Events

IGSR Organizes Ninth Youth Peace Camp For 500 Youth From Plateau Central Senatorial Zone On Promoting Peaceful Co-Existence

Published

5 years ago

September 30, 2021

Preport

The Institute of Governance and Social Research (IGSR) in collaboration with the Global Community Engagement and Resilience Fund (GCERF) has successfully trained another set of 500 Youths from Plateau Central Senatorial Zone at a seven-day Youth Peace Camp. The camp was organized at the Citizenship and Leadership Training Center, Mountain School, Shere Hills, Jos from 19^th to 25^th September, bringing together youth from Bokkos, Kanam, Kanke, Mangu and Pankshin Local Government Areas. The Youth Peace Camp, which is one of several IGSR activities under a project titled “The Youth and Peaceful Coexistence in Community: The Plateau Case”, is specifically designed to re-orientate the youth on their perception of one another, encourage peaceful co-existence and tolerance for each other’s values; discourage youth radicalization and violent behaviour; and encourage peace building as well as peaceful conflict resolution in the area.

During the camp, the youth were engaged in a sequence of trainings which were both physical and mental as well as lectures from experienced resource persons in the various subject areas. The lectures included topics such as: The Role of Religious Leaders in de-radicalization of the youth; Youth as Agents of Non-violent Change in Nigeria; Role of Sports in Peace Building and National Unity; Extreme behaviour and Societal Harmony; Entrepreneurship Skills and Capacity Building for the youth, Communication as an Effective Tool for Conflict and Rumor Management among others. During these interactions, resource persons drawn from relevant professions/agencies taught participants the alternative ways to resolve conflicts without resorting to violence, the importance of understanding and tolerance and the importance of effective communication to avoid conflicts. Through the physical drills, participants learnt core values of leadership, cooperation, unity, confidence and determination; all of which increased their sense of self-esteem, significance and value to themselves and their communities. This will go a long way in positively shaping their vision for themselves and their communities as agents of peace.

Following the intensive one-week course, a Closing Ceremony was held for the Youth Peace Camp on the 25^th of September, 2021. Several dignitaries were in attendance including the Former Chairman of Bassa Local Government Council, Hon. David Racha (the Chairman of the Occasion); the Representative of the Director-General, Plateau Peacebuilding Agency (the Special Guest) Mr Elkannah Izam; the IGSR President, Ms. Victoria Isawa-Elaigwu; the IGSR Senior Programme Officer, Mr Samuel Emelis; the IGSR Director of Administration, Dr Waheed Adedeji and The Unit Coordinator C&LTC, Alhaji Abdulmumuni Maimako.

The C&LTC Unit Coordinator in his introductory remarks, welcomed everybody present and particularly congratulated the participants who he said displayed exemplary character during their training. He appreciated IGSR and GCERF for enlightening and encouraging the youths to become peace agents in their communities. He urged the youths to be ambassadors of IGSR and C&LTC as they return to their respective communities.

Following the remarks by the Unit Coordinator, IGSR’s Director of Administration, Dr. Waheed Adedeji welcomed everyone to the closing ceremony and congratulated participants, accompanying officers, recruiters, stakeholders and IGSR staff for a successful camp. He observed that in the first round of the project, 1,711 youths were trained by IGSR in five Youth Peace Camps. The project is currently in its second round and will be coming to an end in December, 2021, and a total of 6,097 youths have been trained so far as Youth Peace Ambassadors.

In his opening remarks, the chairman of the occasion, Hon. David Racha hailed IGSR for its efforts over the years in the Northern and Central Senatorial Zones of Plateau State. He urged the participants to be ambassadors of peace in their respective communities and work closely with relevant authorities in order to maintain stable and peaceful communities.

The CLTC Course Officer, Mr Ezekiel Buba gave a report on the training course, observing that remarkably, all 500 participants who had attended the training qualified to graduate and should be given certificates of attendance.

The President IGSR, Ms Victoria Isawa-Elaigwu, in her remarks, congratulated all the participants for being qualified to become Youth Peace Ambassadors. She inducted them into the Youth Peace Ambassador Network and admonished them to put all negative behaviours behind themselves and embrace their new calling as agents of peace in their communities.

A dance-drama presentation by a cultural troupe consisting of youths from the five local governments followed, entertaining guests and depicting the need for unity in order to attain development in the society. Subsequently, 10 Youth Peace Ambassadors representing the 5 LGAs presented a communiqué which summarized the lessons they had learnt during the camp with observations and recommendations. In their observations, the youths saw the need for an improved curriculum for secondary school students incorporating entrepreneurial trainings and skills, poverty alleviation schemes and concerted efforts by stakeholders, including government, traditional and religious institutions, to promote peaceful co-existence, mutual respect and understanding amongst the youths. They also resolved to work as agents of peace in their communities, serving as bridges between dissenting parties and conflicting communities.

Following the presentation of the communiqué, the Special Guest of Honour and representative of the Director-General, Plateau Peace Building Agency, appreciated IGSR for its efforts in sustaining peace and preventing radicalization and violent extremism in Plateau State. He charged participants to visualize the type of state they desire and work tirelessly towards achieving it. Finally, he reiterated the Agency’s commitment to its existing partnership with IGSR, and sustaining structures which have been established.

