ADVOCACY TO NSCDC

PEACE BUILDING IN INSURGENCY - NSCDC APPLAUDS PEACE AMBASSADOR'S CENTER AND MCN BRITISH COUNCIL FOR ESTABLISHING COMMUNITY ACCOUNTABILITY INITIATIVE 

Peace Ambassadors Center for Humanitarian Aid and Empowerment and MCN British Council received a commendation from the Borno state command of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corp when they took an advocacy to the command headquarters in Maiduguri on Wednesday 26 January 2022.

In his introductory remarks the President of the Center Amb Ahmed Shehu intimated the NSCDC commandant on the activities of the Center which includes community engagement in peace  building, mediation and dialogue. 

while highlighting the objective of the visit was presented by the program manager Engr Sadiq Waziri who took turn to explained to the commandant the ongoing program of the Center which is being implemented in partnership with managing conflict in Nigeria a British council E,U  funded project titled initiatives to improve security service delivery, community policing and state policy on peace and security in Borno state

Engr. sadiq told his host that the project has three arms which is voluntary policing sector, community accountability forum and policy dialogue and all geared towards attainments of sustainable peace and security in the community.

In his request to the command Amb Ahmed Shehu solicited for the commands partnership, collaboration and support for the success and sustainability of the initiative, also commended the command for their peace building  innovations in the community known as alternative dispute resolution which was able to ensure peaceful resolution of conflict through dialogue, stating that it has really reduces the cost of ensuring justice and bringing harmony among warring parties. 

While responding the state commandant of NSCDC  Musa Farouk inform the delegation that on behalf of the command and Commandant General of the Corp NSCDC is aware and acknowledged, appreciated the effort of the Peace Ambassadors in complementing the effort of peace and security stakeholders in the state and urge them to keep it up. Appreciating MCN  and British council for supporting the state through PACHE, stating that when we have peace we will have less crime rate in the society, security sectors will have less stress, investors will be  attracted to the community and economy of the society will thrives and employment opportunities will be created and the Judicial system will have less work  which will translate to reduction in crime rates. Concluding that the command will render the necessary   support that is needed to achieve the projects objectives.

ONE DEADLY CELEBRATION

ONE DEADLY CELEBRATION

The eve of the New Year is usually a moment of celebration, a moment to rejoice on the gift of life and sober reflection. It is also a moment to usher in the New Year, with hope and gratitude. However this was not the case for the family of Mustapha Sheriff and Yakau Mustapha.

Pic 1 Late Maryam Mustapha before the stray bullet incident pic 2 tiny hole at the ceiling where the stray bullet penetrated

However, the eve of the newyear 2022, happened to be a moment of sadness and regrets to Yakau, a 50 year old house wife living in Umarari, Layin kanti shabiyu of Bolori 2, ward in Borno state. The sad event happened in the wee hours of Friday night, while her daughter Maryam Mustapha Sheriff, a 14 years old girl, a class 4 student of Raudatul Iman Islamic school was sleeping in her mother’s bedroom, suddenly, around 12.45 am, when Maryam started crying that something has hit her head, as usual with a caring mum, the mother cross checked her forehead and found nothing she then consoled her and asked her to go back to sleep thinking it wass some sort of spiritual ailment that is afflicting her daughter. On further examination she realized blood wass oozing out from the temple of her daughter's face, She then used a rag and tied the head and encouraged Maryam to go back to sleep.

It was not until around 5.00 am that they realized there is an opening on the head, it was then that they suspected that it might be a bullet or a foreign object that caused the hole in her head, they rushed her to the Borno state specialist hospital. On close examination they were referred to the university of Maiduguri teaching hospital. As usual, the complicated aspect of the debate between victims of bullet and police report brought its ugly head, which forced the relatives to transit between Gwange Police Station, located close to the hospital and Ibrahim Taiwo Estate Police station, which serves the victim’s Community.

Unfortunately, Maryam was lost to the cold hands of death before receiving further support. Evidence from the medical report signed by medical experts indicated that Maryam was hit by a stray bullet. 

The general conclusion and perception from the community was that; Maryam was killed by a stray bullet from some security personnel stationed in the community, while celebrating the arrival of the year 2022. The question every member of the family is asking is, who has the custody of bullets in the community? Definitely, it is only security agencies that have bullets and guns. 

What every member of the community is waiting for is, who will come to the aid of the citizens to regulate where and how guns and bullets will be used especially in a state that needs every live bullet to fight the insurgency.

