Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has stressed the need for dialogue as the only way to help resolve various conflicts in Africa.
He made this statement on Monday in Abeokuta at a youth leadership symposium with the theme “Opportunities for Peace: Roles of the Youths in Conflict Prevention in Africa.”
He said efforts to instill a culture of peace and security in the youth must be doubled to inspire them to be at the forefront of promoting peace rather than being used to unleash violence on the continent. The programme was organised by the Centre for Human Security and Dialogue in partnership with the Institute for African Culture and International Understanding, Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library.
The programme was part of the events lined up for the 87th birthday of the former president coming up on Tuesday, March 5.
According to the ex-President, instead of spreading the narratives of hatred, negative attitudes that fuel conflicts and then violence, it is important to embrace love and tolerance and see peace as non-negotiable for economic growth and prosperity.
He said the youths must stand firmly against conflicts in any part of Africa and be agents of peace rather than being tempted or used as agents of destabilization.
“We must start to bring up our youth in a culture of peace and security. The chances are that where we have a culture of love, we will have peace.
“The first thing to do is to instill in the youths the ingredients of peace, which is love and fellowship.
“Look at the attributes that God gave us to have a life of stability, a life of peace; they are, as I mentioned, kindness, mercy, and forgiveness,’’ he said.