The PAVE Network has inaugurated its FCT chapter with a call for stakeholders to work together to prevent and counter violent extremism in the nation's capital.

Chairperson, Development and Management Team PCVE Knowledge, Innovation & Resource Hub (KIRH) & PAVE Network, Mr. Jaye Gaskia, at the launch in Abuja, emphasized the need for collective action to address the growing threat of violent extremism in the Federal Capital Territory.

Gaskia noted that, "Violent extremism is not just something happening far away; it's also impacting the FCT. We have seen people displaced and moved into IDP camps, and radicalization is taking place within the Federal Capital itself.

"The conditions enabling the mobilization of grievances across the country also exist in the FCT, making it crucial for us to address this issue before it gets out of hand."

Gaskia further disclosed that, the PAVE Network FCT chapter aims to reinvigorate FCT-specific interventions and initiatives, engaging with institutions and communities in the nation’s capital, to prevent radicalization and violent extremism.

He stated that, the chapter will work closely with stakeholders, including policymakers, traditional rulers, women leaders, religious leaders, media, and youth associations.

He said: "A key component of the PAVE Network's strategy is the establishment of a Knowledge Innovation and Resource Hub (KIRH) that will serve as a knowledge management platform, repository of knowledge, information, and expertise in Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism (PCVE).”

According to him, the KIRH has five key objectives:

Creating a Repository of Knowledge: To create a repository of knowledge that is open-source and accessible to all stakeholders.

Generating and Disseminating Knowledge: To generate and disseminate knowledge through research and studies on emerging issues in PCVE.

Quality Assurance: To support quality assurance and quality management in PCVE interventions and programs.

Technical Support: To provide technical support for PCVE actors, leveraging expertise and skills developed over 10 years.

Critical Reflection and Innovation: To enable space for critical reflection, shared learning, adaptation, and innovation."

For his part, Media Consultant, PAVE Network and Editor-In-Chief Global Sentinel,

Senator Iroegbu, stressed the importance of a whole society approach to prevent and counter violent extremism.

He said: "It's a challenging but crucial task that requires everyone's involvement.

"The FCT is a unique space in Nigeria, being the federal capital, and it's essential to extend efforts to prevent and counter violent extremism to the local level."

The PAVE Network is working on establishing physical hubs in the six geopolitical zones and has already set up a central coordination mechanism. The network has also partnered with institutions to develop an e-learning platform, e-library, and interactive spaces for communities of practice.