News
Experts Introduce Digital Platform TO Strengthen Peacebuilding
As part of efforts to strengthen responses to the nation’s growing security challenges, stakeholders in Nigeria’s peacebuilding and advocacy sector on Wednesday launched a new digital platform designed to document and track peace initiatives across the country.
Conflict Research Network West Africa (CORN-West Africa)
Conflict Research Network West Africa (CORN-West Africa)
The platform, known as the Nigeria Peace Web, was unveiled in Abuja by the Conflict Research Network West Africa (CORN-West Africa) to provide greater visibility for conflict resolution and peacebuilding efforts nationwide.
The initiative aims to systematically document, archive and map peace actions carried out by government institutions, civil society groups, traditional leaders, youth organisations and community actors working to prevent violence and manage tensions.
Speaking at the launch, the Executive Director of CORN-West Africa, Timipere Allison, said the platform was created to address a major gap in Nigeria’s peace and security landscape where violent incidents are widely tracked but peacebuilding efforts remain largely undocumented.
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According to him, while insecurity trends, armed actors and violent incidents are frequently monitored by national and international systems, the same level of attention has not been given to initiatives aimed at preventing conflicts.
“All across Nigeria, community mediators, faith leaders, women’s networks, youth groups, traditional authorities and state peace agencies work daily to prevent violence and manage tensions. However, much of this work remains undocumented and disconnected,” Allison said.
He explained that the Nigeria Peace Web was developed to bridge that gap by providing an open-source digital platform where data on peace actors, initiatives and events can be aggregated and analysed.
Allison said the platform would help stakeholders identify who is working on peacebuilding in specific locations, improve coordination among actors and reduce duplication of efforts.
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“It helps us see who is doing what, where and with whom, so that we can coordinate better and build on what already works,” he said.
He noted that the launch of the platform also marked the beginning of a broader conversation on how stakeholders across government, donor agencies, research institutions and civil society organisations can use the tool to strengthen peacebuilding practice in Nigeria.
According to him, the long-term success of the initiative will depend on sustained engagement from stakeholders who must contribute data, support verification processes and integrate the platform into their programmes.
Also speaking at the event, a panelist and lecturer in the Department of Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution at the National Open University of Nigeria, Temitope Olowolafe, described the platform as a knowledge management resource that provides a unified source of information on peacebuilding activities across Nigeria.
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Olowolafe noted that unlike existing conflict trackers that focus mainly on violent incidents such as kidnappings, attacks and fatalities, the new platform focuses on documenting efforts aimed at preventing violence and promoting peace.
According to her, the tool will also serve as a learning hub where researchers, policymakers, journalists and civil society organisations can access information on peacebuilding practices and replicate successful interventions.
She stressed the need for stronger community participation in governance and peacebuilding, noting that local communities must be empowered to play a more active role in managing their own affairs.
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Olowolafe argued further that strengthening local governance and community self-administration could help address many of Nigeria’s security challenges.
“It’s important that we start focusing on what is positive, focusing on what works, focusing on what we can learn from, because that’s the only way we can actually tackle the myriad of problems,” Olowolafe stressed.
Participants at the launch included representatives of the diplomatic community, policymakers at federal and state levels, civil society organisations, researchers and community-based peacebuilding groups.
News
Migration Agency Warns Migrants Against Irregular Travel Routes
The International Organisation for Migration (IOM), in collaboration with Giving is Healing Foundation, has sensitised residents of Ayobo in Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos State on the dangers of irregular migration and the need to embrace legal travel procedures.
Speaking during a sensitisation programme held at Megida Ifelodu Community Development Association in Ayobo, the founder of Giving is Healing Foundation, Mr. Gbolahan Ayediran, warned intending migrants against using illegal travel routes.
Ayediran said many Nigerians desire to migrate abroad in search of better opportunities but often ignore proper procedures, thereby exposing themselves to several dangers.
“Lots of people want to migrate and most of them do it in the wrong direction. The reason for the programme is for us to advise people on how they can migrate in the right way. As much as migration is their right, they should do it correctly,” he said.
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He advised intending travellers to obtain the necessary travel documents before embarking on any journey, noting that such documents include international passports, visas, flight tickets and yellow cards, depending on the destination country.
According to him, migrants should also gather adequate information about their destination countries to enable them make informed decisions before travelling.
Ayediran further highlighted some of the dangers associated with irregular migration, including abuse, exploitation, discrimination and forced labour.
Also speaking, the Chairman of Megida Ifelodu Community Development Association, Elder Mathews Amusan, commended the organisers for enlightening members of the community on safe migration practices.
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He urged residents planning to travel abroad to always follow legal migration procedures to avoid falling victim to human trafficking and other migration-related challenges.
One of the participants, Mr. Kolawole Adenoko, said the programme enlightened him on the dangers of irregular migration and the importance of travelling through the proper channels.
He added that he would also educate his relatives and friends on the risks associated with illegal migration.
News
Shatta Wale Bailed Burna Boy From Ghana Prison After Arrest For Smoking Weed – Captan
Ghanian singer, Captan, has claimed that his former record label boss, Shatta Wale, once bailed Nigerian singer Burna Boy out of prison in Ghana after he was allegedly arrested for smoking weed.
Speaking in a recent podcast interview, Captan claimed that Shatta Wale sent him and others to free Burna Boy from police custody.
He also claimed that Shatta Wale and his group once accommodated Burna Boy when he was being hunted by some dangerous men.
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Captan said, “I once bailed Burna Boy out of prison in Ghana when he was arrested for smoking weed. Shatta Wale sent me and some guys to go and free him from police custody.
“There was a time we also accommodated him when some people were after his life. We helped him settle the case.”
He added that he and Burna Boy are no longer in good terms after the Nigerian artist’s fallout with his mentor, Shatta Wale.
He, however, said he and Shatta Wale are open to reconciling with Burna Boy if he asks for it.
Watch the video here
News
Children’s Day: Chaos At Ogbe Stadium As Dozens Faint
Chaos erupted on Wednesday during the Children’s Day celebration as dozens of students reportedly collapsed following a stampede triggered by the use of pepper spray.
The event,
organised by the Edo State Ministry of Education at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium was disrupted after some male students of Ihogbe College allegedly made uncompromising advances towards female students at the venue.
A parent who identified himself as Oboh Emmanuel said, “the behaviour of those uncultured students attracted the attention of bouncers stationed at the stadium as they rebuked the male students.”
Oboh said the affected students later regrouped and attacked the bouncers, leading to a confrontation within the crowded arena.
READ ALSO:Children’s Day: Edo Commits To Child Protection
It was gathered that in the ensuing confusion, the bouncers were reported to have deployed pepper spray in an area occupied by a large number of students.
Several students, particularly female students, reportedly fainted after inhaling the substance, while others sustained injuries after being stepped on during the ensuing melee.
The panic was said to have spread across the stadium as students, teachers and parents scampered for safety.
Many of the affected students were reportedly rushed to the Edo Specialist Hospital for medical attention.
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Reacting to the incident, Chief Press Secretary to Governor Monday Okpebholo, Dr Patrick Ebojele, said the security personnel that fired the tear gas had been detained.
He said all the students, except two, that were rushed to the hospital have been discharged.
Ebojele stated that doctors wanted to observe the students till tomorrow before allowing them to go home.
“The two students are not seriously injured. Doctors want to observe them overnight. Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education is still at the hospital. The man who used pepper spray has been detained.
“The incident did not happen the way it is being exaggerated. All modalities were put in place to ensure the children enjoyed their day.”
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