Mercy Corps, in collaboration with the Katsina State Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, has convened a two-day youth dialogue to create awareness and promote youth peace and security in the state.
The event brought together critical stakeholders and youth drawn from Katsina Metropolis and the local governments affected by bandits; they include Dan Musa, Kankara, Jibia, and Batsari.
In his opening remark, the Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development in Katsina State, Aliyu Lawal Shargalle, said there is a need for dialogue to achieve lasting peace that guarantees the security of lives and property of the people of Katsina.
He reminded the Youth that they are representative of an important segment of the community.
“All of you are here as a representative of a segment in our society. I would like to urge all of you to pay attention, contribute, and engage in meaningfully for the sake of our state.”
The commissioner informed the participants that they are expected to come up with a communique at the end of the two-day dialogue that will help resolve the issue of security in Katsina state.
“We believe that the youth of this state can bring a solution to security problems in the state”
Speaking on the objectives of the program, the Senior Program Officer, Linda Nkechi Emmanuel, stated that the dialogue aims to create awareness about the Youth Peace and Security agenda of the United Nations in Katsina state.
“This dialogue aims to create awareness and give opportunity for dialogue and networking among Youth in Katsina state and create a workable action plan that will help provide sustainable solutions to the security challenges in Katsina state”
She highlights the need for Katsina state government to align the Youth, Peace, and Security (YPS) to the existing Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) programs to encourage inclusiveness in governance.
Mr. Philip Ikita, Director of Mercy Corps in Katsina state highlighted the importance of Youth in every society. “The society is powered by the Youth; insecurity will be neutralized by the Youth, and positive and progressive change will be driven by energetic youth.”
He expressed satisfaction with the result of the activities of Mercy Corps, particularly in Batsari LG, stating that there is a reduction in security issues from the axis.
The two-day dialogue was held at the Katsina Guest in and witnessed presentations from Associate Prof. Muktar Alkasim, Dr. Bashir Usman Ruwan Godiya, Dr. Bala Hussaini, and Hajia Wasila Sani Saulawa.
The action plan is vital to implement peace among the youths.