CYPLP is organic, not for profit, with big ideas to fight poverty and social injustice in Nigeria. We work for the good of vulnerable, marginalized and most at risk children, young people, youths and women, by enhancing education, cultural, health and well being, at the same time empowering our beneficiaries to become active citizens through global education.

We work with community members, galvanizing young creative energies to become change-makers in their communities, catalyzing co-creation of homegrown solutions to local problems and global challenges through small local actions.  

Nigeria is a country of the young with almost half of the entire 200 million strong population, 46 percent currently are under the age of 15. The current total for children under the age of 5 stands at nearly 41 million while each year at least 8-9 million babies are born. While a little over one in three of Nigeria’s whole population lives below the poverty line, among children this proportion surges to 75 per cent. And we came because of that. To bridge SDGs gaps for the benefit of the 46% young population of Nigeria so no one is left behind. 

At the heart of what we do, is strengthening institutions for the good of citizens while accelerating for the achievement of sustainable development goals through localization at hard to reach communities.

(Sensitization and localization of SDGs for school boys and girls)

We broker and harness stronger partnerships with the private sector for sustainable development using United Nations Guiding Principle on Business and Human Rights.

(Workshop for private companies on Human Rights using UNGP on Business and Human Rights)    

OUR STORY

In 2011, our founder (Dennis Ekwere) was wrongly labeled of allegation for kidnapping 8 years old son of his landlord; whom is considered “well placed/strongman” in the society, whereas they had rental issues.

He was arrested, tortured, intimidated and detained in police cell for four days, refused access to lawyer and then released as masterminded by his “strongman” landlord because of his vulnerability. This sort of treatment of citizens are still on-going unabatedly and access to justice is still unbalanced to many especially the weak and poor in our communities across Nigeria.

(Dennis @ University of Youth Development, Spain)

At police cell, Dennis met with 15 inmates aged ranging from 18-35 years respectively. They shared their stories of what brought them into detention.(And at which Dennis has penned it into a booklet with tittle – Abductor Next Door)   

Surprisingly the inmates alleged crimes ranges from armed robbery, assassination, murder, abduction and kidnapping, rape, internet scam and fraud, human trafficking, radicalization and violent extremism including 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 14 inmates told him they have no regret whatsoever in their involvement in crimes, and if given another chance back into the society, will continue, escalate and intensify their criminal atrocities;  noting that crime pays the more, and that they are excluded from their commonwealth by their gatekeepers.

They confessed collectively that crime is a cycle and were introduced into it when they were children. And if interested in changing the curve for societal good, upon his released from detention, Dennis should focus on children and prevent early entry,  vulnerabilities and recruitment of children and young people into criminalities, violent groups or exposure and development of criminal tendencies, as they were introduced into it while they were children and as young people. That, one best way to break the cycle is to prevent and protect children from it on time . So Dennis reflected on this deeply inside the cell, made up his mind to do something about it, then came up with idea of forming- “Children and Young People Living for Peace (CYPLP)” , a veritable platform with creative solution and deep insightful strategies to prevent, retrieve and exit children, youths and women from violent groups in Nigeria and across Africa.

Upon released, he has since mobilized and motivated other like minds in different fields of endeavors to catch up with the vision of preventing children from abuse, neglect, exploitation and violation, drawing pool of talents together as volunteers, using their expertise to collectively work to protect children, accelerate youths and women issues for the good of all. We are every day people, motivated and coming together to contribute to solving social problems in our communities recognizing that our Government alone can’t do it all. That we the people, are the Government in democracy.

CYPLP represent voice of most marginalized and neglected children, children affected by conflicts, youths and women, not forgetting the elderly . We stand in the gap for people left behind in Nigeria and across Africa online and offline. We came specifically to promote rights to freedom of assembly and association; by availing spaces for social change through citizens meaningful participation, engagement and trust building. Rights to freedom of expression, rebuilding trust of the people, by the people with their government, the private sector, the media, civil society organizations and international community.

Our eyes are constantly on the defense of rights of employers and employees, including gender based abuses, child labor issues at workplaces in Nigeria. We co-design to co-execute locally led programming geared at dissolving difficult social issues simply with indigenous ideas, creativity and innovation spiced with local- common-sense for lasting solutions. Our unique selling point is in designing solutions with insightful context and content which always help us generate success stories and wins.

We affirm that when citizens trust their Government, the private sector, the media, civil society and international community and are ready to involve and be involved, volunteer, cooperate, contribute and synergize collaboratively for inspired actions, that no mountain of social problems are unsurmountable.

Therefore, our core values and strength is tapping the energy and creativity of young population of Nigerians for radical positive change  even as they  grow,  they are part of solution.  But trust through participation and true partnership through engagement for reconstruction of hearts of stones to hearts of compassion.

(Interfaith and Inter-ethnic dialogue sessions) 

Support for a change of negative mental minds of citizens with their Government to a shared trust, so all hands are on deck for national prosperity. Strengthen exchange of cultural and diplomatic relationship of Nigerians with our partners for mutual relationships and benefits.

We continue to works with concrete measurable impacts that have direct bearings in the lives of everyday people, lifting lives in underserved and hard to reach communities, igniting a new spirit for volunteerism among young Nigerians, raising champions to drive systemic and transformative change they want to see.

We amplify voice of the voiceless to the fore, bringing real issues to local, national and international table of discussions for constructive dialogues so policymakers, decision makers, duty bearers and gatekeepers can better grasp the concrete realities of issues, allowing all voices to be heard before decisions about them are made.

(Education program on Following the Rule of Law)

To us, lasting social security solutions are collective actions and we align that security is everybody’s business. It our view that children, youths and women, the whole of community have a role to play and that role is what we empower them to play; playing the simple part.

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 Action awareness for young champions at school) 

Climate change is our real concern, advancing human rights, rule of law and democracy is our priority, promoting biodiversity and agriculture is a task, 

(Awareness against substance and drug use for school boys and girls)

while preventing drug use among young people is a call,  supporting wildlife rights, protecting oceans, advocating for end of environmental crimes, racism, dismantling and disrupting misinformation, disinformation and hate speech online and offline, countering transnational organized crimes among children and youths, and supporting criminal justice system are all part of what we do.

(Awareness program on corruption in health sector to students in health technology school) 

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 focus for a more peaceful world.

Leveraging on the youthful bulge population of Nigeria and 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. 

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(Awareness program on the use social media for social good) 

Accelerating and rebuilding back our communities stronger 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 post Covid19. 

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, 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.

● Working assiduously to equip local non state actors in the private 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 remain unaddressed. 

(Capacity building for community based security – CJTF)

●Sensitizing citizens on the benefits of following the rule of law, promote democracy norms and advancing good governance.

●Advancing digital rights of Nigerians.

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 the host communities and pushes for transparency leading to infrastructural development, defending children and women rights to security and prosperity they need today and in future. We hold firm that mineral resources belongs to the people, and  the people have all rights to benefit from it.

(Water and sanitation program for school girls)

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.

(Training of small holder farmers)

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. 

(Basket ball for peace program)

(Young Community Leaders Mentorship Program)

THEORY OF CHANGE

To prepare young multipliers as change makers that will take up responsibilities in future to close gaps of leadership deficits in Nigeria, drive economic prosperity by  influencing decisions and policies and dominating 20% political leadership role in the next 10 years at local, state and national levels for good governance and inclusive development.            

HOW TO BECOME MEMBER?

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 here – 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 multipliers and young changemakers  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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