DR. DAYO OLUYEMI-KUSA @ 60

Photo Above: Dr. Dayo Oluyemi-Kusa after the cutting of her 60th birthday cake & Below L-R: Dr. Dayo Oluyemi-Kusa @ 60 with Barr. Sharon Ikeazor, Executive Secretary, Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD), Abuja

On the 17th of May, 2018, I turned 60! I can't believe I'm 60 already. I did not intend to celebrate, but my youngest child (son), Ayokunnu Kusa, an Agro-preneur (an entrepreneur in the field of agriculture) had other plans. Ayo is a graduate of Agriculture (Animal Breeding & Genetics). Unknown to me, Ayo had invited my friends and colleagues to an interactive session at my residence in Abuja for 12 noon to discuss a topic he knows I'm very passionate about: 'The female academic/social entrepreneur in a depressed economy'.

My son, Ayo, is the only one left at home since his elder brothers Tope Kusa (a Medical Doctor) and Seun Kayode Kusa (a Law graduate/Chartered Mediator & Conciliator/Writer/Public speaker) were out of town. Lest I forget, I congratulate you, Dr. Tope Kusa, my eldest child (son), for your new co-authored publication in the (American) Journal of Clinical Investigation (JCI) titled 'Divergent responses to kisspeptin in children with delayed puberty' - https://insight.jci.org/articles/new/99109. Thanks also for your touching message and gift on my 60th birthday. I love you always, dear son!  My friends exhaustively discussed the topic and came up with the following recommendations:

The female academic/entrepreneur in a depressed economy needs to:

*Work harder than her male counterparts to succeed in this clime.
*Be innovative.
*Be technology/social media/internet savvy and use same to promote her business.
*Constantly update her knowledge in her core area of specialisation.
*Document her effort in the form of books, CDs, etc for future generations...

Ayo informed my guests that I, his mother, was on top of my game, already doing all the positive things expected of an academic/social entrepreneur in this clime. Later in the evening, there was a soiree which lasted till the wee hours of the morning. I thoroughly enjoyed myself. I'm proud of you, dear son for organising the beautiful party for me. Ayo, you are doing very well as an Agro-preneur, using technology to optimise your presence in the agricultural value chain in Nigeria. You are a young and dynamic entrepreneur. Nigeria needs more young men and women like you to seize the moment and take their destiny in their hands. Thanks once again for organising the mini colloquium and party in my honour.

Many thanks to my friends who are too numerous to exhaust here. But I must mention a few of them:

*Mrs. Dayo Benjamins-Laniyi - MD Doxa Digital/Voice-preneur & foremost MC in Abuja
*Barrister Sharon Ikeazor - Executive Secretary, Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD)
*Prof. Dakas Dakas - Professor of Law/SAN
*Ms. Idayat Hassan - Director, Centre for Democracy & Development (CDD)
*Ms. Biodun Baiyewu-Tewu - Country Director, Global Rights
*Ms. Lucia Balonwu - Country Director, Volunteer Services Organisation (VSO)
*Dr. Amina Salihu - Progamme Manager, McArthur Foundation
*Prof. Anthonia Simbine - Commissioner, INEC
*Chief (Mrs) Remi Adiukwu - Frontline Politician
*Amb. Samuel Dabeng - Retired Ambassador, FMFA
*Mrs. Eugenia Abu - NTA/Social entrepreneur
*Ms. Ene Ede - Gender Advisor, Search For Common Ground (SFCG)
*Barrister Ebere Ifendu - President, Women In Politics Forum (WIPF)/Publicity Secretary, Labour Party (LP)

I simply cannot exhaust the list. I thank you all for making my 60th birthday memorable with your presence, gifts and prayers...

                         Photo below: Dr. Dayo Oluyemi-Kusa cutting her birthday cake @ 60!

