Comrade Ayodele Olawande reaffirmed the Nigerian government’s dedication to achieving lasting peace in the Niger Delta during a multi-stakeholder event in Abuja. He emphasized community involvement, particularly of youth and women, in addressing security challenges. The meeting focused on strategies for violence reduction and peace promotion, while also aligning local directives with global peace initiatives.
Nigeria’s Minister of Youth Development, Comrade Ayodele Olawande, has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to fostering enduring peace and security in the Niger Delta region. His statements were made during a One-Day Multi-Stakeholder Consultative Engagement on the Niger Delta in Abuja, attended by various stakeholders, including government officials, security agencies, civil society, and representatives from youth and women’s organizations.
Comrade Olawande was represented by Mr. Obinna Nwaka from the Committee of Youth on Mobilization and Sensitization (CYMS). He praised the organizing entities, Search for Common Ground (SFCG), Stakeholder Democracy Network (SDN), and the Partnership Initiative for the Niger Delta (PIND), along with the European Union for supporting the event that facilitated collaboration among diverse stakeholders.
In his speech, the Minister emphasized the importance of community-led responses to persistent security challenges within the Niger Delta. The purpose of this engagement was to share findings from the “Community-Centered Approach to Transforming Criminality and Violence in the Niger Delta” project and to develop collaborative strategies aimed at promoting peace in the region.
Comrade Olawande recognized progress made in overcoming these challenges and urged all participants to work together on solutions that resonate locally while aligning with global peacebuilding methods. He stated that engaging youth and women is essential, as they are the most affected by conflict and manifest pivotal roles in driving change within their communities.
The Minister expressed the Federal Ministry of Youth Development’s ongoing commitment to supporting the resolutions resulting from this consultative discussion. He encouraged all stakeholders to persist in their cooperative efforts to transform the Niger Delta into a region characterized by peace and prosperity.
Additionally, Comrade Olawande voiced strong support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration initiatives focused on enhancing security, job creation, and education in the Niger Delta. He assured attendees that the Ministry would complement these initiatives through various programs, including the National Integrated Youth Agency (NIYA) and the Nigerian Youth Investment Fund (NYIF).
In conclusion, the Minister called upon all participants to engage in collective action towards achieving sustainable outcomes from the meeting. This consultative gathering is part of ongoing efforts to ensure a peaceful, secure future for the Niger Delta’s populace, emphasizing the empowerment of youth in the region’s transformation.
In summary, the Minister of Youth Development, Comrade Ayodele Olawande, has reinforced the Nigerian government’s commitment to peace in the Niger Delta. This commitment is supported through a multi-stakeholder approach that values community involvement, particularly from youth and women. The event aimed to explore collaborative solutions to the region’s challenges and emphasized the need for collective action for a prosperous future.
Original Source: von.gov.ng
