The production of the Training Manual was one of the outputs of a project  intended to be used as soft measure within the project to build the institutional capacity of national partners through the provision of technical assistance, sensitization programmessupporting peace education, and creating avenues for dialogue amongst communities.

Within the last two years, UNESCO Regional Office in Abuja began the implementation of a project entitled ‘Conflict Prevention and Countering Violent Extremism in Nigeria through Intercultural Dialogue and Education’. This project, which focused on three geo-political zones in the country: namely the North East, North Central and South-South, was borne out of a mapping conducted by the United Nations Counter Terrorism and Implementation Task Force (CTITF) Office in collaboration with the Nigerian Government.

In her address at the launch, the Regional Director of UNESCO Regional Office in Abuja, Ms. Hassana Alidou declared that UNESCO believes that countering violent extremism must start in the minds of women and men. In her words, “defense of peace begins by giving everyone a stake in the present and confidence in the future. It must be built on bridges of dialogue between cultures and faiths, to deepen understanding and solidarity. It must be taken forward by independent, inclusive and pluralistic media. It must start with peace education, with textbooks and curricula that teach human rights, with schools systems’ that are tolerant”.

Ms. Alidou concluded by informing the audience that based on this experience, UNESCO will start another phase of the project with closer focus on the parts of the country where peace keeps being threatened to achieve peace and stability in Nigeria so that girls and boys can go to school freely and safely; that men and women can pursue their legitimate personal development opportunities, taking advantage of the enormous resources Nigeria has; and that Nigeria will remain peaceful, democratic and prosperous.

Based on the UN mandate on international peace promotion, Mr. Toure said “the launching of this training manual could not have come at a better time in the country than now, when development and socio-economic programmes are under threat of insecurity and acts of insurgency. The quest for peace, stability and development cannot be attained without peace, education, intercultural and interfaith dialogue that promotes positive value reorientation and behavioural change”.

On the other hand, the Secretary to the Federal Government of Nigeria, Mr. Anyim Pius Anyim advocated early warning system that would articulate strategies for conflict prevention.

Mr. Anyim who was ably represented by the Director, Special Duties, Hassan Abdullahi launched the manual, with the assistance of the ministers and other dignitaries present at the event.

The Training Manual  was developed through an interactive process with experts from Nigeria in the various fields. It has modules on gender, youth, media, security agencies, religious communities, traditional leaders, the vulnerable and the role of civil society.

The launch had in attendance, high profile officials from the Government including the Police and Civil Defense, UN Representatives, Diplomatic Corps from the Embassies of Norway and Israel and scores of other dignitaries and individuals from all walks of life.