August 8^th was an eventful day in Buea when VOPID (Volunteers for the Creation and Promotion of Developmental Projects in Cameroon) brought together the old and young on the theme "A peaceful nation is built on national unity and patriotism.’’ The aim of the come together was to encourage youths develop a culture of peace, dialogue, reconciliation and creativity under a seven-year plan. The event which took place at the Buea Cultural Centre targeted youths, who though often referred to as future leaders, tend to be the most violent in society, thereby hindering peaceful environment.
In his address, Bernard Fonju, Head of Administration at the Governor’s Office, urged the public to value and protect the peace enjoyed in Cameroon. Recommending peace as a fruit of education, he lauded President Biya's efforts in rendering primary school education free and the education of different classes of people through empowerment and vocational training centres.
Also addressing the audience, Janet Benga, the Coordinator of VOPID and the founding president of the Cameroon Youth Network, stressed that peace emanates from the individual to the family, and then to the nation. She hailed children's rights but noted that little or no emphasis on their obligations leads to loose moral values. She classified the causes of violence into push and pull factors. Talking on the push factors, she mentioned the effects of television, internet and mobile phones in exposing youths to the wrong ideas, fashion (flashy things) and peer pressure. And on the pull factors, she mentioned religious and cultural activities as well as unemployment.
The Director of the Borstal Institute who is also the Vice President for VOPID, Fidelis Njie, blamed parents for being the major cause for violence, juvenile delinquency, and social malpractices amongst youths. He called on parents to show love for their children so as to keep them from running to the streets where they easily copy deviant behaviour.
In a Christian perspective, Father Tobias Wilkuh of Catholic Church Buea Town insisted on peace being a Christian virtue. Relating to Jesus’ words in the Bible which state: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall see God.” Also, he stressed that only possessors of peace can bring peace in the face of disunity. “Jesus always said ‘peace be with you’ because He possessed peace,” he emphasized.