NIGERIA'S PARTY COMPETITION IN A TIME OF TRANSITION & TERROR

Dr. Carl LeVan, Associate Professor in the School of International Service, American University, Washington DC shared the findings in his new book: 'Nigeria's Party competition during a time of transition and terror' in Abuja under the auspices of Centre for Democracy & Development (CDD). He highlighted the following:

*Empirical information on why the PDP lost the Presidency in 2015 for the very first time since 1999. The PDP also lost many seats in the House of Representatives, Senate and many of the governorship seats.
*The role of the elite in the 1999 transition.
*He challenges conventional thinking about Boko Haram's (BH's) impact on politics. Research on terrorism and voters.
*1998/1999 transition deals and their decline.
*Summary of findings on Political Parties.
*Hypotheses testing on: National insecurity/Electronic voting.
*Analysis and implications of why voters choose who they vote for.
*What the Political Parties talked about in the 2015 campaigns.
*How the economy affects voters' choices at the polls.

Some of the research questions were:

*Why did the PDP lose and why did APC win in 2015?
*What was the elite agreement?
*What did the Political Parties say?
*What did voters vote for? His sample was approximately 4,000.
*Dr. LeVan travelled from Abuja to Yola, from Port-Harcourt to other eastern parts.

Findings:

*APC and PDP talked about different things in their campaigns. Across states, economic conditions were more important than any other parameters.
*People voted on the economy, but ethnicity was also important.
*Religion had a stronger influence than expected.

Context & civilian concessions:

*In 1998, dictator, General Sanni Abacha died.
*There was a pact with the PDP for a Yoruba Presidential candidate. This was a way of paying for 1993 and 1979.
*Symbolism of June 12, 1993.
*Rotaton of power between the north and the south.
*PDP's dual policy on civil-military relations.
*Oputa Commission - A Commission that generated neither truth nor much reconciliation.

Under Obasanjo, there was significant increase in the Military budget in spite of the fact that there were fewer soldiers. Military promotions were announced May, 2003. These occurred three weeks before Obasanjo took office. Towards the 2015 elections, there was a slow erosion of the 1999 pact. By 2011, there were fewer candidates with Military background. The 'power shift' principle was violated in 2010/11 when a southerner unexpectedly became President.

Findings:

*The population in Nigeria is younger on the average, but the average age of the gladiators has increased. This is a major source of tension between the young and the old.
*Traumatic events/issues such as terrorism hurt incumbent Political Parties (Hunter, 2016).
*Terrorism contributes to ideological polarisation (Nanes, 2016).
*Political Parties appeal mainly to core supporters (Kibris, 2011).
*Terrorism has generalised effect on preferences - even if regionally concentrated, it's a national issue.
*Voters closer to violence are more likely to vote for hard line right Political Parties (Getmansky Zeit Zoff, 2014).
 *Citizens are more interested in politics because of terrorism.
*The difference between PDP and APC campaigns in 2015: PDP - Economy and corruption?; APC: Economy, anti-corruption, security and electoral integrity. The fact that their campaigns were fairly different was indeed novel!
*We need to interrogate the issue of age and performance in office.
*Voters prioritised public safety/security because of the high level of violence.
*A number of factors could affect hypothesised outcomes at the State level: State debt, internally-generated revenue (IGR), level of violence, literacy level and average income. Surprisingly, the insignificant variables are: turnout during elections, ethnic group, and gender.
*Terrorism stimulates polarisation.
**States that are in debt vote more for the incumbent Party.
*Levels of violence are not good predictors of election results.
 *PDP maintained their base by stoking fear about what could happen if there was regime change.

On the whole, Dr. Carl LeVan's analysis debunked many hitherto held perceptions about elections, the electorate, politicians, political parties, competition and transition in Nigeria. It was a time for invited younger scholars to interact with the paper presenter after the lecture. Older academics like me facilitated the exchange of ideas... 
  
 

NEPAD: STRATEGIES FOR ANTI-CORRUPTION & NON-VIOLENCE IN ELECTIONS

Between the 4th and 6th of June, 2018, The New Partnership for Africa - NEPAD Nigeria held two crucial meetings 'back-to-back' in Abuja. On the 4th of June, there was a high level continental consultative meeting on anti-corruption. Between the 5th and 6th, there was another intensive workshop on non-violence in elections.

