Several years ago, Emmanuel Sawa, then a high school student in the Plateau State of Nigeria, dropped out of school when violence caused his parents to lose their livelihood and become displaced along with many others in their community. Sawa, like many other young adults who either grew up in Plateau State or moved there…
Read more In Nigeria, preventing radicalization through rebuilding lives
After postponing national elections by a week for logistical reasons, Nigerians went to the polls on Saturday, February 23 for presidential and national assembly elections. The presidential elections are now over, but they produced worrisome shadows and lapses to reflect on, particularly as gubernatorial and state assembly elections are slated for Saturday, March 9. The…
Read more The shadows of Nigeria’s 2019 presidential elections
Across the globe, the importance of young people and their involvement in a sustainable future is both evident and indispensable. People under 30 now make up the majority of the world’s population. About 600 million of these young people live in areas affected by conflict and instability. Last year, the United Nations Security Council adopted…
In March, I met with Hannatu Anthony* one of the beneficiaries of free medications, treatments and socio-economic empowerment programs made possible by Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) support for the Faith Alive Clinic in Jos, Nigeria. Hannatu Anthony was pregnant and receiving free prenatal services and medical care at the Faith Alive Clinic. The clinic offers…
By Charles Kwuelum In May Nigeria inaugurated a new president, Muhammadu Buhari, who has pledged to use greater military force against the armed group Boko Haram. The U.S government welcomed this approach to “countering violent extremism” by giving increased military assistance to Nigeria. Worthy of note is the fact that northeast Nigeria was already in…
Read more Peace I leave with you: conflict resolution in Nigeria
MCC Washington Memo 