Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State has lauded the forum of ethnic nationalities in the state for organising a youth summit to foster peace and unity among the people. The governor gave the commendation on Saturday in Lafia at the maiden edition of the ‘Nasarawa State Youths Summit’ organised by the forum of Nasarawa State ethnic nationalities.
Sule said the objective of the forum was in line with his administration’s efforts towards entrenching lasting peace and unity in the state. He said his government was willing to partner them and any group ready to support the peace efforts geared towards the overall development of the state.
The governor also used the occasion to commend President Muhammadu Buhari for approving the establishment of Agricultural Development Institute in the State. “
If the institute is eventually established, it will empower the youths with the requisite skills that will make them self-reliant, thereby making them unavailable for crime and other social vices,” the governor added.
On his part, Prof. Shehu Abdulrahman, guest speaker at the event said youths were the greatest assets and investment for any nation’s development and should be encouraged to contribute their quota to peace and nation building.
Abdulrahman, who is the Vice Chancellor (VC) Federal University of Lafia, said policy makers at all levels should provide decent opportunities for the youths to have decent lives as a way of tackling insecurity.
Abdulrahman also emphasised the need for the teaching of Social Studies and History in schools to enable the youths to know about their origin and how to interact positively with others in line with the existing laws that would ensure peace and security in the country.
Earlier, John Kyuni-Umaru, Coordinating President of the forum said the group comprised all ethnic youth groups residing in the state.
He said the summit with the theme, “Building the Bridges of Unity and Peace amongst Ethnic Nationalities: The Youth Perspective,” was organised to engender peace and unity among all tribes in the state.
Kyuni-Umaru who doubles as the President, Mada Development Association (MDA) Youth-wing, advised his colleagues to channel their energy, resources and endowment into promoting ethnic cohesion and a better society.
He said that the forum would soon organise a peace rally, football competition and cultural festival amongst the various ethnic groups in the 13 Local Government Areas of the state.
Kyuni-Umaru added that the group had concluded arrangement to begin guidance and counseling services as well as skills acquisition programme for inmates who are mostly youths at the Nigeria Correctional Centres in the state.
Similarly, Daniel Ayunbuga-Yaro, President of Eggon Youths Movement, said the summit was conceived and implemented to disabuse the minds of people against the perceived adversity among the various ethnic groups in the state.
He, therefore, pledged to always champion the course for peace and unity in the state through his conduct and relationship with people from other ethnic nationalities and urged the youth to do likewise.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the occasion was attended by Presidents of youth groups of various ethnic nationalities including Eggon, Mada, Bassa, Alago, Ninzom, Gwandara, Ebgura, Migili, Yoruba, Agatu, Tiv, Fulani among others. (NAN).