       Photo above L-R: Dr. Dayo Oluyemi-Kusa & Princess Gloria Akobundu (CEO NEPAD)

The following were present:

*Princess Gloria Akobundu, National Coordinator/CEO NEPAD/APRM Nigeria
*Ibrahim Magu, Chairman, Economic & Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC
*Boss Mustapha, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, represented by Gabriel Ajoda, Permanent Secretary, Political Affairs, OSGF
*Prof. Eddy Maloka, CEO, APRM Continental Secretatriat, South Africa, represented by Mary Agbebaku-Izobo
*Prof. Bolaji Owasanoye, Executive Secretary, Presidential Advisory Committee on Anti-Corruption, PACAC
*Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, Chair/Founder, Savannah Centre for Diplomacy, Democracy & Development, SCDDD
*Ibrahim Idris Kpotum, Inspector-General of Police, represented by Commissioner of Police, FCT, Agyole Abey
*Prof. Al-Amin Abu Manga, Member, Panel of Eminent Persons, AU APRM Process
*Dr. Dayo Oluyemi-Kusa, Independent Consulant/Conflict Transformation Expert, Abuja
*Dr. Saad Umar Idris, Ag. DG, The Electoral Institute,TEI, represented by Tunde Ojedokun
*Barr. Ebere Ifendu, President, Women In Politics Forum, WIPF
*Jude Iheoma, representative, EU
*National Chairman, PDD, represented by Deputy National Chairman, Yemi Akiwumi
*Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, represented by former DG, National Sports Commission, Al Hassan Yakut
*Desmond Osemherijie, representative UN Women
*Lynda Obenwa, National Woman Leader, APC

Some of the recommendations were:

*A prominent member of the opposition Party should be made the anti-corruption czar in African countries.
*Politics should be made less attractive so that it does not remain a 'do or die affair'.
*Non-corrupt officials should be publicly rewarded.
*There should be national orientation on anti-corruption and non-violence in elections.
*The family and the school have key roles to play in the anti-corruption and non-violence in elections crusade.
*Courses in anti-corruption and non-violence in elections should be embedded in the curriculum at the primary and secondary school levels.
*Employers should pay employees a living wage.
*The youth, women, people living with disability (PLWDs) and other vulnerable groups should be included in the anti-corruption and non-violence in election crusade.
*More poverty alleviation windows should be created.
*The judiciary should be independent.
*Special courts should be set up to fight corruption.
*Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)/Traditional methods of conflict resolution should be exhausted before resorting to litigation.
*Technology should be used for monitoring and apprehending perpetrators of corruption and non-violence in elections.
*The process of recruitment into the political class should be interrogated.
*There should be content-driven and inclusive voter education.

A bigger conference on the same themes, which would attract Heads of State and Governments in Africa and beyond is slated for August 2018. NEPAD Nigeria's CEO, Princess Gloria Akobundu has said that National and Continental action Plans (NAP and CAP) would be the follow-up for the meetings.

Related Links

*Silencing the guns in Africa by 2020: Achievements, opportunities & challenges    https://issafrica.org/research/monographs/silencing-the-guns-2020.../ 

*Silencing the guns can reduce forced displacement    https://bit.ly/3q4jLHr 

NIGERIA: REVISED CODE OF CONDUCT FOR POLITICAL PARTIES

On the 25th of May, 2018, ahead of the 2019 general elections, registered Political Parties (PPs) in Nigeria adopted and signed the revised Code of Conduct (CoC) for PPs to guide their conduct before, during and after the elections. PDP, APGA, and ADC were absent as APC, SDP, LP and 50 other PPs signed the CoC. There are 68 registered PPs in Nigeria.

