Nigerian youth are emerging as a key pillar in promoting peace and social cohesion, particularly in the South East region. The Country Director of the United States Institute of Peace (USIP), Professor Chris Kwaja, made this point during a workshop organized in collaboration with the Security, Violence and Conflict Research Group (SVCRG) and the Department of Political Science, University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN).
Under the theme “The Role of Youth in Building Peace and Social Cohesion in South East Nigeria”, Kwaja highlighted the energy, creativity and determination of youth as key players in reshaping society. He encouraged the youth to direct their efforts towards unity and national development, stressing that when youth from different regions work together, they can foster mutual understanding, strengthen ties and contribute to a more prosperous Nigeria.
The workshop also addressed the lack of youth representation in peacebuilding policies, with Professor Chidi Nzeadibe, Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences at UNN, stressing the importance of amplifying youth voices in line with Sustainable Development Goal 16, which promotes peace and justice.
Other speakers, including Dr. Chikodiri Nwangwu and Dr. Obioma Chike Okenyi, called for youth participation in governance, economic empowerment, and the release of IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu, to ease tensions in the South East. The youth participants commended the workshop for equipping them with the tools to contribute to building peace and social cohesion in their communities.
The youth are thus given the opportunity to assert themselves as a major vector of progress and change for Nigeria as a whole. By supporting and encouraging their active involvement in peace processes, the country could benefit from a new social and political dynamic, conducive to a more harmonious and prosperous future for all its citizens.