Young People Are Our Peace In Borno

In commemoration of the International Peace Day held on the  21st of September annually, Allamin Foundation for Peace and Development organised a Peace summit aimed at strengthening peaceful co-existence in Borno State.

The peace summit featured young people, religious leaders, traditional leaders, security personnel, women networks and Faith-Based Organisations as key actors in the peacebuilding process at Dujima hotel, Maiduguri.  

Speaking on the theme: “Recovering Better For An Equitable And Sustainable World,” the Executive Director Allamin Foundation for Peace and Development, Mrs Hamsatu Allamin, stated that youths are the backbone of every society. “Youths perpetuated the Boko Haram crisis, the youths joined forces in saving the state through the formation of Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) and as well, it is still the youths that need to do more to sustain peacebuilding in Borno,” said Mrs Hamsatu Allamin.

In his remark, a lecturer from the Faculty of Law, University of Maiduguri, Professor Kamal Alhaji Dawud reiterated that the youth are the vanguard of peace and stability especially by being their brother’s keeper in the society.   

Professor Dawud noted that religion is not a reason for any kind of war, “Both Christianity and Islam teach good behaviour and peace.” An Evangelist at Pentecostal Believers Covenant Church (PBCC), Dr Reuben Balami Ali, affirmed this statement with a quote from the bible. 

Continuing, Dr Reuben noted that peacemakers are blessed, according to the Christian faith. “If you come to an environment where there is no peace, it is your responsibility to make peace with your inner self and environment.”

Other speakers at the event enjoined young people to spread peace, shun all forms of violence and divides in order to recover a better life for all in the state. 

Pigeons were released into the air to symbolize peace and encourage stakeholders to take responsibility for managing conflict in a non-violent manner in the state.