Hubu Galadima, CEO NIPSS, said the CoC for PPs in Nigeria (CoCPPN) is voluntary and it provides a set of rules of behaviour for PPs and their supporters. The validation workshop to adopt  the CoCPPN was organised by the PP Leadership and Policy Development Centre (PPLPDC) of the Nigeria Institute for Policy & Strategic Studies (NIPSS). The PPLPDC is the beneficiary of a 2.7m Euro Support for Democratic Governance in Nigeria (EUSDGN) to implement component 3 of the project aimed to enhance pluralism, tolerance, internal democracy and equality of opportunity for PPs and the PP system.

Galadima said:
'Nigeria's PPs are largely characterised as lacking clear programmes and ideology, weak in internal democracy, not inclusive as well as having a tendency to disregard Party and electoral rules. As a resul, they have been unable to effectively mobilise and educate the public. Instead, they have been marred by internal crises and have been purveyors of electoral violations and violence'.

The Project Director of the European Centre for Electoral Support (ECES), David Notre, described PPs as the primary stakeholders in the political system and their conduct considerably impacts the electoral process, outcomes and by extension the stability of the electoral system. The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, was represented by JNEC National Commissioner/Chair, Election and Party Monitoring Committee (EPCM), Prof. Antunia Okoosi-Simbine, expressed satisfaction with the official signing and adoption of the new CoC which has been updated from the one signed on July 16, 2013, by the then 25 registered PPs.

Okoosi-Simbine said:
'It is commendable that PPs in NIgeria have remained committed to the idea of developing and operating under a mutually agreed CoC that sets the parameters for acceptable behaviour for PPs, their candidates and supporters throughout the electoral cycle. By contributing to, signing the CoC, PPs have indeed committed to a pact with Nigerians and their activities will, going forward, be consistent with international best practices'.

Meanwhile INEC has warned candidates contesting in the July 14 Governorship election in Ekiti state against inducing voters with cash. The CoC has also become the instrument for the establishment of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), which now plays a significant role as the umbrella body for all registered PPs. Simbine told the PPs to use the umbrella of IPAC to exert peer pressure for the adoption of best practices in key areas, including:

*The promotion of internal democracy.
*Provision of expanded roles for disadvantaged social groups, especially women, youth and PLWDs
*Deliberate commitment by leaders of PPs to the rule of law and strict compliance with the provisions of respective  PP constitutions.
*PPs required to sign a Peace Pact before every election

The signing of the revised CoC could portend a silver lining in the horizon for Nigeria if all  PPs are in agreement. I salute the team that put together this revised CoC  

LAKE CHAD BASIN GOVERNORS' FORUM #LCBGF

The inaugural conference of the Lake Chad Basin Governors' Forum for Regional Cooperation on Stabilisation, Peace-Building and Sustainable Development   #LCBGFORUM was held between the 8th and 9th of May, 2018. I was a facilitator at the conference which was held in Maiduguri, Borno state. The Forum, which is made up of 11 Governors of states mostly affected by the receding Lake and cutting across the West and Central Africa region, met to fine tune and promote continuous dialogue and information-sharing/exchanges to strengthen coordination and collaboration on cross-border initiatives at the sub-national level.

Lake Chad has shrunk from a peak of 25,000sq.km to 1,350sq.km! The UNSCR 2349 (2017) on Boko Haram and Lake Chad Basin was adopted by the UNSC at its 791th meeting in March 2017, following a visit to the Lake Chad Region. The resolution of the UNSC gave birth to the Lake Chad Basin Governors' Forum, which involves Governors of three north-east states affected by the insurgency. Other members are Governors of regions in Chad, Niger and Cameroon.
 
