A professor of Counselling Psychology and Peace Studies at the University of Ibadan (UI), Ayo Hammed, has called for the establishment of a National Crime Prevention Commission to address the escalating issue of youth violence in the country.
Hammed, who made the appeal while delivering his inaugural lecture titled: ‘We die here today: Youth violence, social dysfunction, and a counselling psychologist’s pathway to peace,’ said peace and conflict studies should be incorporated into the curriculum at all levels.
He noted that establishing the commission will help prevent violence and radicalism by teaching youths about the advantages of peace and conflict transformation skills.
“The government can partner with private organisations and strengthen early warning systems to curb youth violence. Parents, teachers, guardians, and siblings should also be educated on identifying red flags indicating a child is joining a cult or being bullied,” he said.
In his lecture, Hammed highlighted the causes of youth violence in Nigeria, citing social exclusion, youth unemployment, and lack of opportunities as primary drivers.
He called for a collaborative effort involving government agencies, communities, educational institutions, healthcare providers, and law enforcement agencies to address the issue.
Drawing attention to the vital role of counselling psychologists in mitigating youth violence, Hammed emphasised their expertise in human behaviour and intervention strategies.
He underscored the importance of victim and offender assessments, observations, and testimonies interpretation in understanding crime.
‘’A key element of the proposed approach is a renewed emphasis on education. Ensuring quality learning for all young Nigerians is crucial, equipping them with knowledge, critical thinking skills, and opportunities for personal growth.
“Addressing the nation’s economic challenges is another critical element. High unemployment rates are a major contributor to youth frustration and violence,” Hammed added.
He proposed programmes promoting self-employment, vocational training, and job creation to empower young Nigerians economically. Besides, he noted that social welfare programmes specifically designed for youths, including financial assistance, healthcare, and support for vulnerable youth, are essential to tackling the menace.
