By Evelyn Okakwu
Nigerians have been charged to shun all forms of tribal ethnic and religious sentiments and work to ensure a unified Nigeria.
The call was made by the Universal Peace Federation (UPF) Nigeria, during its indoctrination and award ceremony yesterday to mark Nigeria’s centenary anniversary.
Speaking at the event, its Secretary-General, Dr. Raphael Oko noted that Nigeria is at the center of Africa’s struggle for unity, thus if nothing is done to reverse the mindset of Nigerians from the culture of killing like the one witnessed in Nyanya area of Abuja, not only Nigeria, but the whole of Africa will be in trouble. “If Nigeria fails, Africa will be in trouble”, he stated.
He noted that the problems experienced by the country are as a result of many years of military regime. “For the first time Nigeria is approaching two decades of uninterrupted civil rule. It is a new phase that cannot go without challenges”, he stated.
Speaking earlier at the event, the National Dean, UPF Dr. Paddy Njokwu said Nigeria has an urgent need to evolve peace promoters. His words: “One major characteristic of life is conflict. Knowing this, we must equip ourselves with Nigeria’s conflict resolution processes; whether as individuals, as a people or as a nation”.
Also speaking at the event, the Executive Director UPF, Dr. George Ekpot, stated that the philosophy of peace as idealised by the group was based on the doctrine of life for the other.
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