YEEP Pushes for Constitutional Reforms to Fight Extremism
By Mustapha Salisu
In response to the National Assembly’s call for proposals on the 1999 Nigerian Constitution review, the Youth Engagement and Empowerment Programme Alumni Nigeria (YEEP Alumni Nigeria) submitted a memorandum to the House of Representatives Committee.
Sadiq Muhammad Mustapha and Yakubu Ruth Shilo, YEEP alumni, presented the document which outlines amendments aimed at boosting Nigeria’s capacity to counter violent extremism and promote good governance.
PRIME TIME NEWS gathered that the memo highlights existing security challenges, including Boko Haram and the widespread availability of small arms. It argues that weak governance and a lack of youth inclusion contribute to these issues.
The group however, proposes amendments to address these concerns and promote good governance based on principles of freedom, equality, and justice.
YEEP emphasizes youth inclusion, proposing formal and informal mechanisms for youth participation in decision-making around preventing and countering violent extremism (PCVE). This includes the creation of a youth advisory council.
The group also advocates for a more comprehensive and youth-centric approach to Disengagement, Disassociation, Reintegration and Reconciliation (DDRR) programs. They call for equal focus on victims, citizens, and former extremists.
The memorandum proposes strengthening the Gender Expert Unit to implement gender equality strategies within PCVE initiatives. This would address gender-specific factors that contribute to extremism.
YEEP alumni urge a review of the National Action Plan on PCVE to incorporate measures tackling socio-economic issues like poverty and unemployment. This aims to reduce youth vulnerability to extremist groups.
The group recommends increased education budgets and the integration of peace education curriculums to cultivate resilience against extremist narratives.
Furthermore, the memorandum proposes an enhanced national content moderation framework for digital safety to counter online violent content. It also emphasizes the importance of strategic communication within PCVE programs.
Also, the YEEP alumni call for support for community-led interfaith dialogue and peacebuilding initiatives. This aims to address religious tensions and promote social cohesion.
The group advocates for strengthening the “whole community approach” against violent extremism. This involves establishing youth-inclusive platforms to address concerns related to good governance, transparency, and accountability.
PRIME TIME NEWS reports that YEEP, a global initiative empowering young people to combat violent extremism, equips Nigerian youth leaders with skills to tackle the root causes of extremism and build stronger communities.
The YEEP Alumni Nigeria believe these proposed amendments are crucial for effectively preventing and countering violent extremism while promoting good governance.
They emphasize the importance of youth inclusion, addressing root causes, and strengthening oversight functions. The group urges policymakers to prioritize these recommendations for a safer and more inclusive Nigeria.
