Help promote development, Gov. Ahmed tells youths

Gov. Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara on Friday urged youths to play an active role in promoting development in the country while exhibiting virtues necessary to sustain peace.

The governor made the call when he received the Patriotic Peace Ambassador for 2016 Award presented to him by the National Association of Peace Studies Students of Nigeria.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the award was received on behalf of the governor by his deputy, Mr Peter Kisira.

Ahmed commended the association for recognising the various initiatives of the state government in promoting peace and youth development.

The governor said that his administration had performed excellently well in promoting peace and giving opportunity to the younger generation.

He urged members of the association to be good ambassadors of their parents, institutions and the nation and to inculcate in youths the spirit of good behaviour to stem vices.

The governor also praised members of the association for their foresight, courage and dogged determination to entrench peace in the country.

He admonished youths to shun violence and criminal activities such as drug addiction, cultism, and armed robbery.

Earlier, the President of the association, Mr Michael Oyewole, commended Ahmed for his youth- oriented and peace-centred programmes which earned him the prestigious award.

Oyewole said that Ahmed was given the award because of “his outstanding Pan-African patriotism, immense contribution to nation building, true democracy, effective service delivery and dedication to humanity and the country.”

He, however, expressed concern over incidents of insurgency, wanton killings and abduction in the country.

Oyewole called on the Federal Government and security agencies to contain the trend in order to ensure peace and stability in the country.