Abuja, July 10, 2023
By Ibrahim Ismaila
Prof. Dickson Akoh, National Commandant of Peace Corps of Nigeria said that Nigeria is endowed with one of the most conducive atmospheres for youth development.
Akoh said this at the Public Lecture in commemoration of the 25th Anniversary/2023 Founders Day Celebration of Peace Corps of Nigeria on Monday in Abuja.
He however noted that the dearth of comprehensive and practical orientation programmes which would serve as social mechanisms to assist youths to cope with contemporary challenges constituted a huge impediment to their positive development.
“The imperative of the Corps, therefore is premised on youth development, patriotic services and peace building through distinct reorientation and strict discipline.’’
According to him, these can be achieved upon the realization of two truths: firstly, only in a peaceful environment will young people realise their full potentials.
Secondly, young people are innately endowed with all that is necessary to start building the peaceful world of their dreams today.
The National Commandant disclosed that the Corps would connect young people with opportunities to brainstorm their lives and create a better and peaceful society for all.
Akoh, who hoped for tailored policies geared towards effective participation of youths in governance and the task of nation building in Tinubu’s administration, said the lecture was to encourage youths shun negative tendencies.
He called on youths to be ready and willing to partner with government in creating an atmosphere of peace, security and social order in order to help move Nigeria forward.
He said the lecture with the theme: “Regime of Social Inclusion and Hope, Panacea for Youth Engagement and Productivity’’, provided a platform for critical and diverse range of stakeholders to brainstorm and proffer roadmap for national integration.
“We strongly believe that the multi-stakeholders engagement opportunity provided by this public lecture is critical and germane to stimulating regular dialogue on the subject matter of leadership,’’ he said.
Akoh gave a detailed history of the Corps , achievements and challenges, adding that his desire was to promote peaceful coexistence as well as to achieve a functional and sustainable growth index in youth development and reorientation(MAINSTREAM)
