NEEM Foundation Meets Stakeholders On Trans Sahara Counterterrorism In Sokoto
BY ANKELI EMMANUEL, Sokoto
A Non Governmental Organization, NEEM Foundation Wednesday organized a one day dialogue on Trans-Sahara Counterterrorism in the North Western States of Nigeria.
The meeting which bring together Sokoto State Actors towards promoting civilian security in the northwestern region, has State Actors Buy-in and Collaboration”, as it’s theme.
Stating objectives of the Trans- Saharan Counterterrorism Project, Mrs Abah Comfort, the Programme Officer from NEEM Foundation noted amongst others that, it is aimed at promoting civilian security in the Northwestern region of Nigeria through, “Dialogue, Early Warning, Early Warning, Early Response, Economic and Support to Community members”.
Cross section of participants at the one day Trans-Saharan Counterterrorism Project workshop organized by NEEM Foundation in Sokoto Guest Inn hotel. PHOTO BY ANKELI EMMANUEL
While appealing for a participatory session to enable them profile workable solutions to the multiple degrees of insecurity confronting the society and the North Western region of the country, Mrs Abah Comfort noted that they are also working on, “Prevent and Protect and GBV in addition to the Saharan Counterterrorism.
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Mrs Abah who decried the disturbing trend of banditry, kidnappings, cattle rustling as well as consistent crisis between farmers and herders in the region and other parts of the country,
assured that the project is centered on building trust and increase service provision in communities at risk of recruitment of violent extremism through increased
collaboration between state and non state actors.
She also added that NEEM Foundation Project has set up
Peace and Reconcilation Community in 4 communities of Sokoto, targets 80 communities, train 60 community members on
early warning and violence deescalation.
Continuing, Mrs Abah said the Project provides livelihood support for 30 vulnerable people, engage 15 others in youths and women at risk
entreprenurship skill training, provide livelihood support for 3 cooperatives and engage 1 local business in training livelihood beneficiaries.
One of the participants and Sokoto State Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Hon Muhammed Mainasara in his contribution as one of the panelists said there should be hard and soft security measures towards addressing the security challenges of the region.
Discussing on, “Understanding the Dynamics of Conflicts in the Northwest”, Hon Muhammed Mainasara said the soft security measures can only be carried out by the locals themselves while the security agencies carry out the hard measures.
He also suggested knowing your neighbour as the best option to forestalling insecurity.
In his views on the second panel discussion with the topic, “State Actors Role in Promoting Civilian Security, Malam Mohammed Maigero, the Sokoto State Sharia Director from the Ministry of Religious Affairs suggested youths empowerment, addressing issue of pourous borders in the region as well as increasing sensitization amongst herders/farmers on the need for peaceful coexistence.
Participants at the one day workshop included traditional, religious leaders, security agencies, representatives of MIYETTI ALLAH, Ministry of Women and Children Affairs, Sokoto Youth Council, Vigilantee Group, Small and Medium Scale Enterprise, and that of State Emergency Management Agency and select journalists.
