NEYIF Sokoto Trains 40 Religious and Community Leaders on Leadership and PCVE
NEYIF Sokoto Regional Office successfully conducted a three-day Leadership and Prevention and Countering Violent Extremism (PCVE) workshop in collaboration with the Sokoto State Ministry for Religious Affairs.
The workshop brought together 40 religious and community leaders from various local government areas across Sokoto State. Its primary objective was to equip participants with essential knowledge and practical skills to prevent and counter violent extremism through community-led approaches centered on dialogue, tolerance, and peaceful coexistence.
The Executive Director of NEYIF, Comrade Dauda Muhammad Gombe, delivered the opening keynote address, highlighting the critical importance of grassroots involvement in combating violent extremism. He emphasized that extremist ideologies often flourish in environments characterized by ignorance and social division.
“We believe in a bottom-up approach where our community and religious leaders are well-equipped to become agents of change.” The executive director encouraged participants to serve as peace ambassadors in their respective communities.
The workshop was designed to foster collaboration and open discussion, enabling participants to share personal experiences, challenges, and successful initiatives from their communities.
Participant Testimonials
The training received positive feedback from participants, who acknowledged its significant impact on their understanding of countering violent extremism.
Mallam Ibrahim Yusuf, an Imam from Wamakko, expressed his gratitude: “This workshop has opened my eyes to new ways of promoting peace within my community. I now understand better how to identify threats before they escalate.”
Similarly, Saudatu Balarabe, a women’s community leader from Sokoto South, remarked, “We as community leaders have learned a lot from this training. It has equipped us with the necessary knowledge on how to resolve conflict and ensure sustainable peace in our dear communities. The training is truly mind-boggling for us.”
The workshop’s closing ceremony was attended by representatives from the Sokoto State Ministry for Religious Affairs. The Permanent Secretary, representing Dr. Jabir Sani Mai Hulla, Commissioner for Religious Affairs, commended NEYIF for the timely initiative and assured the Ministry’s continued support for such programs.
“We must work collectively to safeguard our communities from the dangers of extremism. Our community leaders must be equipped to guide the youth and vulnerable populations toward peace and stability,” the permanent secretary emphasized.
A highlight of the closing ceremony was the presentation of certificates to all 40 participants, symbolizing their successful completion of the training and their commitment to serving as advocates for peace and counter-extremism within their communities.
The Leadership and PCVE Workshop proved to be a vital platform for community empowerment and constructive dialogue. Beyond facilitating knowledge exchange among key stakeholders, it established foundations for collaboration and resilience against extremist ideologies. The high level of satisfaction expressed by participants demonstrated both the effectiveness of the initiative and the necessity for ongoing grassroots engagement to build safer, more inclusive communities throughout Sokoto State.
