COMMONWEALTH YOUTH COUNCIL YOUTH CAMPAIGN AGAINST ELECTION VIOLENCE STORMS NIGERIA

COMMONWEALTH YOUTH COUNCIL YOUTH CAMPAIGN AGAINST VIOLENCE (Y-CAEV) STORMS NIGERIA

Commonwealth Youth Council preaches violence-free polls-

The Commonwealth Youth Council (CYC) has called on Nigerian youth to eschew violence in the coming general elections.
Addressing youth groups from different parts of the country on Tuesday in Abuja, Chairperson of the Council Mr. Ahmed Adamu said Nigeria youth must resist the temptations of being used as tools in the hands of selfish politicians to perpetrate violence during and after the polls.
The event marked the formal launch of the CYC’s Youth Campaign Against Electoral Violence (Y-CAEV) campaign which had also been launched in some other commonwealth countries.
“It is our responsibility at the level of the Commonwealth Youth Council to preach peace in every election. As Nigerians, we create negative images for ourselves by our constant resort to electoral violence.
“Every Nigerian has the constitutional right to vote for whoever he or she desires. Such persons should not be castigated for his or her choice of candidate,” Adamu said.

He urged politicians to avoid using the youth to cause violence which he described as selfish.
A Youth Peace Accord was signed by all youth groups and representatives of various civil societies present at the event, which binds them to a peaceful participation in the coming polls.
The Commonwealth Youth Council has an estimated 2 billion members. It was endorsed in November 2011 by the Commonwealth Heads of Government to engage and empower young people in decision making and national development, which are directly aligned with the Commonwealth Charter.

Commonwealth Youth Council (CYC) is the official and recognized voice of the 1.2 billion young people of the Commonwealth. It is the largest and most diverse youth-led organization in the world. CYC plays an integral role in advancing the youth development agenda and the coordination of activities and policies of the Commonwealth in the field of youth. The Council works for and represents the voice of all young people within the 53 Commonwealth countries.

Commonwealth Heads of Government in Perth endorsed the establishment of the Commonwealth Youth Council (CYC) in November 2011, and Heads of Government in Colombo welcomed the election of the inaugural Executives in November 2013. The CYC was officially introduced and recognized by Her Majesty, the Queen of England (Head of the Commonwealth). The establishment of the CYC to engage and empower young people in decision making and national development is directly aligned with the Commonwealth Charter. The Magampura Commitment to Young People by Commmonwealth Heads of Government calls for strong partnership between the CYC, member government, youth and relevant Commonwealth institutions.

COMMONWEALTH YOUTH COUNCIL Y-CAEV PLAN MEGA PEACE MARCH IN AKWA IBOM
The Commonwealth Youth Council Youth Campaign Against Election Violence has commenced operation fully in Akwa Ibom State and plan to stage a mega peace march in the state to call on the political class and youth to shun all form of election violence in the state. The CYC's Y-CAEV in Akwa Ibom State took this decision after a meeting of the State Working Committee in Uyo, the state capital.

Meanwhile, the Akwa Ibom State CYC's Y-CAEV team has visited Ethical and Attitudinal Reorientation Commission (EARCOM) and UN-POLAC for partnership with other organizations to launch a massive peace campaign and peace march in the state. The CYC's Y-CAEV delegation was recieved by the EARCOM Executive Chairman, Deac. Christy Obot and members while Engr. J. B. Effiong received the delegation in his office in Uyo. Deaconess Obot thank the group for the visit and pledged her Commission commitment to campaign against election violence. Engr. Effiong on his part submitted that there is need to reinforce the campaign to the grassroot level and accepted to partner for optimum results. Speaking on behalf of CYC's Y-CAEV team, Comrade Ubong Ekoi and Hon. Isangobong Eyibio frowned at the incident of 2011 where there was lost of life during the clashes between the ruling Peoples Democratic Party and the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria in the state. The group restated commitment to ensure that such ugly event do not repeat itself in the state at the coming general election as the objective of Y-CAEV is to achieve zero election violence, zero cost of life and properties in all Commonwealth countries. The peace march which will cover all part of the state will be preceded by a Press Conference at Uyo the capital of Akwa Ibom State.

Also, the CYC's Y-CAEV team yesterday meet with the State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Gabriel Achong for partnership with the Police and other security agencies to ensure that they work together harmoniously to ensure that there is zero election violence in the state. Receiving the delegation in his office, Mr. Achong commend the effort of Y-CAEV team for embarking on a peace project in the state and promise the full support of the Police and security of Y-CAEV in the state in carrying out their mandate without any interference. The Police Commissioner stated that it is high time the youth refuse to be used by the political class to perpetuate violence as they will be the one at the receiving end.

In the delegation was the National Working Committee member and Peace Ambassador, Mr. Ubong Ekoi, the State Peace Marshal, Hon. Isangobong Eyibio, South South Zonal Peace Marshal, State Working Committee members, and some local government Peace Marshal.

Commonwealth Youth Council is the official and recognized voice of the 1.2 billion young people of the Commonwealth countries and endorsed by 53 Heads of Government and Her Majesty, the Queen of England in Perth in 2011. CYC plays an integral role in advancing the youth development agenda and the coordination of activities and policies of the Commonwealth in the field of youth.