Kaduna Ahmad Sorondinki in Kano.
ActionAid Nigeria, has listed hunger, unemployment, poverty, insecurity, marginalisation, and lack of access to services as factors responsible for the conflict and violent extremism in some communities in the Northwest.
This was contained in a communique at the end of a two-day Media Masterclass Training on Preventing Violent Extremism (PVE) in Kano and Kaduna States.
The communique identified a lack of good governance in the form of exclusion, marginalisation, unemployment, poverty, and access to services as factors responsible for conflict and violent extremism in Nigeria.
“45.49 million persons (representing 34.2 percent) who are multi-dimensionally poor, or in abject poverty residing in the Northwest (Kano and Kaduna inclusive).
“This number accounts for the largest population of persons, who are multi-dimensionally poor in the country and a driver of Violent Extremism.”
The ActionAid urged governments at all levels to equip communities with sustainable ability, capacity, and structures to utilise available resources to prevent radicalisation, respond, withstand, and overcome the impact of adverse violence and extremism in the country.
According to the communique, ActionAid has resolved to work closely with the media in amplifying community voices to promote, protect, and preserve the rights of vulnerable groups.
“Through various media training, and engagements with media houses and media professionals, with a specific focus on holding government accountable on proffered mechanisms to tackle extremism, which is fast becoming a major hindrance to development.
“It is apparent that there are strong linkages between good governance and peacebuilding, most importantly the media plays key roles in promoting good governance through advocacy and policy influencing media.
“Both print and electronic media help citizens get acquainted with happenings around their local environment and advocate for better governance to people significantly youth who are more susceptible for radicalisation to violent extremism.”
The communique, however, recognised the media as key stakeholders in advocating good governance to prevent violent extremism in the country.
