From Nnenna Mba- Abakaliki
As part of measures to curtail recurring violent conflicts in Ebonyi state, a total of 17 youths have been commissioned by a Civil Society Organization, as Peace Ambassadors to help curb Communal crisis.
The youths were commissioned at the end of a-2 day training organised by a Civil Society Organisation, in Abakaliki, Ebonyi state.
The training organised by Development and Integrity Intervention Goal (DIG) Foundation as part of its “Dialogue-Not-Damage” project in the state, with support from Leadership, Effectiveness, Accountability, and Professionalism (LEAP) Africa under the Nigeria Youth Futures Fund.
The seventeen youths commissioned were drawn from across the 13 local government areas of the state, and educated on the rudiments of peace building, conflict management and prevention; youth participation in conflict resolution and understanding human rights as a tool for promoting peaceful co-existence in Nigeria.
Speaking on the project, the Executive Director, DIG Foundation, Oliver Chima Ajah, said the goal was to contribute in promoting peaceful co-existence among communities in Ebonyi State and her neighboring states through enhanced respect for human rights and youth positive engagement, adding that such was in line with goal 16 of the Sustainable Development Goals.
He emphasized that the training was aimed at empowering the youths with skills and knowledge to enable them serve as community peace builders and human rights advocates through Peer Education, focused group discussion sessions and Dialogue-Not-Damage campaign strategies.
Ajah added: “They are to advocate for Peace, security and respect for Human Rights and provide platforms for civic enlightenment and multi-stakeholders dialogue on issues around peace and security in Ebonyi State for harmonious co-existence.”
Resource persons at the training including the Southeast Coordinator, West African Network on Peace Building, Nelson Nnanna Nwafor; Ebonyi State Coordinator, National Human Rights Commission, Chris Onyeka Okorie and the Executive Director, Human Rights and Conflict Resolution Centre, a Nongovernmental Organization, George Etamesor, through their various presentations admonished the Ambassadors to be diligent, tolerant in their mission as well as promote respect for people’s traditional values.
They urged government at all levels to strengthen established institutions and always promote justice, without which there can be no peace.
Etamesor summed: “We spend a lot of money preparing for war than we spend for peace.
“If we vote the amount of money we spend preparing for war in maintaining peace, may be, there will be a great positive difference in our society.”
Goodwill messages were received from the representative of the National Orientation Agency, Mrs Chinyere Okogwu; Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Daniel Ngwuta and the Nigeria Police, James Ekpeta.
Ekpeta appreciated DIG and her partners for helping the police maintain peace and order in the state, describing the training as well targeted.
He further admonished the youths to refuse being used as instruments of crises but to live up to their name as peace ambassadors.
Some of the Ambassadors who spoke to newsmen: Ifeanyi Nwokporo from Ezza North and Edwin Njoku from Ohaozara described the training as highly rewarding.
They appreciated DIG Foundation for selecting them for the training, pledging to utilize their enhanced capacity in promoting peaceful co-existence in the state.