The Forum, which is supported by the UNDP and international donors, also seeks to promote peace-building and conflict prevention efforts as well as provide a path to sustainable development and peace in the region. The following are some of the participants:

*Kashim Shettima - Governor of Borno state, Nigeria & Chief host
*Mohammed Suraj - Representative of Governor of Yobe state, Nigeria
*Issa Moussa - Governor of Zinder,
*Bakabe Mahamadou - Governor of Diffa, Niger
*Mahamat Abali Sallah - Governor of Lac, Chad
*Aboubakar Djibrile Aboubakar - Governor of Hadjer-Lamis, Chad
*Midjiyawa Bakary - Governor of Extreme Norde, Cameroun
*Sen. Mohammed Umar Jibrilla - Governor of Adamawa state, Nigeria
*Ibrahim Geidman -Governor of Yobe state, Nigeria
*Edward Kallon - UN Resident & Humanitarian Coordinator/UNDP Resident Representative in Nigeria
*Amb. Georg Schmidt - Africa Director of the German Foreign Office
*Daniel Wolven - Director/Deputy Head of Africa Department, Swedish Ministry of Foreign Affairs
*Birgitte Markussen - Deputy MD Africa/European External Action Service, European Union
*Dr. Sarjoh Bah - Head of Crisis Management & Post-Conflict Reconstruction Division, Peace & Security Department, AU Commission
*Dr. Ibn Chambas - UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General for West Africa & the Sahel
*Francois Lounceny Fall - UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Central Africa
*Major-General Leo Irabor - Force Commander, MNJTF
*Roel Debruyne - UN OCHA Regional Office
*Samuel Bwalya - UNDP Country Director in Nigeria
*Abubakar Ibn Umar Garbai Al-Amin El-Kanemi - Shehu of Borno
*Amb. Mamman Nuhu - Executive Secretary of the Lake Chad Basin Commission
*Fatima Askira - Executive Director, Borno Women Development Initiative
*Major-General Bamidele Shafa - Coordinator, Operation Safe Corridor
*Fernando Medina - Stabilisation, Transition, Recovery & Reintegration Officer, IOM
*Pastor Wuye - Chief of Party, Interfaith Mediation Centre
*Imam Ashafa - Deputy Chief of Party, Interfaith Mediation Centre
*Maidama Hadiza Malam Manzo - Niamey Tribunal
*Joanna Garbalinska - Acting Director, Nigeria INGO Forum
*Tom Mugoya - Africa Development Bank

Some of the major decisions arrived at after two days of intensive deliberation are:

*The Lake Chad Basin Governors' Forum for Regional Cooperation on Stabilisation, Peacebuilding & Sustainable Development was formally launched as a platform for fostering regional cooperation on stabilisation, peacebuilding and sustainable development for the region devastated by the Boko Haram (BH) crisis.

*The Forum meetings, to be held annually, should rotate between Governors of the four countries - Nigeria, Chad, Cameroun and Niger in the spirit of shared ownership. The next meeting is scheduled for the first quarter of 2019 in Niger Republic.

*A community-based approach is essential for sustainability.

*The Forum should be used to facilitate a bottom-up approach to stabilisation and peace-building in the Lake Chad region.

*The Forum shall support on-going efforts at stabilisation in the Lake Chad region.

*The Forum needs to come up with viable solution as regards what to do with ex-BH militants who have concluded the 16-week rehabilitation course but cannot be re-integrated because they are rejected by their communities.

*The need to draw up a road map for collaborative and concerted multi-level approach to stamping out BH in the Lake Chad region.

*The re-invigoration/re-charging of the Lake Chad Basin via inter-basin water transfer. This should be adopted as an African strategic project specifically for the Lake Chad region

.
*There should be more judicious use of funds from the donor basket. Such monies should be put directly into viable projects that would benefit the target communities. The implication of this is that the input of the citizens as regards the projects they need is vital.

*At the national level, open and 'good' governance should be encouraged.

*The projects in the region should be aligned with the SDGs for maximum impact.

On the whole, the inaugural #LCBGFORUM was indeed very successful. It is anticipated that the Forum would bring a significant level of relief to an otherwise devastated region... 