     

Amb.Ahmed Shehu the president and founder Peace Ambassadors Center for Humanitarian Aid and Empowerment stated that their team have visited the family and follow up the case and confirmed beyond reasonable doubt that it was a stray bullet hence they have reached out to all the relevant stakeholders from the formal and voluntary security sector with a view to provide  sustainable solution to this unfortunate incidences of stray bullets, rocket attacks and other form of  attacks to the vulnerable populations in Borno state. This incident and more are the reasons why during the commemoration of International Peace Day 2021 held in Maiduguri, stakeholders advocated for the signing into law of the policy on protection of civilians in conflict by the federal executive council. Most communities that are experiencing conflict across the world have policy on protection of civilian hence why should Nigeria be an exception.

As civil society, we are calling for special budget line by the Federal Government for special protection of residents in conflict affected communities and for reconstruction of damaged infrastructures as well as emergency programme that will cushion the effect of the conflict.

With support of the European Union funded Managing Conflict in Nigeria (MCN) Programme implemented by British Council, we shall convene a community accountability forum to come up with  sustainable solutions to the incidences. We believe this is the only way to Improve Security Service Delivery, Community Policing and State Policy on Peace and Security in Borno State. 

PACHE

PEACE BUILDING NGO UNVEIL COMMUNITY DRIVEN PEACE BUILDING INITIATIVES

Peace Ambassadors Center for Humanitarian Aid and Empowerment paid an advocacy visit to the Borno state agency For Coordination of Sustainable Development and Humanitarian Response. 

As Relative Peace return to  Communities  affected by the Insurgency British Council trough it's Peace Building program Managing Conflict in Nigeria continue to sustained efforts in building Communities Capabilities in Conflict resolution and Resilience. To this this year the Council is engaging Peace Ambassadors Center for Humanitarian Aid and Empowerment in an implementing a program aimed at Strengthening Voluntary Policing Sector through Community Accountability Forum in targeted local government of MMC and Jere.

The project consist of three Components which includes the Voluntary Policing Sector VPS, Community Accountability Forum CAF and Policy Dialogue on peace and Security.

The objective of the project is to facilitate the strengthening and formation of citizen driven Community Accountability Forums (CAFs), Voluntary Policing Sector (VPS) groups and policy dialogues on peace and security in Borno State. 

At the Moment the project has already kick started with an advocacy visit to critical stakeholders that will ensure the success of the project 

The first advocacy visit was on Wednesday 22 December 2021taken to the state government agency saddled with the responsibility of coordinating   all Developmental and Humanitarian activities I.e Borno State Agency For Coordination of Sustainable Development and humanitarian Response Under the Leadership of Alhaji Bunu Monguno as Executive Secretary. 

During the visit the President and Founder of the center Amb Ahmed Shehu took time to brief the ES on the activities of the organization starting that organization is registered with the agency, with track record of accomplishment in humanitarian and developmental support to the affected communities in Borno in particular and northeast in general state. The organization’s areas of expertise are in conflict resolution, mediation, dialogue, peace building, youth and women empowerment. 

While stressing  further Dr Zainab Chellube Executive Director PACHE highlighted the over view of the whole program Which she  explained  that the project is about peace security and community hence, PACHE partnering with MCN British council in Borno state to implement series of programme that will contribute to attainment of one of the six  areas of priorities stated in the Borno state10 years strategic  plan that emphasis on Rebuild and sustain a society where our citizens and residence can live in peace and thrive by improving security and rebuilding communities

 Adding that the Project Title: Initiatives to Improve Security Service Delivery, Community Policing and State Policy on Peace and Security in Borno State with various Components which includes Community Accountability Forums (CAF), Voluntary Policing Sector (VPS) and Policy Dialogue on peace and security.

She then on behalf of the Project team Appeal for the Agency's Support towards attainments of the Project objectives.

While responding the Executive Secretary of the Agency Alhaji Bunu Monguno appreciated  PACHE for the Visit and stated that among  underlying root  causes of the Insurgency are lack of platforms such as CAF for citizens to discuss issues and proffer solutions to it,  he is optimistic that this project will and fill in the gaps and address  as it unfold.  He call on PACHE to stay Focus in implementing the project for the overall interest of the state.

Alhaji Bunu Monguno assured the project team of his personal and that of the Agency's Support towards the success of the Project