The Boyloaf Foundation, a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), has called for the promotion peace and values of tolerance, respect and empathy among the youths in the Niger Delta especially the boy child.
The foundation, dedicated to non-violence advocacy and the protection of the boy child, in partnership with Miss Peace Organisation and with the support of the Bayelsa State Government, brought children and other stakeholders together to celebrate the International Day of peace with a theme, “Little Hands Big Dreams”.
The childern showcased their talents in arts, poetry, speech-making, Afro dance, drama, catwalk for peace, paintings, music, among others.
The event, which brought various young people from secondary schools, Boys Brigade and other youth organisations was part of the activities of the foundation to advocate sustainable peace and to take a collective stance against crime and violence.
In his keynote address the Bayelsa State Commissioner for Youth Development, Alfred Kemepado commended the foundation saying the event would promote peace in th le region.
He extolled the contributions of Victor-Ben Ebikabowei, popularly known as “General Boyloaf” and owner of the foundation, in the enthronement of peace in the Niger Delta.
Kemepado advised young people to shun violence and embrace peace and more importantly remained focused in pursuing their dreams.
He said that the Bayelsa State Government would soon launch a comprehensive youth policy designed to encourage active participation of youths in community development, governance, and decision-making processes.
“We aim to foster a sense of civic responsibility and leadership among young
people”, Kemepado said.
In her welcome address, the Miss Peace Niger Delta, Miss Ockiya Ayibanengimote highlighted the roles of parents in instilling values in their children.
’If our children grow up learning to tolerate differences, respect others and show empathy then we are raising a generation that will not only desire peace but also know how to protect it’’, he said.
The Director-General, Bayelsa State Centre for Youth Development, commended the Boyloaf Foundation for its consistency in peace advocacy and human development.
He said the vision of the foundation was in line with the Prosperity Administration Governor Douye Diri’s policy of inclusion, building trust and creating opportunities for people to leave harmoniously.
He said embracing dialogue, reconciliation and non-violent approaches to resolve disputes and prioritising youth empowerment remained the key to sustainable peace.
In his vote of thanks, the Coordinator of the event, Mr Seleipre Tonbie recalled the courage of General Boyloaf on the 6th of August 2009 to lead 31 commanders of the then Movement for Emancipation of Niger Delta (MEND) to Abuja to seal the Amnesty deal that restored peace in the Niger Delta.
He recalled that at the meeting, Boyloaf said: ‘’If the government refuse to develop the region and continue in marginalization and injustices the youths coming after us will be more brutal than us‘’.
He said it was in response to this looming danger that gave birth to the Boyloaf Foundation and the Boy Child Project.
Tonbie said: “Boyloaf’s bold decision to step away from violence and embrace peace inspired many others. This act of reconciliation has been immortalized in cultural consciousness abd even reflected in Barrister Smooth’s song ‘Amnesty’ and in Burna Boy’s song ‘Monsters you made’ featuring Chris Martins.
“This events led to the establishment of the presidential Amnesty programme and one of the programmes of the PAP is the scholarship scheme for impacted communities.
“A window of opportunity has presented itself to the people of our region via the Presidential Amnesty Programme and it calls for restructuring of the process, so as to enable thousands of our people benefit from the scheme”.
Tonbie thanked the stakeholders, students, youth organisations, Dr Joan Filatei, founder of the Children Development Foundation and Z Okoya Ogoniba, CEO of Events by Ozee, Moses Marlon and Aze Dickson for attending the event and appreciated the support of the Bayelsa State Government.
The PGR Entertainment Theatre for education project featured a dance drama, the Orupabo cultural display, which highlighted a message of hope and a peaceful world using dance and drama.
The event also featured a catwalk for peace by Finnie Couture, which added elegance
and style to the programme.
