The Minister of Youth and Sports Development Mr. Sunday Dare, who attended the closing ceremony of about 500 Plateau Youth on Peace Camp, sponsored by the Institute of Governance and Social Research (IGSR), has urged Plateau youth to embrace peaceful coexistence in the State.
In his address, the Minister commended the organisers of the Peace Camp, describing the training as timely.
Addressing the youth he said, “You are agents of change and development not agents of death and destruction. In another ten to fifteen years from here, you will be our crude oil”, he said.
“The training of youth is paramount to this administration especially now that the entire world is witnessing one crisis situation or the other. The intention is to sharpen the mind of our youth towards positive lifestyle and peaceful co-existence in our communities”, he added.
Mr. Dare further urged the course beneficiaries to allow the training they have acquired to transform. “Also forgive the pain of the past so that we can concentrate and reap the future gains”, he urged.
“I know the pain that division has caused. It really gladdens my heart to see that the path to restore peace to Plateau State has started.”
“As one of the objectives read to us by the Course Officer; to prevent youth from engaging in antisocial behavior such as drug abuse, killings, rape, kidnapping, etc, and Government is directing all agencies to focus their attention on youth development and empowerment to build the human capital for future growth and development of our nation. This programme is in the right direction, is commendable and timely.”
“We appreciate the organizers of this programme, most especially the sponsor of the Plateau Youth Peace Camp (Institute of Governance and Social Research).
I am informed that since its inception, this programme has contributed immensely to the peaceful atmosphere we are experiencing in Jos metropolis by creating awareness of the desirability of peace in the minds of the trainees.”
Responding to the requests made by the organisers of the event, he said, “I heard your request so I want to respond. Because we run with private partnerships your organization has today entered our record as a partner. We plan to have a second youth centre in Plateau. DEEL Will work with IGSR for youth empowerment”.
He also appealed to the Plateau State Government to assist the IGSR Youth Peace Ambassadors by providing opportunity for skills acquisition and start up capital for them through the Plateau State Small Scale and Medium Enterprises to enable them be gainfully occupied.
