As the world celebrates the 2017 International Day of Peace, youths across the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory, have congregated in Abuja, where the unity and peaceful coexistence among the Nigeria people was unequivocally addressed.
The epoch making event, which had the theme ‘Together for Peace: Respect, safety and dignity for all’, was organised at the instance of the Peace Corps of Nigeria, under the leadership of Amb. (Dr.) Dickson Akoh.
The Honourable Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Barr. Solomon Selcap Dalung, in his address, charged Nigerian youth to be Ambassadors and Soldiers of peace in whatever they do.
His words, “It is therefore expected that we all, especially young
people should take it upon ourselves to do all at our disposal to entrench peace in all we say, where we go and in all we do.
“It is in light of what we are discussing, that I encourage every young person to be seen as a Soldier of peace, to ensure peace globally. This is the sacrifice required from us all”.
Dalung said it was a clarion call to all, “especially partnership with young people and the constituted authorities, to embrace dialogue rather than war”, adding that the dialogue must, however, be expressed in a civil manner.
For every society to enjoy peace, Dalung said, “the peace must flow from within to the outside and must spread without limits”.
While appreciating the roles of the Peace Corps of Nigeria at ensuring peace in the society, the Minister also charged the youth to “support the present administration’s effort towards stemming the spate of vices, such as hate speech, terrorism and corruption”, which he said had plagued the country.
In a welcome address, the National Commandant of Peace Corps of Nigeria, Amb. (Dr.) Dickson Akoh, charged the youths to always embrace peace in whatever they do, adding that, peace was a vital commodity in the society.
“As desirable and crucial as peace is to development, in Nigeria, this vital commodity has been under intense pressure in recent times as a result of hate speeches, ethnic agitations and divisive politics; all in the name of restructuring and self-determination.
“However, the granite truth is that, addressing injustice of whatever form or seeking ideal restructuring cannot be achieved on the altar of violence, perhaps, also not by hate speeches. This can only be achieved based on the universal principles of constructive dialogue and integrated negotiations, which modern democracy avails us”, Akoh said.
The Peace Corps Boss therefore, enjoined the youths, communities and the government to intensify efforts to end conflicts of all kinds and promote peace and harmony.
Through cultural display, playlets and other varieties, the youth reaffirmed their love for one Nigeria and the need to stand in unity to fight anti-peace elements in the society.
The 2017 International Day of Peace had in attendance, the leadership of the National Youth Council of Nigeria, the National Association of Nigerian Students, the Boys Brigade, the Girls’ Guide, among other dignitaries.
It could be recalled that, the United Nations (UN) had, through a resolution in 1981, agreed that all nations and people must live in peace.
Also in 2001, the General Assembly of the UN declared September 21 every year, as International Day of Peace or ‘World Peace Day’, with maiden edition holding across the world in the year 2002.
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