ActionAid Nigeria tasks youth on peace

ActionAid Nigeria, an International Non-governmental Organisation has called on youth to promote peaceful coexistence through constructive engagement with duty bearers rather than presenting themselves as tools violence in the society.

Acting executive director, Participation Initiative for Behavioural Change In Development (PIBCID) Halima Sadiq, made the call at the 2019 Igalamela Youth Renaissance Dialogue in Ajaka, Igalamela-Odolu local government area of Kogi state.

The dialogue is part of the ActionAid three-year System and Structure Strengthening Approach Against Radicalisation to Violent Extremism (SARVE II) project funded by Global Community Engagement and Resilience Fund (GCERF).

Sadiq, while addressing the over 600 youth drawn from 320 communities in the local government, said peace was a necessity for economic growth and development , urging them to “imbibe, uphold and be guided by peace initiatives.

She urged the political youth leaders from the communities to always maintain peace by giving peace in all circumstances saying, “You should guard against presenting yourselves as tools to perpetrate violence”

Project Officer ActionAid Nigeria Mr Friday Ogezi, while speaking at the occasion charged the youths and all participants to promote peaceful coexistence through constructive engagements with duty bearers.

Similarly, Mrs Gift Omoniwa Project Coordinator, Search for Common Ground (SEARCH) presenting a paper, “Youth Development Initiative for Preventing Violent Extremism”, charged the youth to always articulate their demands and needs through development programmes and approach politicians ahead of elections.

This, according to her, gives them better grounds to negotiate and attract development their communities and address their needs from duty bearers when they assume office after elections.

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