The Senator representing Niger North Senatorial District at the National Assembly, Dr. Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi has stated that the only way to curtail the security challenges bedeviling the nation is to empower women and youths in community and national peace building.
According to him, women and youths have enviable characteristics that equip them for effective community peace building adding that such would become an invaluable asset to the country if well harnessed.
Speaking at a Peace and Unity Colloquium themed Community Peace Building – Engaging Women and Youths in Minna over the weekend, Aliyu stated that with the fall in oil prices, the chances of depending on the governments for job opportunities are getting slimmer stressing that the alternative to this predicament is to create enabling platforms for women and youth to acquire different skills which would enable them to become job creators.
He therefore urged women and youths to participate in the country Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)-Entrepreneurial Development Centre (EDC) programmes on skills acquisition in areas like agriculture, commerce, environment, information and communication technology.
Niger state Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello assuring women and youths of adequate support in the state stating that women and youths are one of the cardinal points of his administration for the social and political development of Niger State.
The governor who was represented by Head of Service, Alhaji Mohammed Maude Lapai, then expressed optimism that the partnership between the state and all Non Governmental Organisations (NGO) would further strengthen the development of people of the state and country at large.
Meanwhile, the Central Bank of Nigeria, Entrepreneurial Development Centre , North Central Zone Coordinator, Professor Casmir Obialom said Nigeria cannot talk about peace when the women and youths are idle stating that empowerment is an instrument of peace and unity.
“There can be no peace when the people are idle and the women are doing nothing. It is only when people are comfortable that you can talk about peace.
“Our target therefore is to ensure people are occupied and capable of fending for themselves so as to have peace and rest of mind,” he said.
The Coordinator then urged all hands to be on desk as only government cannot bring about peace building in the country.