Foundation charges youths on peaceful co-existence, positive change

A non-governmental organisation, Peace Arena For Youths Foundation ( PAY-F), has charged Nigerian youths to promote peaceful co-existence and positive change.

The foundation made this call through its Director, Dr. Doyin Ogunyemi on Saturday at the 3rd edition of the Peace Jam Nigeria held in Lagos.

Addressing the participants, Ogunyemi said Peace Jam is an international organisation from Coloroda in the United States of America, adding that it was established in 1996 for the purpose of promoting peace and reducing violence among youths.

Going memory lane, She said the foundation has been at the forefront of peace advocacy since 2021, adding ” We came together and had a few students to start Peace Arena For Youths Foundation. In 2022, we had poem and quiz competitions. We are happy to have you around today. Be prepared for a nice time”.

She added ” We felt that how do we make young people to promote peaceful coexistence and positive change. You can create positive change in the communities around you. We had five schools in attendance at the initial stage, but today we have 25 schools in attendance from Lagos and Ogun States”.

Ogunyemi who acknowledged the support from donors, sought more support from philanthropists within and outside Nigeria.

Speaking on the theme “Building Bridges For Peace: Youths As Agents of Change”, the Keynote Speaker, Barr. Samuel Olatunji, said peace advocacy could be done by any profession, adding that building bridges for peace is essential for societal development.

He added that Sports could be used to unite a divided society, adding that peace makers could use it as strategy for peace making.

Explaining further, he added that Music could also be used to unify a divided youthful environment, saying youths have critical role to play in ensuring peaceful co-existence.

Olatunji urged the government and non-governmental organisations to invest more in youth foundations that could promote peace among youths.

He tasked young people to make themselves available for the promotion of peace in the society, adding that volunteers play significant role in achieving peaceful environment.

He charged youths to serve as agents of change by volunteering, advising young people to channel their energy towards productive activities.

” Another major thing the young people should engage more in, is acquisition of relevant skills. We are gifted as youth. Many have the tech skill, singing skill, creative art and many more. We should be motivated by our passion not by peer group. Following our passion would bring more development and peace of mind. You sit down and analyse among the conflicting choices before you, and pick the one you have sincere passion for”, said Olatunji.

A teacher at Estate Senior Grammar School Ilupeju, Mrs Lilian Onyeje, said there is a curriculum on peace which helps in the teaching, saying the students have gained alot from joining the foundation.

Onyeje said Peace Club has helped the students to imbibe the attitude of peacemaking, adding that it enhances their orientation about conflict resolution.

” The students through the Peace Club have understood that there is no need to be violent before they can correct inadequacies of their peers. They have known that there are peaceful way of resolving conflicts in their environment and among their peers. From the teachings, they have changed their value system and understand whom they are”. said Onyeje.

One of the participants, Roqibat Balogun, a student of Bab Fafunwa Millennium Secondary School, said ” I have learnt alot about conflict resolution through Peace Club. I have also learnt to live happily with my peers and environment.

Balogun added that she had taken peace advocacy to motor parks and garages, adding that she had involved in so many conflict resolution activities in her community.