US, Nigeria Collaborate to Strengthen Peace Structures, Build Local Capacity to Combat Conflicts

By: Michael Mike

The United States and Nigeria have collaborated to strengthen peace structures across key conflict-prone areas in Nigeria, in a step towards enhancing peace and security in the country.

The Nigeria’s position is led by the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR) while United States collaboration is pushed by USAID, and it is aimed at building local capacity, improve early warning systems, and foster stronger collaboration among government agencies, community leaders, and security forces to reduce violence and promote stability in targeted regions.

Director General of IPCR, Joseph Ochogwu
while unveiling the Nigeria’s Conflict Early Warning Situation Room on Tuesday in Abuja, emphasized the collaborative nature of the initiative, bringing together national, international, and local entities united in the mission of fostering social cohesion and preventing violence.

He said: “This partnership is unique, not only for its inclusivity—from international stakeholders to grassroots actors—but for the commitment it represents to peace building.”

The initiative, dubbed the Peace Action for Rapid and Transformative Nigeria and Early Response Partner (PARTNER), is funded by USAID and aimed at empowering communities with tools to monitor and report early signs of conflict.

Ochogwu noted that starting in Kwara and Kaduna states, the programme now operates in nine states, including Benue, Nassarawa, and Katsina, establishing community-based peace structures and reconciliation committees.

He said: “A key element of the new Situation Room is its integration of digital tools. Since April, IPCR has been using an early warning and response application alongside SMS and toll-free lines to collect conflict data across Nigeria.”

He added that these tools have enabled 100 active reporters and 63 responders to document 363 conflict-related incidents, stating that: “This is not an intelligence tool; it’s a development initiative to address violence at the community level.

“The new technology, coupled with the work of the State Peace Commissions, offers a “quick response” mechanism to help de-escalate conflicts, transforming early warning signs into action.”

USAID Mission Director in Nigeria, Melissa Jones, highlighted that responses to incidents have been seen as quickly as 20 minutes from distress calls.

Jones said: “This rapid response capability is unprecedented and is already saving lives.”

She commended the joint efforts of Nigerian agencies and communities.

On his part, the Presidential Communication Commander Control Center in the Office of the National Security Advisor Robert Obande underscored the system’s potential to foster inclusive dialogue and reconciliation while addressing root causes of conflict.

He praised the IPCR, USAID, and local peacebuilding agencies for their dedication.

He said: “This initiative demonstrates a collective commitment to securing a safer future for all Nigerians. The Situation Room is fostering stronger relationships between communities and security agencies, which many see as vital to sustainable peace in Nigeria.

“Through partnerships with local NGOs and state peace commissions, communities are now empowered to mediate conflicts, including those between farmers and herders, reducing violence and strengthening local economies.”

Mercy Corps Country Director, Ndubisi Anyanwu, on his part, emphasized that local ownership of the project is a key principle of the PARTNER initiative.

He said: “Mercy Corps built capacity, but our local partners implemented the program, proving the effectiveness of grassroots-led conflict management.

“The establishment of Nigeria’s Conflict Early Warning Situation Room represents a milestone in the country’s journey toward peace.

“With robust partnerships, community engagement, and technological advancements, it offers a promising pathway to mitigate violence and ensure a more peaceful future.”

US, Nigeria Collaborate to Strengthen Peace Structures, Build Local Capacity to Combat Conflicts

Government, Media Must Unite To Move Nigeria Forward – VP Shettima

*** Charges editors to be watchdogs, allies in nation-building

By: Our Reporter

Vice President Kashim Shettima has called for a stronger collaboration between government and the media in carrying out their shared responsibility for Nigeria’s national development journey.

Describing media leaders as the crème de la crème and conscience of the nation, he made a strong case for a balanced partnership to drive national unity and economic growth.

Speaking on Tuesday when the leadership of the Nigerian Guild of Editors paid him a courtesy visit at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, the Vice President pledged government’s support to ensure the sustainability of the fourth estate of the realm.

Senator Shettima noted that the time has come to prioritise governance over political considerations, just as he called for partnership with the media.

He said, “Let us work together for the nation. What binds us together supersedes whatever divides us. We are now in the period of governance and not politics.”

The Vice President acknowledged the economic challenges confronting the media, pledging the government’s support to sustain quality journalism.

“My heart bleeds for the Nigerian media because of the dwindling economic fortunes they face. Be rest assured that we will do whatever it takes to support the media in continuing their work,” VP Shettima said.

