From Ahmad Ibrahim, Lokoja
Women at all levels have been tasked to work assiduously in assisting the country to get out of the current deplorable security challenges, through peace building.
The Executive Director, Partnership in Behavioural Change in Development, Ms Halima Oyiza Sadiq gave the charge in Lokoja yesterday, at a one-day advocacy engagement for vice chairpersons of the 21 local government councils in Kogi State; in partnership with actionaid, with funding from Global Community Engagement and Resilience Fund, GCERF.
She noted that women have crucial roles to play in enhancing peace, particularly at the grassroots levels, by working collectively towards peaceful coexistence, as well as ensuring stability.
She further stressed the need for the vice chairpersons to use their good offices at the local government level to reach out to well meaning individuals, to ensure security and prevention of violence and conflicts.
According to the executive director, women are most vulnerable in any conflict, maintaining that concerted efforts must be geared towards enhancing peace, harmonious coexistence and prevention of violence in the society.
The Special Adviser to Governor Yahaya Bello on Sustainable Development Goals, Hon. Nasiru Ohiani in a remark, pointed out that peace is a panacea to development, saying everything humanly possible mist be done to sustain peace in the society.
He said the engagement cannot come at a better time than now, urging the participants to make good use of the opportunity to enhance peace and stability at the local government areas across the state.
He emphasized the need for the vice chairpersons to ensure the domestication and implementation of the local action plan for peace and security at the grassroots levels, for the overall peace and stability in the country.
The spokesperson of the vice chairpersons and vice chairman of Omala local government council, Mrs Eleojo Faruna commended the organizers and sponsors of the engagement for their initiative towards enhancing peace in the society.
