From Lawan Sunday, Lafia
ActionAid Nigeria said it would expend $2.5 million in the implementation of the second phase of its project tagged “System and Structure Strengthening Approach against Radicalisation to Violent Extremism” SARVE 2 in Kogi and Nasarawa States. 
The 33-months project which was initially implemented in Kogi State only from 2016 to 2018, was on Thursday launched Nasarawa State. 
Mr David Habba,manager, Humanitarian and Resilience, ActionAid Nigeria, disclosed that the project has a three year timeframe. 
He said out of the twenty four benefitting communities in the two states, twelve  communities from Nasarawa state will benefit $1.25 million  investment in infrastructure and human capital development. 
“The project will reach 36,000 beneficiaries directly which comprises 18,200 youths , 4,160 women, 7,320 men and 6,320 in-school children”. 
Habba explained further that the project encompasses supporting the benefitting communities against injustice and inequalities through building tolerance, strengthen community agencies where violent extremists exploit weak governance, and providing positive socio-economic alternatives and life skills to what violent extremists claim to offer. 
 The country director of ActionAid Nigeria, Mrs. Ene Obi said there is no better time to strengthen structures and systems against radicalization and extreme violence than now given the challenges it has posed nationwide. 
Represented by the director of programme, Tasallah Chibok, she said the benefitting communitiescut across six local government areas each in Kogi and Nasarawa states which include Igalamela/Odolu, Ankpa, Adavi, Okehi, and Lokoja n Kogi state, with Obi, Lafia, Nassarawa-Eggon, Akwanga, Toto and Nassarawa) in Nasarawa State.