22/09/2026
𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡, 𝐏𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲: 𝐙𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐕𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐞𝐧𝐮𝐞 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐀𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐧 𝐢𝐧 𝐙𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐂
Building Blocks for Peace Foundation in collaboration with the Benue State Government, convened a zonal validation exercise for the Draft Zero of the Benue State Action Plan on Youth, Peace and Security in Otukpo, Benue State.
The exercise is part of the broader process of developing a locally owned, inclusive, evidence-based, and context-responsive Action Plan that reflects the lived realities, challenges, priorities, and aspirations of young people across Benue State’s three senatorial districts.
The validation brought together young people, women, community representatives, civil society organizations, government representatives, and other relevant stakeholders from the nine Local Government Areas that make up Benue South Senatorial District (Zone C): Ado, Agatu, Apa, Obi, Ogbadibo, Ohimini, Oju, Okpokwu, and Otukpo.
At the heart of the exercise was a critical review of the evidence and findings generated during the earlier consultation and data-collection process. Participants assessed the extent to which these findings captured the experiences and priorities of young people and communities across the zone, while also reviewing the proposed strategic priorities and interventions contained in the Draft Zero.
Through these discussions, stakeholders identified gaps, provided additional evidence, offered corrections, and proposed recommendations to strengthen the Action Plan ahead of its finalization.
𝐊𝐞𝐲 𝐈𝐬𝐬𝐮𝐞𝐬 𝐑𝐚𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐝
A major issue highlighted during the validation was the need to clearly distinguish genuine employment and decent work from activities that merely enable young people to survive. Participants emphasized the importance of addressing the quality, sustainability, and dignity of employment opportunities available to young people.
Stakeholders also called for cultism and drug abuse to receive more deliberate attention within the Action Plan, given their implications for young people's wellbeing, opportunities, and participation in peaceful communities.
The condition of public educational infrastructure also emerged as a significant concern. Participants drew attention to the dilapidated state of many public schools and expressed concern about the growing reliance on private schools as the primary pathway to educational advancement across the zone.
The contributions from stakeholders will help strengthen the Action Plan and ensure that its priorities and proposed interventions are grounded in the realities of the communities and young people it seeks to serve.
We appreciate the Benue State Government, participating Local Government Areas, young people, women, civil society organizations, community representatives, and all stakeholders who contributed their experiences, perspectives, and recommendations to this important process.
