Preparatory to the UN International Day of Peace, UPF-Nigeria collaborated with the Diamond Crest Foundation (For Youth Education) to host a two-day National Conference July 24-25 on the theme of Education and Youth Development as Tools for Promoting Peace, National Development and Unity.
In keeping with their aims and objectives and in response to the unprecedented youth restiveness, violence, and terrorism prevalent in Nigeria, the two organizations offered solution to the besetting problem of the uncommon bloodletting that has become characteristic of our time through peace education etched on a more nationalistic, patriotic, and humane curriculum on the one hand, and vocational/entrepreneurial and leadership skills acquisition through sustainable youth development programs on the other hand. This All-Stakeholders’ Conference was one example of the interactive and intervention programs addressing this issue.
OPENING CEREMONY
The Opening Ceremony for the Conference commenced at 11.00 hours with both Christian and Muslim prayers and the Nigerian National Anthem.
WELCOME ADDRESS
The Founder and President of Diamond-Crest for Youth Education Foundation, Mr. Gideon I. Onyedi, presented a welcome address to the participants. In his address, he enumerated some of the activities of the organization from its inception to the present conference and informed the participants that the conference was borne out of the recommendations made by stakeholders at a previous Conference on Education and National Unity, held in Kaduna, in September 2011. He called on participants to put all hands on deck towards finding a solution to the besetting problem of youth-restiveness, violence, and armed insurgency, through education and youth development.
GOODWILL MESSAGES
The first goodwill message was presented by Dr. George Ikpot, the National Coordinator of UPF-Nigeria, a partner and co-host of the Conference. Dr. Ikpot welcomed participants and stressed the need for all Nigerians, the leaders and the led, to heed the clarion call of nation-building through peace education. He drew the attention of participants to the theme of this year’s International Year of Peace, which is "Education for Peace."
Other guest speakers who presented goodwill messages were Dr. Charles Cudjeo, President of Nigerians in diaspora, and Professor Godwin Sogolo of the University of Ibadan. They pledged their support for towards achieving peace and unity through education and youth development.
THE KEYNOTE ADDRESS
The Keynote Address, which centered on the theme of the conference, was presented by the Patron of Diamond-Crest for Youth Education Foundation, Professor C. U. Abengowe, OON. He contended that illiteracy and unemployment result in frustration which in turn results in theft, armed banditry, terrorism, and other social vices. He recommended a sound education system and good governance as antidotes to youth restiveness as well as other vices confronting the Nigerian youth.
ADDRESS BY THE DIRECTOR GENERAL OF THE NIGERIAN TELEVISION AUTHORITY
The Director General of the Nigerian Television Authority, represented by Cyril Stober, presented an address on the Role of the Media in National Development. He stated that the role of the media should be that of unification. He warned against sensationalism in journalism and called on all media professionals to engage in the kind of journalism that helps to promote positive social life and peaceful co-existence.
FIRST PRESENTATION: Creating the World's Best Education System: The Finland Experience
H.E. Riita Korpivaara, Ambassador of Finland to Nigeria, clearly stated she is in full agreement with the views of the organizers of the conference, to wit, that it is essential to identify and define the root causes of youth-restiveness, violence, and armed insurgency in Nigeria, and to define and examine the place of education in youth development and national unity for the sake of peaceful coexistence.
She posited that the problem in Northern Nigeria is not a religious one. She believed that the root causes of these violence and armed insurgencies are poverty, lack of opportunities, lack of education, and lack of equality and that they can be easily tackled to preserve unity. She called for equal educational opportunities for all children and more recognition of women as it is in Finland. She also recommended a sound adult education expressed by the philosophy of lifelong learning.
SECOND PRESENTATION: Multicultural Curriculum: Education for Peace and Development, Panacea for National Unity
In her paper, Prof. Bridget Sokan, a Professor of Guidance & Counseling, emphasized the need for the Nigerian school curriculum to be redesigned to adequately inculcate the values and culture of peace, democracy, and human right values. She recommended that students should be taught, among other things, to be environment-friendly, embrace non-violent means of resolving conflicts, and recognize and respect other people’s culture and religion.
THIRD PRESENTATION: Building Bridges Across Faiths, Tribes, and Languages Through Education for Peace and Unity in Nigeria
Rev. George Ogurie, Vice President of the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification of Nigeria, like previous speakers, stressed the need for intercultural relationship and integration. He recommended that the Nigerians' multilingual complexity should be given high value, as it can help engender intercultural harmony and tolerance among the citizens. He suggested that inter-tribal marriages should be encouraged.
SYNDICATE GROUPING
After the presentations, participants were divided into four syndicate groups to discuss the papers presented and make recommendations. After the various groups held their discussions, the conference came to a close for the first day at about 17.00 hours.
DAY TWO
The second and final day of the conference commenced at 10.00 hours after opening prayers with the first paper presentation for the day.
FIRST PRESENTATION: The Role of Mental and Reproductive Health in National Development
The paper was presented on behalf of Professor A.O. Ladipo, President of the Association for Reproductive and Family Health, by Mr. Oladeji Adeyemi. The paper portrayed national development as the progressive elimination of poverty, unemployment, and inequality. It described the youth as the greatest assets that any nation can invest in if such nation intends to develop. He aptly captured the age bracket, population, and profile of young people in Nigeria. The paper portrayed reproductive health as a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being in all matters relating to the reproductive system and to its functions and processes. He recommended comprehensive sexuality education with enabling legislation to protect the sexual and reproductive rights and choice of the youth in the Nigerian school system and society. He also recommended the encouragement and support of civil groups that are established to promote mental health and protect the physically and mentally challenged students in Nigeria.
SECOND PRESENTATION: Inter-Cultural Education: A Tool for Promoting Peace
Mrs. Ogechukwu Eneh, an Education Administrator in Helsinki, Finland, used her presentation to reinforce previous papers on the importance of intercultural interaction. She defined culture as the characteristics of a particular group of people, defined by everything from language, religion, cuisine, social habits, and music to arts. She recommended intercultural education in schools as she posits that it prepares students to live productively and harmoniously in a pluralist society.
The conference was sponsored and funded by the Diamond-Crest for Youth Education Foundation, in partnership with UPF-Nigeria. Members of the Planning and Organizing Committee made personal financial commitments and contributions that made enabled the conference to be convened successfully.
The Planning and Organizing Committee had the following as members:
Professor C. U. Abengowe, OON (Consultant National Hospital), Abuja - Chairman
Dr. George C. Ikpot (National Coordinator, UPF-Nigeria), Abuja - Member
Alhaji Abubakar Mahmud - Member
Dr. Abdulaziz Mohammed - Member
Professor Bridget Sokan - Member
Mr. Adole Edo - Member
Dr. Ngozi Njepuome, mni - Member
Mr. Gideon I. Onyedi (President/Founder, Diamond Crest Youth Education Foundation) - Member
Mr. Chibuzor Emejor - Secretary
Reported by Diamond Crest and UPF-Nigeria
Submitted by Dr. George C. Ikpot, National Coordinator, UPF-Nigeria