UN GROUP SETS TO TRAIN NIGERIAN YOUTHS AS PEACE MEDIATORS

UN GROUP SETS TO TRAIN NIGERIAN YOUTHS AS PEACE MEDIATORS

The United Nations (UN) International Organization of Youths Promoters of Peace (IOYPP) has said that Nigeria is the center of Africa, hence achieving peaceful coexistence is paramount, adding that the organization is set to train at least 500 Nigerians as world chaplaincy officers to ensure peace in the country.

This was part of the communique issued at the end of the youth summit organized by IOYPP in abuja.

The UN peace ambassador Captain Kafu-Ata Hounakey stated that peace is necessary in Nigeria ahead of the 2023 general elections, adding that "Nigeria is the heart of Africa, neglecting her peace will amount to damaging the continent".

He said: "Arrangements have been concluded to sensitize Nigerian youths on the need to embrace peace. We are here in Nigeria to empower men and women that will propagate peace to every part of the country and to save it from destruction, all the countries in Africa are concerned about peace in Nigeria. Our organization will be going to Abeokuta and Port Harcourt on september 10 and14 respectively to train and empower youths on mediation".

He further stated that the UN chaplaincy officers training will be kicking off from september 16 and those to be trained will become UN chaplaincy officers in Nigeria, adding that on completion of the training, they will be having the mandate to work as UN chaplaincy officers in order to help Nigeria to handle minor issues of  peace building.

"We will also train justices of peace, international chaplaincy officers that will carry out our activities of diplomacy, mediation and settlement" he said.

Similarly, the International President, IOYPP,  Amb. Commandant Johannes Makouvia (JP), disclosed that the organization was in Nigeria to promote peace and this metamorphosed  to the purpose of training youths for mediation.

He said that if youths are trained in mediation, they will be able to manage conflicts and serve as mediators in all their areas of residence and operations.

He also said that the training will be carried out in the Northern and southern parts of the country to have uniform result.

Highlight of the summit was the presentation of certificates of participation to all the participants while awards were presented to some ambassadors of peace.