UNOCT’s YEEP Nigeria alumni write NASS, seek constitution review against violent extremism

Nigerian alumni of the Youth Engagement and Empowerment Programme (YEEP) — an initiative of the United Nations Office on Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT), have called on the National Assembly to give priority to preventing and countering violent extremism (PCVE) in its ongoing constitution review efforts.

The young PCVE leaders, in a memorandum submitted to the House of Representatives Committee on Constitution review on Monday, said the aim is to ensure greater youth inclusivity as Nigeria charts its way forward to sustainable peace, stability and prosperity for all its citizens. 

“By aligning the constitutional framework with contemporary realities and international standards, and enhancing oversight functions of relevant bodies and institutions, Nigeria can achieve sustainable peace, stability, and prosperity for all its citizens,” the group stated. 

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In a bid to give constitutional backing to PCVE efforts, the group, in the document sighted by our correspondent, gave recommendations on a series of issues including Gender; Education; Disengagement, Disassociation, Reintegration and Reconciliation (DDRR); Media and Technology; Religion, among others. 

“This submission contains comprehensive recommendations developed through extensive research, consultations, and stakeholder engagements. The recommendations are focused on enhancing Nigeria’s constitutional framework, strengthening oversight functions, and addressing critical issues such as youth inclusion, gender equality, socio-economic challenges, education, media and technology, ethno-religious harmony, and governance transparency.

“We kindly request that the Constitution Review Committee of the House consider our memoranda during its deliberations and ensure that the voices and concerns of all stakeholders, particularly youth and marginalized groups, are adequately represented in the review process,” the group added.

The YEEP Nigeria alumni, therefore, assured its readiness to continue engaging with the House of Representatives by providing advisory support to its committees to ensure Nigeria achieve a sustainable peace.