PROJECT RESULTS
- Executive Summary (the overview of your report)
The Centre for Community Actions for Peace and Development (CCAPAD), In partnership with Interfaith Mediation Center (IMC) Kaduna, has organized a 2-weeks Educational Exchange Visit between Kaduna and Plateau States to under-study conflict experiences of the state, interact with conflict parties, conflict management actors and draw lessons learnt from the positive roles they played in the conflict history of the State.
Like Plateau State, Kaduna State has had its own share of civil strifes and violent conflicts, though very well managed, with lots of potential success stories for others to learn lessons from.
Essentially, key actors like the two umbrella bodies of the major religious groups, i.e. the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), the Jama’atul Nasril Islam (JNI) the political, the security, women, men and especially the youth groups were constructively engaged in in-depth interactions to examine how and why they succeeded in their interventions, to serve as lessons learnt for adoption and referencing.
During the visit, selected 5 participants from Plateau State comprising of men, women, Christians and Muslims accommodated in a hotel, had on daily basis, visited and interacted with communities that were affected and destroyed by violent conflicts and now rebuilt with a view to studying their post conflict coping mechanisms and reintegration strategies. In a like manner, Plateau State reciprocally hosted 5 selected participants from Kaduna to the same activities on the Plateau, which had culminated into capacity development training for the participants on countering violent extremism in Kaduna and Plateau States respectively.
At the end of the visit, the teams featured on the media to further discuss their findings, share experiences and create more awareness on hate speech, Mass Atrocities, violent extremism and ways forward.
The activities were successfully carried out from Sunday, the 5th of August to Sunday the 17th of August, 2018, with the below detailed implementation reports.
- What goals did you set for this project and how did you measure your results?
Objective
The objectives of the Civil Society Exchange Programme (CSEP) were as follows:
– To strengthen the conflict-coping mechanism of the youth leaders towards harmonious coexistence devoid of hate speeches and mass atrocities.
– To empower youth leaders with technical skills of identifying and addressing factors that lead to mass atrocities.
Exchange Goal
The goal of this activity is to further strengthen the conflict- coping-capacity of the Plateau and Kaduna states Youth leaders towards a diverse inclusive, harmonious coexistence devoid of hate speeches and mass atrocities owing to the fact that Exchange visits offer a bundle of benefits, well beyond just acquiring information on the host.
Unlike a mere intellectual and physical journey that only creates common understanding, relationships forged in the fun and hardships of shared experience, attempts to new approaches, and friendships as foundation for future networking, Exchange Visits allow participants to focus time and attention on a topic, learning deeply, sharing ideas, and assessing the relevance of new approaches. Information comes alive in sufficient dialogues, detailed in response to specific queries, conversations enriched by the perspective of distance and difference especially on the Kaduna success stories of Post conflict rehabilitation model (of Resettling inhabitants across Religious and ethnic divides in one community) that seem to be working there and not working in Plateau State, the resiliency factors of some Communities to withstand series of conflicts as they occurred on the Plateau, among other things.
- To what extent has your project achieved these goals?
THE KADUNA EXPERIENCE
Background
Kaduna had its own share of history of conflicts dating back to pre-independence. As the years went on, Southern Kaduna became more embroiled in different bloody clashes such as the Kafanchan crisis of the early 2000s and many smaller scale uprisings, which continued to threaten the peace of the state. But the 2011 post-presidential election violence in the state, which according to the Fulani camp was the basis for the current reprisals in the area. The violence, which started after the declaration of the presidential election results that returned former President Goodluck Jonathan, affected many towns in Southern Kaduna including Kafanchan and Zangon Kataf. Several reports put the number of dead persons in the clash at hundreds, while hundreds of properties were also destroyed.
The mental trauma and physical damage to houses and looting left a lot of communities in Kaduna seriously scarred by the experience. Many previously mixed neighborhoods; towns and villages are now exclusively Christian or Muslim. Suspicion and fear remain; and each group suspects the other side to be preparing to fight again. Many schools that were mixed by faith prior to the conflict are now either exclusively for Muslim or Christian Children.
