NCTC-ONSA, Partners Intensify Push to Localise PCVE Strategy

By: Michael Mike

Efforts to deepen Nigeria’s response to violent extremism have gained renewed momentum as state governments, civil society actors, and development partners intensify efforts to localise the country’s Policy Framework and National Action Plan on Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism (PF-NAP).

The push, driven by the Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism Knowledge, Innovation and Resource Hub (PCVE-KIRH) of PAVE Network and National Counter-Terrorism Centre of the Office of National Security Adviser (NCTC-ONSA) in collaboration with partners including Nextier, SPRING Programme, FCDO, Global Community Engagement and Resilience Fund (GCER), aims to translate national policy into practical, state-level action.

At a high-level virtual consultative forum held on Wednesday, over 60 participants drawn from federal and state institutions, civil society organisations, and technical working groups across the country deliberated on pathways to strengthen implementation.

Chair of the PAVE Network, Jaye Gaskia, said the meeting builds on over a year of pilot interventions focused on bridging the gap between national frameworks and subnational realities.

According to him, the emphasis is shifting from “domestication” to localisation, allowing states to adapt national policies to their peculiar security and socio-political contexts.

“We are deliberately focusing on localisation because this is a national policy that must be adapted to local realities. States must identify their priorities, develop their own action plans, and establish coordination mechanisms that work for them,” he said.

He noted that Technical Working Groups established in several states, particularly in the North-west, have emerged as critical vehicles for implementation, bringing together government actors, civil society, and community stakeholders.

Speaking, the Principal Staff Officer (PSO) of the PCVE Directorate at the NCTC-ONSA, Ms Iye Mangset, commended the expanding collaboration among stakeholders. Mangset recalled that the PF-NAP, first developed in 2017 and recently revised in 2025, has been strengthened to reflect emerging realities.

She said that the updated framework now includes six core pillars: institutionalisation and mainstreaming of PCVE; access to justice; capacity building for individuals and communities; strategic communication; research, documentation and learning; and gender mainstreaming.

Mangset emphasised that the priority now is effective implementation at the state level, urging stakeholders to sustain the momentum. “We desire to see all partners, especially those from the states, continue to support and sustain this effort so that the framework delivers real impact,” she said.

Also speaking, the National Coordinator of GCERF Nigeria, Ms Yetunde Adegoke, underscored the importance of continuity. She noted that progress made over the past year must be consolidated through sustained engagement and forward-looking strategies.

Similarly, a Partner at Nextier, Dr Ndubisi Nwokolo, stressed that tackling violent extremism requires a shift from reactive, force-based responses to proactive, non-coercive approaches.

“For this to succeed, we must address the root causes of radicalisation. Violent extremism is not just a security issue, it is deeply tied to governance, inequality and social exclusion,” he said.

Nwokolo added that changing realities in Nigeria demand a rethink of long-held assumptions about extremism, noting that the phenomenon is no longer distant but increasingly localised.

Discussions at the forum revealed that while progress has been recorded in developing state-level PCVE structures and action plans, significant gaps remain.

Participants cited some of the challenges as including: weak coordination across agencies, bureaucratic delays in implementation, limited funding and overreliance on donor support, and inconsistent political commitment.

Similarly, the state actors shared experiences of ongoing efforts, including stakeholder engagement, early warning systems, and community-based interventions, but stressed that these initiatives often operate in silos. “There is growing awareness, but implementation is still uneven. What is needed now is alignment and sustained political will,” one participant noted.

The key highlight of the forum was the recognition that fragmented responses have enabled extremist groups to exploit regional gaps. Participants stressed that without a coordinated national and subnational strategy, gains recorded in one area could easily be reversed as groups relocate.

To address this, stakeholders called for stronger alignment between federal and state efforts, the institutionalisation of Technical Working Groups as State Coordination Committees, the integration of PCVE into broader state security and development plans, and dedicated budgetary allocations by state governments.

