The Technoworld Community Foundation (TCF), a non-governmental organisation, has called for increased engagement of youth in peace and security to address the growing insecurity situation in the country.
Malam Umar Forouk, the Director Programme of the foundation, made the call on Friday in Damaturu while addressing newsmen.
He said that youths were often excluded from major peace negotiations and decision making structures and processes.
“They are portrayed either as victims or perpetrators of political violence, social unrest and violence extremism due to negative assumption about their role, position and contribution to peace building,” he observed.
Forouk, therefore, enjoined states and federal government to work together to pioneer the implementation of Youth, Peace and Security (YPS) intervention to increase youth engagement peace and security at all levels.
He added that federation government, state governments, civil society, religious organisations and security agencies should strengthen synergy at provide all levels.
“The synergy will enable realisation of inclusive peace and security architecture and it will be an opportunity for operationalising effective and sustainable measures for mitigating violence, social unrest,” he said.
In his remarks, Mr Galtima Mai-Ali, the Permanent Secretary, Yobe State Ministry Youth, Sports and Social Development, also expressed the need for holistic approach to youth problems.
“The situation of youth in Nigeria and Yobe in particular needs urgent and holistic approach; we should try to arrest the situation as quick as possible to restore our norms and values in the society for a better Nigeria”, Mai-Ali said.(NAN)
