 youth groups across 24 local government areas in six critical states with the aim of coordinating local peace initiatives and conflict mitigation efforts.
Mrs Iorzua said the ministry in conjunction with Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR) are working for the implementation of the national coalition of youth, peace and security which serves as a unique multi – stakeholders platform for coordinating and implemention of United Nations Security Council Resolutions (UNSCR) 2250 on youth inclusion in peace processes. at national and state levels stressing that, the ministry has equally made significant strides by establishing Nigerian youth Investments fund to provide grants for youth businesses and employment generations and entrepreneurship.
According to her, ” Today NYSC offers training, certification for digital, technical and entrepreneurial skills turning the orientation camps into skills and enterprises centers nurturing graduates to become self employed, earn their livelihood therefore reducing youth vulnerability for extremists recruitment and restiveness among other efforts of the federal government through the ministry”.
She urged participants to always check the ministry’s website for more information, Opportunities and engagements.
Resource persons including the Executive Director Building Blocks for Peace Foundation, Mr Rafiu Lawal engaged participants on youth peace and security (YPS) agenda, he also discussed the pillars of UNSCR 2250 which includes participation, protection, prevention, partnership, disengagement and reintegration, NAP and SAP and challenges of implementation.While Mr Nathaniel Msen Awuapila who discussed ” conflict and context analysis, youth and women point of view, understanding conflict through life experience, fragmentation of society, power identity and inequality.
A Peace and Governance Consultant, Mr Laz Apir Spoke on the topic, Introduction to Advocacy, Principles and Methods of Advocacy.
