US Country Director says, youths hold key to peace building, social cohesion

By Agency Report 

Prof Chris Kwaja, the Country Director, United States Institute of Peace (USIP) says youths hold key to peace building and social cohesion in any country.

Kwaja said this in Nsukka on Friday in a remark virtually during a workshop organised by USIP and Security, Violence and Conflict Research Group (SVCRG) of 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 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 would continue 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 on policy and interventions of government over the years which made voices of youths not been heard.

"There is need to hear the voices of youths in line with SDG number 16 that stress on peace,  justice and strong institutions.

"I commend USIP for its support to our research group and urged the   institute not to relent 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, Prof Peter Mba 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 the desired society.

Speaking, Mba,  commended the organisers of the conference and noted that the event came up at a time when there is tension in the country over government economic policies. 

Mbah pledged  the department's continuous collaboration with USIP and SVCRG in ensuring adquate involvement of youths in peace building and community cohesion.

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 governors to promote youth participation in governance and peace building.

He said this can be achieved through economic empowerment, capacity building and training mentorship, as well as special quota for youths for elective and appointment positions.

Nwangwu urged Federal Government to consider the release of Nnamdi Kalu, the detained Leader of Indigenous People of Biafra as way of reducing tension  and building peace in south east.

Earlier, Prof. Freedom Onuoha, the Coordinator of UNNSVCRG research group said that the one day workshop was to engage and educate youths in the south east on their role to peace building and community cohesion.

Onuoha said that the research group had over the years had a 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  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.

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 SVCRG, also made a presentation titled Youth’s Experience with Conflict and Peace building in the South East: An experience sharing opportunity for youth across conflict-affected communities in the region.

Some of the youths interviewed by our correspondent expressed appreciation to organisers of the event for teaching them how they can contribute in peace building, conflict resolution and community cohesion in their various communities without resorting to violence l.