The Katsina State government has commended Mercy Corps’ collaborative approach to conflict resolution and strengthening resilience, which aims to restore peaceful coexistence in the state’s crisis-prone communities.

The state commissioner for youths and sports development, Surajo Yazid, gave the commendation when he visited a training session organised for youth from Dandume, Faskari, Sabuwa, and Safana local governments.

The four-day training was under the Conflict Prevention, Crisis Response, and Resilience (CPCRR) project.

The project, funded by the European Union (EU), is being implemented in partnership with the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) and Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD).

During the visit, the commissioner said the training came at the right time when the government was searching for lasting solutions to the problem in certain parts of the state.

He, therefore, assured that the government would continue to join hands with such organisations to strengthen resilience and enhance peaceful coexistence.

The commissioner urged the participants to consider themselves as peace ambassadors in their respective communities by demonstrating the skills they have learnt.

In a brief remark, the senior programme manager, Philip Ikita, told the commissioner that they always encourage dialogue between the parties involved in the conflict.

He revealed that the training was aimed at promoting locally driven peace initiatives and preventing conflict through “Interest-Based Negotiation (IBN) and Community and Social Development Resource Management (CSDRM).”

One of the trainees, Yusuf Halliru from Sabuwa LGA, said they were taught ways to resolve conflict and strengthen resilience, because without peace, there would be no development.

He said they would continue to sensitise other youth on the importance of dialogue and resilience in society.

Mr Halliru urged the government to continue to support Mercy Corps with a view to restoring lasting peace in the state.

The commissioner presented certificates to the trainees at the end of the programme.

(NAN)