Youth ambassador wants FG, CSOs, others to implement action plan on youth,security
The newly appointed African Union Youth Ambassador for Peace for West Africa, Ms. Simone Diouf, has called for more support from the government, civil society and partners on the implementation of the Nigeria’s National Action Plan on Youth, Peace and Security.
Diouf also called for unwavering support and the inclusion of young people in the peace and security architecture of Nigeria and West Africa.
She noted this during a special roundtable discussion organized by Building Blocks for Peace Foundation, in collaboration with the Global Partnership for the Prevention of Armed Conflict (GPPAC)- West Africa on the theme: Advancing Youth, Peace and Security Agenda in West Africa.
Ms. Simone applauded the Federal Government and young people of Nigeria for becoming the first country in Africa to adopt a National Action Plan on Youth, Peace and Security (YPS).
She noted that the National Action Plan on YPS is very important as it helps to outline how stakeholders can work together with young people on issues of peace and security.
According to Ms. Simone, the Nigeria’s National Action Plan on Youth, Peace and Security adopted in November 2021 is a vital national document that reflects the African Union commitment to peace and security and can help in addressing Nigeria’s current security challenges if it is rightly implemented by all stakeholders.
She therefore calls for more support from the government, civil society and partners on the implementation of the Nigeria’s National Action Plan on Youth, Peace and Security.
The event which took place in Abuja, brough together over 50 peace activists and civil society organisations from across Nigeria.
The objective of the meeting was to provide a platform for the Youth Ambassador to share her vision, priorities, and programs on youth and peacebuilding in West Africa.
It also allowed young peacebuilders in Nigeria to express their expectations, concerns, and recommendations for advancing the Youth, Peace, and Security (YPS) agenda in West Africa.
The Executive Director of Building Blocks for Peace Foundation, Mr. Rafiu Lawal emphasized that more than ever before Nigeria deserves peace and citizens must guard the relative peace that the country is currently enjoying.
According to him, young people who constitute 60% of the population must be supported to contribute to the peace process.
He highlighted those current challenges such as high rate of unemployment, lack of trust, recognition and support for young people hinders the contributions of young people to peace process.
Mr. Lawal noted that the increasing rate of criminality such as kidnapping, banditry and terrorism in Nigeria can be halted if the right investments are made on social services such as education, health, water sanitation etc.
