A former acting director of Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies (CEPACS), University of Ibadan, Prof. Ayobami Hammed, weekend advocated the creation of a National Crime Prevention Commission.
Prof. Hammed made the call while presenting the 546th edition of the University of Ibadan inaugural lecture series titled: “We Die Here Today! Youth Violence, Social Dysfunction, and a Counseling Psychologist’s Pathway to Peace.”
The university don declared that this became necessary to address the disturbing trend of youth violence across the country as the proposed agency would be saddled with the responsibility of designing, implementing and monitoring a national policy on peace education that is specifically tailored towards equipping the youth with such skills that will help them stay away from tendencies to get involved in violent acts.
“Peace education can help prevent youth violence and radicalism by teaching youth about the advantages of peace and conflict transformation skills,” he said.
Prof Hammed added, “Government could 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.”
