A civil society organisation known as Building Blocks for Peace Foundation has trained 30 youth civil society leaders on Mediation, Conflict Prevention and Electoral Violence Management as part of preparations for the upcoming 2023 General Elections in Nigeria.
The training which took place in Abuja had youth leaders from across Nigeria in attendance.
According to the Executive Director of Building Blocks for Peace Foundation, Mr Rafiu Lawal, the training is aimed at ensuring that young people are empowered and equipped with the right skills, capacity and knowledge to participate meaningfully in the elections and peacebuilding, as well as drive advocacy for a free and fair elections.
According to him ‘the training is part of a project titled ‘2023 Elections: “Enhancing Youth Political Participation for a Peaceful and Inclusive Society,” implemented by Building Blocks for Peace Foundation and supported by Global Partnership for Prevention of Armed Conflict (GPPAC) to foster an environment for young people’s participation in democratic processes, conflict resolution and peacebuilding in Nigeria, one in which young people are recognised as crucial actors in the development of democratic and sustainable solutions for peace and security.
He said the trainees were taken through a series of topics including mediation and dialogue as tools for conflict prevention, the power of social media for effective advocacy and political participation, the role of youth and religious leaders in fostering peaceful elections, early warning and early response among others.
The Director General of the National Orientation Agency, Dr Garba Abari, who was represented by Mr Williams Dogo, the Deputy Director of Legal Services during his goodwill message emphasized that the National Orientation Agency is passionate about youth empowerment and believed strongly that the youth will continue to play a strong role in national development and nationhood and they will play positive roles in the upcoming 2023 elections.
The DG charged the youth to be ambassadors of peace before and after the elections.
The Assistant Director, Civil Society Organisations at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Mrs Akaayar Hembadoon, called on the youths to educate people on their civil rights adding that meaningful youth participation is critical to free and fair elections.
