CYPLP is local and organic, not for profit, pool of talents on pro bono, voluntary of experts with informal voice, that is inclusive, analytical with deeper insight and expertise in sorting multi-sectoral, most pressing social challenges in our society through research; specifically the informal space, coming together to work for the achievement of SDGs and Agenda 2063 sustainably.  

In 2010, our founder and focal person (Dennis Ekwere, as was then youth), was wrongly labeled of allegation of kidnapping 8 years old son of his landlord; whom is considered “well placed/strong” in the society, whereas they had rent issue.

He was arrested, tortured and detained in police cell for four days, refused access to a lawyer and then released as masterminded by his “strong” landlord because of his vulnerability. 

At police cell, he met with 15 inmates aged 18-35 years respectively. They shared their stories of what brought them into detention. Surprisingly the inmates alleged crimes ranges from armed robbery, assasination, murder, kidnapping, rape, internet scam and fraud, trafficking, radicalized violent extremism and other organized crimes. He preached for a new leave to his inmates and 1 out of 15 inmates became remorseful and promised a new leave if given a second chance back into the society. The rest inmates told him they have no regret whatsover in their involvement in crimes, and if given another chance into the society, will continue, escalate and intensify their criminal acts; that crime pays them more given that they are excluded from their commonwealth, which is stolen away by the powerful. They confessed collectively that crime is a cycle and were introduced into it when they were children. And if interested in changing violent/criminal curve for societal good, upon his released from detention should focus on children and stop their entry,  vulnerabilities of recruitment into criminilaties, gangs and other criminal tendencies, as that’s one best way to break the cycle. So Dennis reflected on this deeply inside the cell, made up his mind to do something about it, then came up with idea of – “Children and Young People Living for Peace(CYPLP)” , as veritable platform to prevent, counter and exit children, youths and women from criminal violent groups.

Upon released, he mobilized other like minds in different fields of endeavors to catch up the vision, drawing pool of talents together as volunteers, using their expertise to collectively solve and dissolve social problems in their neigborhoods, recgonizing that Government alone can’t do it all. That we, the people are the Government.

CYPLP represent voice of most marginalized and neglected children, children affected by conflicts, youths and women. We stand in the gap for people left behind in the informal sector ecosystem in Nigeria and across Africa online and offline. We came specifically to promote rights to freedom of association; by availing spaces for social change through citizens meaningful participation, engagement and trust building.  Rebuilding trust of the people, by the people, with their government, the private sector, the media, civil society and international communities.

We co-design to co-create programming led actions geared at disolving and solving difficult social issues simply with homegrown ideas, creativity and innovation spiced with local commonsense for lasting solutions. Our unique selling point is in designing and redesigning of social branding solutions with insightful local context and content which always help us generate unique lense for proactive solutions. 

We affirm that when citizens trust their Government, the private sector, the media, civil society and international communities and are ready to involve and be involved, volunteer, cooperate, contribute and synergize colloboratively for inspired actions, that no mountains of social problems that are unsurmountable. Therefore, our core values and strength is the reconstruction of hearts of stones, mental minds of citizens with their Government as continuum; through the use of evidence based approach for inclusive development.

With over 10 years of continued works with concrete measurable impacts that have direct bearings in the lives of everyday people, touched and lifted over one million lives in hard to reach communities in Nigeria, igniting a new spirit for volunteerism among Nigerians and raising active citizens as grassroot champions driving transformative change they want to see in their communities through small local actions.

We will continue to galvanize and amplify voice of the voiceless to the fore, bringing real issues and concerns of the unreached people from communities to local, national and international table of dialogues for constructive discussions; so policy makers, decision makers and duty bearers can better grasp the issues in context and content, so all voices can be heard before decision making are made for the people. We realised lasting social solutions especially insecurity challenges are collective actions and that security is everybody’s business. And people must be carried along including communities. 

We function in line with the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) article 13, operate in line with article 19 and article 20 of Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Article 22 of International  Covenant  on Civil and Political Rights, Article 10 and 11 of African Charter on Human & Peoples Rights.

We exist to translate and breath to United Nations Transnational Organized Crime Convention(UNTOC) and Protocols thereto. We rely in existence in accordance to Nigeria Constitution of Section 39 and 40.

Climate change is our real concern, advancing human rights is our priority, promoting agriculture is a task, while preventing drug use among young people, supporting environmental and wildlife rights, dismantling and disrupting misinformation and hate speech, countering transnational organized crimes among children and youths, and supporting criminal justice system are all parts.

Mobilizing local resources and catalyzing the informal economy for improved livelihoods of most vulnerable and disadvantaged youths and women in poor rural communities through skill development is our focused for a more peaceful world.

Leveraging on the huge population of Africa for accelerated productivity by developing capacity of youths and women through entrepreneurship skills for jobs creation; using technology and the social media platforms as enabler.

Accelerating and rebuilding back our communities strongly through connected partnership between citizens, private businesses, companies, corporations, the media, international communities and the civil society organizations(CSOs) as well as advancing Public Private Partnership (PPP) across Nigeria and Africa in the post Covid 19 era for sustainability.

Educating, sensitizing and raising awareness among young people on the negative effect of illicit financial flows, money laundering, cyber crimes, marine crimes, radicalization leading to violent extremism and terrorism, human trafficking, proliferation of light weapons and small arms, corruption, gender based violation amongst others.

