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Displaced Youths in Nigerian Catholic Diocese to Benefit from Initiative “designed to restore hope, rebuild livelihoods”

JDPC Coordinator in Yola Diocese, Fr. Maurice Kwairanga

Nigeria's Catholic Diocese of Yola is spearheading an initiative to empower 150 young people by the end of December 2025, an official has told ACI Africa.

Organized by the Justice, Development, and Peace Commission (JDPC) with support from Mission Take Heart, the program aims to provide practical skills, business startup support, and a pathway toward economic independence.

In an interview with ACI Africa on the sidelines of a seven-day training program for displaced youths, the JDPC Coordinator in Yola Diocese, Fr. Maurice Kwairanga, highlighted goals of the initiative, the challenges that displaced youths face, and the urgent need to shift perspectives on employment and self-sufficiency.

“For the past two decades, many young people in Yola and surrounding areas have lived in camps for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), their education disrupted, and their economic prospects dimmed by instability occasioned by insecurity,” Fr. Kwairanga told ACI Africa on February 1.

The initiative that he described as “empowerment program is designed to restore hope and rebuild livelihoods by equipping the youths with skills that will enable them to stand on their own.”

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“This initiative is not just about training; it is about giving these young people the tools they need to build their futures. After living in displacement for 20 years, they need practical support to reintegrate into society and contribute meaningfully to their communities,” the Nigerian Catholic Priest added.

The initiative that is to be realized in partnership with the Clinic Services of Mission Take Heart is aligned with the organization’s mission of supporting persecuted Christians, he said. 

By providing youths with vital skills, the initiative seeks to strengthen community resilience and improve health outcomes in vulnerable populations.

“This program is not just about training; it’s about equipping young people to become change agents, ensuring that their communities can thrive even in difficult circumstances,” Fr. Kwairanga emphasized. 

He continued, “One of the key components of the training is First Aid, a crucial skill needed in the IDP camps where access to medical care is often limited. Participants will be taught how to manage wounds, sprains, and choking incidents, as well as how to perform CPR. Empowering young people with First Aid knowledge means more lives can be saved in emergencies.”

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The JDPC Coordinator, who also serves as the Parish Priest of St. Charles Lwanga Parish of Yola Diocese, underscored the link between youth empowerment, peace, and security. 

Without sustainable economic opportunities, he warned, instability and crime could persist.

“You cannot talk of peace and security without making provisions for the livelihoods of the youth,” Fr. Kwairanga said. 

For him, “If young people are unemployed and have no means of survival, they become vulnerable to crime, radicalization, and social unrest. By providing training and startup support, the initiative seeks to reduce dependency and promote self-sufficiency, laying the groundwork for a more peaceful and prosperous society.”

Fr. Kwairanga also noted the need for a shift in the mindset among youths in Nigeria considering that government employment is no longer a reliable option. 

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He encouraged youths to acquire skills and explore entrepreneurship if they are to be on a sustainable path going forward.

“The age-old attitude of waiting for government employment and salaries is not working; the way forward is to learn a trade or expertise in skills acquisition. This is the future. The private sector, self-employment, and small businesses hold the key to economic transformation, especially in regions struggling with high youth unemployment and insecurity,” he said.

By the end of the training in December 2025, Fr. Kwairanga said, “we don’t want these youths to return to square one. Every participant will leave with either a toolkit or seed capital, ensuring they can start a business and become financially independent despite their present circumstances as Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).”

The goal is to ensure that every trained youth has the necessary resources to apply their skills and start earning a livelihood, he explained.

The training is also to cover essential health-related topics, including pyrexia (fever), hygiene promotion, and sanitation – issues prevalent in overcrowded IDP settlements.

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“Participants learned to identify fever symptoms, understand potential causes, and seek medical attention when necessary,” Fr. Kwairanga said. 

He added, “Given the risks posed by poor living conditions, the program included sessions on thermal burns, educating participants on both prevention and treatment. Training on bites and stings equipped them with the knowledge to respond effectively to insect or animal bites and recognize when medical intervention is needed.”

Fr. Kwairanga expressed optimism about the initiative’s long-term impact, noting that the project promises to be a game-changer for 150 young people and their families.

“By providing practical training, startup resources, and a renewed sense of purpose, the program is planting the seeds for a more resilient and self-sufficient generation,” the Nigerian Catholic Priest told ACI Africa on February 1.

Abah Anthony John is a Nigerian Journalist with great enthusiasm and interest for Catholic Church Communication and Media Apostolate. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Mass Communication from Benue State University, Makurdi, Benue State Nigeria. He has vast experience in Print,  Electronic and Multi-Media Production.