BBFORPEACE Organises Youth, Peace,Security Writeshop in Benue

By Godwin Edeh 

Building Blocks for Peace Foundation (BBFORPEACE) a Non -Governmental Organisation has organised a two-day writeshop themed ‘Localization Writeshop and Inauguration of Local Steering Committee on Youth, Peace and Security (YPS)in Benue State’.

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 event and therefore cannot be under estimated if peace and security in 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 2021 under the late president Mohammadu Buhari's administration.

The Executive Director, appealed to participants and stakeholders to adopt a cross cutting approach in implementing YPS and must have a human face of justice, taking into consideration the peculiar socio-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 Abdulbasit stated that, Nigeria is the first country in Africa to domesticate the United Nations Security Council Resolutions (UNSCR) on Youth, Peace and Security. He emphasized 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.

Representing the Director General, Bureau for International Cooperation and Development (BICD), Ms Beauty Adaaku commended Building Blocks for Peace Foundation, 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.

Ms 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.

According to her, “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 communities in Benue State. 

She said, 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. She reaffirmed that, as the coordinating arm for international cooperation and partnerships in Benue State, the BICD is readiness to collaborate with BBFORPEACE to sustain and scale up the impact of the writeshop.

Others present during the inauguration include the representative of the Ter Makurdi, Zaki Solomon Ajo of Wailamayo, ACC Peter Akpam of NSCDC, DSC Eche Francis of Nigeria Correctional Service, and Blessing Adzaagee of CSO-B among other participants and stakeholders. 

Highlight of the writeshop was the drafting of action plan and participatory lectures on policy writing and documentation.