Global Peace Foundation Nigeria and Hope Builders Foundation hosted youth and peacebuilding stakeholders from the eight Local Government Areas of Kaduna State and Plateau State for three days of peacebuilding and entrepreneurship training on May 27-29, 2021.
GPF Nigeria director Rev. John Joseph Hayab (left) and Hope Builders Foundation CEO Dr. Mathias Yashim.
The workshop fostered peace dialogue among participants from diverse ethnic and religious backgrounds, and also presented an inclusive approach to future workforce readiness, with opportunities for lower-skilled workers.
Global Peace Foundation Nigeria is working to promote social cohesion and peace-building and empower families and youths through the One Family Under God campaign. In partnership with Hope Builders Foundation, the program highlighted entrepreneurship as an important approach to mitigate conflict and encourage economic opportunity.
Hope Builders Foundation CEO Dr. Mathias Yashim in his welcoming remarks said that the workshop is to help equip youths and stakeholders with skills to help them earn an income to alleviate poverty and at the same time become peace ambassadors in their respective communities. He said the workshop involves developing a wide range of knowledge, skills, and attitudes that will help them take ownership of the project.
Global Peace Foundation Country Director Reverend John Joseph Hayab said that the level of hardship in Nigeria is very alarming, with many employed people still looking for informal work to augment their income.
The workshop is to help equip youths and stakeholders with skills to help them earn an income to alleviate poverty and at the same time become peace ambassadors in their respective communities.
“This program is to encourage youths to take skills seriously,” Rev. Hayab said. “There is so much cry in Nigeria that there is no job and the insecurities in the country have caused this joblessness. I want to encourage people to take pride in your skills. The twenty-first century is only looking for what you can do, not your certificate. A lot of young people are in search of a white-collar job, when there are skills they can learn and earn a living rather than waiting for job opportunities.”
Rev. Hayab said that partnering with serious minded organizations such as Hope Builders will help to get more people involved and provide support for women, youth, people with disabilities.
Learn more about GPF Nigeria peacebuilding projects.
