Peace stakeholders on Thursday urged government-at-all-levels to engage youths in social-economic activities, so they could contribute their patriotic service to the nation’s growth and development.

The stakeholders made the appeal during the 2023 International Peace Day celebration in Lagos, which had the theme: “Action for Peace: Our Ambition for Global Goal.”

The Peace Corps of Nigeria (PCN) Lagos State Commandant, Dr Kuforiji Williams, said every Sept. 21 served as a sobering reminder of the urgent need for global peace and collaboration towards the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

“PCN is an organisation that affiliates with the United Nations. This year’s Peace Day theme lay emphasis on the interdependence of peace and sustainable development.

“It is an indisputable fact that where peace is lacking, there cannot be sustainable development.

“International days are occasions to educate the public on issues of concern, to mobilise political will and resources to address global problems and to celebrate and reinforce achievements of humanity,” he said.

Williams urged stakeholders to engage youths in activities, so they could contribute their service towards the achievements of the SDGs.

The Assistant National Commandant in charge of Operations, PCN, Mr Badmus Akeem, said that there was need to engage the youth to discourage them from being involving in social vices.

“There is the need to train and empower the youth, they constitute 85 per cent of people in Nigeria, and when they are not guided there is going to be problem.

“But when they are actively involved, there will be peace.

“Our leaders should re-orientate youths on the need to embrace peace at all times,” he said.

Akeem urged youths to be partakers and ambassadors of peace in the world.

The Deputy Director, Ministry of Youth and Social Development, Mr Olukosi Julius, commended the executives of the PCN for taking out time and scarce resources to invest profitably in young people.

“Youths are taking the initiative in changing the narrative that indeed young people are capable of becoming today’s leaders, a vital part of building a peaceful and egalitarian society for all,” he said.

According to Julius, the place of peace in the growth and development of the state is fundamental, especially when the country is in need of lasting solutions to insecurity.

Peace is essential when the country is in need of solutions to inter- community feud, social vices among the youths, drug-related matters and its consequences and violence by other agitated groups.

“It will be commendable to see that the change is coming from the youth themselves as they promote peace, embrace dialogue and alternative dispute and conflict resolution techniques.

“And as they promote being involved in community policing and playing their roles as the bedrock of societal development,” the deputy director said

He stressed that “the cost of peace is greater than the cost of war.”

“The aftermath of the ENDSARs protest has left the state still nursing and counting losses.

“We are partners in progress in building the state of our dream. The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-olu, is committed to youth development through the ministry of youth and social development.

“We will continue to support the PCN, Lagos State Command in pursuing their mandate and in providing sustainable programmes that will have positive impact on the youth in Lagos,” Julius said.

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Lagos State Commandant, Mr Ishaq Aifaradarai, said that there was need for concerted efforts by all to promote peace in the country.

“Peace is everybody’s business, let us join hands to restore peace in the society,” he said.

Aifaradarai, represented by Mr Dapo Fasae, the Lagos State Deputy Commandant, NSCDC, called for collaboration among security agencies to ensure that there was an holistic approach to achieving the peace assignment.

The Executive Secretary of Domestic Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA), Mrs Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi, said there would be peace if the state was devoid of violence.

According to her, all forms of abuse, domestic and sexual violence are crimes against the state.

Vivour-Adeniyi, who was represented by Mrs Feyishara Onadipe, Field Operation Officer, DSVA, said that the state was commitment to helping survivors of sexual offences and ensuring perpetratrs are held accountable for their action.

She called for collaborate efforts of all to rid the state of these menace.

"We urged survivors of domestic and sexual violence to break the Culture of Silence by reporting cases through the agency’s toll-free line 08000333333.

"A mandatory reporter can also report cases of abuse through the agency’s toll-free line or walk into its office at Novel House Jobi Fele Way, Ikeja," she said.