US Reaffirms Commitment to Support Peace and Tolerance in Nigeria

Joy ChukwuFebruary 3, 20241 Mins read722

The U.S. government, via the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting peace and tolerance in Nigeria through a youth summit held in Abuja.

Minister Jamila Bio Ibrahim was the keynote speaker at the summit.

Participants represented USAID-supported youth groups from the Community Initiatives to Promote Peace (CIPP) activity. CIPP is a $15 million, five-year initiative mitigating conflicts in at-risk Nigerian communities.

The U.S. Embassy statement on Friday emphasized its commitment to collaborating on Nigeria’s security challenges.

The statement highlighted joint efforts with religious leaders, women, youth, officials, and civil society through initiatives like CIPP.

The statement read:

“Our partnership harnesses the diverse strengths of its religious and traditional leaders, women, youth groups, government officials, and civil society. Through initiatives like USAID CIPP, the U.S. government is jointly identifying and promoting community-based solutions, empowering these groups to enhance community responses to challenges and build a resilient and peaceful future together.”

The summit showcased USAID’s achievements in youth leadership and peace processes across six northern states. They include Kano, Kaduna, Katsina, Benue, Kogi, and Plateau States.

It featured discussions on peacebuilding, fostering partnerships, and amplifying youth voices on insecurity.

Speaking at the summit, United States Chargé d’affaires David Greene remarked, “By attending today’s conference, you’ve each signaled how important the cause of peace is for Nigeria…Youth are the bedrock of society’s social and economic development. The future of Nigeria depends on youth charting a path of peace, as you are the future leaders of this great nation.”