Over the years, the peace of the entire Nigerian Landscape has been
frequently threatened, leading to wanton loss of precious lives as well
as the destruction of hard – earned properties. That most of our states,
especially the ones in the Northern axis of the country had become a
deathtrap and a hotbed of violent attacks on hapless by-
standers, unfortunate security agents and government and religious
building. And the more the government and other stakeholders try to curb
this, the more the crisis keeps festering. Today, in Nigeria, no day
passes by without sad news of one violence or the other: without one
killing or the other, including attacks and kidnaps of prominent
figures. As a result, the country has become a laughing stock in the
international community as a country that finds it extremely difficult
to fix her security problems.
Over the years, Nigerian security challenges stand on a tripod of armed robbery, kidnapping and the new extrant: Boko Haram insurgency. And most of the tools used in perpetrating all these are youth who choose to become ready instruments of destruction because they do not know any better. Because the only way they believe changes can be effected or their voices could be heard is through violence. From the Nigerian tertiary institutions where students embark on violent protests, and demonstrations leading to death and destruction of lives and properties, to other tiers of education, where the pupils try to cause mayhem. All over the country the story is the same.
In the face of the worsening and prevailing security, Nigerian children should be re-oriented that violence could never solve any problem. They need to be told and taught that dialogue remains the best way and internationally accepted means of resolving issues. And they must be adequately equipped about this. The situation and tradition where students / youth embark on violent protests, killing, maiming and destruction is against the needed inculcation of peace-building in our youth and teenagers alike. Every Nigerian child, for the sake of the future and family, deserves a peace-building capacity. It has become extremely necessary for a paradigm shift and a clear departure from the violent way of settling scores. If truly Nigeria must cross the Rubicon of incessant violent attacks that had killed hundreds of thousands of Nigerians, the youth must be caught young in the aspect of peace building and conflict resolution.
To successfully do this, government at all levels as well as peace – loving individuals, foundations and corporate organizations should be ready to help bank-roll peace Summits, Workshops, Seminars, Symposia among others, that are specifically put together for the youths/teenagers sponsorship should be greatly encouraged. The Nigerian Youth need to be taught that instead of resorting to violent ways of settling scores, that violence is an ill-wind that blows nobody any good, it rather causes more destructions and pandemonium. The recent communal clash between Offa/Erinle indigenes in Kwara State would have been averted if mutual understanding and dialogue were adopted. Most of those used in such clashes are youth. The crisis in the Northern Nigeria could have been doused if the instruments (the youth) had been trained in peace-building and conflict resolution. If their peace –building capacity has been enhanced. That they will refuse to become agents of destruction, knowing full well that those using them will never use their children.
In the words of the late Sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, “The seeds of peace must be sown and nurtured early enough in the minds of men”. And truly, if the seeds of peace can be sown early enough in the minds of our youths / teenagers, violent behavior and attacks would have been reduced by sixty percent. It is our utmost conviction at the Centre for Crisis Prevention and Peace Advocacy (CCPPA) that it has become extremely imperative to raise youth/ teenagers who must be averse to violence by broadening their peace building capacity, through workshops, Youth peace Summits, Seminars, Symposia among others. It is strictly by so doing that the air of peace which had remained grossly elusive in the country, will find its way back. And the country will be better for it.
Over the years, Nigerian security challenges stand on a tripod of armed robbery, kidnapping and the new extrant: Boko Haram insurgency. And most of the tools used in perpetrating all these are youth who choose to become ready instruments of destruction because they do not know any better. Because the only way they believe changes can be effected or their voices could be heard is through violence. From the Nigerian tertiary institutions where students embark on violent protests, and demonstrations leading to death and destruction of lives and properties, to other tiers of education, where the pupils try to cause mayhem. All over the country the story is the same.
In the face of the worsening and prevailing security, Nigerian children should be re-oriented that violence could never solve any problem. They need to be told and taught that dialogue remains the best way and internationally accepted means of resolving issues. And they must be adequately equipped about this. The situation and tradition where students / youth embark on violent protests, killing, maiming and destruction is against the needed inculcation of peace-building in our youth and teenagers alike. Every Nigerian child, for the sake of the future and family, deserves a peace-building capacity. It has become extremely necessary for a paradigm shift and a clear departure from the violent way of settling scores. If truly Nigeria must cross the Rubicon of incessant violent attacks that had killed hundreds of thousands of Nigerians, the youth must be caught young in the aspect of peace building and conflict resolution.
To successfully do this, government at all levels as well as peace – loving individuals, foundations and corporate organizations should be ready to help bank-roll peace Summits, Workshops, Seminars, Symposia among others, that are specifically put together for the youths/teenagers sponsorship should be greatly encouraged. The Nigerian Youth need to be taught that instead of resorting to violent ways of settling scores, that violence is an ill-wind that blows nobody any good, it rather causes more destructions and pandemonium. The recent communal clash between Offa/Erinle indigenes in Kwara State would have been averted if mutual understanding and dialogue were adopted. Most of those used in such clashes are youth. The crisis in the Northern Nigeria could have been doused if the instruments (the youth) had been trained in peace-building and conflict resolution. If their peace –building capacity has been enhanced. That they will refuse to become agents of destruction, knowing full well that those using them will never use their children.
In the words of the late Sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, “The seeds of peace must be sown and nurtured early enough in the minds of men”. And truly, if the seeds of peace can be sown early enough in the minds of our youths / teenagers, violent behavior and attacks would have been reduced by sixty percent. It is our utmost conviction at the Centre for Crisis Prevention and Peace Advocacy (CCPPA) that it has become extremely imperative to raise youth/ teenagers who must be averse to violence by broadening their peace building capacity, through workshops, Youth peace Summits, Seminars, Symposia among others. It is strictly by so doing that the air of peace which had remained grossly elusive in the country, will find its way back. And the country will be better for it.
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