Abuja: The National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC) and Grey Child Foundation have inaugurated a nationwide programme aimed at tackling the root causes of violence and fostering peace across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones. The National Coordinator of NCTC, Maj.-Gen. Adamu Laka, stated at the inauguration that the initiative would strengthen communities, promote resilience, and prevent the conditions that breed violence.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Laka emphasized that peace and security are not the sole responsibilities of government or security agencies; they are shared outcomes of sustained partnerships with communities, civil society, and development actors. He noted that while Nigeria continued to grapple with terrorism, insurgency, banditry, and violent extremism, a collective approach was critical in addressing such threats.
The programme, following a Memorandum of Understanding signed on June 18, aims to promote positive narratives, evaluate the effectiveness of interventions, and provide evidence-based data to guide decisions by stakeholders. Laka stressed that kinetic measures offer only temporary relief, and that the lasting path to peace lies in non-kinetic strategies that address the drivers of violence and create opportunities for peaceful coexistence. He urged government institutions, the private sector, and development partners to sustain support for community-led peacebuilding.
Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, praised the initiative as a transformative step in ensuring inclusive and gender-responsive approaches to peace and security. She highlighted that the family is the first line of defense, aligning with the UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace, and Security, and emphasized the importance of equipping families with the right values and resources to break the cycle of violence.
The Minister of Defence, Alhaji Muhammed Badaru, warned of the increasing normalization of violence in Nigerian communities. Represented by the Director of Peace Support Operations, Ministry of Defence, Maj.-Gen. Umar Bichi, Badaru advocated for non-kinetic approaches to conflict resolution and commended stakeholders like Rotary and SEAL for their contributions to grassroots peacebuilding.
Dr Abdulateef Shittu, the Director-General of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), pledged state governments’ support through logistics aid, community-based policing, and a Security Community of Practice to strengthen non-kinetic responses. He recognized the urgency of a whole-of-society, community-driven approach to tackling violent crimes and related threats to national stability.
Chairman of Gray Child Foundation, Dr Pietro Macleo, described the CVR programme as a ‘home-grown, community-rooted solution’ that combines innovation, evidence-based interventions, and active involvement of traditional, faith-based, private sector, and civil society actors. He emphasized the importance of growing the solution from the ground up, rooted in shared values and sustained by trust, participation, and good governance.
The programme launch, supported by Rotary International and other partners, marks a significant step in Nigeria’s shift towards sustainable, locally driven peacebuilding efforts.