Allamin Foundation for Peace and Development has sought the collaboration and support of the Shehu of Bama, His Royal Highness, Alhaji Dr. Umar Ibn Kyari Umar El-Kanemi, to successfully integrate repentant former insurgents with vulnerable members of host communities in Bama Local Government Area of Borno State.
The Executive Director of the foundation, Hajiya Hamsatu Allamin, made the appeal on Tuesday in Bama when she led the management and consultancy team of the foundation on a courtesy visit to the Shehu at his palace.
According to her, the initiative is a six-month project funded by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and is designed to promote peacebuilding, social cohesion and sustainable livelihoods among conflict-affected populations in the area.
Hajiya Allamin disclosed that three staff members of the foundation have already been deployed to Bama to ensure effective grassroots implementation of the programme.
She further explained that the foundation, working in partnership with relevant committees of the Borno State Government, will roll out a livelihood intervention programme targeting a total of 240 beneficiaries in Bama LGA.
The beneficiaries, she said, will include 40 repentant former insurgents and 180 host community members living with disabilities, those in destitute conditions, as well as other vulnerable residents.
The Executive Director added that the foundation plans to organize weekly radio programmes aimed at delivering peace education, raising awareness and providing skills training for both community members and repentant insurgents, with the goal of fostering reconciliation and preventing a return to violence.
According to her, the intervention will also involve the use of a rehabilitation centre where the 240 participants will undergo vocational and craft skills acquisition training of their choice to enable them to become self-reliant.
Hajiya Allamin also requested the support of the Bama Emirate Council in providing office space for the three project staff, who will work closely with the Secretary of the Emirate Council to ensure smooth implementation, effective coordination and sustained community engagement.
Responding, the Shehu of Bama, Alhaji Dr. Umar Ibn Kyari Umar El-Kanemi, expressed appreciation to the Allamin Foundation for its numerous humanitarian and development interventions across the Bama Emirate.
He assured the foundation of his full support and pledged to work closely with it by designating desk officers to assist in the execution of its activities.
The monarch further appealed to the foundation to consider expanding the programme to accommodate more members of the host communities.
