Nigerian Youth Storm Niger State for Peace Campaign

A Nigerian youth group, Concerned Youth Initiative for Peace and Development (CYIPD), under the leadership of actress Ronnie Dim is again taking its peace campaign initiative to Niger state tomorrow. The campaign which is scheduled to take-off as from tomorrow in Minna, the Niger state capital, is aimed at sensitizing the entire Minna youth on the need to remain peaceful, despite the ongoing political crisis in the country. The campaign is aimed at appealing to the conscience of Niger state youth to remain dogged, focused and dedicated to their roles as indigens of the state.

Recall that the youth group embarked on a recent campaign to Rivers and Lagos states with massive turnout of youth. It had earlier scheduled another campaign for the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, but was put off due to some security challenges. The group coordinator, Ronnie Dim, had however divulged that it is still possible to hold the same campaign in Abuja as plans were underway towards getting that done.

In a statement issued by Ronnie Dim on behalf of the group today in Abuja, it was disclosed that the group will converge in Minna tomorrow, September 12, 2013 to address youth of the state on the need to maintain the existing peace in the state and shun all forms of political distraction. The statement said the campaign was also aimed at strengthening the youth on the need to be self reliant and be dedicated to the service of the state. The campaign will call on the state governor to make relentless effort with some of his colleagues towards resolving the lingering crisis in the polity.

The statement said ''we want the Youth of Niger state to understand that the present peace being experienced in the state should be maintained even after the present Police Commissioner of the state who has done so well leaves office. We will tell them to maintain the status quo of peace in Niger state. The serenity I witnessed when I went on a youth inspection of the state should remain. It is high time the youth of Niger state began to think differently, at least for the benefit of the state and the entire nation.   We will be addressing the governor too, based on our agenda, that it’s not enough to seek the support of the youth regarding peace, but it’s equally right to have them empowered, encouraged and rehabilitated. If a youth is been told today to stop carrying arms, or indulging in all sorts of crime, there should be an alternative to what he is used to. That is the essence of our campaign in Niger state as from tomorrow. We have had similar campaigns in few other states including Lagos, and I tell you, we recorded tremendous turnout. It’s high time we got into positive campaigns, instead of those ones wrapped with impunity. We are the leaders and the future of our tomorrow. Enough of these crimes and violence! We are going to Niger state, not because there is violence in the state, we are going there to encourage the youth to keep up the good work, and to also encourage the governor, the Chief Servant, Babangida Aliu not to relent, and to make youth empowerment a priority''. 

Stressing on the campaign objective and the power of the Nigerian youth, Actress Ronnie Dim said that as the peace walk continues from state to states, they may be requesting individual governors to take them on inspection of state projects, especially those that affect the Nigerian youth. She said such shall be used to measure government performance in order to enable the group mobilize for such governor in the next election. She also avowed that the group will monitor all voting activities across the 36 states of the federation.

Speaking on funding, the youth leader asserted that the organization had no particular sponsors, as they were careful not to go into sponsorship that will lead the organization into being hijacked. She said however, that it will be fine if well meaning Nigerians sponsor the selfless job the organization is doing in the interest of peace, but must however not capitalize on such sponsorship to hijack the mission with which the organization was formed.; ‘’ no, we won’t accept that; such is totally unacceptable’’ she had reiterated.

Speaking on the takeoff of the project, Ronnie said that the youth organization was endorsed by the entire Nigerian youth at a press conference in Abuja, and since then, there has been no dull moment.

Commending the Lagos walk, she said it was the most peaceful walk ever held in the country, considering the turnout, without any incident of violence. Ronnie hopes that the long awaited change can only be attained if this kind of campaign is continuously encouraged and sustained amongst the youth.

Ronnie concluded by assuring Nigerians that at the end of the peace walk in Niger state, the Governor, who is known as the Chief servant will be advised to call his colleagues and other leaders of the country together for the interest of peace. Adding that ‘’ this will further justify his stewardship as the chief servant of the state.

 (Story sent in by Ali Adoyi)