The Youth Wing of the Christian Association of Nigeria (YOWICAN) concluded its three-day National Christian Youth Security Summit and Thanksgiving Service in Abuja, featuring a historic interfaith peace accord signed ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Held at the National Christian Centre under the theme “Empowered for Leadership, Service, and Nation Building,” the event convened church leaders, government officials, security agencies, and youth representatives from all 36 states, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), and Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.
The major highlight of the summit was the formal signing of a National Youth Peace Accord between YOWICAN and the National Council of Muslim Youth Organisations (NACOMYO).
YOWICAN National Chairman, Ven. Evang. Ademola Daniel Arowolo, alongside NACOMYO National President, Sani Sulaimon-Maigoro, pledged a joint commitment to reject political violence, resist vote-buying, and foster interfaith tolerance from the national level to local communities.
“This Peace Accord represents more than a document. It is a covenant of hope, a declaration of unity, and a collective commitment by Christian and Muslim youths to work together in promoting peace, justice, dialogue, tolerance, and national development,” Arowolo stated during the signing ceremony.
The Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa (Rtd), represented by Dr. Musa Likita emphasized that national security is not the sole responsibility of the military and police. He cautioned young citizens against substance abuse, political thuggery, and extremist manipulation as electioneering activities draw closer.
The First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, ably represented by the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission, Bishop Dr.Stephen Adegbite, urged young Nigerians not to become sacrificial lambs or tools of destruction for self-serving politicians, stressing that progress is impossible without peace.
President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Most Rev. Dr. Daniel Okoh (represented by Rev. Dr. Simon Dolly, CAN North Central Zonal Secretary) charged Christian youth to be moral exemplars and actively assist security agencies by sharing actionable information on local security threats.
During the summit’s thanksgiving session, YOWICAN conferred the title of Christian Youth Peace Ambassador on Barr. Seyi Tinubu in recognition of his contributions to youth empowerment initiatives and national peaceful coexistence. Accepting the honor, Tinubu reaffirmed his commitment to supporting youth leadership and urged Nigerian youths to view the nation’s ethnic and religious diversity as a source of strength.
The summit concluded with a commitment by delegates to return to their respective states and geopolitical zones as active champions of community security, peaceful coexistence, and civic responsibility ahead of the upcoming electoral cycle.
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