Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has reiterated the importance of dialogue over violence in resolving conflicts in Africa. Speaking at a youth leadership symposium in Abeokuta with the theme “Opportunities for Peace: Roles of the Youths in Conflict Prevention in Africa,” Obasanjo emphasized the need to intensify efforts in instilling a culture of peace and security in the youth.
Organized by the Centre for Human Security and Dialogue in collaboration with the Institute for African Culture and International Understanding, the symposium was part of activities for Obasanjo’s 87th birthday on March 5.
Obasanjo advocated for promoting love and tolerance instead of narratives of hatred that breed conflicts and violence. He urged the youth to stand against conflicts in Africa and become agents of peace rather than being lured or used for destabilization.
Highlighting the importance of nurturing a culture of peace and security among the youth, Obasanjo stressed that attributes such as kindness, mercy, and forgiveness are essential for a stable and peaceful life. He urged the youth to persuade those who believe in guns and violence as solutions to conflicts to reconsider, emphasizing that conversation and dialogue are the way forward.
Reflecting on past conflicts in Nigeria, including the civil war, Obasanjo emphasized the need for reconciliation and resolution through dialogue even after destructive events. Prof. Peter Okebukola, the former Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission and coordinator of the symposium, reiterated Obasanjo’s commitment to the belief that African youths play pivotal roles in achieving peace across the continent.
