From Umar Danladi Ado,Sokoto
Youths in Sokoto State have signed a peace accord pledging to abandon drug abuse following a mediation intervention by the Sokoto State Women Mediators Network under the RECAP Project, funded by the European Union.
The youths signed the Accord of Peace and Withdrawal from Drug Abuse during a community engagement attended by government representatives, traditional leaders, women’s organisations and other stakeholders.
Two of the beneficiaries, Bashari and Dahiru, identified unemployment and frustration as major factors pushing some youths into drug abuse.
They commended the Women Mediators Network for intervening and supporting their decision to turn away from drugs.
Chairperson of the Women Mediators Network, Zaliha Tahir Maiakwai, said the network, established on May 15, 2026, and operating across 10 local government areas, is committed to using mediation and community engagement to address challenges affecting young people.
The Chairperson of FIDA Sokoto, Zainab Bello Aliyu, Esq., commended the initiative, describing it as worthy of emulation by other women’s groups.
Vice Chairman of Sokoto South Local Government, Umar Faruk Garba, said the government remains committed to peace and youth empowerment. He urged youths to embrace government skills-acquisition programmes to become self-reliant and reiterated the government’s opposition to thuggery.
The District Head of Gagi, Sani Umar Jabbi, called for stronger mobilisation of youths to become productive members of society and urged stakeholders to protect them from drug addiction and political thuggery.
Project Manager of International Alert Nigeria, Sanusi Audu, commended the Women Mediators Network for the intervention and expressed the organisation’s continued support for programmes of this nature, particularly initiatives that promote peace and address challenges affecting young people.
Professor Tanko Yahaya Baba called for sustained investment in youth development, education, skills acquisition, employment and community-based support to help young people remain free from drug abuse and violence.
The event featured a novelty football match among the youths as part of efforts to encourage them to embrace a new lease of life.
The Sokoto State Women Mediators Network was earlier trained by the RECAP Consortium on mediation, case management, identification of conflict drivers and conflict resolution.