By Princess Simon Bureau Chief North Central, in Minna)
Regional Centre of Expertise (RCE), a Minna based Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) under its flagship programme, ‘The Sustainable Initiative for Responsible Adulthood' (TSIRA), says it has commenced an interface with youths on how to end all forms of youths restiveness in the state.
The RCE coordinator in Minna, Dr. Abdul Hussaini, speaking on the menace, at the weekend, said with TSIRA fully rooted in the state, Minna metropolis in particular, issues relating to cult rival clashes, gangsterism, thuggery popularly referred to as ‘Yan Daba’ and related vices involving youths will be a thing of the past.
Abdul said it was disheartening as no meaningful development can take place in a society where the youths as future leaders were not properly guided on how to make good use of their talents but engage in all manner of hostilities resulting in loss of lives and properties.
It is regrettable that some flash points within Minna metropolis are being designated as den for ‘bad boys’ indulging in acts of thuggery, gangsterism and cult clashes. This, according to Dr. Abdul, is giving the state, Minna in particular, a very bad name and hence must be checked.
Abdul said he decided to organise an interface with some of the youths and through them spread the good news of exploring better options to handle whatever issue that is bothering them in order to avoid such clashes especially in the build up to the 2023 general elections.
He stated that peace and peaceful co-existence must be guaranteed in Niger state and in Minna metropolis in particular, which reflects a miniature Nigeria and its heterogeneity and diverse cultural and tribal values. He said this must not be undermined by any group under whatsoever guise.
He however regretted that despite efforts by the state government and the security agencies to curb the menace through arrests and detention, the problem have persisted, as findings shows that over five people had so far lost their lives within Limawa, Maitumbi and Unguwan Daji areas with several pockets of thuggery and unrest in some other parts of the metropolis.
It was in realization of this challenge that RCE Minna conceived the idea of TSIRA which literally mean 'survival' in Hausa language. This is to serve as ‘Social Clinic’ through In-depth Focus Discussion (IFD) for the youths involved in restiveness to understand their perspectives and the psychology pushing them to carry out such unwanted acts.
Ten youths were selected for the pilot scheme from areas that are prone to acts of thuggery, cult clashes and gangsterism among the various tribes and communities within Minna, the state capital and its environs.
He recalled the good memories of how Minna metropolis used to be home to all irrespective of tribal and religious inclinations. He added that it used to be fun enjoying peaceful atmosphere and that is the overall objectives of the TSIRA Initiative to restore the good old days and foster peaceful coexistence within communities in Minna to curb youth restiveness through social cohesion, skills training and sustainable empowerment.
Also speaking, the Chairman of RCE Minna Board of Research, Prof. Godwin N. Nsofor, said the responses gotten from the participants was a ray of hope that the aim of building bridges of friendship among the youth groups will be achieved, adding that he was particularly happy that they have agreed to turn a new leaf.
Prof. Nsofor promised to ensure that the RCE Minna will extend the scope of the programme by collaborating with some relevant organizations as well as recruit more youths involved in the unwanted acts and engage them meaningfully to serve as vanguards to ending youth restiveness in Minna and its environs.
NIGERIAN NEWSLEADER Correspondent reports that some of the speakers at the interactive session, includes Malam Nurudeen Lemu, Mall. Yabagi Alfa, Dr. Francis Gana and the Permanent Secretary of the State Ministry of Youths and Sports development, Dr. Wasa. He commended RCE Minna for the initiative and expressed optimism that it will work with the way the participants opened up. NNL.
