An International Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), Mercy Corps Nigeria, has urged youths to work together in fostering peaceful co-existence in Katsina.
Mr Philip Ikita, Mercy Corps Senior Programme Manager, made the call in Katsina at an event to commemorate the 2024 International Youths Day.
”Youths must engage in meaningful contribution towards peace and harmony in their respective communities because they are future leaders.
”Peaceful living among the youths can lead to various developments across the state and also in communities.
”Youths are important in every society, therefore the government should also give them more opporunities,” he said.
He said the corps was dedicated to the involvement of youths in the promotion of a safe and peaceful community.
“In the four Local Government Areas (LGAs) where we work, we discovered that the youths are energetic and ready to promote peace in their communities.
“We have People With Disabilities (PWDs), young farmers and secondary school students here, and everyone is supposed to play their roles in the community,” Ikita said.
He further expressed hope that the programme will give birth to a peaceful community as it will affect Katsina and the northwest as a whole.
In his remarks, the state Commissioner for Youths and Sports Development, Alhaji Aliyu Lawal lauded the NGO for sponsoring various meaningful programmes in the state.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the commissioner was represented by Alhaji Sani Yahaya, the Director of Youths Development in the ministry.
According to him, the state government has long been partners in promoting peace and harmony among the youths, pledging to sustain the tempo.
He added that the commitment of the NGO in the state, especially towards facilitating farmers/herders conflict resolution across some communities is commendable.
“The day is celebrated annually to honour and recognise the achievements of young people, as well as to draw public attention to the challenges young people are facing as they strive to contribute their quota to national development,”he said.
The celebration was organised by the UN Migration (IOM), Mercy Corps, Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD), National Youth Council of Nigeria, and funded by the European Union (EU). (NAN)
