NGO sensitises Plateau youths on inter-ethnic cooperation, non-violent political participation

Youth Initiative Against Violence and Human Right Abuse (YIAVHA), a Non Governmental Organisation has organised a workshop to sensitise youths, secondary school students in Plateau on inter-ethnic cooperation and non-violent political participation.
Speaking at the event on Tuesday in Jos, the Acting Executive Director of the organisation, Mr Jacob Pwakim, said the project is being supported by Local Action Fund.
According to him, the exercise was aimed at promoting pluralism in the society, inter-ethnic harmony and violent-free political participation.
“This workshop covered knowledge on interfaith and inter-ethnic cooperation, community organising, facilitation and differentiating politics from religious relations.
“These youths are expected to champion discussion in their communities on the essence of interfaith, inter-ethnic cooperation and non violent political participation.
“We need an active youth population that will be vanguards of promoting inter-ethnic harmony and educate their peers and to channel effective online communication,” he said.
Pwakim added that elections in the past were characterised by religious and ethnic sentiments, hence undermining good governance and egalitarianism in the society.
He said the participants are expected to become change agents in their communities by changing the narrative for the better.
“Elections have often time not been seperated from public life where people vote those of their religion or ethnicity.
“This has undermined good governance and peace and security.
“So, these young people are to start changing such narrative by organising their peers and having a healthy conversation,” he added.
The workshop drew participants from 10 communities and secondary schools in Jos North local government area of the state.
The communities included Laranto, farin gada/Angwan Jarawa, Tudun wada community, angwan Bala Kaze/Mai damisa, and Ibrahim katsina.
Others are Congo Russia, Angwan Rogo, Angwan Rukuba, Gangare and Jenta Adamu communities (NAN)