Beatrice Gondyi, Bauchi
Bauchi State became the centre of national discourse on peacebuilding, youth development, and moral revival over the weekend as religious leaders, security agencies, youth organizations, and community stakeholders convened for a series of interfaith engagements aimed at strengthening national unity and confronting rising social challenges—including the growing menace of drug abuse among young people.
Speaking at the youth conference, the Bauchi State Coordinator of the Youth Interfaith Initiative, Mr. Son-Allah Ishaku urged young Nigerians to take the lead in fostering peace, tolerance, and unity at a time of rising global and national tensions. He said Nigeria’s diversity should be a source of strength rather than division, adding that “peace is not passive—it requires courage, empathy, and daily commitment.”
He emphasized that the Youth Interfaith Initiative was created to empower young people to collaborate across religious, ethnic, and social divides, describing youths as “leaders of today whose choices will shape Nigeria’s future.” Ishaku commended the Bauchi State Government, traditional institutions, security agencies, and civil society groups for supporting interfaith dialogue and peacebuilding.
However, amidst calls for unity, the conferences also highlighted a growing threat to youth development: drug abuse.
Clerics, health professionals, and community advocates jointly warned that the rising consumption of codeine-based mixtures, tramadol, marijuana, and other substances among youth is eroding moral values, weakening spiritual identity, and contributing to insecurity.
Representative of the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency Mrs Patricia Kumo noted that many young people are drifting into harmful habits due to peer pressure, social media influences, and declining adherence to religious principles.
Kumo who is the Director, Drugs demand and Reduction, linked the drug crisis to dwindling participation in spiritual and mentorship activities. “A youth without spiritual grounding is easily influenced by negative forces,” he warned.
She added that addiction often leads to depression, violence, and crime, calling for stronger community-based rehabilitation systems and faith-driven counselling centres.
Also speaking, Major S. Samila stressed that Nigeria’s survival depends on breaking religious barriers and embracing shared values that promote unity. His paper, “Faith Beyond Boundaries,” underscored the need for collective responsibility in confronting extremism, intolerance, and social decay.
“Our shared humanity is greater than our differences,” he said, emphasising that dialogue and mutual respect are indispensable to peacebuilding. Samila warned that religion can either unite or divide communities depending on how it is practiced, and called for sustained engagement among faith groups.
Stakeholders at the Conference, agreed that interfaith harmony, moral revival, and youth empowerment must go hand in hand if Nigeria is to address rising insecurity, social fragmentation, and drug addiction. They urged government bodies, religious institutions, and community leaders to invest more in youth-focused programs, mentorship platforms, and joint service projects that strengthen peaceful coexistence.
The conference ended with renewed commitments to deepen interfaith dialogue, support youth development, curb drug abuse, and promote the values of tolerance, empathy, and unity across all communities in Bauchi State and the nation at large.
Discussion about this post