The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has called on Nigerian youths to have a change in character and value, which must begin with repentance and resistance to all forms of corruption and parochial tendencies that are inimical to nation-building and accelerated development.
The president of CAN, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, made the call at the Peace Week Conference with the theme, “Action for Peace” organised at the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution in Abuja.
The CAN president said the theme of the conference was apt because peace-building requires commitment and activities that are far beyond speeches and rhetoric.
“We need to “walk the talk” if we have achieved lasting peace and I invite all of you here today to join hands in working and taking action for peace. All over the world, it is impossible to discuss peace without taking into consideration the role of the youth in sustaining peace.
“Youths play a vital role in peace-building and sustainable development, particularly in developing countries like Nigeria. Youths are the greatest assets that any nation can have.
“They are legitimately regarded as future leaders who must be well-guided and groomed for leadership positions in different spheres of life.
“It is better to assist them in channelling their exuberant energies into productive ventures than to allow them to develop skills for violence and other aberrant behaviours”, he said.
Okoh urged youths to be champions of peace by defending their rights to religious freedom and at the same time, protecting the rights of the people of the other faiths from being violated.
