In a statement, yesterday, Journalists for Democratic Rights (JODER) said the meeting, which also include representatives of Labour and the media, is to work out peacebuilding and conflict prevention strategy.
Signed by Adewale Adeoye, the document noted: “Elections in Nigeria are associated with conflict and civil society groups have important roles to play in peace building, the media in particular is key to setting agenda for prosperity before, during and after the elections.”
Joder said the one-day summit would develop a common framework for the youth leaders to mobilise their members against violence, ethnic and religious conflict.
“Nigerians are organised along several non-formal institutions. Any time there’s conflict, these groups are vulnerable, they can be manipulated by political actors. By bringing the groups together, JODER hopes to strengthen the existing network in rural communities for collective action against violence.”
The media group said from experience, Nigerians are anxious to live in peace, but are also at the mercy of political actors, who find violence as the most potent weapon of expression.
Adeoye regretted that though, the summit would not hold across the country nor on a regional scale limiting its national impact, however JODER said it has identified flashpoints in some parts of the country where constructive engagement of the stakeholders is expected to check violence.
Punch
