The United States government, through the US Agency for International Development (USAID) has renewed its commitment to supporting peace and tolerance in Nigeria by holding a youth, peace and security summit, in Abuja recently.
According to a statement issued by the US Embassy on Friday in Abuja, participants at the summit represented youth groups and networks that received support of the USAID Community Initiatives to Promote Peace (CIPP) activity.
USAID CIPP is a five-year $15 million activity that promotes peaceful coexistence and collaboration in Nigeria by mitigating violent conflict in at-risk communities.
Speaking at the summit, United States Chargé d’ Affaires David Greene remarked, “By attending today’s conference, you’ve each signaled how important the cause of peace is for Nigeria. Youth are the bedrock of society’s social and economic development. The future of Nigeria depends on youth charting a path of peace, as you are the future leaders of this great nation.”
Through initiatives like USAID CIPP, the US government is jointly identifying and promoting community-based solutions, empowering these groups to enhance community responses to challenges and build a resilient and peaceful future together.
This summit showcases learning and best practices from USAID’s investment and achievements towards youth participation and leadership in peace processes across six northern states: Kano, Kaduna, Katsina, Benue, Kogi, and Plateau.
According to the statement, the United States is committed to working with Nigeria in addressing security challenges. “Our partnership harnesses the diverse strengths of its religious and traditional leaders, women, youth groups, government officials, and civil society,” it said.
Key highlights from the summit include panel discussions and presentations on strengthening peacebuilding efforts, and building sustainable partnerships between youth-led organizations, government agencies, and civil society groups. Additionally, the summit is amplifying youth voices through the sharing of experiences, successes, and innovative approaches for addressing challenges to insecurity.