The Senior Programme Officer IGSR, Mr Samuel Emelis gave the vote of thanks and encouraged participants to use the information they gained during the camp to improve on their communities. Finally, the Project Manager, IGSR inducted the participants into the Youth Peace Ambassadors Network and declared the camp closed. Afterwards, participants were issued certificates and recited the Peace Pledge one final time before departing to their respective communities.

Entertainment

Big Chinni Thrills Audience as NASCO Cornflakes Powers Mr & Miss UNIJOS 2026

Published

3 days ago

August 3, 2026

Preport

The University of Jos came alive with music, glamour and excitement as Afro Soul sensation Big Chinni delivered a captivating performance at the Mr & Miss UNIJOS 2026 pageant, one of the institution’s most anticipated annual social events.

The event, held on the University of Jos campus, attracted hundreds of students, alumni and guests who gathered to witness the crowning of the institution’s new king and queen and to celebrate creativity, fashion and student excellence.

Big Chinni thrilled the audience with an energetic Afro Soul performance, delivering a blend of soulful melodies and vibrant stagecraft that kept the crowd singing and dancing throughout her set. Her performance added excitement to an evening dedicated to showcasing talent, confidence and youthful creativity.

The pageant, widely regarded as a flagship event on the university’s social calendar, featured dazzling fashion displays, entertainment performances and competitive segments leading to the emergence of the new Mr & Miss UNIJOS 2026.

The event was powered by NASCO Cornflakes, one of Nigeria’s leading breakfast cereal brands, whose colourful branding featured prominently across the venue, including the red carpet and main stage. The company’s support underscored its commitment to promoting youth development, campus engagement and student-focused initiatives.

Organisers said the collaboration between NASCO Cornflakes and the pageant reflected a shared vision of celebrating excellence, talent and the vibrant lifestyle of young people.

With her memorable performance, Big Chinni further strengthened her growing reputation as one of the emerging voices in the Afro Soul music scene, leaving the audience entertained and making the 2026 edition of Mr & Miss UNIJOS one of the most talked-about campus events of the year.

Events

Royals, Leaders Unite To Strengthen, Sustain Nigeria’s Security

Published

4 days ago

August 1, 2026

Preport

E27806c4 5375 4380 ad14 937d06c0a990.jpeg

Traditional rulers, religious leaders, security chiefs and policymakers on Friday came together to find ways of building a stronger, more inclusive and sustainable security framework.

They came together at the maiden National Citizens Stakeholders’ Engagement organised by the Project 774 Network in Abuja.

The event had its theme, “Our Security, Our Duty: Citizens Standing with Our Troops to End Terrorism, Banditry and Kidnapping.”

The stakeholders all agreed that lasting peace in Nigeria required moving beyond crisis response to fixing its root causes.

The Convener of Project 774, Mohammed Ibrahim, said that the core beauty of the project lies in its ability to bring all sides together.

“Wherever you find a gap between leaders and citizens, the only thing to do is unite both sides for a common cause. I am happy we have people with a genuine desire to take this country forward as one,” he said.

Drawing from experience, he recalled how commitment to nationhood went beyond official titles.

“You do not need to be a governor, minister or ambassador to serve this nation.

“All you need is the heart of one who loves Nigeria, and the will to act from wherever you stand,’’ he said.

He highlighted Nigeria’s immense potential, saying Nigeria is one of the greatest countries in the world.

According to him, it is the only nation where the land holds wealth that can fund all we need.

“We have the resources; what we need now is the unity and will to channel them toward solutions that lift every citizen,’’ he said.

Chief Convener, the Emir of Kano, Muhammad Sanusi II, said that the name “774” stands for the nation’s total number of local government areas.

Sanusi said the summit moved beyond reacting to crises to building lasting systems where every Nigerian contributes to peace.

The traditional leader also decried a widening class divide and fading sense of shared citizenship.

“Security works best when it belongs to everyone. We have become a highly divided society where a small wealthy minority lives in exclusive estates, cut off from the struggles of the majority.

“We have forgotten that every blessing is meant to be shared, and that prosperity should reach down to the most vulnerable,” he said.

He further highlighted drug abuse as a silent driver of violence.

“Many of those carrying out these atrocities are not in their right minds; they are under the influence of hard drugs.

“Insecurity anywhere is a threat to everyone everywhere. We must share information with security agencies, rebuild moral values in our communities, and work together to reclaim our nation,’’ he said.

Guest Speaker, Professor Sunday Lugard of the Faculty of Law, University of Jos, said that sustainable security thrived on partnership.

Lugard recalled how security experts had long foreseen the dangers facing the nation and called for a fundamental shift towards a citizen-centric approach to security governance.

“Laws and operations are important, but trust and active participation make them work.

“When communities stand with their troops, we close gaps that criminals exploit,” he said.

He urged delegates to use the summit to design clear, safe systems for communities to feed intelligence to police, military and the judiciary, and to ensure that every citizen can contribute without fear.

“Security is not just what the government does for us; it is what we build together, from the village up to the centre,” he said.

He also emphasised the need to deploy indigenous security services.

“Our people trust us. We will use that standing to foster cooperation, promote peace and ensure that every community becomes a partner in protecting our nation,” he said. (NAN)