EndSARS: Plateau Youths Brainstorm On Peaceful Co-existence

Global Peace and life Rescue Initiative (GOPRI) and the Plateau Intelligentsia Development Initiative  on Wednesday urged Nigerian youths to stand up and ensure unity and peaceful coexistence, which is paramount for sustainable development of the country.

They groups made this known while speaking at   a one day Plateau Youth dialogue with the theme; “Towards a Peaceful and prosperous Plateau State held in Jos.

Conveners of the two groups Dr. Daniel Meshak of Intelligentsia Development Initiative and Amb. Melvin Ejeh of (GOPRI) said the event is to dialogue and discuss the way forward on what concern peace on the Plateau as well  as active participation of youth in decision making for good governance.

They noted that Nigerians Youth have been neglected and not involved in decision making despite having the highest Population in the country.

They said that  recent #Endsars protest movement which was hijacked by hoodlums was as result of lack of involvement of young people in governance and decision making, stressing that youths has the largest population in the society, but they are not involve in decision making”.

The Youth leaders added that youth in the country are hungry and thirsty  to participate in decision making that affect them.

Guest Speaker at the Peace dialogue and Senior Lecturer/Researcher Centre for Peace and Security studies Modibbo Adama University of Technology Yola, Adamawa state Dr. Chris Kwaja speaking on “The Role of good governance in promoting Peace”, said the youth represents what has severally been described as the country’s demographic dividend”.

He said this is largely due to the productive capacity of the youth as the principal agency for peace and development.

“Despite a surge youth population, huge concerns have been raised concerning how to utilise this productive capacity”.

Plateau State Governor and Chairman Northern Governors Forum Barr Simon Lalong represented by his Director of Research and documentation Government House Prof John Wade Said his administration will create an opportunity for youths to contribute towards developing a Peaceful Plateau State.

Lalong expressed happiness with the organisers of the Peace dialogue, saying  government will do everything possible to support the youth in Peace dialogue towards a peaceful and prosperous Plateau State

The Commander of Operation Safe Haven in Plateau State

Major General Chukwuemeka Okonkwo also commended the organisers of the Youth Peace dialogue

Okonkwo represented by the DCP Emmanuel Ado described the Peace dialogue as timely coming at time challenge moment of EndSARs Protest.

He urged youth in the state not to allowed themselves  be used by agents of violence and destruction.

“As youth, you must embrace  peace towards meaningful  development in the state and at the end of Peace dialogue Plateau Youth should be United on a common ground for Peaceful coexistence”.