By Ahmad Umar
In order to promote peace in the country, Nigeria Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR) has partnered United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) in convening Community Peace building/Awareness Sensitization on Children and Armed Conflict in Northeast of the country.
The workshop was held at the National Open University Nigeria Study Centre, Multipurpose Hall, Damaturu Yobe state northeast of the country.
The Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR) drew participants from the women group, traditional rulers, religious leaders, Police Army, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSDC), Youth groups and others.
In their remarks, Aliyu Rambo of the UNICEF, Dr. M. Machina from COSFON and representative of the Emir of Fika who is the Zanna Dujima of Fika, Alhaji Bukar Abubakar all applauded the training, pointing out that it will go a long way in restoring the dignity of the Children.
Speaking to Independent at the venue of the workshop, Chukwuemeka Mbah, Chief Researcher IPCR explained that the insurgency in the Northeast has caused serious dislocation of communities and livelihood.
According to him violations against children in Yobe state are rife, requiring community awareness/sensitization for high risk areas where most incidences affecting children have taken place and/or reported so far.
“It is in line of this mandate that the Institute collaborated with UNICEF, Yobe State Government and other critical stakeholders in designing mechanisms that would ensure child protection, peaceful returns of the displaced and community coexistence towards sustainable development in conflict affected communities”.
The six grave violations against children according to the Chief Researcher were killing and maiming, abduction of children, rape and other forms of sexual violence against children, recruitment and use of children by armed forces or armed groups, attacks on schools and hospitals and denial of humanitarian access.
https://www.africaprimenews.com/2017/10/27/conflict/unicef-nigerian-group-begin-mapping-children-yobe-state/
