Centre hands over 100 youths to Borno govt. for peace building, reintegration to communities
By Njadvara Musa, Maiduguri
The Peace Ambassadors Centre for Humanitarian Aid and Empowerment (PACHE) has handed over 100 youths to the Borno state government for peace-building and reintegration of repentant Boko Haram terrorists and their families.
According to the Centre, the youths initiative for reintegration and sustainability in the state, is supported by the British Council.
Declaring the handing over “project close out” workshop on Wednesday, in Maiduguri, the Commissioner of Information and Internal Security, Prof. Usman Tar, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Mohammed Alhaji Mohammed disclosed: “The handed over youths were identified, profiled and trained in mediation, diplomacy, reconciliation and conflict management for sustainable peace in the state.”
He said that the project with PACHE has enabled the government to reach out to them in accessing their respective communities for peace building,
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Besides accessing the liberated communities, he noted that most of the youths implemented the activities on peace building, including several town hall meetings with 59 traditional rulers and a friendly football match between Konduga community and repentant terrorists.
The Information boss continued: “Community governance and public affairs were also discussed at the various town hall meetings at Dikwa, Konduga and Gambouru/Ngala.
“They are to serve as a fulcrum for the multiplication of skill learned at the peace-building platform,” he said.
Mohammed, therefore, assured that the Ministry of Information and the Centre will monitor the activities of the 100 youths from Maiduguri Metropolitan Council (MMC), Jere and Konduga local councils.
The President of PACHE, Amb. Ahmed Shehu has said that the Centre in partnership with the British Council has complemented the efforts of the state government reintegration initiative.t
According to him, the initiative was the implementation of the Borno Model of Reintegration through the pilot project titled: “Youth initiative for reintegration and sustainable peace in Borno state.”
“We’ve supported young people between the age of 15 and 35 in enhancing their capacities to foster disengagement,” he said, adding that the support includes the de-radicalization of persons formerly associated with extremists’ organisations.
