International Youth Day: NGO urges youths to shun violence

International Youth Day: NGO urges youths to shun violence
By Awayi Kuje
Youths
Keffi (Nasarawa State), Aug. 13, 2018 (NAN) The Beyond Boundaries Legacy Leadership Initiative (BBLLI), an NGO, has urged Nigerian youths to shun violence and reprisal attacks in the interest of peace and national development.
Mr Omaga Daniel, the Executive Director of the NGO, made the call on Monday in Keffi, Nasarawa State, on the occasion of `Diversity for Peace and Development (DPDP) Ambassadors Recognition’ organised by the group to celebrate the 2018 International Youth Day (IYD).
Daniel said that the organisation had trained 15 youth leaders and community influencers on peace and ethno-religious tolerance in Nasarawa state, as peace was a panacea for economic growth and development.
He also disclosed that five out of the 15 youth leaders and community influencers trained on peace and ethno-religious were recognised as ambassadors of DPDP in the state.
The executive director expressed appreciation to Niwano Peace Foundation, Japan, for their support and thanked the Emir of Keffi, Dr Shehu Chindo Yamusa III, for his fatherly role in ensuring that the organisation succeeds.
“We are here to celebrate those who have distinguished themselves in the course of executing their projects as Diversity for Peace and Development Ambassadors, as the world celebrates International Youth Day (IYD).
“In the last three years, the BBLLI has in line with its core mandate, consistently sought partnerships with relevant organizations, be they government, educational, religious, security.
“And even international organisations that share in our belief, that mass literacy is an effective tool for fighting and conquering diverse social ills, economic imbalance and social injustice.
“Within the same period, our sense of unity as Nigerians came under severe attacks by series of avoidable events, which attempted to distort our sense of oneness as a people. Where some of these events failed, others recorded a measure of success.
“It is clear that every incidence of restiveness in the world over thrives on the tripods of illiteracy, high unemployment ratio and little or no access to civil orientation – the Nigerian scenario is therefore not an exception.
“There is however a social school of thought which clearly suggests that for any society to enjoy peace, such a society must build the peace it wants to enjoy.
“It is in recognition of this statement of fact, that the BBLLI with sponsorship from NIWANO Peace Foundation has promoted peaceful coexistence among Nigerians in Nasarawa state through the Diversity for Peace and Development Project (DPDP) which we commenced in December, 2017,” he said.
Daniel restated the organisation’s commitment to continue to key into good policies and programmes that would promote peace while urging Nigerians to continue to embrace peace to achieve speedy development.
“2018 is a significant year for Nigeria in view of the forthcoming general elections in 2019. This is therefore the best time to take the message of peace and national unity to Nigerians at their various door steps,” he added.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the United Nations had set aside Aug. 12 to commemorate the IYD.
The theme for this year’s celebration is “Safe Spaces for Youth’’. (NAN)
AKW/OIF/MST
Edited by Ifeyinwa Okonkwo/Muhammad Suleiman Tola