The forum also underscored the critical role of strategic communication in countering extremist narratives and building public trust. A national strategic communication plan developed under the framework is expected to be launched alongside the revised PF-NAP.

Participants emphasised that community engagement, youth inclusion, and early warning mechanisms must be central to implementation efforts.

With increased state participation and stronger partner collaboration, stakeholders expressed optimism that localisation of the PF-NAP could significantly enhance Nigeria’s capacity to prevent and counter violent extremism. However, they cautioned that success will depend largely on political will, sustainable funding, and coordinated action across all levels of government.

The forum ended with participants renewing their commitment to deepen collaboration and move from policy frameworks to measurable impact at the community level.

NCTC-ONSA, Partners Intensify Push to Localise PCVE Strategy

Doma United secure NPFL promotion with win over Mighty Jets

Doma United Football Club of Gombe State have secured promotion to the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) following a 2-0 victory over Mighty Jets of Jos at the Pantami Stadium on Wednesday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Doma United, who top Conference C of the Nigeria National League (NNL) with 26 points from 13 matches, are the first team to seal promotion to the NPFL.

The club, relegated from the NPFL in the 2023/2024 season, are five points clear of second-placed FC Basira in Conference C, with one match remaining.

NAN reports that the 2025/2026 NNL season is organised into four conferences (A, B, C and D), with the top team in each conference earning automatic promotion to the NPFL, replacing the previous Super 8 play-off format.

Confirming the development, Doma United Technical Adviser, Najib Mabu, told NAN in Gombe on Thursday that the team had secured promotion with a game in hand.

Mabu described the journey as smooth but challenging, noting that the return to the top flight means a lot to the club and sports stakeholders in the state.

“This is huge and we are very happy that we are back.

“We will start welcoming top clubs to Gombe State again.

“I want to commend the Chief Executive Officer of Doma United, Alhaji Suleiman Umar, for his consistent support and commitment to the club.

“I also thank our players and fans for their resilience and dedication, which have paid off,” he said.

Mabu added that the club’s ambition in the NPFL goes beyond participation, expressing confidence in competing for honours and securing a continental ticket.

“We are not just going to participate in the NPFL; we will compete for every available title.

“I am confident we can secure a continental ticket,” he said.

NAN reports that Doma United will be making their second appearance in the NPFL, after recording eight wins, two draws and three losses in the current NNL campaign.

Doma United secure NPFL promotion with win over Mighty Jets

Lions, United Nations Strengthen Partnership to Advance Sustainable Development and Community Service in Nigeria

By: Michael Mike

The enduring partnership between the United Nations and Lions Clubs International took centre stage in Abuja on Thursday as stakeholders gathered to celebrate Lions Day with the United Nations, reaffirming their shared commitment to advancing humanitarian service, sustainable development, and peace.

The event, held at the United Nations House, brought together Lion leaders, development partners, civil society actors, and representatives of UN agencies to reflect on decades of collaboration and explore ways to deepen partnerships in addressing global and local challenges.

Speaking at the gathering, the Multiple Council Chairperson of Lions in Nigeria, Lion (Dr.) Ibrahim Jide Bello, described the celebration as a powerful symbol of the long-standing relationship between the UN and the global service organisation.

According to him, the partnership dates back to 1945 when Lions leaders contributed to discussions around the formation of the United Nations and the framework for civil society engagement.

He noted that for more than a century, Lions worldwide have remained committed to humanitarian service guided by their motto, “We Serve,” with volunteers supporting initiatives in health, education, food security, environmental protection, disaster response, and youth development.

Bello said community-based organisations such as Lions play a vital role in translating global development commitments into tangible results at the grassroots.

“While the United Nations provides global leadership and frameworks for action, Lions translate those ideals into practical impact within communities where change truly begins,” he said.

He added that collaboration between institutions, civil society, and volunteers remains essential in tackling pressing challenges such as poverty, hunger, health inequalities, and climate change.

