ABEOKUTA–In a bid to stem the tide of insecurity in the country, and to take the youths out of the street, a non-governmental organisation, Treasure of the Universe (TOU), has partnered with Ogun State government to train the youths as peace ambassadors.
The training which has the endorsement of former president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and the government of Ogun State is designed to produce 60 youths, who will be spread across the six geo-political zones of the country.
These youth according to the founder of Treasure of the universe, Gabriel Tukura will go into communities, interface with stakeholders in the community to resolve crisis and nip unfolding crisis in the bud.
Tukura stated further that the programme, which will be a reality TV show tagged Treasure Hunt, will create opportunities for Nigerians from all parts of the country to be part of the peace initiative.
“the project is for the youth within the ages of 20 to 35 years across tribes, religion, regional and states to raise a National Peace Ambassadors (NPA) who is to reign for on year handling many peace projects nationwide”, he said
The programme which will be hosted by Ogun State for a month, will give other Nigerians the opportunity to be part of the programme after paying two thousand two hundred naira.
According to Tukura, audition would take place in five different states, which are Akwa Ibom, Enugu, Plateau, Kaduna and Abeokuta in Ogun State.
While speaking on behalf of the state government, The Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Oluwatoyin Emmanuel said the state government decided to partner with the NGO because its programme tallies with the 5 point agenda of the state government.
He said “the programmes will take our youth away from the street, this is line with the programme of the present administration in the state and we are talking to industry within the state to partner with the programme ”
While answering questions from newsmen, Tukura assured that the first three winners of the reality show would go home with cash rewards and the other 57 contestants would be given certificate and would be trained on an entrepreneurship skill while the sponsors of the programme would give them cash fo start of a business .
He also assured of adequate security and prompt medical attention for all contestants and officials.
