The need for Nigerian women and youth to be given more opportunities to participate in decision making process has been reiterated by delegates at a workshop in Abuja Nigeria.
Resolutions by the stakeholders drawn from religious bodies and non-government al organizations said, “Women and youths should be given desirable opportunity in their respective endeavours and avail them more opportunities in decision-making process.
They observed further that “Youth constitute greater percentage of Nigerian population; hence the need for them to be properly educated, positively engaged and gainfully employed to ensure they do not become tools for violence.
These resolutions were contained in a communiqué issued at the end of a 3-day capacity building workshop on “increasing women and youth participation in conflict prevention & peace building ahead of the 2015 general elections in nigeria” held from january 19 – 22, 2015 at Daughters Of Divine Love Retreat And Conference Centre (DRACC), Lugbe, Abuja.
They said “In the pursuit of peace, Nigerians must return to their respective families and inculcate family values, love and trust which are germane to the attainment of national peace.
“As a conflict prevention process, religious leaders must continue to preach virtues that will promote peace, unity and sustainable development.
“To ensure justice and equity in the society, government must respect, promote and protect the common understanding of human rights of all citizens.
“That political candidates and their political parties should abide by the code of conduct of the elections and imbibe the spirit of sportsmanship and healthy rivalry.
Delegates to the workshop were drawn from various religious groups and non-governmental organizations, civil society organizations, representatives from all the States of the federation including FCT, Abuja.
The formal opening ceremony had in attendance members of the Diplomatic Corps including the German Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Michael Zenner and the Canadian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr. Perry Calderwood. Others special guests were Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, represented by HRH Alhaji Idris Musa (Sarkin Jiwa FCT) and His Eminence, John Cardinal Onaiyekan, CON, Catholic Archbishop of Abuja.
The communiqué signed by Rev.Sr Agatha Chikelue and Hajiya Maryam Dada Ibrahim said the workshop covered a wide range of papers on conflict prevention and peacebuilding, delivered by intellectuals, clerics and peace practitioners.
Further resolutions adopted the end of the workshop said “Muslims and Christians are not at war with one another and have maintained a long period of interaction, co-operation and collaboration for sustainable development.
“Islam and Christianity give special status to women and hence, their contributions toward peace building, conflict prevention and engendering a harmonious society cannot be over emphasized.
According the statement , the workshop also recommended several measures including urging”The government with its control of security apparatus must do more to ensure security of lives and property before, during and after the 2015 General Elections;
“That the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) should ensure the adequacy of election materials, their prompt delivery to polling units and to remain an unbiased Umpire for a credible, free and fair elections;
“That the media should as matter of duty refrain from lending their platform for dissemination of inciting statements, hate speeches, false reports and endeavour to uphold the ethics of journalism before, during and after the 2015 general elections;
“That various religious institutions in attendance should go back home and form peace clubs in schools. sports and youth related centers;
“That all Nigerians should learn to respect the religious feelings of their fellow citizens and work towards peace and mutual understanding through inter-faith dialogues, developmental projects and programmes.
