By Pwanagba Agabus, Jos
The Centre for Community Action for Peace and Development (CCAPAD), has trained 60 youths in four communities of Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State.
CCAPAD said the gesture was part of its project titled ”Strengthening the Culture of Resilience Among Children and Youth in Jos”.
Speaking at the graduation and presentation of starter packs to the beneficiaries on Saturday in Jos, Mr Ahmed Salihu, the Executive Director of the organisation said the iniative was supported by the European Union through the British Council’s Agent for Citizen-Driven Transformation (ACT).
Salihu further explained that the project was implemented alongside three other organisations, namely; Centre for Peace Advancement in Nigeria (CEPAN), Community Aid Workers Initiative (CAWI) and Gangare Youth Forum (GYF).
He said that the beneficiaries are drawn from Bauchi road, Anguwan Rukuba, Anguwan Jarawa and Naraguta communities, all in Jos North LGA.
”As part of this project, we have trained 60 youth from four communities on various skills and we are here today to present them with starter packs and cash support.
”These beneficiaries are largely direct victims of the various Jos crisis and so the project is aimed at addressing the conflict consequences.
”Some of the beneficiaries are youth that are out of school, drug addicts and those who are into prostitution and all kind of vices
”So, we brought these youth together and first deradicalise them, made them select the kind of skill they want and we funded it,”he said.
The Executive Director added that the rationale behind the project is to make the beneficiaries self sufficient and economically viable, adding that such move would promote peace and tranquility in the society.
”We believe that by doing so, are will pull out these beneficiaries of the street and make them better persons.
”That once they are can earn a living and support their loved ones, it will be difficult for anyone to induce them with money to indulge in crime,”Salihu added.
He further said that the beneficiaries were trained in the areas of shoe making, hairdressing, inetrio decoration, petty trading, cosmetology, among others.
He, however, warned the beneficiaries against selling the items donated to them, adding that one found doing so would be made to face the full wrath of the law.
In a goodwill message, State Focal Person of ACT, Omotunde Clement, said,
“Having to economically empower the youths wil result in reduction in crimes and criminality,
improvement in living standards (for themseves and family members) and models for other youths in the communities.
“It gladdens our heart when the trained beneficiaries become change agents for peace, security, stability and development.
“Being change agents it is expected that they will in turn
influence other community members to become peace advocates as well as drive the process of peace
initiatives in their various communities”, Clement maintained.
“This will definitely result in a peaceful Plateau state that everyone irrespective of his/her background will live in harmony and business wil thrive.
“I commend the consortium for the efforts in seeing to the actualisation of the project objectives”.
A beneficiary of the project, Faiza Ja’far, who is physically challenged, thanked the organisation for the gesture, adding that it would enable her fend for herself and support her family.
Ja’far, who is suffering from sight defect, said she never allowed her physical impairedment to affect her dream of becoming a great person in the society.
According to her, “I stopped schooling at JSS3 because ofy eye challenge, but I believe in my ability of becoming a better person, so, this training has provided me with the opportunity to bring my talents to bear.
”With this, I will now make money for myself and support my family.
”I’m highly grateful to this organisation because they have given me the opportunity to achieve my full potentials inspite of my physical challenge”.
