The Kaduna State Government has expressed its gratitude for the ongoing initiatives aimed at addressing violent extremism in the state. This acknowledgment was made by the state’s Deputy Governor, Dr. Hadiza Balarabe, on Monday during a meeting in Kaduna with a delegation from the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC).
The meeting, reported by Pathway News, highlighted the efforts of the NCTC, which operates under the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), and its partners in combating violent extremism through the Global Community Engagement and Resilient Fund (GCERF) interventions in Kaduna.
Dr. Balarabe conveyed the appreciation of Governor Uba Sani and the state government for the impactful work being carried out to address the root causes of violent extremism. She specifically praised the efforts of the GCERF, the Partnership Against Violent Extremism (PAVE) Network, ActionAid Nigeria, and the SERVE III project consortium.
“We are encouraged by the recent approval of a grant by GCERF to support the establishment of a Prevention and Countering of Violent Extremism (PCVE) Knowledge, Innovation, and Resources Hub through the PAVE Network,” Balarabe stated.
She acknowledged the severe impact that violent extremism has had on Kaduna State, including the loss of lives, disruption of development, and erosion of trust among communities. The deputy governor reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to working with stakeholders to implement State and Local Action Plans aimed at preventing and countering violent extremism.
Balarabe emphasized the critical connection between security and sustainable development, noting that both are essential for the state’s progress.
Earlier, Mairo Musa, Director of the Directorate of Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism at NCTC-ONSA, briefed Dr. Balarabe on the ongoing partnership with GCERF. Musa highlighted that since the collaboration began in 2022, several projects have been implemented in the state by ActionAid Nigeria, which have played a key role in addressing radicalization and preventing violent extremism.
Musa stressed the importance of continued support from the state government to sustain these efforts and emphasized the need for strategic communication and community engagement.
Suwaiba Dankabo, Deputy Director of Programmes at ActionAid Nigeria, expressed optimism that the newly secured grant would lead to positive outcomes in Kaduna State. She also highlighted the success of the SARVE III project, which has significantly strengthened community resilience against violent extremism across several local governments.
Both parties reaffirmed their commitment to working together to build a safer and more peaceful Kaduna State.
