In a bold move to strengthen grassroots security and economic resilience, the Yobe State Government has trained and empowered 300 members of volunteer security outfits and women groups under a comprehensive Peacebuilding and Skills Empowerment Programme.
The initiative, aimed at promoting community stability and self-reliance, brought together local security volunteers and women leaders from across the state for intensive training on conflict resolution, early warning mechanisms, community policing, and vocational skills development.
Speaking at the programme, government officials said the initiative reflects the administration’s resolve to tackle insecurity through inclusive, people-centred strategies that combine peacebuilding with economic empowerment. According to them, empowering citizens at the community level remains one of the most effective tools for preventing conflict and sustaining peace.
Participants were also trained in practical income-generating skills to enable them become economically independent while serving as peace ambassadors in their respective communities. The women groups, in particular, were described as critical stakeholders in conflict prevention, given their influence at the family and community levels.
The programme further equipped volunteer security members with knowledge on human rights, intelligence gathering, and collaboration with formal security agencies, ensuring their operations align with the rule of law and best practices.
Beneficiaries hailed the Yobe State Government for the initiative, describing it as timely and impactful, especially in communities recovering from years of security challenges. Many pledged to use the skills acquired to promote peace, discourage violence, and support sustainable livelihoods.
With the training concluded, the state government reaffirmed its commitment to building safer, more prosperous communities by investing in human capital, social cohesion, and inclusive development across Yobe State.
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