Internationational Peace Day: Group advocates for training of children on peaceful habits by Parents
By Omobolaji Adekunle
In commemoration of the 2023 International Peace Day, AVIARY Association Worldwide (Gateway AVIARY) has directed parents to inculcate peace habits in their wards, noting that the incessant cult clashes claiming lives and property in Ogun state was due to lack peaceful orientation by a parents.
This was stated by the Vice President of the group Adebayo Oniyide on Thursday, at a press conference held by the Nigeria Union of Journalists secretariat, Iwe Irohin, Abeokuta, adding that once Nigerians internalise the virtue of patience, cultivating peace will be simple.
Oniyide also called on governments to provide job opportunities for the youth, to engage them, adding that it will also prevent them from engaging and shun all sorts of social vices.
He said, “You see, we have to be very patient with ourselves. If you have a little patience for the government, at the same time, you will be able to maintain peace with yourself, with your neighbors, and with your family, then there will be no crisis.
“What I can say is as global vice president, I’ve said earlier that the first thing is to shun vices. I would only employ the government to work toward how the youths can be engaged.
“Most times it may not necessarily be employment, but employment is part of it.”
In the same development the Ogun state president of Gateway AVIARY, Abiodun Abiodu expressed concern over the negative reports on the cultism clash that led to the killing of scores in Sagamu, Ogun State.
He highlighted the news for negative reasons, explaining that youths have forgotten the principles that guide the state as it now lives on its past glory.
“It’s a sad period to note that Ogun state is in the news for all the bad reasons in recent times. It’s heart-wrenching, but what I can say is that most of our youths, and to some extent, parents are living on the past glory that we are basking on the inferiority of the past.
“So with that, we have forgotten the principles that have been helping us move forward to live according to our name, to live very responsibly. So I would say one of the major issues that is fundamental is that we also influence people who are not originally from Ogun state even beyond this state. So they think it is okay to do whatever they like and return elsewhere because this is not their state.”
Abiodun maintained that the government’s role in promoting peace is pertinent, tasking to work on engaging the youth to keep them engaged.
”I would only employ the government to work toward how the youths can be engaged. Most times it may not necessarily be employment.”
He also commended the state’s security agencies stating that, while they were making an honest and fair effort, their efforts remain insufficient.
