North East Regional Initiative: A Lasting Legacy

After a 10-year hiatus caused by insurgency, a Grand Durbar returned to Maiduguri’s Shehu Courtyards. Organized by NERI, it drew about 800 participants from Mobbar, Gubio, Magumeri, Nganzai and Monguno LGAs, Borno State. The durbar, a rare cultural festival in which ordinary citizens portray exotic royalty, promotes social cohesion and peace. By reviving the durbar, the community demonstrated resilience amid insurgency. PHOTO BY BUKOLA BAYO-PHILIP The first youth-led TEDx event in Maiduguri, Borno State, tagged TEDxShehuri: “The Transition,” drew more than 400 youths, humanitarian and development actors, innovators, activists, community members, government officials and others on Jan. 25, 2020. NERI provided support so the platform could be an exchange of ideas and innovations that would inspire positive social change toward countering violent extremism.

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