Youths in Kaduna State have resolved to contribute towards restoring sanity, promoting tolerance and adopting dialogue following the lingering communal crisis in the state.
The youth under the auspices of the Nigerian Youth Congress, NYC, in their resolutions said they are eager to contribute toward restoring sanity in Kaduna State.
“Worried by the lingering communal crisis in our state, and conscious of our civic duties as well as desirous of giving our contribution toward restoring sanity, promoting tolerance and adopting dialogue as a means of resolving disputes.”
In a communique issued by the state NYC chairman, Zaharaddeen Aminu Tafida, the youths in an organized peace summit on the theme, Sustaining Dialogue as a Mechanism of Restoring Peace in Kaduna noted the splitting of Kaduna city into two religious enclaves and the deteriorating relationships amongst residents.
The participants observed that there is a deliberate spread of disinformation and incitement through social media,
partisan and inciting statements from religious leaders which has polarising effects on the polity.
The youth expressed concern over the use of ethnicity and religion as a factor of political mobilisation.
They noted with dismay the tendency of violent retaliatory acts usually against innocents populace in conflicts.
The participants stressed the need for youth across all sections of the state to collaborate towards curbing the spread of violent conflicts.
The youth advised the government to expand and upgrade unity schools in the state to serve as an avenue for value reorientation for the upcoming generation.
The participants also advised that youth from all sections of the state needs to form a synergy in promoting social justice and harmonious coexistence.
The meeting noted that there is need to put in a mechanism that will censor partisan and divisive preaching by religious clerics.
The participants enjoined all community youth-based groups to work as vanguards of peaceful coexistence in their respective communities.
