By Evelyn Okakwu
Nigerians have been enjoined to crave for peace individually and collectively, rather than rely solely on government for the attainment of peace.
The call was made at a program organised, yesterday in Abuja by the Universal Peace Federation, UPF to commemorate this year’s Universal Peace Day, with the theme; “Right of the people to peace and the responsibilities of leaders for peace”.
According to the chairman of the occasion, Dr Paddy Njokwu, the group, added to the UN’s theme of this year’s Universal Peace Day, which was; “The right of people to peace” to emphasize the role of citizens and stakeholders in the attainment of peace.
In his words; “Peace is built, not switched on; it is not the exclusive preserve of government, but also of the people.”
Also speaking at the event, the representative of the UN Secretary General, Dr Aisha Audu Emeje, called on stakeholders to take the plight of the displaced serious to avoid future complications. “We should strive to care for the displaced people because if we do not, we will be breeding a new set of insurgents, gradually,” she noted.
Addressing the challenges of nations in the quest for peace, the Sudanese Ambassador to Nigeria, Tajesir Ali, said a major step forward is for Nigeria to carry out a ‘SWOT’ analysis, identify its Strength, Weaknesses Opportunities and Threats. He said a close analysis of this will go a long way to bring about peace in the country.
The program, which was aimed at enlightening Nigerians on the various roles of stake holders in the quest for peace would serve as a means of rewarding 38, Nigerians with various awards for their role in the struggle for peace in Nigeria.
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