Most of the conflict affected population lacked the resources to rehabilitate their damaged houses. This was coupled with the fact that they felt unsecured going back to their communities for the fear that they would be targeted for attack, therefore setting the precedence for polarization of communities, mistrust and suspicion on possibility of mass atrocities.
ACTIVITIES
During the first plenary activity for the CSEP, the CCADAD team was taken to the IMC operation office, where they met with senior staff, co-executive directors, (the Imam and the Pastor) Sheikh Nurain Ashafa & Rev. James Wuye and the five selected participants for the educational exchange visit for acquaintances.
During the interactions, the objectives of the exchange visit were clearly stated and were followed by the reviews and digestion of the drafted activity schedule for Kaduna as jointly put together by the CCAPAD and IMC project teams.
| With the Imam, the Pastor and the Exchange Team |
During the exchange programme the team had the opportunity to interact with different people who are stakeholders of the communities. These include the two-religious umbrella bodies the Jama’atul Nasril Islam (JNI), Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), farmers, community dwellers, local chiefs, religious leaders etc. These interactions helped the team of participants to understand their cultures from different contexts. It helped the team to understand the role each of these stakeholders has played during and after the conflict/crises in Kaduna State.
The JNI Secretary in an interaction with the team posited that Islam does not support hate speech and that they have been organizing seminars, and workshop to sensitize the youths on the danger of such, adding that as the umbrella bodies, they confirming that any organization that claims to preach Islam but turned out to be radicalized e.g. BOKO HARAM, is not their members, rather their enemies.
At the CAN office, the Secretary of CAN expressed his gratitude to the team that came to his office and said that earlier on, he had an emergency assignment which needed his attention, but the since the team had scheduled to visit his office he had to shift his program to attend to them. He was very excited to see how IMC and CCAPAD are working to ensure that hate speech is free in Nigeria and globally.
He lamented that the crisis in Kaduna and Plateau states are similar in terms of religious and political aspects and that the crisis witnessed today was not a surprise to him because the scripture has predicted that it will happen during the end time.
Participants interacting with the CAN Secretary and Exco at their Secretariat
In some of the communities, we learnt that the community dwellers under the leadership of the tradition leaders have developed strategies of countering conflicts in their communities and has gone further in ensuring that they as a community do not tolerate hate speech amongst their youths. They have taught us we may look different; but we all have some similarities in our ways of life.
In some of the communities we visited, we shared the experiences of the violent conflicts on the Plateau and also made them understand that Plateau State suffered the same faith as Kaduna in terms of devastation. However, our comparative learning experiences revealed that; the people in Kaduna have some of the conflict torn communities that comprise as Christians and Muslims returned as one community.
These community dwellers and their leadership are hopeful that there will not be crisis in their communities and Kaduna State as a whole and the development of their community and state depends on their efforts.
We, as a team encouraged them to do away with fear and sensitized their youths on not to use hate speech as it incites conflicts. We urged the traditional rulers and religious leaders to exercise patience and restraint to know that building the culture of trust and humanity requires total commitment and dedication that is a very long process to reach.
Some of the community leaders during interactions
To avert occurrence of mass atrocities, the community dwellers have formed organized groups comprising of traditional leaders, religious leaders, and different tribes cutting across the country, who sit and have meetings on regular basis in a bid of finding ways of countering hate speech among its people particularly the youths. The team had the understanding that some of these communities have succeeded in keeping themselves together by bringing the religious leaders together. When the crisis came up they cautioned all the youths not to engage in any crisis and they should continue to sensitize the people to live in peace meanwhile, they have a lot of clergymen who were full of hate speeches and insightful teachings but they will continue to follow them with the message of peace.
