The Minister of Youth and Sports, Sunday Dare has expressed commitment of the ministry to the ongoing fight against terrorism, kidnappings, banditry through advocacy and peace building.
Mr Dare, represented by the Deputy Director, Network and Social Mobilisation of the Ministry, gave the assurance at the High Level Meeting of Stakeholders on National Summit on Youth Peace and Security on Sunday in Abuja.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the meeting which was organised by the African Youth Resource Centre (AYRC) was to brainstorm on arrangements to organise the National Summit on Youth, Peace and Security in November.
The minister expressed readiness of the ministry to partner with the Centre and others to organise the summit and called on other stakeholders to support project.
Speaking Earlier, the Executive Director of the centre, Ben Duntoye said that the summit with the theme “Youth Advancing Peace and Stability,” would be attended by no fewer than 1000 youth participants from across the country.
He explained that the summit was aimed at bringing major stakeholders together, most expecially youths from all strata of the society to strengthen their capacity to lead action at both community and national levels on Peace and security.
“You will agree with us that development gains are difficult to achieve amidst conflict and fragility and in its aftermath, promoting peace and stability, creating in turn a tenable environment for sustainable development progress.
“Currently Nigeria is experiencing a sharp increase in violent extremism, kidnapping, terrorism and also intertribal distrust and suspicions fueled by political and religious bigots.”
He commended the Federal Government for its efforts in the ongoing counter terrorism operations, sustaining peace and security in the country.
“A critical constituent of the society which has not been involved in this process is the Youth of which they constitute a greater proportion of the society and are the most affected.”
“The United Nations Security Council Resolution 2250 (UNSCR 2250) adopted in 2015 and the National Youth Policy 2019, both emphasise the importance of Youth as agent of change in maintaining and promotion of Peace and security.”
Mr Duntoye therefore, called on development partners and security agencies to support the laudable project.
Earlier, in his address, the Ag. Director General of the Institute of Peace and Conflict Resolution, Dr Bakut T. Bakut who was represented by Mr Acholomu Chigozie, pledged the support of the institute to the success of the conference.
He called on youth serving organisations, the development partners and security agencies to support the laudable project.
NAN
