The European Union (EU) has trained over 1000 young people in Bauchi and Yobe states on conflict prevention, mitigation, and management.
This was disclosed by the leader of EU delegation to Nigeria and West Africa, Mrs. Ngozi Felix recently. She opined that inequality could push young people into political apathy, radicalization, crime or irregular migration.
Mrs. Ngozi Felix was speaking at a youth summit funded by the EU recently where she informed the gathering that the youth were trained in partnership with International Alert, Taimoko Community Development Initiative and the governments of Bauchi and Yobe states.
She said the project had achieved key results in enhancing youth participation through training and equipping them with the required skills to prevent and manage conflicts.
“In addition, an increase in youth access to decision-making on local development and economic empowerment initiatives have been recorded,” she said.
“This explains why today’s Youth Summit is important to the European Union.
“Young people can and are already providing novel solutions to today’s challenges.
“It is my hope that by the end of this summit, the young people in this hall will feel empowered; knowing that they have what it takes to successfully bring about positive change in their communities”.
Felix assured that the EU will remain committed to partnering with all stakeholders to promote youth inclusion, human rights and civil society participation.
“Let me conclude by reiterating my gratitude for the invitation and thanking International Alert and Taimako Community Development Initiative for their consistency in implementing the Matasa ku Taso: Youth Arise project,” she said.
Speaking earlier, Mary Hwyere, the Northeast Programme Manager for International Alert, said with funding from the EU, International Alert in partnership with Taimako Community Development Initiative (TCDI), implemented the youth focused project titled “Matasa Ku Taso” which means ‘Youth Arise’! In Bauchi and Yobe states.
Hwyere said the specific objectives of the project include to enhance youth participation in conflict prevention, mitigation, and management as well as increase youth access to decision-making on local development and economic empowerment initiatives.
“This youth summit is part of our efforts to create opportunities for young people to have more say in decisions that shape their lives,” she said.
Hwyere said the project has reduced grievances, addressed basic needs of youth, and rebuilt the fractured trust with community leaders, state authorities and security forces.
“Such trust is the foundation of long-term stability, as it encourages collaboration between different stakeholders in preventing and responding to conflict triggers,” she said.
“As we all know, meaningful youth participation and leadership require that young people and young people-led organizations have opportunities, capacities, and benefit from an enabling environment and relevant evidence-based programmes and policies at all levels.
