By; ALEX UANGBAOJE, Kaduna
An NGO, Centre For Peace Advancement and Socio-Economic Development (CPAED) said it has mobilised about 11,000 youth, women traditional and religious leaders in its peace building efforts in Kaduna communities in 2017.
The NGOs Coordinator Mrs Jane Obiora, told newsmen in Kaduna on Sunday, that out of the figure 7,000 were youth, 2,500 were women and 1,500 traditional and religious leaders.
She said that the people were reached with messages on peace building, conflict resolution and early warning, early response mechanism, democracy and good governance, women and Youth empowerment and development.
Other areas are human rights, child protection, counseling, nutrition and psycho-social support to improve the livelihood of the people.
According to her, the aim was to entrenched community-based conflict and disaster-risk management to prevent violent-conflict and address socio-economic issues affecting women, youths and children.
“This is because women, youths, adolescent girls and children remained the most vulnerable and marginalised in the society.
“Our main objective was to promote sustainable peace, improve the livelihood of women, youth and children and entrench tolerance to build a responsible citizenship for peaceful coexistence.”
Obiora said that the people were reached in 27 communities in 10 local government areas of the state, namely Kaduna North, Kaduna South, Igabi, Chikun, Zaria, Sabon Gari, Jema’a, Kaura, Kachia and Zangon kataf.
She identified the benefitting communities as Gonigora,Tudunwada, Rigasa, Malali, Badarawa, Buwaya, Televison / Sabo, Unguwan Romi, Kujama, Mararaban Rido, Makera, Kawo,Baranwa, Trikania and Nasarawa.
Others are, Kafanchan, Zonkwa, Kachia, Manchok, Samaru-Kataf, Gyellsu, Samaru, Tudunwada, Sabo Gari, Tudun wada-zaria and Zaria city.
“We mobilised and enlisted the support of traditional and religious leaders to maintain peace by engaging government officials to ensure quality service delivery to the people and opportunity to participate in decision making process.
“Trainings were also conducted on gender analysis, leadership, and human rights to promote the recognition of equal rights in societies.
“CAPAED equally sensitised parents and care givers on positive parenting and early child development to prevent violation, abuse and exploitation, “she said.
The coordinator added that the NGO also took its peace campaign to five public schools in Kaduna metropolis to reduce hostility and transform the unsavory relationship and behaviours among students.
She said that about 1,700 students were reached in Queen Amina College, kaduna, Doka Junior Secondary School, Baban Dodo primary school, Lagos and Muri Road primary schools.
According to her, the effort helped in promoting conducive and peaceful learning environment that led to increased enrolment and retention, particularly the girl child.
She added that NGO also carried out massive awareness campaign against malnutrition by encouraging adequate infant and young child feeding practices such as exclusive breastfeeding and good complementary feeding among others.
“Several radio programmes were held to further sensitize the larger community on the need for peaceful coexistence, gender equality and improved livelihood.
“This year, we planned to reach out to no fewer than one million people in different communities through our various programmes.
“We are open to partnership with relevant stakeholders, government institutions, and organisations towards building long lasting peace and improvement in the living condition of women, youth orphans and vulnerable children, “Obiora said.