One of the local chiefs said “we have succeeded in working together to protect our homes, families and properties irrespective of our religion or tribes”. They have come to realize that no form of crisis is good especially as both faiths must always meet in three places i.e. market, hospital, and office places as no religion encourages violence and as such encourage both NGOs to continue with their sensitization efforts. They must know that they all have one parent from the creation of the universe, they are all Nigerians and they are one people. He said they have witness three crises that turned violence without gain or profit. He further admonished that God is taking down and recording all the activities of human on earth, hence the need for peace can never be overemphasized.
| Participants at the Teku farms, Kaduna |
We had the opportunity to visit the Teku farms and parley with their owners, where the team was to explore the opportunity of engaging youths on useful ventures that will add value to their lives.
The team from Jos, Plateau State, understood that some of the chiefdoms organize seminars, workshops on conflict and peaceful coexistence devoid of hate speech which is helping them in sustaining peace in their communities, they have their representatives in the JNI and CAN who are called for monthly meetings. They have good collaboration with the security personnel when there are issues of security treats that are beyond their control and this has helped in stabilizing the communities.
The capacity of the participants was built on communication for peace building, hate speech and its implication and prohibition of hate speech and tolerance as relational topics.
During the trainings, the participants were giving more insight on hate speech, it amplifiers, dangers and where they occur. During sessions, the participants were guided and encouraged on how to monitor incidences of hate speeches, countering the hate speech among youths through mass condemnation and media engagements. This session gave the team of participants an idea of disseminating positive massages through campaign against violent extremism and hate speeches. They were made to realize the power of positive messaging.
| Participants with officers of the NSCDC, Kaduna |
In keeping with itinerary, the team visited the office of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corp, NSCDC as a critical stakeholder in Kaduna state. The team interacted with the officers in the peace and conflict department, who briefed them on the activities of the NSCDC as it relates to maintaining peace in the state and the roles the security outfits had played in insuring that peace and harmonious coexistence is sustained in the state. The HOD, emphasized that they also have an office in Plateau State and will always be ready to partner with civil societies and other stakeholders especially on sensitization.
He concluded with appreciations and with information that they have the teams on ground monitoring situations all over the communities.
In their conclusions, the participants made suggestion to the officers of the NSCDC to include programmes on countering violent extremism and hate speeches in their activities and future work plans.
As scheduled, the team had an opportunity to into visit and interact with the emir of Zaria and the emirate council.
His Royal Highness Dr. Shehu Idris, expressed his gratitude to the team for their visit to his palace and gave a briefer history of his early school time and some friends he had from the neighboring Plateau State.
| Visit to the emir of Zaria and the emirate council, Zaria |
The Emir made the team understand that in Zaria, they have eight districts with the traditional leaders seating weekly in order to discuss the progress of the entire area and society. He says that there is an organized institution which reports to him and the government on happening in the community at large. He said that entire emirate council that they usually respond to any situation of crisis that may arise and are still doing their
best to promote peaceful coexistence in the Zaria community and the state at large.
THE PLATEAU EXPERIENCE
Looking back, Plateau State had been severed by outbreaks of communal and religious conflicts since September 2001 leading to displacements, deaths and destruction of property. Despite the religious connotation, the causes of the conflicts are more complex and deep-rooted. The reasons are more political and economic rivalry between “indigenes” and “non-indigenes” or “settlers” than religious. The “indigenes” are considered the original inhabitants of the area, where as the “settlers” are newcomers to the state, although many have lived there for generations. The distinction is critical because “settlers” face challenges in being appointed or elected into positions of authority on account of their status. “Settlers pay the same taxes as “indigenes” and yet they feel discriminated against by the government. These quickly became religious because Christianity is the dominant religion among the Berom, Afizere, and Anaguta “indigenes” while Islam is the main religion among the Hausa-Fulani “settlers”. The widespread poverty and lack of education and employment in the state also played out in the hands of politicians and leaders who wish to manipulate perceived injustices for their own benefit.
