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The role of students in peaceful co-existence and sustainable
Development of the nation: a case study of Plateau State of Nigeria.

Abstract
The paper posited that there is a strong correlation between peaceful co-existence and sustainable development of any nation. It further asserts that students who are the leaders of tomorrow have a very significant role to play in driving home the need for peaceful co-existence and therefore, sustainable development. Using the case of Plateau State, the paper emphasized that students from the state under the umbrella of NAPSS should remain in the vanguard and strongly recommends that NAPSS would do well to continue to mobilize its member unto the pursuit of peace.

Introduction
It is truism that no meaningful development can be attained in an atmosphere of rancor. A society riddened by war, turmoil and conflict is likely to experience retardation and stagnation rather than progress and development. Thus, the Nigerian Nation places great premium on peaceful co-existence. Nigeria with its numerous ethnic groups can only make the desired sustainable development where the different groups live in peace with one another. The Nigeria's civil war is an example of a situation where its energies were deployed to maintain peace in order to make progress. Thus while the civil war brought about weak development, the post war had to anchor on Reconciliation, Reconstruction and Rehabilitation if the nation was to advance.
Nigeria has since put the war behind itself and is determined to forge ahead. Even with the Niger Delta Region, the Government has had to take positive steps to ensure peace in the region and thus to guarantee development.

Basis for Peaceful Co-Existence
The development of the nation is not feasible without enabling environment that attaches importance to peaceful co-existence among its various ethnic nationalities and component parts. Where a national lacks peace and stability such a Nation cannot tap its resources for meaningful development.
The Nigerian constitution provides a basis for peace and stability. It starts with an affirmation of a collective will to live in Unity and harmony as an indivisible and indissoluble sovereign nation under God. (Bulus 2005). Thus the Nigeria Motto is “Unity and Faith, Peace and Progress”. The constitution, Cap 5, provides for fundamental human rights which include dignity of the human person, liberty, fair hearing, peaceful assembly, freedom of movement etc.

Factors responsible for lack of peaceful co-existence
A great number of written works explain some of the causes of instability in Nigeria such as Kumtong, (2006), Yamsat (2005), and Bulus (2005). These can be summed up to include:
1. Negative exploitation of ethnic multiplicity: Nigeria is a country with many ethnic groups. However, while this could have been a strength, it is sometimes exploited by creating rivalries and intolerance. Sometimes mutual suspicion, fear of domination and marginalization give rise to lack of peaceful co-existence.
2. Religious Intolerance: This factor stems from wrong perception of the religion of others and orientation of followers, the level of literacy of followers, selfishness on the part of some religious leaders, external influences, manipulation of religion for a selfish end etc. Examples include the 1980 Maitatsine crisis, 1984 Makaniki Riot, Jimeta, 1987 Kafanchan religious riot, just to mention a few.
3. Poverty: There are still a sizeable number of people living below poverty level and a great number of the unemployed that are easily mobilized to ferment trouble.

Peaceful Co-existence: The Plateau State case
Plateau State is well known as the Home of Peace and Tourism. However, the 'peace' was put to a temporary test in the years 2001, 2004 and 2008. These crises go with attendant consequences that impact negatively on the pace of development. It is noteworthy that the state has put this behind it and is forging ahead.

The Role of Students in Peaceful Co-Existence
Students by their status constitute one of the most enlightened members of the society. They are in most cases, the youths, full of energy, stamina and long suffering skills. As educated people and to whom tomorrow belongs, they have a lot to offer in peaceful co-existence whether in the larger society or the institutions of learning they find themselves. In general, they are expected to be psychological educators, ombudsmen of peace, informants of light and not darkness. Good enough they belong to different religious and ethnic groups and from varied backgrounds. Their ability to live and work together should have a positive impact on the larger society. As the well informed, they must avoid rumour mongering, suspicion, sycophancy and never allow themselves to be used by selfish and greedy individuals. Thus, students are expected;
1. To avoid being used by unscrupulous individuals for their selfish ends.
2. To avoid being used by religious fanatics for their selfish ends.
3. To demand for a peaceful resolution of crisis always through press conferences, visitations and not confrontation.
4. To organize workshops, seminars, symposia on peaceful co-existence and economic empowerment through their organizations such as NAPSS, NANS.
5. To put in what they have learned in their institutions for the development of the state and Nation at large.
6. To avoid acts of demonstrations that normally end up being used for thuggery and destruction of lives and property.
7. To liaise with elders and well meaning people on sensitive issues before embarking on a perceived decision that would end up destroying the state or the nation.
8. To check the activities of their, overzealous colleagues who may be a threat to peaceful co-existence.
9. To constantly ask themselves what they can do to ensure peaceful coexistence.
10. To avoid drug involvement, cultism and other illegal activities such as stealing, prostitution, harassment and intimidation of people.
11. To involved themselves in hard work for the advancement of their education and also help parents in all aspects.

How Students can be helped to assist with Peaceful Co-Existence
Certainly much is expected from students regarding peaceful co-existence. They can be further assisted by:
1. Continuous provision of scholarship and Bursary support to study effectively and without necessary recourses to bad habits.
2. Constant checking of student's restiveness and factors prompting same for effective peaceful co-existence.
3. Providing orientation to students on peaceful co-existence and its dividends.
4. Providing adequate physical and learning facilities in schools.
5. Involving them in the lives of their communities by inviting suggestions from them on peaceful co-existence.
6. Provision of sporting activities/clubs/recreational facilities for a good mix of students with varied backgrounds.
7. Provision of Guidance and Counseling services to check ills bedeviling students and the larger society.
8. Utilizing Education as instrument par excellence for peaceful co-existence as fundamental to Education in the National Policy on Education is the promotion of peaceful co-existence, unity and harmony of Nigeria and the state as one indivisible nation founded on principle of freedom, equality and justice.

Conclusion
Students who are said to be under training and learning are lucky in that they are being imbued with the tool to overcome the vices of ignorance and diseases. Thus, they are expected to place the State/Nation on greater path of development. Having acquired knowledge it will be a paradox that they become the source of trouble or misguided element as to champion violence. The hallmark of any educated person is the achievement of character development and moral rectitude. As students you are well positioned to champion peaceful co-existence and thus guaranteeing sustainable development. You should, therefore, not fail in this. May your Association, the NAPSS continue to mobilize for peaceful co-existence and may it continue to remain the beacon of hope for the State and the Nation in general. Continue to live in peace and harmony, counting your varied backgrounds, as a blessing.


References

Adam, M.B. Plateau Peace Process: A collective of Resolve for Peace Unity and Reconciliation, Jos, Royal Publicity.
Bulus I. (2005) “Education, Peace and Stability in Nigeria's
budding democracy” in Balogun, J.O. Education and the stability of the Nigeria Nation, Jos, Wais Printing Press (2007).
Kumtong S.D. (2006) “Curbing Religious Violence in Nigeria” in
Solomon, E.M. et al Curbing Social Ills, through effective Education, Jos, Akim Press and Services.
Pandang, Y. (2005) “The place of ethno-religious diversity and
education in the quest for a peaceful and stable Nigeria” in Balogun, J.O. et al, Education and the stability of the Nigeria Nation Jos, Wais Printing Press.

By PROFESSOR S. G. TYODEN
Vice Chancellor University of Jos, Jos Plateau. Nigeria.