BACKGROUND

This seminar is being organised by the African First Ladies Peace Mission, (AFLPM) in collaboration with the Office of the First Lady of Nigeria and CTP International, a UK–Nigeria based executive learning and development consultancy.The AFLPM has as its mandate the promotion of peace and development in Africa through supporting victims of conflict and using appropriate mechanisms and institutions to protect women and children in conflict areas. This seminar will contribute to the personal and professional development of participants, as leaders, whilst creating space for knowledge sharing and peer–to–peer networking. The programme is endorsed by the Institute of Leadership Development as an executive development programme. The threat to peace and security in communities is an existential one in contemporary Nigeria. The impact of Covid19 is more pronounced in communities where poverty is most widespread and awareness of safe health practices is lowest. But even that sad situation is further complicated by the collateral pandemic of gender–based violence which has exploded on the scene since theCovid–19–induced lockdown. Globally, the COVID19 pandemic and its social and economic impacts have created a global crisis unparalleled in history. Young people and women are particularly vulnerable to the disruptions the pandemic has caused. Many young people are now at risk of being left behind in education, economic opportunities, and health and wellbeing during a crucial stage of their life development. Young people are more likely to be impacted by economic disruptions, conflict and community strife. It therefore falls upon those in a position (such as the First Ladies) whose mandate is to bring hope and succour to those segments of the populace, and to demonstrate the requisite leadership. The youth are also least likely to put up and shut up, for too long, as the peaceful global protest against police brutality and other grievances have demonstrated. This event offers an important platform for further dialogue and engagement with the youth, thereby complementing the efforts of government in reaching and reconnecting with this critical demographic.