By Tobias Lengnan Dapam
The Abdullahi Omaki Community Peace Initiatives Network (AOCPIN), has made a bold move to partner the Chinese People’s Association for Peace and Disarmament (CPAPD).
AOCPIN Patron, Amb Zubairu Dada, who is also a former Minister of State, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Nigeria, made the call on Saturday while delivering a goodwill message during the commemoration of world peace day in China.
He said the two organizations are committed to the promotion of mutual understanding that can foster harmony and friendship that are critical to safe-guarding world peace, through the building of community peace, using a whole-of-the-society approach, for a shared prosperous future for mankind.
“With nearly forty years of experience and several milestone achievements by the CPAPD, the AOCPIN of Nigeria would learn a lot from, hence it will be a big honour to have some form of partnership with the CPAPD and other relevant Chinese organizations, to enhance its capacity for national, regional and continental peacebuilding efforts that ultimately contribute to sustainable world peace and development.
“Ladies and gentlemen, esteemed guests, and fellow peacebuilders, today, we gather to commemorate the International Day of Peace, a day that reminds us of our shared humanity and our collective responsibility to create a world where peace, justice, and harmony prevail.
“We recognize that our world faces numerous challenges: conflicts, inequalities, and divisions that threaten to tear us apart. Yet, we also see glimmers of hope-individuals and communities working tirelessly to build bridges, heal wounds, and forge a path toward a brighter future.
“Therefore, upholding a shared future, means acknowledging our interconnectedness and our interdependence. It means recognizing that our individual actions have ripple effects that impact the lives of those around us and the world at large.
“The Chinese People’s Association for Peace and Disarmament (CPAPD), which is so graciously, hosting this event today, has long been a beacon of hope in a world that too often teeters on the brink of conflict.
“With an unwavering dedication to promoting mutual understanding, disarmament, and the complete prohibition of weapons of mass
destruction, the CPAPD has demonstrated that civil society can and must play a pivotal role in building a community with a shared future for mankind.
“In Nigeria, the Abdullahi Omaki Community Peace Initiatives Network (AOCPIN), has endeavored to mirror these aspirations. Nigeria, like many other countries, continues to face multidimensional challenges that threaten the very fabric of our society. The crises that plague our communities and country, as indeed the rest of Africa, are complex and multifaceted, often rooted in a history of divisions and mistrusts. Yet, we firmly believe that peace is not just the absence of conflict but the presence of justice, equality, and opportunities, for all.
“The AOCPIN is committed to addressing these challenges through a “whole-of-society approach.” We recognize that lasting peace cannot be achieved in isolation. It requires vibrant synergy between state and non-state actors, grounded in a profound understanding of the unique needs and aspirations of every stakeholder. Our work involves engaging with communities, fostering dialogue, and promoting a culture of peace that transcends ethnic, cultural, religious, and political divides”.
