NOA DIRECTOR-ISHOLA SPEAKS AT THE 10TH NATIONAL YOUTH SUMMIT ON CRIME PREVENTION
There is hardly any part of the world today where there is no one act of radicalism, violent extremism or the other. Consequent upon this, it has heightened insecurity and fear in various human communities which necessitated the 10th National Youth Summit on Crime Prevention by African Youths Initiative on Crime Prevention (AYICRIP), held at the Afe Babalola Hall, University of Lagos, Akoka on Thursday 16th May, 2019.
Speaking on the topic “National Re-Orientation and Ethno-Religious Tolerance: a panacea to the fight against radicalism and violent extremism”, the Director, National Orientation Agency (NOA) Lagos Directorate, Mr. Waheed Ishola representing the Director-General, noted that with the proliferation of ethno-religious cum political crises as witnessed across the nation where communities and interest groups that have co-habited peacefully for years back are now at conflict with each other. The urgent need for value re-orientation cannot be over-emphasized. He listed the following as some of the causes of radicalism and violent extremism:
– Breakdown of family/societal value system
– Promotion of ethnic skirmishes by traditional institutions
– Preaching of hate sermons from the pulpit
– Unguarded/Unrestrained utterances by political gladiators
– Socio-political exclusion of minority interest/groups
– Radicalization of youths through negative religious indoctrination
– Porous and unguarded borders that allows for incursion of violent extremists
– Effects of globalization and new-media.
Having talked and enumerated the causes of radicalism, the Director appealed to stakeholders to go back to the Nigeria value system as enshrined in Chapter 2 section 23 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended): Discipline, Integrity, Self-Reliance, Religious Tolerance, Social Justice, Dignity of Labour and Patriotism. Promoting these core values will inculcate and instill a sustainable socialization process towards achieving a united, strong and indivisible nation. To further emphasize the above, he urged parents, religious and traditional institutions to teach values of togetherness, unity, love and selflessness rather than preach sermons of hate while the Youth themselves must show patriotic zeal towards promoting activities that can encourage peaceful co-existence and national cohesion, by keying into the aspiration of the present regime to change the nation for the next level in whatever sphere of influence they occupy.
In his paper, Combating radicalism and violent extremism in local communities: perspectives and practices, Dr. Isaac C. Igwe, an Independent Researcher, summed up that; divisive tendencies and practice of exclusion heighten individuals’ feeling of dissatisfaction, decrease commitment and cohesiveness, and in the end leave every part working towards disintegration of the whole. So in combating radicalization and violent attitudes, multi-stake holder approach which includes the government, security agents, community involvement and mass reorientation are required to counter the push, pull and contextual factors that drive their existence.
Welcoming participants, the Executive Director/Founder, African Youths Initiative on Crime Prevention (AYICRIP), Mr. Chris C. Ibe remarked that this year’s 10th National Youth Summit on radicalism and violent extremism as a theme: was in line with the concern of the United Nation Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, on the rise of violent extremism and radicalization amongst young people. He observed that most communities, business organizations and institutions across the country are living in abject fear due to high rate of insecurity which is traceable to the criminal activities of some citizen mostly young people. Hence, the summit was organized with the hope of finding lasting and sustainable solution to the problem as it affects Nigeria.
Highpoint of the event was the award presentation to some outstanding individuals among whom is the Director, National Orientation Agency, (NOA) Lagos Directorate, Mr. Waheed Ishola , “In recognition of his commitment and contribution to the global fight against crime through mentorship and social development”
In attendance were: Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), The Media, Academia, pupils from over 20 secondary schools across the state amongst others
About Author
