We’re advocating de-radicalisation of estranged youth in Borno — Ummu Kalthum

Ummu Kalthum Muhammad Rabiu is 22 years old. The Borno state activist and a polytechnic student is the Peace Ambassador and the Chairperson of Kalthum Foundation for Peace (KFP) promoting deradicalisation of estranged youth in the state. In this interview

WWhat really motivated me was the unfortunate event of the kidnapped 276 Chibok girls which occurred on the night of April 14, 2014 at GGSS Chibok in the town of Chibok. In fact we had a situation where 56 students of a federal institution, the Federal Government College, Buniyadi, Yobe State were brutally slaughtered by terrorists but no one was talking about it. So I decided to be the voice of the voiceless; this is the driving force behind the initiative of Kalthum Campaign for Peace which later changed to Kalthum Foundation for Peace, KFP.

As a successful young activist, what are the challenges you face?

The challenges revolve around the norms, values and beliefs generally accepted in my community. For example, some people don’t think that a lady should be campaigning for basic human rights and freedom; they see us as ill equipped and incompetent to speak out. We also lack logistics like operational vehicles. We lack funds to pay salaries for the 12 staff and stipends for another 20 volunteers.

What projects are you currently working on?

We are presently organizing a seminar on Countering Violent Extremism among Students of both formal and non-formal schools through the SAVE 1 (Students Against Violent Extremism) and the SAVE2 (Sisters Against Violent Extremism) projects. We just concluded the training of over 500 young men and women on how to go into smallholder farming with a view to finding constructive ways to keep them engaged and employed.

What are the platforms you are creating to empower others?

Beside

hat’s the story behind your progressive forum?

the @SimonEchewofun SAVE1 and SAVE2 platforms, we have the EAGLE which stands for Economic Advancement and Good Life for Everyone. We use this platform to economically empower people as part of ridding Borno and the northeast of terrorism. We have about 200 business plans; we hope to give them grants of N10,000 to N150,000 to go into farming. One of them, Al Bashir Abubkar has been empowered for fulltime farming in Ngamdu, and he can employ 22 people.

What is your current membership strength?

We have 478 registered members. My staff and volunteers have the capacity because many of them were school teachers who have experience working with children and young people. I also have staff who have civil service and NGO backgrounds. My team and staff are responsible for my success.

How do you source your fund and what do you use it for?

We source our funding mostly from security agencies, individuals, philanthropists and donor agencies. We have also received support from the media. For example VOA Hausa, Duestchevele Radio, Radio France, Nigerian Army Radio and other media outlets like the Northeast Star magazine have given us tremendous support. Unfortunately no media house in Borno is giving us any support.

What are your plans for expansion in the short run?

My vision is to see KFP become the best and most efficient local NGO in the northeast region of the country. I want to touch the lives of at least 6000 youth through EAGLE and see members of the Boko Haram terrorist group, including Abubakar Shekau surrender because of my peace advocacy campaign. The security agencies have assured that Operation Safe Haven Corridor Initiative is still open for the terrorists to surrender and be deradicalized so that they can be re-integrated into the society.

Do you think this is possible?

With determination, persistence and endurance anything can be achieved. I am an optimistic person even though I am sort of an introvert. I believe that all things are possible with God on my side. A group of final year students of Mechanical Engineering Department of Federal University of Technology (FUT), Minna have fabricated about 5,000 thousand capacity incubator machine in course of carrying out their project work.

In an interview with the Head of the Department and project supervisor, Associate Professor Oluwafemi Olugboji said the machine is unique because it monitors fluctuation and changes in humidity and temperature that may likely cause damage in production.

Olugboji said 90 per cent of the materials used in fabricating the machine was imported from China while 10 per cent was locally sourced. He attributed some of the challenges faced during the project to the lack of cooperation among the students and inadequate funding for the project.

He said the project cost N80,000 when it was done six months ago but noted that it would not cost N1.4million at the present economic situation.

He gave the names of the three students involved in the project to be Babalola Samuel Jola, Chimaze Ezechima Frank and Onche Edoche Moses while urging other students to emulate their research capabilities.

One of them, Mr. Jola said they started the project as part of their final year requirements.

From Jibril Abdulrasheed Tenimu, HND 2, Mass Communication Department, Fed Poly, Bida.