The Kogi Government has inaugurated a 15-Member Women Peace-Building Council in each of the five local government areas in the Kogi Central Senatorial district.
The project, which is funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), and implemented by Mercy Corps under the Community Initiatives to Promote Peace (CIPP), is aimed at preventing violent conflict in the most at-risk communities.
In his remarks on Thursday in Okene, the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Hajia Fatima Buba, said the inauguration was a step towards increasing women's leadership and active participation in conflict resolution and management.
Buba noted that the event also coincided with the 16 days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence (GBV)”, an annual event which holds from Nov. 25 to Dec. 10, to campaign against GBV and stop all forms of violence against women and girls.
According to her, the theme for the 2022 commemoration is ”Unite! Activism to End Violence Against Women and Girls”.
She said that members of the council in the Western Senatorial district had been inaugurated in the past, saying it would cover all three Senatorial districts.
”Election and electoral processes globally are violence-ridden, Nigeria and Kogi State are not exempted.
”In view of the 2023 general elections, structures and strategies are put in place at all levels to ensure peaceful elections and reduced post-election conflicts to the barest minimum.
She stressed that the time has come to mobilize youths and women at all levels in order to discourage violence and embrace peace in the communities toward achieving a peaceful election.
Buba, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mrs. Modupe Andi, thanked the Mercy Corps-CIPP for the partnership while appreciating Gov. Yahaya Bello for ensuring the peace and security of the people of the state.
The commissioner stressed that the partnership in promoting peace in the state was noticeable, and hoped for more robust collaboration to enhance peace and development.
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Also speaking, Mrs. Eunice Agbogun, the Representative of Mercy Corps-CIPP in Kogi, stressed that the roles of women in peacebuilding in society cannot be overemphasized.
Agbogun, who is the Executive Director, of Challenge Parenthood Initiative (CPI), said CIPP’s objective is to improve local capacity and skills among the conflicting communities to manage disputes.
She added that it would also strengthen and build more sustainable Early Warning Early Response (EWER) mechanisms, and deepen the engagement of women in peacebuilding and preventing violent extremism, among others.
”As women, we must brace up and do what we should to ensure a better and peaceful society,” she advised.
Also speaking, Mrs. Motunrayo Babatunde, the Director of Women's Affairs in the Ministry, said the council’s objectives were to prevent violence and promote peaceful coexistence in the society.
She added that the council would also address the root causes of conflicts and violence, and increase women's participation in leadership, with integration at the state, local government, and ward levels.
She said the operational guidelines would be to carry out awareness creation to ensure peace during the 2023 general elections and educate youths and the public not to engage in any form of violence.
The Vice Chairman, of Okene Local Government Area, Mrs. Bilikisu Aliyu, who spoke on behalf of the Council members, thanked the commissioner for her efforts in making the inauguration possible and commended the governor for his leadership quality.
Aliyu said that women had made meaningful participation in peacebuilding, strengthening, protecting, and deepening the effectiveness of a better society.
The local government areas are Okene, Adavi, Ajaokuta, Okehi, and Ogori-Mangogo.
