AU Youth Ambassador seeks youth inclusion in peace, security issues
By Angela Atabo
Ms Simone Diouf ,the newly appointed African Union Youth Ambassador for Peace for West Africa, has advocated support and inclusion of young people in the peace and security architecture.
Diouf made the remarks during a special round table discussion in Abuja with the theme :”Advancing Youth, Peace and Security Agenda in West Africa”.
The round table was organised by Building Blocks for Peace Foundation in collaboration with the Global Partnership for the Prevention of Armed Conflict (GPPAC) West Africa.
She commended the Federal Government and young people of Nigeria for becoming the first country in Africa to adopt a National Action Plan on Youth, Peace and Security (YPS).
“The National Action Plan on YPS is very important as it helps to outline how stakeholders can work together with young people on issues of peace and security.
“The Nigeria’s National Action Plan on Youth, Peace and Security adopted in November 2021 is a vital national document that reflects the African Union’s commitment to peace and security.
“It can also help in addressing Nigeria’s current security challenges if it is rightly implemented by all stakeholders,”she said.
Diouf, therefore, called for more support from the government, civil society and partners on the implementation of Nigeria’s National Action Plan on Youth, Peace and Security.
Mr Rafiu Lawal, Executive Director of Building Blocks for Peace Foundation,said that the event brought together more than 50 peace activists and civil society organisations from across Nigeria.
Lawal said that the objective of the meeting was to provide a platform for the Youth Ambassador to share her vision, priorities, and programs on youth and peacebuilding in West Africa.
He added that it also allowed young peace builders in Nigeria to express their expectations, concerns, and recommendations for advancing the YPS agenda in the West African region .
Lawal said that the discussion highlighted the need for effective youth leadership in peacebuilding and decision-making processes across all levels of Africa.
“More than ever, Nigeria deserves peace and citizens must guard the relative peace that the country is currently enjoying.
“Young people who constitute 60 per cent of the population must be supported to contribute to the peace process.”
Lawal highlighted the current challenges youth face to include: high rate of unemployment, lack of trust, recognition and support for young people.
According to him, this hinders the contributions of young people to the peace process of peacebuilding.
He said that the increasing rate of criminality such as kidnapping, banditry and terrorism in Nigeria could be halted if the right investments were made on social services such as education, health, water and sanitation, among others.(NAN)
Edited by AbdulFatai Beki/Bashir rabe Mani
Published by