The September 2001 conflict resulted in the segregation of business and cooperative activities among faith groups; it led to the destruction of integrative settlement patterns, and the development of negative cultural groupings (an increase in ethnic militia). It also led to the disintegration of multi-faith or shared schools, an increase in the proliferation of small and big arms, the destruction of the core values of religion and life and the demise of the economic base of the people. All these can easily be identified in most of the target communities. For example, most primary school teachers, primary health care workers and traffic warders in Jos are Christians, after the crisis many of them, abandoned their working places situated in communities that are pre-dominantly Muslims for reasons that are seen differently by the two sides. The crisis of November 2008, January and March 2010 have already taken these negative changes further.
The mental trauma and physical damage to houses and looting left a lot of communities in Jos seriously scarred by the experience. Many previously mixed neighborhoods; towns and villages are now exclusively Christian or Muslim. Suspicion and fear remain; and each group suspects the other side to be preparing to fight again.
Many schools that were mixed by faith prior to the conflict are now either exclusively for Muslim or Christian Children.
Most of the conflict affected population lacked the resources to rehabilitate their damaged houses. This was coupled with the fact that they felt unsecured going back to their communities for the fear that they would be targeted for attack, therefore setting the precedence for polarization of communities, mistrust and suspicion on possibility of mass atrocities.
ACTIVITIES
As a quick start, the Kaduna team was welcomed to Jos and introduced into acquaintances with the CCAPAD working premises, their members of staff and the programmes they run with other partners.
The team was addressed by way of debriefing by the Executive Director, Mr Ahmed Salihu as assisted by the respective project officers assigned on the projects for CCAPAD and IMC.
| Group photo of muslim community and participants at Dutse Uku. |
Thereafter, the team proceeded to Jos Jarawa Community to interact with traditional rulers, district heads and religious leaders who share their conflict experiences with the participants. Jos Jarawa is one of the largest wards in Jos North LGA, and about one of the only few wards that still has some mixed population of Christian and Muslims who live on the border lines. At the community, they were made to understand that the people of Jos Jarawa had experienced a lot of troubles because of its unique feature of once having the two-different religious inhabitants living as peaceful neighbours. But when the crises came, it sadly polarized the communities. “Our houses were burnt down and brought down, some of us had houses of their own but now we are tenants who are being frustrated” (Adagwom Izere).
In some In Dutse Uku community visited they have been able to form credible youth groups and forums which had helped in sustaining the relative peace that is enjoyed in the community. The local vigilante group has also been playing a vital role in maintaining peaceful coexistence between the communities that have been polarized, both Christians and Muslim members work together in bringing peace and security to both communities despite their differences. We learnt that these have helped in the building of cordial relationship between the worrying communities.
The youths are asked not to attack anyone coming into their communities but rather they should serve as watch dogs to defend their boundaries.
In some of the communities visited, the team of participants learned that some of this communities have developed tolerance for each other, they have peaceful coexistence devoid of any form of hate speech. They are accommodative, both Christians and Muslims do not show any difference because they now attend each other’s ceremonies or any major festive celebration.
Any individual or groups of individuals found wanting does not go scot free, as this singular act has served as warning to any other person with the same mind set and this has shown that despite the polarization, people still intermingle with one another.
Women have been given opportunities to voice out, women leaders and their groups are engaged and are saddled with certain responsibilities of creating awareness among women, young women and housewives on the dangers of hate speech and also the importance of harmonious coexistence in their respective communities by the leadership of the local communities.
| Participants with the CAN representatives in Jos |
From our interactions with the local dwellers, we had the understanding that the use of illicit drugs by young women and men is one of the striking factors encouraging hate speech and violent conflict in most communities. From this experiences shared by the people it is obvious that the efforts made to sustain peace can be sabotaged by these youths who are under the influence of drugs.
The CSEP Team interactions with the two religious umbrella bodies, the Jama’atul Nasirul Islam (JNI) and the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) showed that there is a gap between the government and the people and that this gap is what is making the people angry with the entire system saying that it is what is encouraging hate speeches among people and allowing the politicians access to utilizing hate speeches in their campaigns to further divide us for their selfish reasons.
