08/10/2020
KEYNOTE ADDRESS BY THE HONOURABLE COMMISSIONER, MINISTRY OF YOUTH AND SOCIAL DVELOPMENT, MR. OLUSEGUN DAWODU AT A ONE-DAY YOUTH DIALOGUE ON PEACE AND CONFLICT RESOLUTION HELD ON THURSDAY 8 OCTOBER 2020 AT FOLARIN COKER CLINIC HALL, THE SECRETARIAT ALAUSA, IKEJA, LAGOS.
PROTOCOL
I will commence this address by reminding us that peace building and conflict resolution is about how individuals, social groups and communities interact with one another. Peace is a gift that every human being is expected to share with one another. Peace is like a two-way street that runs to and fro, so if a person must have peace, he or she must be prepared to give peace to others. In as much as conflict as a form of human character cannot be wished away, it is of utmost importance to address conflicting issues and resolve them effectively before they escalate into violence, abuse or war.
Peace building and conflict resolution allow people to thrive economically, socially and politically, by addressing the root causes of violence. It is an activity that seeks to resolve injustice in non-violent ways and transform the cultural and structural conditions that give rise to deadly or destructive conflict. Peace building involves deliberate efforts in developing and attaining healthy personal, group and political relationships, irrespective of ethnic, religious, class, national or racial affiliation. It fosters reconciliation and prevents violence.
The world today is currently experiencing various crisis such as poverty, unemployment, COVID-19 outbreak, climate change and so on.
The outbreak of COVID-19 is not only a health crisis affecting every country in the world, but also a major learning, cultural and economic crisis. The spread of the disease brought a disastrous impact on vulnerable communities around the world, exacerbating profound and latent inequalities as well as social mistrust in societies. The impact of the health crisis on the youth has been tremendous, creating personal and group conflict in the society.
At the same time, the world population is exploding, with young people constituting a quarter of the global number, and becoming highly susceptible to civil conflict driven by the problems created by the COVID-19 pandemic. This may arise as a result of lack of education, skills or adequate information. Many unengaged and unfulfilled youth from across the world are falling prey to extremist rhetoric and are recruited for violence.
History has revealed severally, that idle youth are easily lured towards violence and have been manipulated by extremist groups to choose violence as their only option to air their grievances. Young people are being brainwashed, used as tools of violence, and left with futures ruined.
President Herbert Hoover, the 31st President of United States once said “Older men declare war. But it is youth that must fight and die.” He further asked the questions “Can the pendulum shift? Is it possible for youth to declare peace and lead their communities towards non-violent reconciliation? Do they have the credibility, the resources and the social capital to positively influence their society? In conflict zones across the world is it possible for youth to set the standards for new ways to engage in dialogue, non-violence and development? In the same vein, I ask every youth seated here and those with us virtually, this question, “Can the Lagos Youth play the pivotal role in conflict transformation and reconciliation and stand out like their counterparts across the world”?
Literatures are showcasing how youth across the world are promoting positive changes in their communities. This is because the youth represent a great and energetic force behind the attainment of any type of change at any level. In as much as they are given recognition as political actors, their trajectories in peacebuilding would be greatly utilized and impactful. This characteristic of the youth is a strong factor for the emergence of the Resolution 2250 of the United Nations in December 2015 on Youth, Peace and Security.
The resolution emphasized the role of youth as pivotal actors in the achievement of peace and sustainable development. This is because Youth have the creativity, the potential and the capacity to make change happen, for themselves, for their communities, and for the rest of the world. The positioning of youth in society has a bearing on their leadership potential and their possible role in peacebuilding, otherwise, their trajectories in peacebuilding would likely be ignored, wasted and at best, under-utilized.
In conclusion, I make bold to say that the present administration, driven by our able Mr. Governor, Babajide Olusola Sanwoolu will continue to provide the avenue for the engagement of youth in the State, and provide opportunities for them to build solid networks for peacebuilding and prevention of conflict or violence. Our commitment to continue to support our Youth in achieving their dream is resolute, a path that we cannot depart from. I appreciate the guest speaker and panel of discussants for taking time out to make positive impact in the lives of the youth in Lagos State and Nigeria as a whole. I wish you a fruitful deliberation.
Thank you for your attention and may God Bless us all.
Olusegun Dawodu
Honourable Commissioner
Ministry of Youth and Social Development