Prof Chris Kwaja, the Country Director, United States Institute of Peace (USIP) says youths hold the key to peace building and social cohesion in any country.
Kwaja said this in Nsukka on Thursday in a remark virtually during a workshop organised by USIP and Security, Violence and Conflict Research Group (SVCRG) of the University of Nigeria Nsukka
In collaboration with the Department of Political Science of UNN for youths in South East.
With the theme "The Role of Youths in Peace building and Social Cohesion in South East Nigeria".
Kwaja said that youths in the South East hold the key to peace-building and social cohesion, not just because of their numbers but because of their energy, creativity, and determination.
"As a demographic force, the youths have the potential to reshape the society, it is essential we encourage them to channel this potential energy and creativity towards unity, peace, and progress.
"Youths share common aspirations. It is only through synergy between them across the country that we can truly achieve the national cohesion and unity that Nigeria desperately needs.
"When young people in the North and South work together, they will create stronger bonds, foster understanding, and build a more united and prosperous Nigeria," he said.
Kwaja assured that USIP continued commitment to supporting initiatives like the one championed by SVCRG and the Department of Political Science UNN.
"Together, we can inspire and engage our youths to lead the way in peace-building and conflict resolution for a brighter and more unified Nigeria," Kwaja said.
In a remark, Prof Chidi Nzeadibe, Dean, Faculty of Social Science UNN and member of the SVCRG said that the research group discovered gap in policy and interventions over the years on voices of youths not being heard.
"There is a need to hear the voice of youths in line with SDG number 16 which stresses peace and justice.
"I commend USIP for its support to the research group and urged the institute to sustain its support in ensuring that youths are keyed in peace building and social cohesion in the country," he said.
The dean commended the department of political science for its collaboration with the group.
"I commend the Department of Political Science, especially the Head of the department for the transformational changes in the department," he said.
Nzeadibe urged youths in the country to always ensure they contribute their quote in peace building and social cohesion in order to achieve a better society.
In a remark, Prof. Freedom Onuoha, the Coordinator of UNN
SVCRG research group said that the one-day workshop was to engage and educate youths in the south east on their role in peace building and community cohesion.
He said that the research group had over the years had very important studies on security, violence and conflict in south east which according to him informed their programming, interventions, and advocacy.
"I commend the USIP for their collaboration and sponsorship as well as the institute's effort to prevent, mitigate, and resolve violent conflict in Africa and south east Nigeria in particular.
"This conference will interrogate and intervene in the lack of the voice of the youths in terms of how conflict is impacting them, but most importantly in terms of the role they can play in peace building and social cohesion," he said.
Prof. Peter Mba, Head of Political Science Department, UNN commended the organizers of the conference and noted that the event came up at a time when there is tension in the country over government economic policies, pledging the department's continuous collaboration and support.
In a paper titled "Youth, Peace, and Security Agenda: The Role of Youth in Peace building in South East, Dr. Chikodiri Nwangwu, a Post Doctorate Research Fellow at University of Johannesburg, South Africa urged south east governor to promote youth participation in governance.
He said this can be achieved through economic empowerment, capacity building, and training mentorship, as well as special quotas for youths for elective and appointment positions.
This was as he called for the release of Nnamdi Kalu, the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra as a way of reducing tension in south east
Our correspondent reports that, Dr.Obioma Chike-Okenyi from Institute for Peace, Conflict and
Development Studies (IPCDS), Enugu State University of Science and Technology made a presentation titled "Understanding conflict and peace building in the south east from a gender lens.
While Prof. Gerald Ezirim
Programme Lead of SVCRG also made a presentation titled "Youth’s Experience with Conflict and
Peace building in the South East: An experience sharing opportunities for youth across conflict-affected
communities in the region."
Some of the youths interviewed expressed appreciation to organisers of the event for teaching them how they can contribute to peace building, conflict resolution and social cohesion in their various communities without resorting to violence.
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