By Ngozi Nwankwo
The Youth Peace Champions with United Nations Office On Drugs and Crime,
UNODC has officially launched a Network of Youth Peace Champions (YPCs) to strengthen community resilience in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe States.
The initiative is part of the “Protecting Children From Violence in Contexts of Insecurity, North-East Nigeria,” project which addresses child exploitation by armed and criminal groups by empowering children and youth as agents of change ready to promote prevention, rehabilitation and reintegration in their communities.
According to the UN agency, On 26 August, 2024, the network was officially launched during a YPC capacity building workshop at Abuja by notable stakeholders including the Honorable Commissioner of Women Affairs and Social Development from Borno State, Zuwaira Gambo, the Honorable Commissioner of Youth, Sport, and Community Development from Yobe State, Barma Shettima, and the Honorable Commissioner of Youth and Sports from Adamawa, Wali Yakubu.
For more than a decade, the children of Adamawa, Borno, and Yobe have suffered the consequences of insecurity, with many falling prey to recruitment and exploitation by armed and criminal groups and suffering unimaginable trauma. However, a new sense of hope is rising as a group of dynamic young leaders, carefully selected and trained by UNODC, step forward to lead change.
Hon. Barma Shettima enthused “The future of peace lies in the hands of our youth. These champions are our hope, and we are proud to stand behind them as they work to safeguard our communities.”
Borno State’s Youth Peace Champions have played a critical role in raising awareness and protecting children at the grass-roots level, since their inception as part of UNODC’s STRIVE Juvenile project in 2023.
This year sees them being joined in their number by new young leaders who bring forth the voices of their communities in Adamawa and Yobe States
Hon. Zuwaira Gambo, praised the progress made by UNODC in empowering young leaders.
“Borno State, despite being at the heart of the insurgency, has shown strength and hope. The network is here to support our communities in their journey towards peace and reconciliation” said Gambo.
Following the network’s launch, an in-depth training session equipped the YPCs with the skills and knowledge they need for community peacebuilding, focusing on areas such as restorative justice and low-level conflict resolution.
This workshop was the second in a two-part series, the first of which concentrated on strategic advocacy, communication, and storytelling skills. During the training, YPCs unpacked key concepts, principles, tools, stories and community practices and reflected on innovative ways to integrate these into their daily peacebuilding efforts in North-East Nigeria.
Ya Dija, one of the Borno YPCs explained “I’m really happy to share my voice as a new Youth Peace Champion. Joining the YPC network and completing the recent rigorous training has transformed my approach to ending violence against children and peacebuilding. The experience helped me understand how to tailor my storytelling initiative to target children who have been violated for years. The training has equipped me with practical skills, knowledge, and a supportive community to amplify my voice.”
Ya Zaina, YPC from Yobe State added “Being selected as a Youth Peace Champion has been a transformative experience and I gained a deeper understanding of restorative justice. This will bring positive change to my community. It’s been a journey of growth, discovery, and impact, and I’m excited to start making a difference alongside my fellow champions.”
“The Youth Peace Championship campaign has been a dual blessing,” says Mansule, a YPC from Adamawa State. “First for my personal development, and second for public safety in my community. It enhanced my communication skills, familiarized me with international laws protecting children’s rights, and deepened my understanding of the juvenile and restorative justice systems. The network has connected me with like-minded, energetic young advocates, all committed to protecting children from exploitation by armed and terrorist groups across the BAY states.”
The event concluded with the development of State-level action plans by the YPCs and attending honorable commissioners. These plans detail the ways in which the new network of peacebuilders will raise awareness and advocate for child protection and community reconciliation across Adamawa, Borno, and Yobe States with the crucial support of local communities and State Governments.