Just like Kaduna State, Plateau State has a Peace Building Agency which is saddled with the coordination of harmonious coexistence among the ethno- religious groups in the state. However, the striking difference noticed is that, the Kaduna interfaith agency Commissioners are comprising of interfaith, while in Jos, it is more of a single dominant religion, the Christian faith that pilot the affairs of the agency. In our interactions, the team understood that all the crises/conflicts that had happened on the Plateau had nothing to do with religion but they were interest based (i.e structural, political, economic). According to them, the peace building agencies and interfaith agencies have an early waning structure which has worked in the grass roots to detect early warning on certain issue and preventing it from escalating which had played vital role in sustaining the peace in the respective states.
They have laid down plans for creating awareness against hate speech during the forth-coming general elections in other to prevent election violence and end mass atrocities. The team also suggested that the Plateau State Peacebuilding Agency should include in its work plan programme that it creates awareness on countering hate speeches and violent extremism on the Plateau.
| Cross section of participants during the capacity development training in Jos, Plateau. |
To further create awareness on the dangers of Hate Speech and proffer practical solutions to addressing them, the participants and all the Executives of the Community Development Associations in Jos had the opportunity to participate in a one day capacity development training workshop on hate speeches and other peace related topics organized by CCAPAD. The participants shared their perspectives about hate speeches and how at their own levels as individuals or groups have personally managed to cope with it and how they will work hard within their communities to step down the new knowledge they have acquired in the course of the training and the exchange visit as a whole. The CSEP Team encouraged the community people and members of the CDAs to work together towards achieving a common goal which is peace and to also exercise patience and restraints and to know that building a culture of trust and humanity requires total commitment and dedication that takes a long process to achieve.
At the office of the Commissioner of Police in Plateau State, the team met with the Police Public Relations Officer, who interacted with us in representation of the commissioner of police. In our discussions with the PPRO, he was informed on the mission of the team, which was to create more awareness on the Hate Speech and advocate for further institutional support and collaboration to be able to do more.
The PPRO appreciatively welcomed the team and in his response, emphasized on the distinction between hate speech and freedom of speech in order for speakers to appreciate their gravity and to create awareness to the general public, not just the youths alone. He regretfully informed the team that hate speech as a concept, is not enshrined in any part of the Nigerian constitution we only have bills that have been passed to the National Assembly which is yet to be passed into law and that it has passed the second reading in the 2 chambers.
The team members shared some of their experiences in some of the communities that they have visited, with specific emphases of Dutse Uku community, where whenever both communities make efforts to rebuild their burnt and destroyed houses the youths of the both community will go and demolish it and sometimes go as far as requesting for some certain amount of money before anyone can gain access to his/her destroyed property. The team offered some advises to the police command on the need of acting promptly and also verifying the truth in this lingering issue as it is a clear early warning sign that should not be swept under the carpet.
The PPRO appreciated the info and pledged that they will verify the story and act accordingly. He advised the civil society or NGOs to work hard in the amendments of the penal code which is outdated and to also come out with programmes that are not just on creating awareness put also targeted on youth empowerment as this will help in addressing criminality among the youths. He also stressed on the need for the establishment of an independent hate speech commission by the government as it will help in regulating speeches that might incite conflict and leading to mass atrocities.
Progressively, on the last day of the exchange programme, the participants featured on a life Radio discussion programme on the Tin City Radio station to discuss further and engage with the public on issues of Hate and Dangerous speech and how best they can be managed. The participants who were the discussants during the radio programme, enlightened the listening audience on the hate speech and its implications in our present-day society.
CSEP Participants during the Live Radio Discussion Programmes on the Radio
The discussants used the medium not just to share their experiences but to also advocate on the need to counter violent extremism and hate speeches and also to promote peace, peaceful coexistence devoid of hate speech among people irrespective of their religion, tribe or ethnicity.
In keeping with the schedules on the programmes line up, the CSEP Team were at the Jos Zoological Garden and Museum for relaxation, fun and individual/group reflections as well as reminiscences on the past.
