Obaji Abung-Akpet|22 June 2018
2019 is by the corner for Nigeria’s general election – during this period youths allow themselves to be used for selfish political gains. Hence the period is usually punctuated with heavy proliferation of small illegal arms occasioned by fierce electoral violence.
The aftermaths of the elections, when these youths are dumped after being misused, is usually not a pleasing experience for a country grappling with all sundry other security issues.
To reverse this trend, Miss Detie Ata Olom, Executive Director of Mothering to Mentoring Foundation, MMF, a Nigerian based non-governmental organisation, yesterday in Abuja advocated for proper Nigerian youth education, checks on proliferation of small illegal arms in Nigeria, end of cultism, among other things key to holding peaceful 2019 election in Nigeria.
Boki born, but Abuja base Olom said the NGO, which imbibes three core approaches in handling its areas of concern including carrying out research, engaging relevant authorities on matters concerned and then taking action says it plans to work with relevant organisations to ensure that youths are not misused during the coming elections.
“We are currently working on a project towards tackling cultism, election thuggery, illegal small arms proliferation and other related social vices,” Olom said.
Adding that: “As we all know 2019 elections is around the corner and we know in Nigeria how youths are being misused by politicians for selfish political goals around this period.”
Olom added that MMF was stepping in to initiate useful programmes that will educate Nigerian youths on the value they have beyond being used as thugs among other negative roles they have been earmarked to play.
“We will be working hand in hand with relevant security agencies to see how we can curtail the circulation of small arms in society during the electioneering period” the MMF boss stated.
“Society mentoring is the role of all, parents, teachers, opinion formers, religious organisations, government and even politicians who end up using these people.”
“This is a wakeup call to everybody to rise, join hands and tackle the menace tearing our society apart; if not put in check, there will be doubt about a good future for Nigeria” she said.
Known for its turbulent electioneering periods Cross River State is also earmarked for these campaigns by MMF.
Akpet writes from Nigeria
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