Gov. Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri of Adamawa has commended the sustained support by the European Union (EU) and British Council to peace building and empowerment in areas affected by insurgency and other conflicts in the state.
Fintiri made the commendation in Yola at a Policy Dialogue Forum on Youth Inclusion and Engagement, organised by the British Council in collaboration with Adamawa Government and Police under the EU/British Council’s supported Managing Conflict Nigeria (MCN) project.
Fintiri who was represented by Mrs Rhoda Zira, the Deputy Permanent Secretary, Security and Special Services, Government House, said many programmes supported by the British Council has helped in reducing conflicts in the state.
He described that the programme on how to engage the youth meaningfully as timely, adding that it would further promote peace in the state.
Fintiri assured of his administration’s commitment to continue to collaborate with the council and other stakeholders to support peace and good governance in the state.
Also speaking at the forum, representatives of Police and Nigeria Correctional Service (NCS), DSP Setumari and CPS Amos Kenneth respectively, noted that the training provided officers and men of the police and correctional service by the British Council in administration of criminal justice to facilitate trial of suspects in the state.
In their separate remarks, the Adamawa branches of Muslim Council and Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), lauded the intervention of the British Council in peace building and assured that the religious bodies would sustain support for the success of peace buiding programmes.
On his part, Dr Ukoha Ukiwe, MCN Teachnical Lead, said the programme was to see how the new government in Adamawa could engage the youths positively so that they can become positive contributors to peace and security.
“As we know the world over in situation of conflict those that are easily mobilize into violence are young people and are easily mobilize into violence because of feelings of social and economic exclusion,” Ukoha said.
Ukoha noted that other interventions of the British Council in Adamawa under the MCN programme included training of traditional rulers on peace building, women empowerment, and establishment of Sexual Assault Referral Centre to assist victims of sexual violence with necessary support to get justice.
“We are happy that some of our peace programmes are yielding result; for instance in Bole community of Yola South local government we have brought the herders and farmers together to resolve their problem amicably,” he added.
Highlight of activities at the event include paper presentation with theme: “Towards an Effective Youth Inclusion and Engagement Strategy”, “Addressing Substance Abuse among Youths” and “Youth Involvement in Peace Building, Security and Development”.
