By Olawale Lamina
An initiative aimed at improving awareness among youngsters about the imperative of peace and human rights has received a boost, just as the World Institute for Peace, WIP, took the ‘Catch Them Young and Teach Them Peace’ campaign to secondary schools in Osun State.
The ongoing programme in Osun secondary schools, according to the organizers, “is a crucial initiative that sows the seeds of peace, security, and human rights in the hearts and minds of young minds.”
In a statement by the Executive Director of WIP, Mr. Lamina Kamiludeen Omotoyosi, the reason behind the initiative, among others, is to reduce crime rate and work towards putting an end to banditry in Nigeria, as a means of supporting security agencies and the country as a whole.
Omotoyosi explained: “We believe that by equipping the students with foundational knowledge and values, this programme will empower them to become agents of change as it will foster a culture of empathy, respect, and compassion in their communities and beyond.
Through practical experiences and hands-on activities, the students in attendance were able to develop a deep understanding of their rights and responsibilities, fostering a sense of global citizenship.”
IHe emphasized that one of objectives of WIP is to invest in the education of the youth in a more peaceful and just future.
The group’s executive director explained further that the ‘Catch Them Young and Teach Them Peace’ programme is a vital step towards creating a world where conflicts are resolved through dialogue and understanding, and where human rights and dignity are upheld for all.
He informed that the project, which is currently running among secondary schools started in 2016 and has recorded success both within and outside Nigeria.
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