The Kaduna State Branch of the Rotary Action Group for Peace (RAGFP) has reaffirmed its commitment to grassroots peacebuilding, announcing its collaboration with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) under the National Community Violence Reduction Programme (NCVRP).
During a press briefing in Kaduna, the RAGFP Coordinator, Rotarian Luqman Babatunde, said the initiative reflects Rotary’s long-standing belief that sustainable peace begins with communities.
“We are bringing peace back to the grassroots. The NCVRP is a people-driven, community-oriented intervention designed to tackle the drivers of violence, radicalization, and youth restiveness,” he explained.
He noted that the programme leverages community dialogue, civic education, and empowerment to rebuild trust in public institutions and strengthen social cohesion.
“We are not just responding to conflict; we are preventing it by empowering communities, especially women and youth, to be peace advocates and change-makers,” he added.
Highlighting RAGFP’s recent interventions, Babatunde said:
“In 2024, we held behavioural modification seminars at the Borstal Institute, donated materials to special schools, and organized ‘Feed the Needy’ outreach programmes.
We have also carried out anti-drug campaigns in Rigasa with NDLEA and other stakeholders.”
He further explained that the Kaduna branch works closely with agencies such as KADIRS, KADPPA, NDLEA, and NAWOJ, emphasizing Rotary’s philosophy of collaboration.
“Our partnerships with both public and private institutions show that peacebuilding is everyone’s responsibility. With ONSA’s support, we can scale up our interventions to reach more communities across the state,” he said.
Commending the Kaduna State Government, Babatunde praised its ongoing efforts in promoting inclusiveness, security reforms, and youth engagement.
He called for stronger collaboration between the state government, civil society, and community-based organizations to ensure that peacebuilding initiatives are sustainable and community-driven.
“We believe that when government institutions and local actors work hand in hand, the impact of peace efforts will be deeper and longer lasting,” he emphasized.
The RAGFP team reaffirmed that their mission aligns with Rotary International’s core focus area of Peace and Conflict Prevention/Resolution, adding that the Kaduna branch will continue to serve as a model for other states in Nigeria.
“Peace begins with people, not politics. When communities take ownership of their peace, the nation becomes stronger,” the group concluded.
COV: Khadija Kubau
