BBForPeace Organises Writeshop, Inaugurates Steering Committee

By Godwin Edeh 

Building Blocks for Peace Foundation (BBForPeace) a Non -Governmental Organisation has organised a two day workshop with the theme "Localisation of Writeshop" and the inauguration of steering committee on Youth, Peace and Security for Benue state holding at Eya Hotel and Suites, here in Makurdi.

Welcoming participants, the Programme Officer of BBForPeace, Benue state office, Mr Samson Shabu stated that the localization Writeshop and inauguration of steering committee on youth, peace and security in Benue state is a follow up from the earlier workshop held in August, 2025 and expressed appreciations to participants whom he described as critical stakeholders in the implementation of the action plan for peace and security in the state and urged them to volunteer credible contributions for the development of youth in the state which will translate into peace and security.

On the implementation of the peace and security agenda at Subnational level, the Executive Director, Building Blocks For Peace Foundation, Mr Rafiu Lawal stated that, the choice of the theme "Localisation Writeshop" is not a mistake but a deliberate attempt in policy formulation, drafting of Programmes schedules and setting agenda for government and other stakeholders on youth, peace and security (YPS) in the state.

Mr Lawal stated that, youth occupied a critical position in any nation's development agenda as they are always at the forefront of every national events and therefore cannot be under estimated if peace and security in our communities, state and national levels must be achieved.

He stressed the 2015 Amman Declaration which recognizes the position of the youth in terms of peace and security which subsequently led to the international framework on YPS by the United Nations Security Council Resolutions (UNSCR) 2250 (2015), 2410 (2018) and resolution 2535(2020) which were also adopted by the African Union. He commended African countries for their bold steps in adopting UN/AU Action plans on youth, peace and security with Nigeria leading by developing its national action plan in 2021under the late president Mohammadu Buhari's administration.

The Executive Director, appeals to participants and stakeholders to adopt a cross cutting approaches in implementing the YPS and must have a human face of justice, taking into consideration the peculiar social cultural realities of the environment and urged the steering committee to work together to achieve the YPS agenda.

In his remark, the representative of the federal ministry of Youth Development Abuja, Mr Abdul Basit stated that, Nigeria is the first country in Africa to domesticate the United Nations Security Council Resolutions (UNSCR) on youth engagement, protection and ensuring their safety in a fragile environment and emphasised that, the national action plan (NAP) has a strategic objectives which if implemented can achieve the goals and objectives of YPS and urged the steering committee to be all inclusive in its composition by creating a wider partnership and collaborative base.

Also in her remark, the representative of the Director General Bureau for International Cooperation and Development (BICD), Miss Beauty Adaaku stated that, It is a great honour to bring warm greetings from BICD to this important gathering, and to commend the organizers — Building Blocks for Peace Foundation, the Global Network of Women Peacebuilders, and the Government of Canada — for convening such a strategic conversation on localizing the Youth, Peace and Security agenda in Benue State.

Miss Beauty Adaaku stated that, the event aligns closely with the vision of His Excellency, Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia, the Executive Governor of Benue State, whose administration has placed youth empowerment, peacebuilding, and inclusive governance at the centre of its development agenda. Governor Alia believes that the peace and prosperity of Benue depend on the active involvement of young people and women — not as beneficiaries, but as drivers of social transformation and sustainable growth.

The Governor’s administration, through the BICD and other key ministries and agencies, continues to prioritize partnerships that strengthen local institutions, create opportunities for young people, and foster social cohesion across our communities. Today’s workshop perfectly mirrors that commitment — transforming policy frameworks into practical local action.

Localizing the Youth, Peace and Security agenda is not merely a technical exercise; it is a call to reimagine peacebuilding from the grassroots. It is about ensuring that our young men and women — often the most affected by conflict — are equally the architects of lasting peace. As the coordinating arm for international cooperation and partnerships in Benue State, the BICD reaffirms its readiness to collaborate with organizations represented here today to sustain these efforts and scale up the impact of this initiative.

As part of the nominee of the inaugural Local Steering Committee, I charge us all to carry forward this momentum with dedication and innovation. Our actions and leadership will serve as a bridge between the aspirations of our youth and the policy direction of the State Government under Governor Alia’s vision.

Others present during the inauguration includes the representative of Ter Makurdi, Zaki Solomon Ajo of Wailamayo, ACC Peter Akpan of NSCDC, DSC Eche Francis of Nigeria Correctional Service and Blessing Adzage of CSO- B among other participants and stakeholders. Highlights of the occasion is the allocation of positions to participants and MDAs. Drafting of programme schedules and lecture on how to write policy document on YPS and a group photograph.