By Mayen Etim
KADUNA, North-West Nigeria – The Partnership Against Violent Extremism (PAVE) Network on Monday commenced a two-day Community of Practice (CoP) meeting on Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism (PCVE) and the Knowledge Innovation and Resource Hub (KIRH) for NorthWest Nigeria, held in Kaduna.
Supported by ActionAid Nigeria and the Global Community Engagement and Resilience Fund (GCERF), the event also marked the official inauguration of the North-West PCVE CoP Team.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Director-General of the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR), Dr. Joseph Ochogwu represented by Dr. Beji Gowal—reaffirmed the Institute’s commitment to supporting the Community of Practice and amplifying the transformative work of stakeholders.
“As we deliberate, let us remember the human lives at the heart of this work—the children yearning for a future free from fear, families striving for stability, and communities seeking unity and progress,” he said. “Let this gathering inspire us to reaffirm our collective resolve to build a better tomorrow rooted in understanding, justice, and lasting peace.”
Delivering a goodwill message, Muhammad Auwal Aminu, Staff Officer for PCVE at the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), described the event as a significant step toward strengthening peace, security, and resilience in the region.
He noted that while challenges continue to evolve, stakeholders must remain committed to innovation, collaboration, and resourcefulness.
He commended the efforts of PAVE Network, ActionAid Nigeria, GCERF, and other stakeholders for making the forum a reality.
“Your dedication to fostering dialogue, knowledge-sharing, and partnership forms the foundation for sustainable solutions to violent extremism,” Aminu said. “Together, we can shape the future by addressing emerging issues, enhancing resilience, and fostering hope in the communities we serve.”
Professor Dung Sha, Chairman of the PAVE Network Board of Trustees, highlighted the emergence of new threats, including alliances between bandits, insurgents, and kidnappers.
He also raised concerns about the radicalization of youth in Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps.
“We’re also witnessing an influx of trans-border criminals worsening the security situation,” he said, emphasizing the need for peace practitioners to develop responsive strategies.
Earlier, Jaye Gaskia, Chair of the PAVE Network Steering Committee and head of the PCVE KIRH Development and Management Team, noted that the event was the second in a series of forums organized for peace practitioners by the PCVE KIRH initiative.
The inaugural PCVE CoP meeting was held in December 2024 and focused on reviewing Nigeria’s PCVE Policy Framework and National Action Plan (PFNAP 2017). Unlike the previous national forum, this second edition zeroes in on “Emerging Issues and Dynamics in Violent Extremism & PCVE in North-West Nigeria,” bringing together practitioners from across the region and beyond.
“The PCVE CoP is envisioned as a network of individual practitioners and experts, with institutional affiliations, where the local geographic community is also seen as an institution,” Gaskia explained.
He emphasized that the goal is to build a vibrant and robust CoP that provides:
Physical and virtual spaces for shared learning and experience-sharing;
Opportunities for mentoring and collective reflection;
Platforms for identifying and disseminating best practices in PCVE
