Youth ambassador to FG, others: Implement action plan on security

The newly appointed African Union Youth Ambassador for Peace for West Africa, Ms. Simone Diouf, has called for more support from the government, civil society and partners on the implementation of the Nigeria’s National Action Plan on Youth, Peace and Security (YPS). She also called for support and the inclusion of young people in the […]

The newly appointed African Union Youth Ambassador for Peace for West Africa, Ms. Simone Diouf, has called for more support from the government, civil society and partners on the implementation of the Nigeria’s National Action Plan on Youth, Peace and Security (YPS).

She also called for support and the inclusion of young people in the peace and security architecture of Nigeria and West Africa.

Diouf made the call during a special roundtable discussion organized by Building Blocks for Peace Foundation (BBPF) on Thursday in Abuja, in collaboration with the Global Partnership for the Prevention of Armed Conflict (GPPAC)-West Africa with the theme: ‘Advancing Youth, Peace and Security Agenda in West Africa’.

She, however, applauded the Federal Government and young people of Nigeria for becoming the first country in Africa to adopt a National Action Plan on YPS.

She noted that the National Action Plan on YPS is very important as it helps to outline how stakeholders can work together with young people on issues of peace and security.

She stated, “Nigeria’s National Action Plan on Youth, Peace and Security adopted in November 2021 is a vital national document that reflects the African Union commitment to peace and security and can help in addressing Nigeria’s current security challenges if it is rightly implemented by all stakeholders.”

She therefore calls for more support from the government, civil society and partners on the implementation of the Nigeria’s National Action Plan on YPS.

The meeting was attended by over 50 peace activists and civil society organisations from across Nigeria and among others was to provide a platform for the Youth Ambassador to share her vision, priorities, and programs on youth and peacebuilding in West Africa.

The Executive Director of Building Blocks for Peace Foundation, Mr. Rafiu Lawal emphasized that Nigeria deserves peace more than ever before and citizens must guard the relative peace that the country is currently enjoying.

He noted that young people who constitute 60% of the population must be supported to contribute to the peace process.