Gov Sule Orders LG Chairmen to Replicate Women-Led Peacebuilding Initiative Across Nasarawa

By Emmanuel Kwada

Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, has directed chairmen of the state’s 13 local government areas to replicate a recently concluded capacity-building programme on women in leadership and peacebuilding across their respective councils to strengthen grassroots peace and security.

The governor gave the directive during the opening of a two-day training organised by the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), in partnership with the Government of Colombia and the Nasarawa State Government, at the Late Aliyu Doma Banquet Hall.

Represented by the Deputy Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Akabe, Governor Sule urged local government chairmen to collaborate with traditional rulers, women and youth groups, community associations, and security agencies to extend the impact of the programme to rural communities.

He said taking the initiative to the grassroots would enhance community resilience, promote local ownership of peacebuilding efforts, and ensure the programme’s sustainability beyond the state capital.

Governor Sule described Nasarawa as a microcosm of Nigeria, with its diverse ethnic, cultural and religious communities, noting that the state’s diversity remains one of its greatest strengths.

He stressed, however, that lasting peace can only be sustained through justice, inclusion, mutual respect and collective responsibility.

Highlighting the role of women in nation-building, the governor said women serve as connectors of families, promoters of dialogue and agents of reconciliation, adding that security agencies alone cannot guarantee lasting peace without the active involvement of communities, traditional and religious institutions, civil society and government.

He also noted that since assuming office in 2019, his administration has consistently promoted women’s participation in leadership and decision-making while supporting programmes aimed at skills acquisition, entrepreneurship and economic empowerment.

Governor Sule commended the National Counter Terrorism Centre, the Office of the National Security Adviser and the Government of Colombia for partnering with the state to organise the training, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to sustained collaboration on peace and security initiatives.

Speaking at the event, the Director of the Directorate of Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism at the National Counter Terrorism Centre, Ambassador Abimbola Wonosikou, said women are often the first to identify early signs of radicalisation within families and communities, making them critical stakeholders in conflict prevention and trust-building.

She praised the Nasarawa State Government for hosting the programme and supporting initiatives that promote inclusive peacebuilding.

Also addressing participants, the head of the Colombian delegation, Mariano Hernandez, said Colombian women had played a pivotal role in addressing security challenges in their country, adding that the delegation was in Nigeria to share Colombia’s experience while also learning from Nigeria’s peacebuilding efforts.

Earlier, the Secretary to the Nasarawa State Government, Barrister Labaran Shuaibu Magaji (SAN), said the training underscored the shared belief that sustainable peace is best achieved when women are empowered to assume leadership roles and actively participate in conflict prevention, mediation and community development.

He added that Governor Sule’s administration has continued to foster inclusive governance, economic growth, political stability and infrastructural development across the state, creating an enabling environment for women and other vulnerable groups to contribute meaningfully to society.