The Election Violence Mitigation & Prevention (e-VIP) project in Akwa Ibom State was implemented by Youth for Change and Social Life Development Foundation (YOFCI) with the primary objective of prevention, mitigations and resolution of election-related conflicts in eight (8) selected Local Government Areas (LGAs) in Akwa Ibom States; Uyo, Ibiono Ibom, Itu, Ikono, Obot Akara, Oron, Eket, Ukanafun. The e-VIP project is funded by Foundation for Partnership Initiative in the Niger Delta (PIND).
During a press briefing recently in Uyo the Akwa Ibom State capital, YOFCI Executive Director, Ambassador Peace Edem alluded that “The project conducted activities on Sensitization/Media Messaging, Community Stakeholders Networks (CSNs), Training of Peace Monitors in Election-Related Conflict Incident Reporting, Advocacy Visitations, and Multi-Stakeholders’ Forum.
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The e-VIP project activities which was conducted over a period of eight (8) months were targeted at the sensitization of young people and relevant stakeholders on the importance of peaceful election and the dangers of election-related violence; establishing community-based stakeholders’ network in the state to respond to reported violence incidences; advocacy engagement to relevant stakeholders on curbing election related violence; and holding stakeholder’s engagement forum of critical stakeholders with a commitment to peaceful elections evidenced by the signing of Peace Accord or Issuing Communiqué.”
The project contributed towards peaceful and violence free election by youths and stakeholders; timely and coordinated response to potential triggers and electoral incidents through established CSNs; political party stakeholders and principals upholding their commitment to a peaceful and violence free election; party candidates and stakeholders engage in peaceful conduct of elections through commitments made in peace accord. Post election engagement was held at Obot Akara, Ibiono Ibom and Itu local government area team.
He however expressed appreciation to PIND Foundation for their contribution and funding support in facilitating peaceful outcomes pre, during, and post 2023 general elections.
Youth for change & Social Life development Foundation aka Youth for Change Initiative (YOFCI) is a unique non-governmental organization established to help minimize societal challenges through the transformation of young people’s mentality positively by developing their capacity on Education/leadership development, Policy/Peace advocacy, democracy & good governance and entrepreneurship.
