Maiduguri: The Network of Civil Society Organisations in Borno State has urged Nigerian youths, particularly students, to reject extremist ideologies and instead become advocates for peace, security, and national development.
Chairman of the network, Mr Bulama Abiso, appealed on Saturday while addressing participants at a one-day town hall meeting in Maiduguri.
The meeting had the topic, “Multi-Sector Conference on Countering Extremist Ideology, Insurgency and Terrorism in the North East.”
It was organised by the Kaltu Foundation for Peace, the Network of Civil Society Organizations, and the Bororo Youth Parliament.
Abiso emphasised the need for conscious investment in peace, education, and the creation of awareness among young people, regardless of the cost.
“Some may ask why we spend money bringing people together for a dialogue, hiring a hall, and organising logistics; could not the same cash sponsor a few students or start up a business?
“But the truth is that terrorism and banditry have infiltrated every corner, even schools; we have seen well-sponsored students abandon their studies to join insurgent groups,” he said.
He identified ideological manipulation, in addition to poverty, as major drivers of youths’ involvement in terrorism and criminality.
“These are the very threats that destroy our future, deprive students of good learning environments, make it hard for parents to stay safe and support their children’s education,” he said.
Abiso urged participants to become ambassadors of peace in their respective schools and communities and to share the knowledge they acquired during the dialogue.
“We are going to follow up with each of the schools represented here; the Network of Civil Society Organisations will monitor your efforts and ensure that no student is lured into banditry or terrorism,” he said
Earlier, the Chief Executive Officer of the Kaltu Foundation for Peace, Ummu Kalthum Muhammad, called for increased investment in non-kinetic approaches to counterinsurgency.
She said that this is achievable mainly through the empowerment of youths and civil society organisations in the North-East.
She expressed appreciation for the large turnout of participants, adding that the involvement of youths in peace-building efforts was essential for sustainable development in the region.
“We believe that young people have a critical role to play in the recovery and transformation of the North-East,” she said
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event brought together the Executive arm of government, Service chiefs, representatives of the United Nations, Traditional rulers, security personnel, as well as Academic and Development Partners.
