DRDI Hosts 3-Day Workshop to Accelerate Education, Livelihood Opportunities for Youth in Kano
From Mariya Shuaibu Suleiman
The Dispute Resolution and Development Initiative (DRDI), formerly known as the Democratic Action Group (DAG), hosted a three-day workshop from the 17th to the 19th of December, 2024, at the Aminu Kano Centre for Democratic Research & Training, Mambayya House, Kano State.
This workshop was pivotal in advancing the theme of “Accelerating Basic Education and Livelihood Opportunities for Children and Youth in North Western Nigeria” by developing and adapting Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) materials aimed at enhancing education access and supporting youth livelihoods in the region.
Supported by the European Union, Plan International, Save the Children, and NORDB-DAG, the workshop brought together experts, professionals, media practitioners and community representatives to create awareness messages encouraging children to return to school and improve their lives.
The integration of educational and livelihood strategies reflects a comprehensive approach to addressing the needs of children and youth in North Western Nigeria.
As part of the workshop activities, participants embarked on community field visits across selected local government areas in Kano State. These visits served as a platform to engage directly with communities, identify their specific education-related challenges, and gather insights on how to address them. The field visits also allowed participants to test the relevance and effectiveness of the developed IEC materials in real-world settings, ensuring they align with community needs and expectations.
Speaking during the workshop, Abdulbaki Muhammad, Program Manager for DRDI, highlighted that the initiative focuses on crafting culturally sensitive and Islamically aligned messages for posters and images.
“The goal is to motivate children under the age of 18 to return to school while ensuring a peaceful and conducive learning environment for students,” he explained.
He elaborated on the collaborative efforts of the project, emphasizing partnerships with key government agencies.
“To achieve the desired aims, we have partnered with the State Agency for Mass Education and the State Universal Basic Education Board to ensure their support and collaboration. Since this is an informal school setup, the State Agency for Mass Education plays a key role, while the State Universal Basic Education Board is critical to addressing basic education needs.”
Also, one of the participants, Dr. Babangida Ladan, a lecturer at Bayero University, Kano, commended the program for its comprehensive approach.
He emphasized the importance of incorporating expert advice and community suggestions in ways that align with the morals and customs of Kano residents. “In the past, advertisements were often written in complex Hausa, making them difficult to understand. However, with workshops like this, significant improvements can be achieved. The validation process during the workshop ensures that all community and expert inputs are effectively utilized, creating a better call to action,” Dr. Ladan stated.
The workshop also focused on designing IEC materials that resonate with local communities, addressing the specific challenges faced by children and youth in accessing education. The inclusion of the community field visits further strengthened the initiative by grounding it in practical, community-driven solutions.
DRDI’s commitment to fostering collaboration among stakeholders and integrating cultural and community considerations highlights its role as a key player in advancing education and livelihood opportunities in Northern Nigeria. By prioritizing inclusivity and sustainability, the organization is laying the groundwork for transformative change in the region.
