In its efforts to ensure violence-free general elections, the Professional Youths for Good Governance of Nigeria (PYGGN) has organised a one-day seminar on sensitization and awareness campaign on the dangers surrounding election violence for youth in Ilorin, Kwara State capital.

The event which was in collaboration with the Kwara Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalist (NUJ) was held at the Press Centre, Offa Road, GRA, Ilorin.

Various speakers at the forum called on Nigerian youths to shun acts of violence, thuggery and other negative vices that might hamper the 2015 general elections, even as they advised them to vote for credible candidates with proven ability for leadership.

In his welcome address, the National President of the group, Mr. Daromosu Tunde said that PYGGN is a civil society organization dedicated to the provision of sustainable solutions at ensuring the flow of good governance in Nigeria.

"The group is comprised of capable professional Nigerians, who are youths and have the passion and drive to impact positively in the governance of Nigeria using their professional knowledge," he added.

Corroborating other speakers, the State Chairman Nigeria Union of Journalists, Comrade Abiodun Abdulkareem, who commended the organizer for its foresight opined that the council considered the group as partners in progress in spreading the message of hope and hitch-free elections.

Tayo Ayanda who represented him enjoined all stakeholders to continue in their sensitization drive in the interest of the country's unity.

The guest speaker, Mallam Olaolu Ali (SAN) urged the participants to use the opportunity to discuss warmly in finding solutions and the way forward, urging participants to educate people who had not gotten the chance to attend the programme.

Ali, who was represented by Barrister Olarewaju Suleiman, blamed election violence on the increase in youth unemployment, poverty and corruption across the country.

Ali, therefore charged the teeming youths of the country to engage government in power intellectually on salient issues bordering on their collective destiny.

In his remarks, the National Coordinator of the group, Mr. Nasir AbdulQuadri urged youths to be change agents in the country’s electoral process and should not allow themselves to be used as political thugs during elections.

AbdulQuadri said though the group was a non-political organisation, it aims at teaching the youths to avoid being used to scuttle electoral process during and after the general elections.

He regretted that politicians do not allow their children to come out during elections, let alone getting involved in any political unrest. The representative of the Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Kwara State Command, Mary Wakawa, Mr. Olakunle Akola stressed that the workshop was timely especially against the increase of political violence in the state as election was approaching.

Wakawa said election violence back-pulls the socio-economic activities of a nation, adding that the workshop would drastically reduce violence.