CENTRE LSD HOSTS STRATEGIC TOWN HALL MEETING ON “PROMOTING PEACEFUL ELECTIONS IN NIGERIA” IN MAKURDI

The African Centre for Leadership, Strategy and Development (Centre LSD) in partnership with Christian Aid Nigeria and financial support from the START Network is organizing a Strategic Town-Hall Meeting in Makurdi aimed at mitigating violence and promoting peaceful conduct during and after the electoral process in Nigeria. This activity is part of activities lined up under the Project “Promoting Peaceful Elections in Nigeria’ funded by the START Network.

 A statement released by the Programme Coordinator of the Centre, Mr. Uchenna Arisukwu, stated that the Project is being implemented in 3 communities in Kaduna (Sabon Tasha in Chikun LGA), Mando in Kaduna North LGA and Kachia in Kachia LGA) and another 3 communities in Benue State (Gboko in Gboko LGA, Oju in Oju LGA and Otukpo in Otukpo LGA). He also stated that the project targets 255, 000 beneficiaries and 36,000 Households with a social media target reach of 2 million persons adding that the project will work closely with traditional and religious actors, community leaders, women and youth groups in these communities as well as relevant government agencies and actors who will sensitize the electorates and create awareness about the need to eschew violence and ensure peaceful conduct during the elections.

 

The Statement further added that other activities in the Project include rapid assessments at community levels to identify possible causes of electoral violence with a bid to mitigating them; community outreaches and sensitization; Gender-Based Violence discourse as well as response to persons affected by violence through the distribution of Non-Food Items.

 

Mr. Arisukwu concluded by stating the objectives of the project which is the reduction of recurrent violent inter-communal, inter-religious and political conflicts for peaceful co-existence in the long run as well as the entrenchment of positive behavioural attitude and conduct by citizens and agencies alike.