By Correspondent in Lokoja.
An NGO, Community Initiatives to Promote Peace (CIPP), has cautioned youths against electoral violence and intolerance in the interest of peace in communities during and forthcoming general elections in 2023.
Mrs Bola Nelson, Coordinator of CIPP, gave the advice on Friday at a one-day workshop CIPP organised in conjunction with USAID, Mercy Corps and Youths Critical Discussion, parents as well as youths from Adankolo community and religious leaders in Lokoja.
Nelson said parents, community and religious leaders played vital roles in moulding the hearts and attitudes of youths to ensure a peaceful society.
“Electoral violence is one of the major catalyst of crises and destruction of lives and property in our communities, we felt we should start tackling it with seriousness now that we are in the season of elections.
“We expect the participants of our programme to be good ambassadors, who will stand for peace and speak peace to their wards, families, neighbours, communities and organisations.
“We expect them to go and educate our youths not to allow themselves to be used by bad elements or politicians to disrupt the peace of our communities before, during and after elections,’’ she said.
Nelson also called on parents and religious leaders, as ambassadors, to caution youths against hate speeches, rumour mongering, fake news and temperament.
“Discipline is key towards obtaining and maintaining peaceful communities for the desired economic growth and development,” she stressed.
A resource person, Mrs Esther Perter-Sanda, said that the role of parents in the upbringing of children could not be over emphasised, given its importance to a peaceful society.
Perter-Sanda said that in a family, there were differences just as in politics, especially in choice of political parties or candidates.
According to her, once there is respect and tolerance, peace will reign supreme in the home and community at large.
“We expect you to go and teach the youths on the need for them to be disciplined and maintain peace during the forthcoming general elections for meaningful development to take place.
“In fact, without peace, there can’t be any meaningful development in any society, therefore, we must keep preaching peace to our youths who are the leaders of tomorrow, “she said.
Mrs salamatu Yakubu, anither resource person and member, the Youths Critical Discussion Group of Adankolo community, described the programme as “very apt and an eye opener” to the teaming youths of Adankolo community.
One of the participants, Miss Blessing Okeku, appreciated the organisers of the workshop, expressing optimism that the exercise would impact on the youth positively.
Edited by Dada Ahmed.