Insisting on balance and objectivity in their reportage, VP Shettima urged the editors to maintain their role of a watchdog, while supporting national development.

“When we do good, please commend us. When we are going astray, guide us because we have to salvage this nation; not for our own sake but for the sake of our children and grandchildren,” he emphasised.

Responding, Mr. Eze Anaba, President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors and Editor of Vanguard Newspaper, lauded the Vice President’s commitment to transparent governance, particularly in explaining government’s economic policies as Chairman of the National Economic Council (NEC).

“You have been prolific in talking about the state of the economy in your responsibility as the Chairman of the National Economic Council,” Anaba said.

He further emphasised the media’s readiness to partner with the government, while maintaining its independence.

The NGE President also announced that the 20th Edition of the All Nigeria Editors Conference (ANEC) is scheduled for November 7 to 9 in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.

Government, Media Must Unite To Move Nigeria Forward – VP Shettima

Borno Flood: Satomi Gives Wheat to Affected Members of His Constituency

By: Michael Mike

Member representing Jere Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Ahmed Satomi has flagged off the distribution of 25 kilogrammes assorted bags of wheat to about 5,600 members of his constituency to ameliorate the devastating effect of recent flooding of Maiduguri and its environs.

About half of his Jere local government constituency was submerged by the recent flood which got over a million people displaced.

The gesture, according to him, is to assist in ameliorating the current hardship faced by beneficiaries who are victims of the recent flood disaster that ravaged Maiduguri and Jere local government area.

The lawmaker, who is the Chairman House Committee on Internal Security and Intelligence had personally donated N200 million to Borno State Government’s Relief and Disbursement Committee before now to ameliorate the suffering of the people of the state affected by the September 10 Flood, in
addition to cash distribution of N100 million to victims of his constituency with various interventions.

Unveiling the distribution of the bags of wheat which are mainly proceed from Satomi Integrated Farms Limited on Tuesday at Old Maiduguri Progressives House, the Lawmaker said, each of ‘Satomi Campaign Structures, consists of Ward Coordinators and Unit Structures who had played a great role in safeguarding/protecting votes during the last 2023 general elections and other supporters of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC and hitherto victims of the flood disaster from all the 12 wards of Jere Federal Constituency would benefit from the gesture.”

He pointed out that, the exercise which kick-started with 1,051 beneficiaries from Maimusari and Mashamari wards, will cover all the remaining wards, as more of such gesture will be a continuous process, in line with Governor Babagana Zulum’s request for well-to-do individuals to complement efforts of the Government in it’s trying moment.

Satomi while admitting the current economic hardship faced by Nigerians is unbecoming, called on all and sundry to be patient with Government’s policies, as there is going to be a light at the end of the tunnel.

He said: “This is a trying moment for us, we are all living witness to what befell our communities in the last flood disaster. In Jere alone, apart from loss of many lives, more than 50,000 hectares of farmlands with crops near harvest were submerged. I personally lost 2,000 hectares of my rice field around the Jere Bowl. But I urge you to take it as an act of God Almighty.

“As your representative at the National Assembly, I will continue to give you my maximum support economically or otherwise.

“Today, each of ‘Satomi Campaign Structures’ which consists of my Ward Coordinators and Unit Structures who had played a significant role in safeguarding/protecting votes in the last 2023 general elections and other supporters of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, hitherto victims of the flood disaster from all the 12 wards of Jere Federal Constituency would benefit from the gesture. This is inline with Governor Babagana Zulum’s request from well-to-do individuals to complement efforts of the Government in its trying moment.

“I admitted the current economic hardship faced by Nigerians, especially people of Jere, but let me call on all and sundry to be patient with Government’s harsh policies, as there is going to be a light at the end of the tunnel.”

In a vote of thanks on behalf of the beneficiaries, Member Representing Jere at the Borno State House of Assembly, Hon. Abba Kyari, noted that there have been about 27 various people-oriented interventions executed by Satomi in the last one year, noting that these interventions cut across distribution of vehicles, irrigation and water pump machines, skills acquisition kits, fertilizers, food and jon-food items, cash to constituents irrespective of political or ethnic consideration.

He thanked the federal lawmaker for always identifying with people of Jere, even as he urged the beneficiaries to continue to give their total support and loyalty to the APC- led government, which he noted, is determined to proffer lasting peace and development in the state.

Borno Flood: Satomi Gives Wheat to Affected Members of His Constituency