By Ali Sabo:
The Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) conducted a research on Community Resilience in Boko Haram affected states between 2015-2016 with support from United State Institute for Peace (USIP). The purpose of the research was to investigate the factors that make communities vulnerable and more resilient to violent action carried out by the insurgents in the North-Eastern states and some part of North West and North Central states respectively, and to also examine the resilience mechanism of Jigawa State to Boko Haram attacks. And finally, the research seeks to draw lessons on how to deepen resilience and enhance community capacity to bounce back from trauma, destruction and damages caused by the insurgents. The study was also conducted within the context of a larger learning from peace theme whose goal was to find effective strategies to prevent mass violence in society.
Having undergone validation at different levels, the research has now been published as a book titled “Understanding Community Resilience in the Context of Boko Haram Insurgency in Nigeriaâ€. To make it public and serve as a document that provides lessons to strong, weak and non affected communities, CITAD presents the book to the public at the presence of Journalists, academicians, Civil Society Organizations and Students. The launching took place on the 22nd of June, 2017 at the Board Room, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Federal University, Dutse.
The launching was facilitated by Ibrahim Mohammad Machina of the Federal University, Gashua who served as the presenter of the book, Malam Isah Garba, Senior Programme Officer (Peace) CITAD as the discussant and Dr. Dalhatu Yola as the chairman of the occasion. At the end of the programme questions were entertained from journalists and other participants at the event.
