By Francis Okoye, Maiduguri
The Allamin Foundation for Peace and Development (ALFOPED) has conducted dialogue and community sensitisation sessions with 200 community stakeholders to strengthen community resilience against violent extremism in Borno State.
The diologue and sensitisation sessions were held in four communities of Moromti, Bolori, Old Maiduguri, and Maisandari in Maiduguri Metropolitan Council ( MMC ) and Jere local government areas of Borno State.
Participants included traditional leaders, teachers, youth and women leaders, caregivers, vulnerable women-headed households, and religious leaders.
The sessions were conducted under the project “Strengthening Pathways to Reintegration and Community Resilience Against Violent Extremism in Borno State,” funded by the International Civil Society Action Network (ICAN) and implemented by Allamin Foundation for Peace and Development.
According to the Executive Director Allamin Foundation, Hajiya Hamsatu Allamin, the dialogue sessions were conducted to increase community awareness and understanding of preventing and countering violent extremism (P/CVE).
She added that the programme aimed to promote peaceful coexistence, social cohesion, and community resilience as well as to strengthen understanding of positive caregiving and parenting practices.
” It also helped to increase awareness of early warning signs and appropriate community response mechanisms to prevent radicalisation. Foster inclusive dialogue on reintegration of repentant individuals and survivors of violent extremism,” Hamsatu said.
Facilitators emphasised the importance of community-driven approaches in preventing violent extremism and building sustainable peace.
Community leaders commended ALFOPED and ICAN for the timely intervention and pledged to step down the knowledge gained to promote peace and unity in their respective communities.
