No fewer than 600 Almajirai in Kaduna State have received training on various skills, especially those bordering on moral values as a tool for attaining peace.
The training was at the instance of a Non-Governmental Organisation, NGO, known as ‘Generations for Peace’ and was pioneered by Mavis Orjime.
Orjime disclosed yesterday in Kaduna while marking the fifth year anniversary of the group that its aim was to promote peaceful co-existence among the citizenry.
The Almajirai were drawn from different communities in the state and presently undergoing various skill acquisition programmes in Kaduna North, Zangon Kataf and Chikun Local Government Areas of the state.
“So far in Kaduna State, over 2000 children and youth have been involved in Generation for Peace Programmes. These programmes are organised by pioneers and delegates volunteering as change agents in their communities and helping to pass on the values of tolerance, cooperation, respect and trust to the society,” Orjime stated.
According to her, peace building was a process of conflict transformation that must address deeply-held cultural identity, change perspective and stereotype, and further forge greater understanding, tolerance and trust among people.
?“We believe peace will not only boost national development but help to address the various socio-economic issues identified as hindering development, growth and peace in the nation,” she said.
Continuing, she noted: “As Generation for Peace marks five years, the message is peace and is a process everyone needs to be involved in so that each of us can make a difference by being a positive change agent.
“We are currently undergoing a sports programme for children and youth in two public and one private school, including Prince School, Narayi; Government Girls Secondary School (junior section) and Government Girls Secondary School Independence Way (senior section) in Kaduna.
We are also organising empowerment seminars which combine skill acquisition with peace building education that promotes gender equality and social inclusion, as well as training programmes.
“Our sports based programmes and play are peace building education through our world class educational curriculum bringing together children and leaders of youths from different social, religious and ethnic backgrounds,” she emphasised.
Also, another pioneer member of the NGO, Babatunde Ajiga, has lamented the challenges faced in getting the Almajirai, particularly those in the north.