In the lead-up to the 2023 general elections in Nigeria, fears of violence and unrest loomed large over the country. But against all odds, the elections in Benue, Kaduna, and Zamfara states were peaceful, thanks in large part to the Protecting Our Community (POC) Initiative. This multi-stakeholder effort brought together government, civil society, and communities to promote peace and prevent violence during the electoral process. Over the cause of the 2023 general elections, there was no outbreak of violence in the POC communities, before during and after the elections. This marked a departure from what was the norm in previous times especially in those communities. But what made the difference this time? Why wasn’t there a break down of law and order as predicted in some quarters?

Over 1000 Dialogue Sessions Held in the Three States

Collaborative efforts between Neem Foundation, Karuna Center, Community Based Organizations (CBOs) such as Elohim Development Foundation in Benue, Hope for the Village Child in Kaduna, Voluntary Aid Initiative in Zamfara helped addressed some of the underlying issues leading to conflict in the benefiting communities. At the heart of the POC Initiative were over 1000 community-based dialogue sessions that were held in the three states. These sessions brought together diverse groups, including traditional and religious leaders, youth groups, women’s groups, farmers, and herders. Participants discussed their concerns and priorities for the elections and worked together to identify potential sources of tension and violence.

A progressive and outstanding outcome of these dialogue sessions is the positive mind shift of the participants. In quite a number of instances, hitherto waring factions have had to sit down together and had conversations which were ordinarily not possible before. Such conversations have further helped to breach the pre-existing lacunas between the herders and farmers.

Through these dialogues, farmers, herders, and other stakeholders were able to build trust and understanding with each other. This was a significant achievement, given the long-standing conflicts between these groups over resources such as land and water. By working together and finding common ground, farmers and herders were able to reduce tensions and avoid violence in the run-up to the elections.

Empowering Women and Youth to Drive Sustainable Peace and Security in Nigeria

The Protecting our Communities (POC) Initiative is transforming the landscape of peace and security in Nigeria by prioritizing the inclusion of women and youth in leadership and peace building. The program is making great strides in the states of Benue, Kaduna, and Zamfara by providing opportunities for women and youth to participate in decision-making processes and peacebuilding activities. Through targeted initiatives and interventions, the POC program is empowering women and youth to take an active role in addressing security challenges in their communities. By prioritizing their involvement, the POC program is driving a more inclusive and sustainable approach to peace and security in Nigeria, creating a brighter future for all.

Several Radio Programs and Social Media Posts Targeted at Promoting Peace

In addition to the dialogue sessions, the POC Initiative also used various communication channels to promote peace and non-violence. Radio programs and social media posts were targeted at promoting peace in POC communities. These messages emphasized the importance of peaceful and credible elections and urged people to respect the results of the polls.

One of the innovative solutions introduced through the POC initiative is the training of community members and other stakeholders on how to identify fake news. Before now, several conflicts have arisen in the communities just based on for instance an unverified Facebook post. However, with the training conducted in this regard, community members have been able to detect such false information and stop them from spreading.

The POC program has achieved numerous notable accomplishments, but one event stands out among them. During a particular episode of the POC Radio show, which focused on the relationship between farmers and herders, the managing director of the Zamfara state radio station became intrigued. Specifically, the discussions between the female youth leader of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) and the women leader of the All-Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) were of particular interest to the director. Consequently, he expressed a commitment to provide his radio station with free airtime to host a similar program.

Improved Relationship between Farmers and Herders Led to Improved Security

One of the most significant outcomes of the POC Initiative was the improved relationship between farmers and herders. This relationship was critical in improving the security situation in the build-up to the elections. In the past, disputes between farmers and herders had often led to violence, which could have escalated during the electoral process. But by working together and building trust, farmers and herders were able to prevent violence and maintain peace in their communities.

Opportunities to Explore and Leverage upon with Regards to POC

The success of the POC Initiative presents significant opportunities for Nigeria to explore and leverage upon. For example, the initiative can be used to improve governance and promote youth and women’s inclusion. By involving diverse stakeholders, the initiative can help to promote accountability, transparency, and democracy. It can also provide opportunities for young people and women to participate in peace building, governance, and decision-making processes.

Furthermore, the POC Initiative can be leveraged upon to promote peacebuilding efforts beyond the electoral process. The dialogue sessions, EWER system, and peace messaging can be adapted to address other sources of tension and conflict in Nigeria. By engaging communities and building trust, the POC Initiative can help to promote peace and prevent violence in other contexts.

Final thoughts

The Protecting Our Community Initiative is a model for how multi-stakeholder efforts can promote peace and prevent violence in Nigeria. Through dialogue, communication, and trust-building, the initiative was able to contribute to peaceful and credible elections in Benue, Kaduna, and Zamfara. The improved relationship between farmers and herders was a significant achievement that contributed to improved security in the build-up to the elections. Moving forward, there are significant opportunities to explore and leverage upon with regards to the POC Initiative, including promoting good governance, youth and women’s inclusion, and peacebuilding efforts beyond the electoral process.