We came to mentor, support the building of strong institutions, activating citizens to hold their institutions accountable for good governance. We are here to spark Africa self reliance.

●Showcase Africa talents and resourcefulness, build bilateral relationships, learn and share diplomatic exchanges in trade and culture to the benefits of the world competitively.

●In our hearts and minds, working assiduously to equip local non state actors in the security sector vis a viz – “Civilian Joint Task Force” aka (C-JTF), Vigilante groups, private security etc with simplified knowledge on human rights,so as to   minimize human rights violations and torture of citizens at grass-root level, which are mostly unreported and unaddressed.

●Sensitizing citizens on the rule of law, democracy and good governance.

●Advocating for employees/workers rights in workplace.

●Advancing digital rights of Nigerians.

      (One of our training sessions for non state security actors)

The anchor to it all is that, we follow, negotiate and influence policies that avails mineral wealth in the extractive industry in Nigeria to the benefits of children and women in host communities and pushes for transparency leading to infrastructural development in the host extractive communities while defending children and women rights to security and prosperity they need today and in the future.We hold firm that mineral resources belongs to the people, and  the people have all rights to benefit from it. 

Recognizing Agenda 2030, our effort through partnership (SDG17) and collaboration with  relevant stakeholders is to join hands in making this ambiguous  goals a reality. Convinced about UNSCR 2250, we are creating more spaces for young people from local  to global peace  actions. Realizing the importance of Agenda 2063, with a mindset of Africa we want, we are energizing with other like-minded Africans all over the world to make this agenda a living. Confirming that peace is what we need for progressive West Africa, we shall pursue passionately with other stakeholders on the fight against corruption, money laundering  and terrorism financing in West Africa. We use sport, dance, music and drama as our social marketing communication tools to shape and influence young minds on issues, changing difficult behaviors and attitudes for greater impacts. 

CYPLP is self regenerative and sustainable, using its independent funding model in generating its streams of revenues including but not limited to crowdfunding. 

You can be part of our social movement as member. Membership is open to all African citizens all over the world, 18 years above willingly bringing expertise as value to the table. Join us today – http://www.cyplp.net.ng/membership/

    To create veritable platforms of engagement of young people, by young people and for young people, through small local actions that can spark big changes in our communities in Nigeria and across Africa.

To mentor and raise young social change champions at local communities in Nigeria and across Africa, spark the spirit of volunteerism that will drive Africa’s self sufficiency and sustainability.

• Research/ Assessment  
•  Capacity Development
• Advocacy
• Publications/Media 
• Psycho Social Support
• Social Media 
• Consultancy

• Human Rights
• Climate Change
• Entrepreneurship 
• Health and Wellness

• Testimonials

 “Since my desire to volunteer with CYPLP organization, it has open a lot of opportunities for me especially my trip to Egypt to represent the organization for a training on “Preventing Radicalization and Extremism Leading to Terrorism”, organized by Cairo Center for Conflict Resolution & Peacekeeping in Africa. Those whom I met where people I never thought of. My perception of so many things has changed and knowledge increased”. Zainab A’shadleeyah

“I was reluctant coming for this workshop – “Young Active Community Leaders Initiative“. I didn’t really understand it when I first saw the advert online, but I encouraged myself to attend since it was a free to attend workshop, and I had always wanted to be active citizen and really am glad I did. My mindset has changed on so many things. I have learned new things, and old things in new ways. Initially I thought my community is where I live. But No, this program presented a new dimension to it, that community starts with me, then my family, neighbors, friends and colleagues, including the people we meet each day online and offline. And that if we are to change the world, we can influence change from within us, by ourselves, to our family, neighbors, friends and people we meet. That was something unimaginable to me and I thanks to CYPLP Team for this opportunity. I will go out there and be the change I want to see, and change my community. Thank you Dennis for this wonderful initiative”.

“I thank CYPLP for bringing this program – Road Safety Awareness to my school @ Government  Boys College, Kaduna. Before now, I knew some of the things that are taught to us today. But I never knew most of them the way I have now. One thing I enjoyed about the program was that, it was informative yet entertaining such that all of us were carried along.

This program TAX EDUCATION is timely but not everyone will understand it, especially the theme – “when it matters most”. I and my colleagues are happy.  We now know why our parents pay tax and should be paying tax. I am empowered through this program to know that I can hold Government accountable and demand for open governance and transparency as citizen. My take away is that as I grow, I will pay my tax, and not just pay but pay it into the right source for expected development. Thanks CYPLP Team and please reach out to other young people like me too in other schools, so that we can have more voices for amplification in future. God bless. Mariam Musa – Head Girl, Nasscity Academy.

Click and read our latest newsletter here-

1. September/October  2017 – http://cyplp.net.ng/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/Newsletter-sept-2017.pdf
2. November edition 2017-      http://cyplp.net.ng/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/November-Newsletter.pdf
3. January/February 2018-      http://cyplp.net.ng/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/vol3.pdf

4. April/May 2018 edition –  http://cyplp.net.ng/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/April_May-Newsletter-1.pdf 

5. Read about drinking water for life  – Independent Impact Assessment of hand pump boreholes in 3 communities  in  Kaduna State, Nigeria – http://cyplp.net.ng/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Impact-Assessment.pdf  

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