The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi 111, has identified enlightenment and sporting activities as viable weapons against youth violence and restiveness.
The paramount ruler stated that a great percentage of violence perpetuated by youths in the country is the result of some communication gap and a disconnect between youths and leaders at various levels
This, he said, continues to widen overtime and are often manipulated by opportunists who lure the youth with promises of better standards, thus end up turning them into willing instruments for perpetuating violence in the pursuit of their group or individual interests.
The first class monarch stated this in his palace while playing host to journalists who paid him a Ramadan visit .
Oba Adeyemi pointed out that “adequate enlightenment will create in youths the awareness that the future belongs to them, that it must not be destroyed by them and that the future and its nature depend on the decision and choices they make. It will register in them the contrast between the ignoble role of many contemporary youths and the noble and heroic contributions of youths in the past to the development of Nigeria.
“It will also open their eyes to the need to embrace the rule of law and democratic ideals as well as the need to explore available channels in resolving issues relating to the neglect of youths in the development process.”
He lamented that youths, who have too much energy and no productive place for channeling it, participate in violent acts.
According to the Alaafin, “Youths are the foundation of a society. Their energies, inventiveness, character and orientation define the pace of development and security of a nation, and that it is through their creative talents and labour power that a nation makes giant strides in economic development and socio political attainments.”
