Heal the Youths Foundation on Wednesday brought together young people, community leaders, and peace advocates to a Peace Youth Summit at Odilin Event Centre, to explore strategies for fostering social cohesion in Plateau State.
Themed “Youth-Led Dialogue for Social Cohesion,” the summit emphasized the role of youth in peacebuilding and conflict prevention across Nigeria.
Victor Arokoyo, Program and Partnership Lead at Christian Aid Nigeria, highlighted the strategic role of youth in peace initiatives. “All the people carrying harm, fighting, ethnic violence, banditry, whatever kind of crime, the youth are actively involved. So we really need to see how can we bring the youth back to become ambassadors of peace,” he said. Arokoyo explained that dialogue is key to conflict prevention and enhancing social cohesion in Plateau, Benue, and Nigeria generally.
Victor Pwajok, State Coordinator of Heal the Youths Foundation, described the summit as a strategic approach to involving youth directly in peace management. “We have decided to go straight to the youths with the permission of the elders, discuss with them, and help them understand early warning systems, partnerships with other communities, stakeholders, and security agencies, rather than taking the law into their hands,” he said. Pwajok noted that 40 youths and 20 community leaders from Pasa and Barikilai local government areas were intentionally invited to participate.
During his presentation titled “Countering Misconceptions: Tackling Stereotypes that Fuel Conflict, Promoting Empathy and Understanding,” Dr. Gideon Buada emphasized the dangers of stereotypes and misconceptions in intensifying ethnic and religious conflicts. “Young people are uniquely positioned to either perpetuate harmful narratives or challenge and counter them,” he said, urging youth-led strategies to promote empathy, unity, and sustainable peace across Nigeria’s diverse communities.
Bartholomew Tagwi Danladi, Project Officer of the PRIN Project, speaking on behalf of the Plateau Consortium—which includes JDPC, WOKAI, and the Christian Council of Nigeria—commended the summit for mobilizing youth as peace agents. “Young people are very strategic. This event is meant for them, but it also brings together stakeholders across religious and ethnic backgrounds to collaborate in fostering peace,” he said.
Barrister Yakubu Bawa Saleh, in his presentation “The Role of Youth in Promoting Peace and Social Cohesion,”emphasized justice, democracy, and constitutional integrity as critical to sustainable peace. “The absence of justice will always create conflict and violence. For us to enjoy peace, we need to address issues from a broader perspective, including economic engagement, leadership selection, and the credibility of democratic processes,” he said. Saleh urged youth to serve as active peacemakers in their communities.
The summit concluded with a consensus that youth-led dialogue, community collaboration, and structured engagement with security agencies are essential to mitigating conflict and promoting lasting peace in Plateau State and beyond.
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