NGO Engages Kano Communities Against Violent Extremism

Two non-governmental organisations (NGOs), ActionAid Nigeria and the Partnership Against Violent Extremism (PAVE Network), have brought together community stakeholders across Kano State to develop locally-driven solutions for combating violent extremism.

The collaborative initiative, part of the System and Structure Strengthening Approach Against Radicalisation to Violent Extremism (SARVE III) project, aims to build community resilience through inclusive approaches tailored to local contexts and solutions in Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism (PCVE).

Speaking recently during a two-day community mapping and stakeholders validating meeting at Tahir guest palace in Kano, ActionAid Nigeria Project Officer for SARVE III, Jamila Musa, explained that the engagement focused on reviewing emerging trends and challenges related to violent extremism while sharing best practices and innovative strategies for effective prevention and counter-extremism interventions.

“We conducted research in the communities where the project is being implemented and identified various issues related to violent extremism.

“We are here to validate those findings and develop a state action plan that reflects the specific contexts and peculiarities of each community,” she stated.

She explained that the SARVE III project is currently being implemented across six local government areas of the state – Tudun Wada, Bebeji, Gwarzo, Bichi, Nassarawa and Gwale, with two communities targeted in each LGA.

In her remarks, the chairperson of Kano PAVE Network, Barr Halima Suleiman, emphasised that the exercise prioritises community-generated solutions in formulating action plans for both local governments and the state level.