NAN-H-104
Youths
By Modupe Seriboh
Ibadan, Sept. 21, 2016 (NAN) Prof. Tajudeen Akanji of the Department of African Studies, University of Ibadan, has called on youths to combine their energy and drive to promote peace building.
Akanji said this at a lecture he delivered to commemorate the International Day of Peace organised by the Institute for Peace and Strategic Studies Students Association (IPSSSA) of the University of Ibadan.
The lecture was entitled : “Youth, Peace and Security: The Need for Youth Involvement in Peace. ”
Akanji said that rather than refer to youths as leaders of tomorrow, “ they should actually be the drivers of today.’’
The don said that the youths were expected to be the richest resources any country needs to develop.
“This is because the youthful part of one’s life is a period when one is full of energy to carry out the required activities for development to thrive, ” he said.
He, however, said youths becoming drivers of change would require responsibility and capacity by engaging in continuing education programmes aimed at growing emotional intelligence and community development skills.
“One important role which the youths can play in peace and conflict resolution is for them to be the change.
“The youths can do this by modifying their attitudes toward institutions, people, traditions, religion and beliefs,’’ he said.
Akanji said that there was the need for the youth to engaged in activities that would promote a culture of peace and conflict free environment.
“On the other hand, the youth can play an active role in peace and conflict resolution by forming a new community of peace missionaries and NGO network at the grassroots,’’ he said.
Akanji, however, identified challenges such as poverty, hunger, diminishing natural resources, water scarcity, social inequality, corruption and racism as militating against peace in the world.
He also identified the Sustainable Development Goals as the possible solution to insecurity in the world, saying it would provide the foundation for lasting peace.
“Peace in itself nourishes and reinforces the condition for sustainable development and world peace.
“The call is for all, particularly the young , to mobilise resources and ensure the full realisation of the 17 identified Sustainable Development Goals in order to improve the well being of all citizens of the world,’’ he said. (NAN)
MAM/OJO
========
(Edited and controlled by Mufutau Ojo)