Related Links

*What doesn't break BH in Niger makes it stronger   https://issafrica/iss.org/iss-today/what-doesnt-break-boko-haram-in-niger-makes-it-stronger

*Economics of terrorism in the Lake Chad Basin   https://globalsentinelng.com/2019/07/12/economics-of-terrorism-in-lake-chad-basin/

*Cameroon's Far North: A new chapter in the fight against BH   https://www.crisisgroup.org/africa/central-africa/cameroon/263-extreme-nord-du-cameroun-nouveau-chapitre-dans-la-lutte-contre-boko-haram

*Shrinking Lake Chad forced many into crime   allafrica.com/stories/201912/shrinking-lake-chad-forced-many-into-crime/

*Deby's death, security in the Lake Chad Basin & democracy by Jibrin Ibrahim    premiumtimes.com

*BH & Covid-19: Lake Chad Basin's war on two fronts   issafrica.org

*Lake Chad Basin Governors are not restoring livelihoods, so locals make deals with violent extremists    http:''ow.ly/PN8l50IEPgG

        

VSO: FIGHTING POVERTY THROUGH VOLUNTEERING

Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO) has been fighting poverty through volunteering for the past 60 years! It was time for VSO Nigeria to roll out the drums in Abuja on the 26th of April, 2018. VSO's Livelihood Programme interventions have improved farmers' access to guaranteed markets. When farmers' produce is aggregated, they are guaranteed better prices for farm produce. Volunteers have also been trained as teaching assistants in schools...(https://www.vsointernational.org/fighting-poverty/where-we-fight-poverty/nigeria). Many ex-volunteers reminisced at the event.

I could identify the following:

*Philip Goodwin - CEO, VSO International
*Lucia Balonwu - Country Director, VSO Nigeria
*Avril Abena Kudzi - Country Director, VSO Ghana
*Dr. Dayo Oluyemi-Kusa - Independent Consultant/Conflict Transformation Expert, Abuja
*Patrick Proctor - Operations Director, VSO Nairobi Hub

Philip Goodwin alluded to the fact that systems, rather than individual schools, were now the focus when posting volunteers. Volunteerism is now more 'nationally based'. Before, more foreign nationals were deployed as volunteers in Africa. Philip reminded us that the core values of VSO are focus on people, accountability, 'reflectiveness', making a difference, even-spaced work, etc. Volunteering is giving to make a change.

There were beautiful renditions by two poets: Bashiru Amuneni and Debbie Braide. Some volunteers gave inspiring accounts of their stewardship. They are Marie Contte (Sierra Leone), Henrietta Mensah (Ghana) and Frankkie Walter (Eritrea). Then there were awards for:
*Impact building - Lamin Conte (Gambia)
*Longest serving volunteer - Gregory Okemafua (Nigeria)
*Longest serving member of staff - Comfort (she rose from cleaner to middle level staff)
*Most innovative volunteer - Sipansi Olalekan (an agronomist who set up 3 enterprise projects in Ilesha, Nigeria)

There you have it, happy anniversary, VSO. I wish VSO many more years of adding local flavour to interventions via re-kindled relationships!

Related Links

*Thoughts about volunteering   https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/we-thinking-volunteering-allwrong-ebony-j-taylor
*Philanthropy on a low budget: 3 things to ignore   #Microgiving   ow.ly/LnPx3O02T21
*2 reasons why we should invest in the poor   ow.ly/7j4Y30ljSZX
*Rural poor left as the rich hug 3 affirmative funds   https://www.nation.co.ke/newsplex/jobcreation/2718262-5439630-12lo42b/index.html
*Covid-19: The enduring spirit of volunteering   https://www.vsointl.org/news/blog/enduring-spirit-of-volunteering/

*VZO, Covid-19 & response to the global education emergency: When school stops, learning must not   https://www.vsointernational.org/news/blog/when-school-stops.../

 

WILTON PARK: #PEACE-BUILDING IN AFRICA

On the 19th of March, 2018, the Wilton Park 'train' moved to Abuja, where a one week long conference on Peace-building (PB) in Africa dissected various aspects of the subject matter in the light of changing global trends. Wilton Park is an executive arm of the UK Foreign office which organises talks/seminars/conferences on contemporary subject matters all over the world. I was one of the invitees to this highly cerebral discourse.