With the aid of the Project officers and tour guides, the participants were taken round the zoo to have fun with the animals and into the museum for historical acquaintances with the culture and history. They had so much fun and later reclined into reflections.
To follow up on the graphical meaning and understanding with the reality of Hate and Dangerous Speech as Embers of Mass Atrocities, the participants were taking to the American Corner, Jos Plateau State, for group movie viewing, intense interactions and resolutions on the ways forward.
The American Corner is an American information outlet of the United States’ Embassy in Nigeria in collaboration with the University of Jos. CCAPAD, being a registered member of the Corner, was hosted there.
While at the Corner, the participants were shown a movie, a documentary and ushered into interactions with the Nexus Fund Representative, Prince Dr. Charles Dickson.
The movie they watched was Hotel Rwanda, to depict the graphic implication of the dangers and extent to which Hate Speech could reach in the case of the Tutsis and the Hutus and the TED TALKS’s presentation of “Dangers of a Single Story” by Chimamanda Adichie, on the need to always look out for and respect perspectives outside of our own.
Thereafter, it became the all-important session of interaction with the Nexus’ Representative, where he further resonates all that is needed to be known on Hate Speech.
As one of the last few activities on to the Exchange Visit, participants had audience with the Paramount Chief of the Izere Chiefdom at his Palace.
The Chief appreciated the coming of the team and noted that there are too many conflicts in the country that had torn communities apart and that it is our togetherness that will make things right. He affirmed that the youths needed to be engaged, to divert their minds from evil deeds, saying that the youths lack what to do, they are helpless and therefore easy to be manipulated into all sort of acts that are against the law of the land.
The visibly elated Chief was happy that this campaign is coming at the right time when we are speedily going into the 2019 general elections in Nigeria, adding that the youths should stand up and advocate for peace and continue to mobilize for campaigns such as these, that will eliminate hate speech because there is no alternative to peace. He commended the Nexus Fund, CCAPAD and IMC for the efforts at working very hard towards ensuring that people are informed and aware of the dangers of hate speech.
| With the Izere Chiefdom and Council |
- Do you think the project was successful? Why or why not?
The exchange was successful because it allowed the youth leaders to explore different domains that helped to develop strategies that will enable them to boost the hate speech campaign being implemented to reduce mass atrocities in their various communities.
- What impact has the project had so far?
- A local but strong platform for networking and collaboration in the monitoring of Early Warning Signs to Conflict and Mass Atrocities before they escalate has been establish between the two benefitting States.
- An established working synergy between the two states and the selected participants and their networks for networking and collaboration.
- Capacity of the the participants on countering violent extremism , Hate Speech was built to provide support for local initiatives in preventing Mass Atrocities. And also coping-capacity of the Plateau and Kaduna states Youth leaders towards a diverse inclusive, harmonious coexistence devoid of hate speeches and mass atrocities has been improved.
- What challenges did you face in executing your project? How did these challenges impact your efforts?
CHALLENGES
In the course of this exchange, there was no challenging part. All the activities were done as it was planned even though some little changes occurred at the level of working timeline, but at the implementation stage a few challenges were encountered.
- The allotted one week engagements in the two respective states are grossly inadequate, in view of the fact that the timing on the programmes of event had to be compressed and rushed.
- The funding of the project was not adequate to cover for more welfare/ relaxation of the participants, media engagements and other IEC materials.
- But for the personal relationship the project team have with some of the government functionaries, getting to secure appointments for the interactions and advocacies paid would have been impossible.
- The delay experienced in the approval of the project from the NEXUS FUND affected the implementation in many ways, especially in the budgeting and selection of participants.
- Most clerics are against the anti-hate speech bill of the Kaduna State government and, this is portending danger for the polity.
- When considering the design and implementation of this project, what lessons did you learn that might help other organizations in their work?
LESSONS LEARNT
- Involving and engaging with the young people on projects that have direct bearings on them such as this, guarantees commitment and sustainability of the project even after its life cycle because as youth leaders, they shall keep replicating to it goes widest.
