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From Fred Ezeh, Abuja
Nigerian youths have been encouraged to engage in peaceful activities that would engender peaceful process that would culminate in violent-free elections.
The youths were reminded that they occupy critical position in the electoral process, in addition to the fact that they have higher percentage of voting population which means they have the numbers to determine who wins what position.
Founder of Vision Africa, Bishop Sunday Onuoha, dropped the advice in Abuja, on Tuesday, at an inclusive youth dialogue meeting against electoral violence, organized with the support of ADF International and Global Peace Foundation.
Bishop Onuoha, in his remarks, appealed to hundreds of youths that participated in the meeting to be vessel of good character and behaviour, and not make themselves “cheaply available” for use by desperate politicians who are, obviously, after what they would gain.
He advised the youths to adopt the option of dialogue for whatever issues, challenges or misgivings that they might have regarding any process or governance, instead of resorting to violence.
He said: “dialogue remains a critical component in resolving issues. I strongly advise that you embrace dialogue and consultations, and in addition to that evolve ideas that would guarantee peace, unity and development of the country.”
In their separate remarks, the President, National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Sukubo Sara-Igbe Sukubo; National Chairman of Youth Wing of CAN (YOWICAN), Belusochukwu Enwere; and National President of National Council of Muslim Youth Organisations (NACOMYO), Malam Sani Suleman, applauded the initiatives by the Global Peace Foundation for assembling youths from across the country for the purpose of educating and enlightening them on voter education and the need for violence-free elections ahead the 2023 general elections.
They promised that NYCN and other youth groups would continue to mobilize the youths and educate them on the need for deep participation in the electoral system so they can be part of choosing their leaders instead of sitting-on-the-fence lamenting endlessly about bad governance.
Former General Officer Commander (GOC) 3 Division, Rukuba Cantonment, Jos, Plateau State, Major General Saleh Maina (rtd), in his submissions, challenged the youths to take advantage of the different empowerment programmes set of by the Federal Government rather than engaging in vices that are inimical to national development.
Similarly, the Regional Representative, Global Peace Foundation, Rev. Father Canice Enyiaka, in his remarks, urged the youths to pick lessons from history, particularly how developed nations leveraged the ingenuity of their youths to transform their socioeconomic systems.
He, thus, urged the youths to use their numerical strength as confirmed by INEC statistics to stand and speak peace, equity and fairness in the forthcoming elections.
