AFRICAN YOUTHS ARE PROMISES TO BE FULFILLED, NOT PROBLEMS TO BE MANAGED – ATTAH
A former Acting Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Defence, Dr. Sunday Attah says African youths must no longer be viewed as problems to be managed but as promises to be fulfilled.
Dr. Attah who was the Chairman at the launch of the African Youth Peace Corps (AYPC), in Abuja, said the future of Africa rests largely on its youthful population, stressing that young people should be seen as the continent’s greatest asset rather than a burden.
According to him, despite the numerous challenges confronting the continent, including poverty, unemployment, insecurity, violent extremism, drug abuse, cybercrime, climate change and social exclusion, Africa possesses an enormous demographic advantage that can drive peace, development and prosperity if properly harnessed.
He noted that African youths are not liabilities but assets, and not spectators of history but builders of history, adding that they have a critical role to play in shaping the future of the continent.
“Africa’s greatest resource is not oil, gold, gas or diamonds. Africa’s greatest resource resides within its young people their minds, creativity, resilience and dreams,” Attah said.
Dr. Attah further emphasized that peace remains the foundation for development, describing peace as more than the absence of war, but that peace represents justice, opportunity, inclusion, dignity and hope, adding that sustainable development cannot thrive in an environment characterized by violence, instability and division.
He challenged young Africans to become peace ambassadors, bridge-builders, defenders of human dignity and agents of reconciliation capable of fostering unity and progress across the continent.
The remarks came as the African Youth Peace Corps was formally inaugurated as a continental movement dedicated to raising a new generation of Peace Ambassadors across Africa.
In his address, Convener and Continental Coordinator General of AYPC, Amb. Dr. Abdulwaheed Odewale, outlined the organization’s vision and strategic programmes aimed at advancing peacebuilding and sustainable development across Africa.
Dr. Odewale disclosed that the organization would promote School Peace Clubs, Community Peace Initiatives, Youth Leadership Academies, Digital Literacy Programmes, Environmental Sustainability Campaigns, Interfaith Dialogue Platforms and Volunteer Service Schemes across the continent.
He said the initiatives are designed to equip young Africans with the knowledge, leadership skills and civic values required to address emerging challenges while promoting peace, social cohesion and responsible citizenship.
The AYPC Convener stressed that sustainable peace can only be achieved through dialogue, justice, inclusion, respect for diversity and equal opportunities for all members of society.
He noted that the organization would work closely with governments, traditional institutions, faith-based organizations, educational institutions, civil society groups and development partners to advance peacebuilding efforts and foster sustainable development.
Dr. Odewale further called on African youths to reject terrorism, violent extremism, criminality, cybercrime, hate speech, ethnic and religious intolerance, drug abuse and all forms of violence that threaten peace and human dignity.
Instead, he urged young people to embrace integrity, patriotism, innovation, entrepreneurship, environmental responsibility and peaceful coexistence as essential values for nation-building and continental progress.
He expressed confidence that Africa’s future would not be determined by the challenges confronting the continent but by the willingness of its people, particularly its youth, to create solutions, build bridges and promote unity across borders.
The launch of the African Youth Peace Corps marks the beginning of what organizers described as a continental movement of hope, service, leadership and peace aimed at empowering young Africans to become catalysts for sustainable transformation across Africa.
The organization also called on governments, institutions, development partners and individuals across the continent and beyond to support its mission of raising a generation of Peace Ambassadors committed to building a peaceful, prosperous and united Africa.
The launch, which coincided with the International Day of the African Child, attracted stakeholders from government institutions, civil society organizations, development partners, youth groups and members of the diplomatic community.
On her part, Member of the Governing Council African Youth Peace Corps & Founder, (IFP) World Family Initiative, UN Global Peace Advocate Amb. Queen Hadassah Ibinyingi Allaputa in her goodwill message, said a peaceful heart produces peaceful communities, and a generation that is at peace with itself can become a powerful force for transformation across the continent.
She emphasized that young people are not only the future of Africa but the architects of its peace and development, noting that sustainable peace begins from within, and that young people must first cultivate inner peace by embracing self-awareness, hope, resilience, and positive values.
She further highlighted the power of unity as a catalyst for Africa’s progress. Despite our diverse cultures, languages, and backgrounds, our strength lies in our ability to work together towards a common vision.
encouraged young Africans to choose collaboration over division, build bridges of understanding, and become ambassadors of peace in their communities. Through unity, service, and shared purpose, we can build the peaceful and prosperous Africa we all desire.
Other speakers at the event include Dr. Khadija Abdullahi Iya (Founder, Women Community in Africa), Dr. Maimuna Sheila Salim (Summit Chairperson, Women Community in Africa), Dr. Gbenga Oni (AYPC Continental Director of Training & Membership), Dr. Ahmed Abdul Yusuf (National Secretary, Congress for Sustainable Development of Nigeria)