- Advocacies and awareness to the critical stakeholders on the subject matter need to be sustained, to maximize project impact and outreach on all the institutions that were earmarked and visited.
- Mitigating mass atrocities involves maximizing the resilience and self-reliance of the local community dwellers through life skills and other programmes that would help build their capacities.
- What are the plans for the project or program going forward (if there are any)?
- Applying the lessons learnt from the programme within the local community to increase awareness.
- Participants would use the platforms to share experiences and create more awareness on the programme and hate speech to a larger audience on what they learnt and observed during the programme.
- Are there any aspects of the application and approval of The Nexus Fund’s Small Grants program that you believe could be revised or changed to improve our efforts to help organizations like yours prevent violence in your community?
- Every aspect of the application and approval phase was good. As an organization, we would only suggest to the NEXUS fund to give more opportunity to local organizations to explore into their exchange programmes, so that they can tap from the experiences of others to increase efficiency and productivity.
- In case of replication of the project, the timing of the CSEP should be reviewed to one full month to allow for proper comprehension and maximization of the project idea.
- Would you consider partnering with The Nexus Fund again? Why or why not?
Yes, there is so much to learn and tap from the experiences of others, which would help the organization to achieve its missions and visions.
- Anything else you would like to share?
Our profound gratitude goes to the NEXUS fund and the local people in the communities for offering us (CCAPAD/IMC) the opportunity to learn and gain experiences.This will go a long way in helping us as an organization to improve in our peacebuilding activities and that other local CSOs in Plateau and Kaduna will benefit and contribute towards sustaining a peaceful Nigeria and the world at large.
RECOMMENDATIONS
we would like to give the following recommendations:
- The delay between proposal submission and project approval should be improved upon to fast track the processes and address issues of inflation.
- The NEXUS FUND should work closely with the implementing partners to follow up on the promises made by the Government as reflected on the key findings.
- Consequent upon the interactions with the community people during the CSEP, an obvious gap of idleness and joblessness has been identified and needs to be urgently addressed. The NEXUS FUND, therefore, needs to partner with organizations like the IMC and CCAPAD, to provide empowerment programs to them.
- As a matter of urgency, this programme should be scaled up in Plateau State, with specific emphases on media outreach and production of IEC materials particularly in the local Hausa Language, for wider dissemination of the anti-hate speech campaigns in view of the forthcoming 2019 federal Elections and the October 2018 (in just one month from now) Plateau State elections.
STORIES FROM YOUR PROJECT
” What we have seen during the exchange programme is the creation of many collaborations between communities in the two States that are thousands of kilometers apart. Hate speech awareness-raising campaigns, and freedom of speech laws are just some of the things these young people ( Youth leaders)can plan to work on together,” This, is a strong example of peace building for the Nexus fund. It was important, for the young people to achieve a new level of self-awareness and have a common and deep understanding of hate speech. Thank you Nexus fund for availing us with this opportunity…Yusuf Ayuba
As young people who work at the very grassroots in communities. We are helping our communities to change, transform attitudes and craft new narratives. We are also challenging those who have committed themselves to sowing seeds of hatred, particularly in the minds of the young,” We will step down our learning and experience during the exchange visit. It was a memorable experience… Jafaar Babaji
‘‘Over the last couple of months, we have seen increase in the volume of hate speech, particularly in the social media and electronic media as well. I think that the prevalence of hate speech can lead to violence. ‘‘If people act to prevent it, it can be prevented. The reason we are here on this exchange visit is to get all stakeholders to understand the dangers hate speech portends for the country, especially as we move closer to the 2019 elections so that those who can work in peace can do so to reduce the volume of hate speech. This programme has also to helped us to sensitize the public on the danger of hate speeches. This initiative is timely… Joshua chuwang
| Commencement of the exchange visit and formal familiarization meeting between the CCAPAD and IMC staff and participants |
KADUNA STATE ACTIVITIES FROM 6TH TO 10TH AUGUST, 2018
| Rido Gbagyi community ( Christian dominants) |
Visit to some conflict torn communities
| Participants interactinting with one of the youth leaders at Rido Gbagyi community ( Muslim dominants) |
| Village Head of Kabala West Tudun Wada District, sharing experiences of post conflict coping mechanism |
| Visit to His Royal Highness Sa Gbagyi Dr. Danjuma S. Barde, MFR, FIMI JP Gbagyi Chiefdom of Chukun Local Government Area |
Media Discussion
| Participants and project team granting interview to journalist from Duche Bele , creating awareness of the exchange visit project, the sponsors, the implementing partners and the concept of the hate speech campaign |
Visit to TEKU Farms
Visit to the Museum
| At the JNI office, Kaduna |
Visit to the two religious umbrella bodies
| With the CAN secretary at the CAN office, Kaduna state chapter |
| At the Kaduna State Interfaith Bureau with the Director General and his cabinet |
Visit to the Kaduna State Interfaith Bureau
| Meeting with the Head of Conflict Management Department, Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC). |
Visit to Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC).
