From Gyang Bere, Jos
The Centre for the Advocacy of Justice and Rights (CAJR), an NGO, has engaged 546 youths in Jos North and Jos South Local Government Areas of Plateau on measures to curb electoral violence in the upcoming general elections in the state.
Trainer Sarah Johnson, who declared open the one-day training on Thursday in Jos, said the experience is part of its project tagged ”Strengthening Mechanism for Response to Electoral Violence in Kano and Plateau.”
She explained that the project is implemented in collaboration with the Centre for Human Rights and Social Advancement (CEFSAN) funded by Star Fund and supported by Oxfam.
According to her, the project aimed at ensuring credible and violent free elections in the states and Nigeria in general.
She noted that the volatile nature of Jos North and South particularly during elections informed the choice of the participants.
”We are here to advocate and to build your capacity as youth ambassadors and critical stakeholders to report issues that can lead to violence during elections.
”We are doing this in order to mitigate electoral violence during the general elections in Plateau and Nigeria.
”Today we have brought together these 546 youth ambassadors from Jos South and Jos North because these two areas have always been flashpoints during elections,” she stated.
She further explained that similar training was organised for traditional rulers and religious leaders, and security personnel to ensure violence-free elections in the state.
Sarah also gave an over of the project and safeguarding principles to better equip the youths with the requisite knowledge of ensuring violence-free elections.
The Director, Civil Liberty Organisations, Steve Aluko Daniel, and resource person led the youths on a discussion on monitoring election violence, early warning and early response; identification of election violence triggers and flashpoints, conflict sensitive messages and drafting roadmap on dangers of electoral violence.