A Non Governmental Organization (NGO) KAIROS Youths Empowerment Initiatives( KYEI)has warned Edo youths not to allow themselves get killed over the interest of politicians and elections.
The Executive Director of KAIROS Youths Empowerment Initiatives,Dr Paul Oyarenua made this call in Benin City,the Edo State capital while fielding questions from journalists at a one-day seminar organized to sensitize youths on the danger of gangsterism with the theme: “2020 Gang Prevention and Intervention Stakeholders Meeting”
According to him, the Edo youths should not kill themselves over any election,as election will come and go, no election or politicians is worth dying for,he advised Edo youths to vote and not fight.
He emphasized that the reason for bringing stakeholders together was to deliberate and find a lasting solution to gangsterism which has destroyed the fabric of the Nigerian State.
“We’re here to deliberate,so that we can find a lasting solution to the problem of gangsterism among our youths in Edo State. Our aim is to reduce gangsterism to the minimum,if not total eradication.
I am advising our youths to vote and not fight. Election will come and go,no election is worth dying for,we want a stop to electoral violence.we want a stop to electoral thuggery,we want a stop gangsterism.”
“We want to sponsor a bill to the House of Assembly, after our resolution today that should include the causes and danger of gangsterism in our school curriculum for Primary and Secondary Schools.”
In his goodwill message,the Edo State commissioner of Police,Johnson Kokumo, represented by Assistant Commissioner of Police,Ayo Faniya said the police does not waste time with opportunities like what the seminar offers, since it helps the police to collaboratively find solution to what has become a major problem to the society (gangsterism).He said that to have gangs is not a problem,but rather when the gang is evil oriented,and urged youths to shun cultism, violence andbad friends.
“We, the police don’t waste time in grabbing opportunities like this, since it offers the chance to collaboratively discuss the way forward in what has become the most challenging problem today.
This period is the most busy period for us especially as we’re weeks to the election.Having a gang is not bad,but when the gang is evil oriented. We urge our youths to shun cultism, electoral violence and gangsterism, as it is the shortest way to destruction.”
Also,the Executive Director of SACA, Edo State,Mrs Flora Oyakhilome said children should be given the first education that starts from home,and should also be monitored while they are in school as most of them that come from good homes got entangled with pair pressure. She advised women to be prayerful,and also inculcate the fear of God in their children.
Mrs Oyakhilome also stated that government cannot handle crime alone and advise parents to know who their children go out with.
“The first education for children starts from the home,and children should also be monitored while they are in school as most of them that come from good home got entangled with pair pressure. I am advising women to be prayerful,and also inculcate the fear of God in their children.Government cannot handle crime alone,I also advise parents to know who their children go out with.we, women are most times blamed when things go wrong in the home.So I advocate 24 hours prayers for women.She has to pray and pray.”
In attendance were representatives of the police, DSS, civil society groups, religious leaders and youths from different places.The participant were entertained by KAIROS Drama Group.
Discussants at the event
