Building Blocks For Peace Foundation (BB4Peace) has harped on the need for inter-generational and intercultural dialogue for peace and security in the country.
Mr Rafiu Lawal, the Executive Director of the foundation stated in a communiqué issued at the end of a two-day National Youth Dialogue on Peace and Security on Friday in Abuja.
The youth dialogue was organised by BB4Peace in collaboration with the African Union Youth4Peace Programme, National Orientation Agency and CLEEN foundation respectively.
The dialogue, which was attended by over 100 youths, had as its theme: “Strengthening Capacities of Nigeria Youth for Peace through intercultural dialogue and advocacy for the youth, peace and security agenda`’.
Lawal said that the event was aimed at strengthening the capacities and building the competencies of young people for peace advocacy, conflict transformation and inter-cultural relations.
He said that as young people, there was need to recognise that the state of peace and security in the county was becoming worrisome as it attempted to deal with several security threats.
The communiqué adopted by participants at the event noted that “some of the root causes of the ethno-religious conflicts in Nigeria included perception of marginalisation, nepotism, politicisation of ethnicity, the loss of value system among others.
The communiqué stated that violent conflicts had several negative implications on the lives, aspirations and development trajectory of young people.
Some of which it said included forced migration and displacement, insecurity, destruction of public infrastructure, loss of income, human rights abuses, high rates of social crime, loss of lives and property and increased radicalisation of young people.
BB4Peace foundation in the communiqué also recognised the involvement of a few youths in the ongoing conflicts across the country.
It reaffirmed that majority of Nigerian youths were peaceful, while urging all stakeholders to acknowledge and support the positive role of young people to peace building and security across the country.
Participants at the youth dialogue noted that young people must be supported in their quest for peacebuilding and sustainable development in Nigeria. (NAN)
