Writing By Teddy Daniel; Editing By Yusuf Zubairu
The Center for Democracy and Development (CDD) has concluded a four day capacity-building programme in Kaduna State, aimed at tackling misinformation, discrimination and hate speech, with special focus on women and youth as critical agents of peace.
Speaking at the end of the training, Comfort Usman Kariko, who facilitated the sessions for CDD, said the programme brought together women and youth leaders from across the state, alongside media practitioners, to strengthen advocacy and promote responsible information management
Comfort usman explained that the two-day targeted session followed an earlier training that focused on advocacy, community engagement and dialogue.
She noted that women and youth required special attention, given that they are often at the receiving end of violence and other form of tension and empowering them with the right skills would enable them to counter false narratives and prevent the escalation of conflict in their communities.
She added that the training was implemented under the SPRING Project—Strengthening Peace and Resiliency in Nigeria, supported by Tetra Tech, and designed with sustainability in mind.
Comfort Usman disclosed that participants were made to commit to step down activities, including advocacy actions and the formation of community dialogue committees across selected Kaduna communities.
Also speaking, Mr. Edosa Oviawe, a development consultant engaged by CDD, said the intervention was necessary due to the rising cases of communal conflicts, farmer herder clashes and other local crises across the country.
He observed that while government and security agencies were making efforts, community inclusion remained a missing link in peacebuilding adding that the training sought to build community driven platforms for inclusive dialogue
Mr. Edosa Oviawe stressed that peace and security could only be sustained when communities themselves are actively involved in conflict prevention and resolution.
One of the participants who is the Kaduna State Coordinator for Youth Peace and Security Network Mr Eric John, described the training as timely, given the sensitive political period ahead.
“these are times when information is flying around from different sources, and the youths in Kaduna are known to be easily swayed by the kind of information they receive. the training would help participants understand the importance of verifying information and playing their civic roles responsibly”, he explained
According to him, the capacity building had placed a duty on youth leaders to step down the knowledge gained to their communities.
“I owe myself and my community the responsibility of sensitising, educating and creating awareness on genuine information, as unverified information and fake news should not be shared, especially when security related issues are involved”, he added
Mr Eric John who expressed optimism that sustained engagement would reduce tension and chaos during future elections, commended CDD for organising a strategic and well-targeted intervention training exercise
Earlier, CDD Assistant Programme Officer, Mr. Peter Yohanna, said the training equipped women and youth with skills in civic rights, advocacy and leadership to act as community advocates for peace.
Mr Peter Yohanna further explained that Community Dialogue Committees (CDCs) will be established to hold regular meetings and dialogues with community leaders, youth, women and security stakeholders, ensuring the training translates into sustained, locally driven peacebuilding.
The Capacity Training programme brought together civil society organisations, community based groups, leaders, women and youth, all with the goal of fostering peaceful coexistence and addressing conflicts before they escalate.
