By Anselem Anokwute
In an effort to stop insecurity and violence crisis in Imo State, a pressure group under Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Imo Christian Youth Peace Initiative, (ICYPI), has called for synergy between the Youth and the Leadership of the Nation for optimal peace and security.
The group organized one day youth parley in Owerri the Imo State Capital in commemoration of the 2023 World Youth Day. The event brought together all the critical stakeholders to fine-tunes the best way to resolve the pertinent crisis s threatening peace in the State.
Speaking, the Convener and Initiator Imo Christian Youth Peace Initiative (ICYPI) Barr. Green Oluchukwu Nnabugwu expressed confidence in the large gatherings and stated in detailed the reasons for the formation of the Association as the channel to reinvigorate quality trust among the people as major causes of violence crisis and insecurities are lack of trust and frustrations between the critical stakeholders and the people.
Barr. Nnabugwu further explained that the group is out to carry the peace crusade to the nooks and crannies of the State through establishment of ICYPI in ward, Local Government Area, Zones and State level as an avenue to reach out to the people mostly Imo State Youth in particular.
In his words “peace is the bedrock of development and without peace our struggling and efforts are in vain. There will be no meaningful development in the absence of peace so we should pursue peace always and shun all forms of physical violence, crimes and crisis in the State”, “peace start with me, So let peace start with you too” this is the only way to make sure that the State is habitable for all of us again”. Barr. Nnabugwu.
The programmes with the theme, “Enduring Peace Through Strategic Engagement of Youth for Sustainable Development of Imo State”, on Imo State Youth parley in commemoration of 2023 International Youth day have many of the discussants drawn from various field to intimate and educate the people on peace initiatives and strategies with good number of Imo Youths in attendance including Journalists and media Executive’s.
Also in attendance are Members and leadership of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Imo State branch, a Frontline Youth Activist and Imo State Labour Party Governorship Aspirant, Hon. Barr. Ndidi Anike Val-Ekeoma, Bro. Joseph Adesoju who explained that the major causes of violence and crisis is owned to the new era destructive and negative information and music from the social media factor’s and the musicians without giving adequate attention to the bad effects of such to the entire society and many others.
Contributing, one of the South South Executive of CAN Youth wing, Amb. Eke .C. Eke thanked the ICYPI Convener, Barr. Green Oluchukwu Nnabugwu in a special way and described Imo State as a most peaceful place in the past and called on the government to integrate the group into one of the structures as an avenue to drive home peace in the State.
He pointed out that the state will bounce back if necessary steps are taking to curb the insecurities by bringing together all the critical stakeholders and the actors.
