The Gombe State branch of the Partnership Against Violent Extremism (PAVE) has called on the Gombe State Ministry of Education to integrate peace education into the school curriculum as a strategic measure to counter the growing threat of violent extremism.
PERISCOPE NIGERIA reports that the advocacy visit on Thursday was organised by Gombe PAVE, with support from ActionAid and Global Community Engagement and Resilience Fund.
Speaking during an advocacy visit to the Commissioner for Education in Gombe, Dr Aishatu Maigari, the Coordinator of PAVE, Haruna Albarka, said the organisation is committed to strengthening peacebuilding efforts through formal education, starting with the training of teachers and direct engagement with students.
“We are here today to advocate for the inclusion of peace education in the school curriculum,” Albarka stated. “We believe that teaching young people the values of peaceful coexistence, tolerance, and dialogue will go a long way in preventing extremism before it takes root.”
He emphasised that schools, being a foundation for shaping future leaders, must be positioned to serve as safe spaces where values of peace, mutual respect, and conflict resolution are nurtured. “If our classrooms become breeding grounds for peace and understanding, we can reduce the appeal of violence and extremism in our society,” Albarka added.
PAVE, which became a registered civil society network in 2018, has been active in Gombe through five core partner organizations, namely Women Peace and Mediation Network, Advocate for Development and Sustainability, Lawanti Community Development Foundation, MAFAKA Sustainable Development Initiative, and Concerned Minds for Health and Community Initiative.
Tracing the origin of the organisation, Albarka explained that PAVE’s formation began in 2014 through a collaborative effort initiated by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), in partnership with international organizations such as the United Nations Counter-Terrorism Implementation Task Force (UN-CTITF), the International Centre for Counter-Terrorism (ICCT), and the Human Security Collective.
“PAVE selected among civil society organisations to form a formal network to address violent extremism,” he noted. “Since then, PAVE have worked to coordinate PCVE—Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism—interventions across Nigeria.”
The objective of the advocacy visit, according to Albarka, is to seek strategic partnership with the Ministry of Education in areas that include the inclusion of peace education in schools, training of teachers and school owners, and sensitising pupils and students on the importance of peaceful coexistence.
“We are appealing for collaboration with the Ministry to institutionalise peace education in Gombe schools. We also propose the training of teachers and school proprietors so they can effectively guide our children towards peaceful living,” he said.
Albarka described the Ministry of Education as a key partner in efforts to raise a new generation of peaceful, responsible youth who will contribute positively to society. “As a respected leader with the authority to influence policy and implementation, we believe the Honorable Commissioner has what it takes to make Gombe a model for effective peace education,” he said.
He concluded by expressing gratitude for the Ministry’s attention and expressed optimism that the collaboration would lead to stronger, more resilient communities in the state.
“We thank the Commissioner and the Ministry for their time, understanding, and consideration. We look forward to working closely with this office to strengthen the peace, security, and wellbeing of all residents of Gombe State through education,” Albarka said.
Commissioner Maigari who was represented by Abubakar Adamu, Permanent Secretary Gombe State Ministry of Education commended the delegation assuring the needed collaboration.
Maigari noted that there was no better time than now for partnership in eliminating violent extremism in Gombe schools, stressing that the current administration is committed to sustaining the peaceful co-existence.
