North East Regional Initiative: A Lasting Legacy

NERI further strengthened communities by rehabilitating public infrastructure and providing water boreholes. Access to water sources protects residents from exposure to and pressure from insurgent groups, and the rehabilitated infrastructure has facilitated the return of civilian administrative personnel to the far reaches of Northeast Nigeria. In northern Yobe State, NERI supported the population of Kanamma in successfully advocating for the reopening of their high school, closed five years ago because of violent extremists. In Monguno, Dikwa and Maiduguri LGAs, the program strengthened, trained and formalized community-based youth organizations that are eager to play an active role in the development of their community. These groups have greatly suffered during the insurgency and are often bypassed by donors looking for more established organizations to partner with. Safe spaces for socializing are an important part of every community, for its mental health and for improving morale. NERI helped promote these objectives by facilitating durbars, parades and festivals that had been halted for years because of insurgency. The program also created livelihood opportunities for those on the front lines. Two groups of 200 women each — one group comprised of widows of police officers and the other widows of soldiers and civilians — were trained in practical skills, including tailoring, marketing and business management, and food production, sales and packaging. NERI also provided mentorship and startup kits to help the women launch and grow their businesses. Additionally, farmers received training and machinery for cultivating year-round, and youths participated in cash-for-work activities, with some saving enough to start their own microenterprises. Working to shore up the economy and security measures in Northeast Nigeria and fostering community cohesion allows lives there to improve; at least 80% of residents said at the conclusion of the program that they felt more optimistic about the future. Sustaining these gains and not ceding any ground is the key to long-term success.

NERI helped renovate four television viewing centers across Ladu, Ngamma, Toshia and Kanamma communities in Yunusari LGA, Yobe State. The solar-powered centers are equipped with DSTV dishes, decoders and television sets. These centers have become a space for positive interaction among youths, children and elders.

NERI renovated the Isa Ahmadu Town Hall and sports fields in Mubi, Adamawa State, to promote community interaction and activity. Isa Ahmadu Square had been a place for locals to get together to play and socialize, but the area was taken over by insurgents who used the building to lure and recruit youths into their service.

NERI partnered with the Borno State government to establish a community radio station in Biu.

20 | NORTH EAST REGIONAL INITIATIVE: A LASTING LEGACY