By Gift Samuel, The Sight News
Abuja- A group of Non-Governmental Organisations have called on Nigerian Youths to stop undermining themselves through over dependence on the elders but to embrace forgiveness and tolerance with the understanding that peace is priceless and war is worthless.
The National Coordinator Nigeria Rebirth, Isaac Balami who made the call along side others on Monday at an Emergency Peace Accord Declaration in Abuja on Monday, said that the gathering is to activate a national movement in the areas of forgiveness and national healing, adding that there must be a new (DNA) Desire, Needs and Aspirations.
He however urged the youths to intervene and advice themselves especially in situations when the elders keep quiet on burning topical issues and refuses to create platforms for the youth to be part of government.
He condemned in totality the quit notice from the Arewa youths as well as the activities of the Indigenous People of Biafra(IPOB) stating emphatically that Nigeria is big for everybody as he pleaded with the government to listen to their requests which he said are legit.
According to him; “The gathering is an emergency because we don’t want to wait until when something begins to happen because as a nation we have been reactive for over five decades but in this 21st century, it is not even enough to be proactive, you need to be predictive and we have predicted that if we don’t start coming together as young people, between now and October 1st or even beyond, there might be bloodshed and we don’t want that”.
He noted that the message of the meeting will be taken down to the grassroots to discourage the youths from allowing themselves to be used by rich men for peanuts or even big money to cause chaos.
Also, the Founder, Centre for Ability Rehabilitation and Empowerment (CARE Nigeria) Dr. Chike Okogwu noted that a united entity will upturn the injustices in the country and called on Nigerian youth to draw strength from their weaknesses as Nigeria’s greatness is in their hands.
While noting that it is time to build bridges, he expressed hope that Nigeria will look at meritocracy and fix the problem of educational set backs in some states rather than drawing other states backwards as he urged the government to pay attention to the aggrieved youths from the various ethnic groups as they all have messages to pass across.
Also speaking, the Director General Nigeria First Project, Arc. Nya-Etok Ezekiel said that the society is in its present state due to failure on the parts of the parents in raising and teaching their children responsibilities that will guide them through life, stressing also that the youths should understand the imperative of excellence rather than wasting their lives on social media.
“We have decided to come and recruit the young people, we cannot continue blaming them and then be ministers at 70 years and at 80 years. We are looking forward in the nearest future where the average age of a minister will be below 50 Years and that of a Governor below 45 years. That is possible because Nigeria has extremely intelligent, cerebral and capacity endowed children in the country” he said.
The gathering had in attendance over 100 youths leaders across 200 Youth organization from the 36 states and FCT including Nigerians from Diaspora.