I may not be able to remember all the participants, but a few, whose contributions struck a cord in me are listed below:

*Prof. Chidi Odinkalu - Former Chair, National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Nigeria
*Prof. Joy Ogwu - Nigeria's immediate past Permanent Representative to the UN
*Prof Jibrin Ibrahim - Senior Fellow, CDD
*Dr. Dayo Oluyemi-Kusa - Independent Consultant/Chair National Peace Summit Group (NPSG)/Senior Fellow, CDD
*Prof. Funmi Olonisakin - King's College, London
*Jonathan Cohen - Coalition Resources
*Iris Nxumalo - UN Women, Nigeria
*Cori Wielenga - University of Pretoria
*Ryan d'Souza - UNSOM
*Precious Omaku - Lambeth Palace
*Sandy Africa - Geneva Centre for the Demcratic Control of the Armed Forces (DCAF)
*Onyinye Onwuka - ECOWAS

Wilton Park tagged the discourse 'African Peace-Building'. This notion was challenged. Many participants were of the view that there is nothing like African peace-building. They said it was more accurate to talk about 'Peace-building in Africa'. This entails the fact that the subject matter under review is the practice of PB in Africa and not a 'special' type of PB tagged 'African PB'!

There were attempts to discuss 'disaster demographics' in Nigeria. Threats to peace and security were x-rayed. The communal and government responses to these crises were put under the microscope. The issue of community resilience in the light of these crises was a major point of interest. Community Development Associations (CDAs) play significant roles in protecting vulnerable citizens against armed insurgents. It was noted that in affected states, individuals owe more allegiance to religion than the family!

There are resources in communities for resilience and conflict resolution. Many participants were of the opinion that traditional methods of conflict resolution be employed on a larger scale for better results. Small arms and light weapons (SALWs) were identified as the weapons of mass destruction in Africa. SALWs can be used for up to a hundred years, while being passed from one hand to the other!

It was noted that there might be international conspiracy theories about conflicts in Nigeria. There are female headed households in Nigeria (especially in the north) than ever before due to the number of lives claimed by the insurgency. The need to create a viable national infrastructure for peace resonated throughout the conference.

For me, there were a number of 'takeaways' from the discourse:

*The locals have great ideas, but do not have the resources to actualise them in the pursuit of peace. This is where a gathering like the Wilton Park discourse could identify such ideas with a view to initiating a 'donor basket' to fund same.

*There is a need to build knowledge about PB in Africa, based on sound evidence/research. Researchers/academics and practitioners need to work together. Such synergy would engender sustainable solutions. PB efforts should be sustainable because in Africa like elsewhere, peace and conflict occur in cycles. The period in between is critical.

*There is a need to tap into available resources in communities, especially traditional methods of conflict resolution.

*There should be 'inclusivity'. Women, youths, the elderly, the disabled and other disadvantaged groups need to come on board because they are the most affected since their mobility is negatively affected by their vulnerability in times of crisis.

*The conference was a valuable opportunity to collate good/best practices in PB efforts in Africa. A broad spectrum of expertise was available. There was the possibility of transferrability of expertise/learning from various 'zones' in Africa.

*The changing dynamics of conflicts in Africa do not fit existing frameworks. The narrative is changing with Boko Haram, killer herders, militancy in oil-producing regions, etc. We need to develop new narratives.

The Wilton Park conference was indeed an intellectual feast which could spur participants - both scholars and practitioners to action with a view to coming up with relevant narratives, frameworks and interventions for mitigating conflict in Africa. Kudos to the Wilton Park team for putting together this timely, useful and un-forgettable conference on a subject matter that is crucial to the sustainability of the nation-states in Africa. I cannot wait for the next discourse on the platform of Wilton Park...

Related Links

*11 African innovations in Peace-building   https://lisaschirch.wordpress.com/2019/04/17/11-african-innovations-in-peacebuilding/
*The rising power of peace-building: Rethinking peace & conflict studies   https://amzn.to/2Jh9mFx