Impact News
A non-governmental organization (NGO) dedicated to Caring for the Vulnerable Children in Africa (CVC Africa) has called on the Nigerian Government to invest more in youth development in order to promote peace and make the country safer.
Founder of CVC Africa, Mrs. Patience Afebu made the call on Thursday, 22nd September, 2022, in Abuja, during a one-day National Dialogue on Peace, Security and Youth Empowerment, with the theme: Peace and Unity: A Panacea For Better Nigeria.
Afebu, who spoke on how to make Nigeria better, emphasized that the future of Nigeria belongs to the youths of the country while expressing worry that some of them have been badly influenced by what is happening in the country.
Afebu expressed optimism that after the programme young participants drawn from schools and other community based- organizations will go back with a better mindset to influence the society positively.
“It is a fact that Nigeria is the giant of Africa and anything that happens to Nigeria affects the whole of Africa. We are blessed with a lot of resources, including manpower and a good climate.” But we are being brainwashed to think that the fortune of the country is nothing to write home about. The present government will not be there forever reason our youths need to be prepared to attain leadership positions. The government has to do everything possible to take serious the welfare of Nigerian youths because it is cheaper to invest in people, especially young adults than to invest in weapons.”
“To curb crime in the society, we need to do more of human capital development especially as it involves the youths and children. Let us look at other advanced nations, follow their template and in the next few years we will see the results.” Afebu stressed.
In his keynote address, Air Commodore Adeyemi Balogun (rtd) spoke in the same vein as the founder of CVC Africa, emphasizing that young people are the hope of Nigeria, and the need to ensure peace and security in the country.
Balogun encouraged the Nigerian youths to have a global vision and go beyond their national and cultural differences as they go about their daily activities.
“If you do not have peace, unity, and security in a country, you are going nowhere. Peace is the greatest weapon for development any person can have. As young leaders of tomorrow, you have the passion and commitment to make a difference. I want to urge you to have a global view and go beyond your national and cultural enclaves,” he said.
The one-day National Dialogue on Peace, Security and Youth Empowerment had in attendance representatives from the Chinese Embassy in Nigeria, led by wife of the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Liang Jianchun and Li Xuda, Cultural Counsellor of the Chinese Embassy.
Others are representatives from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), the Scout Association of Nigeria (SAN).
The event culminated with the presentation of the Award of Peace and Security to various individuals and organisations.