Also speaking, the Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator (a.i.) of the United Nations in Nigeria, Ms. Elsie Attafuah, described Lions Day with the United Nations as one of the most enduring examples of cooperation between civil society and the global multilateral body.

Attafuah, representing by the Representative of UN Women to Nigeria and the Economic Community of West African States, Beatrice Eyong, noted that Lions Clubs International has maintained consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council since 1947, enabling the organisation to contribute community perspectives to global policy discussions.

Attafuah said the partnership between Lions and the United Nations reflects a shared mission to promote peace, expand educational opportunities, reduce poverty, strengthen health systems, and support vulnerable communities across the world.

She highlighted that Lions have worked closely with UN agencies including UNICEF, World Health Organization, and UNESCO in implementing humanitarian and development programmes.

According to her, the collaboration remains increasingly important at a time when the world faces complex challenges ranging from climate change and migration to public health crises and rising insecurity.

Attafuah stressed that achieving the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030 is still possible if governments, civil society organisations, and volunteers intensify cooperation and focus on key development priorities.

She explained that the United Nations has identified six major transition pathways to accelerate progress on the goals, including improvements in education, digital connectivity, food systems, energy access and affordability, job creation and social protection, as well as climate and environmental action.

The UN official also emphasised the central role of gender equality, noting that empowering women and ensuring their participation in leadership and decision-making remain critical to achieving sustainable development and building peaceful societies.

“Peace, development, and human rights cannot be fully realised without women leading and shaping solutions,” she said.

Both speakers called for stronger partnerships between international institutions and grassroots organisations, stressing that volunteer-driven initiatives can complement global frameworks and policies by delivering practical solutions in communities.

Participants at the event also highlighted the potential of countries in the Global South, including Nigeria, to drive innovation and locally driven solutions in addressing development challenges.

They noted that volunteers, community leaders, and civil society groups remain key actors in mobilising citizens, promoting social responsibility, and supporting development initiatives that directly improve lives.

The annual Lions Day with the United Nations celebration provides a platform for dialogue, collaboration, and renewed commitment to humanitarian service, while recognising the critical role of civil society organisations in supporting global development efforts.

Speakers at the event urged individuals and organisations to continue promoting compassion, service, and collective action, stressing that meaningful change often begins with small but deliberate steps taken within communities.

Meanwhile, the keynote speaker at the event, Dr. Hussaini Abdu said women must move from the margins to the centre of peacebuilding and security governance in Nigeria if the country hopes to achieve lasting stability.

He insisted that: “Empowering women to lead in peace and security processes is not only a matter of fairness but a strategic necessity for sustainable peace.”

Abdu who was former Country Director of ActionAid Nigeria and Plan International, reflecting on Nigeria’s prolonged security challenges, noted that communities across the country have endured insurgency, banditry, and communal conflicts for decades, lamenting that: “These crises have pushed many communities deeper into vulnerability and strained the resilience of institutions,” but: “Yet within these fragile contexts, women have remained central to sustaining communities and building peace.”

He highlighted that everyday the roles played by women in stabilising communities affected by conflict are often overlooked, stating that: “Across different regions, women have mediated disputes, sustained families under extreme conditions, organised grassroots humanitarian responses, and rebuilt trust within fractured communities.”

He stressed that despite their contributions, women remain underrepresented in formal peace and security structures. “Women are invited to the table, but they are rarely placed in positions where they can shape decisions,” she said, adding that meaningful peace requires women to participate not just symbolically but with real influence.

He pointed to structural barriers that continue to limit women’s participation in leadership and governance. “Women are not absent because they lack competence,” she said. “They are excluded because the system was not designed to include them.”

Calling for deeper reforms, he urged stakeholders to rethink power structures in governance and security institutions. “If we are serious about peace, we must be serious about power,” adding that: “A safer Nigeria cannot be built on exclusion or symbolic representation. It must be built on justice, inclusive leadership, and shared responsibility.”

Lions, United Nations Strengthen Partnership to Advance Sustainable Development and Community Service in Nigeria