- The federal government has approved special funding for countering extremism across Nigeria
- The announcement was made by the national security adviser
- According to the NSA, all relevant MDAs are required to include in their subsequent annual budgets, proposals for such allocations
The Presidency has approved a special funding for the fight against terrorism in the country especially the northeast region.
The federal government also said the development is part of the implementation of a national action plan on preventing and countering violent extremism in the country will see relevant Ministries, Department and Agencies (MDA) playing key roles in the fight against terrorism.
Speaking at a three-day special training workshop for MDAs and Civil Society Organizations, CSOs, the National Security Adviser (NSA), Babagana Monguno, said all relevant MDAs were required to include in their subsequent annual budgets, proposals for necessary allocations.
Vanguard reports that Monguno said the plan would be guided by core national values as social justice, religious tolerance among others.”
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The NSA said: "Following the Presidential directive to the Policy Framework, all Ministries, Departments and Agencies are expected to mainstream the Policy Framework into their annual programs and ensure implementation.”
“All Relevant Ministries, Department and Agencies are required to include in their annual budgets Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism Tasks for implementation as identified in Part 3 of the National Action Plan," Monguno said.
“‘National Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism Steering Committee will be constituted to oversee implementation of the National Action Plan- the committee will include representation from civil society.
Wide consultation is on going to ensure that competent Nigerians in and out of Government sit on the Committee. Some of you nominated to this training will serve on the steering committee
“The Strategic Communication Inter Agency Policy Committee ( SC-IPC) will provide agency wide support and coordination of communication initiatives to prevent and counter violent extremism. All Strategic Communication Liaison Officers coming out of this training are required to have the skills to develop and implement a six months communication plan for the PCVE Policy Framework through your respective agencies," he said.
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The NSA also said that state governments have been encouraged to mirror and develop their National Action Plans for Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism which will be relevant locally.
He encouraged civil society organisations with expertise in peace and conflict to partner with the state governments for this purpose.
"We also look forward to further engagement with the Nigeria Governor’s forum, represented here, on moving this work forward.
“The technical team from Hedayah International centre of Excellence on Countering Violent Extremism, ably led by Alister Miller, participants from Office of the National Security Adviser, strategic communication liaison officers, participants from other Ministries, Departments and Agencies, I wish to welcome you to this special training workshop," Monguno said.
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Meanwhile, NAIJ.com previously reported that the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) rejected an alleged plan by the federal government to recruit former members of the Boko Haram terrorists group into the Nigerian Army and the Police.
The Christian group said the plan is condemnable and should be discouraged.
In his reaction, the president of CAN, Samson Ayokunle, said such move is capable of undermining the nation’s security system.
Nigerian Air Force operations against Boko Haram - on NAIJ.com TV
Source: Naija.ng