Visit to the department of peace and Conflict Studies, Kaduna State University (KASU)
| Project participants with staff of the negotiators initiatives a subsidiary of the department of Peace and Conflict Studies (KASU) |
Visit to the emir of Zazzau, Zaria
| At the palace of the emir of Zazzau, Alhaji Shehu Idris |
| Debriefing with the IMC Co-Executive Directors on the last day in Kaduna activities |
| The Executive Director CCAPAD, giving an over view of the 2nd phase of the exchange visit to the participants in Plateau State |
PLATEAU STATE ACTIVITIES FROM 13TH TO 17TH AUGUST, 2018
| Visit to District Head in his palace at Jos Jarawa Ward |
| At Plateau Peace Building Agency with the Director General Mr. Joseph Lengmang |
| Visit to the District Head of Jishe Tudun Wada ward |
| Meeting with the Muslim community leaders in Tudun Wada ward |
| Visit to New Jerusalam popularly known as Filin-Satan and new Police station which is under construction in Angwan Rukuba community (Christian dominated community) |
Site seeing
| At the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Jos-North LGA, Plateau State with EXCO members |
| Interactive session and capacity building training on Countering Violence extremism and hate speech with Community Development Associations in Jos |
| At Jos central mosque with members of the Jama;atu Nasril Islam office (JNI) Jos-North LGA, Plateau State |
| The Police Public Relation Officer with the participants during the courtesy call to the Commissioner Plateau State Police Command |
visit to the office of the commissioner of police
| At National Museum and Zoo Park Jos, Plateau |
Visit to National Zoo/Museum
| Participants reinvigorating the spirit of Peaceful coexistence, Forgiveness, Justice, and Volunteerism in the cinema at the American corner, Jos. |
Visit to the Izere chiefdom
| Meeting with the paramount Ruler of Izere Chiefdom, His Royal Highness Adagwom Emmanuel Ajik |
| Participants and project team on a live radio programme at the Tin City FM, creating awareness on the exchange visit project, the sponsors, the implementing partners and the concept of the hate speech campaign |
Media Discussion
| End of Educational Exchange visit debriefing with the participants at CCAPAD office on the last day in Plateau State activities. |
FINANCIAL RESULTS
Please submit a detailed budget report of budget vs. actual money spent with supporting documentation if it is available. If your actual expenses were different than your submitted budget, please explain why.
| Document Name | Provided? (Yes/No) | Comments (Required for all “No” responses) |
| A. Project Results | ||
| Description | Yes | |
| B. Stories from Your Project | ||
| Photos/Videos | Yes | |
| Other Materials | ||
| Stories from participants and/or staff | Yes | |
| C. Financial Results | ||
| Original Budget vs. Actual money spent | ||
| Explanation of Major Budget Changes (Why did they change and what were they spent on?) | ||
| D. Optional: Supporting Documentation (please describe) | ||
Certification of Submission (required)
Your submission of this report represents certification that the information provided in this document is complete and accurate to the best of your knowledge and fairly represents the status of your project.