In furtherance of the objectives for Activating Positive Peace in Nigeria, the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC) – Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Gray Child Foundation (GCF) and strategic partner (Rotary Action Group for Peace, Nigeria) for nationwide “Community Violence Reduction” (CVR) programme initiatives.
Delivering an address on behalf of the Director Preventing and Countering Violence Extremism, Amb. Mairo Musa Abbas; Mrs. Justina Amakor gave an overview of the Centre’s engagement with the Non-governmental Organization, and the importance of the upcoming CVR programme to the peace, security and development of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
She stated that Gray Child Foundation is an NGO intervening in peacebuilding, violence prevention, conflict transformation and human security, and a partner CSO for the on-going NCTC – ONSA led review of the Policy Framework and National Action Plan for Preventing and Countering Violence Extremism in Nigeria.
Also speaking, GCF Chairman, Dr. Pietro Uzochukwu Macleo, commended the National Coordinator of the Centre, Maj. Gen. AG Lakka and the PCVE Directorate for accommodating and partnering with the organization; highlighting that the CVR programme is a comprehensive, whole-of-society human security intervention initiative that aims to curb community violence across Nigerian States.
He said the core objective of the programme seeks to; Enhance Community Resilience; Promote Social Cohesion; Strengthen Local Governance and Law Enforcement, Support Vulnerable Groups and Victims of Violence; Support New and Existing Approaches and Policy Frameworks for preventing and countering violence extremism in Nigeria.
On his part, The NCTC National Coordinator, Maj. Gen. AG Lakka commended the partnership, stating that the whole-of-society and whole-of-government approaches are one of many strategic methods ONSA have adopted and prioritized under the dynamic leadership of the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, to holistically and progressively combat the peace and security challenges bedeviling the Nigeria State.
He further acknowledged the importance of the upcoming CVR programme, which is scheduled to be launched on Monday 14th July 2025; as an intervention that seamlessly aligns with the National Counter Terrorism Centre’s mandate and national pillars for Preventing and countering violence extremism and terrorism. He re-affirmed the Centre’s commitment to actualizing the goals and objectives of the national CVR programme.
