By Alhassan Jabiru
Sagnarigu (N/R), Nov 19, GNA – The Sagnarigu Municipal Directorate of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) has engaged some youth groups in the area as part of efforts to promote patriotism and peaceful coexistence.
The event was organised with funding support from the European Union and tailored towards preventing violence and radicalisation amongst the youth of the area before, during and after this year’s elections.
It was attended by various youth groups including persons with disabilities in the area.
The engagement was also to ensure that the youth understood the negative consequences of joining violent extremist groups as well as appreciate the legal framework that barred the activities of violent extremist and terrorist groups in the country.
Presentations by the resource persons at the event focused on peaceful coexistence, triggers and effects of violent extremism among others.
Mr. Abdulai Soale, Sagnarigu Municipal Director of NCCE, speaking during the engagement, said it was to inculcate in the youth the spirit of patriotism, enhance awareness on their civic responsibility, inclusive values, social recognition and to invoke the sense of belonging to their own immediate communities.
He said it was also to improve their knowledge and attitude on the culture of tolerance and to enable them to act as ambassadors of peace in their communities.
Mr. Soale emphasised the collaborative role of community stakeholders in ensuring peace, and spoke against misinformation and disinformation, especially on social media.
He advised the youth to always verify information before sharing it to avoid violence, cautioning them against divisive narratives.
Reverend Theophilus Ibrahim Dokurugu, former Vice President of West Africa Network for Peacebuilding, who facilitated the engagement, identified building of skills of young people as a viable tool to counter violent extremism in the country.
He called on residents to prioritise volunteering information on suspicious characters and activities in their communities to the security agencies to help counter violent extremism.
GNA