By Suleiman Shehu
The Oyo State Command of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) on Thursday urged Nigerians to shun enmity, violence, bloodletting and embrace peace for peaceful co-existence in the country.
Dr. Michael Adaralewa, the State Commandant, made the call in Ibadan during an event to commemorate the 2023 International Day of Peace.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the 2023 celebration had as its theme: “Action For Peace: Our Ambition for Global Goals”.
Adaralewa said the International Day of Peace helps to focus on the call to action and recognise individual and collective responsibilities to foster peace in various communities irrespective of their diversity.
“Nigerians must shun bloodletting, war and other social vices and give peace a chance for the development and growth of the country.”
He added that Nigerians must co-exist peacefully, irrespective of ethnic groups and religious adherence.
“The problem of religious and ethnic disturbances in Nigeria has devastating effects on the stability of the country.
“The destruction which religion and ethnic violence have caused to Nigeria cannot be quantified.
”Therefore, the inability to recognise and accommodate one another are the major causes of religious disturbance or ethnic violence in the society.
“Every religion and ethnic groups must tolerate one another for the peace and stability of Nigeria,” the Commandant said.
Adaralewa said the NSCDC believes in community engagement and partnership, and would continue to do that through its Peace and Conflict Resolution Unit to foster peace in the state.
He called on traditional leaders and other stakeholders in the state to educate their subjects on peace-building, cessation of violence, kidnapping, robbery and all other vices.
Adaralewa said the corps was determined and committed to peace and the country’s security through the implementation of its statutory mandate.
Earlier, the command’s Head of Peace and Conflict Resolution Unit, Assistant Corps Commandant (ACC) Toriola Olanrewaju, had said that Nigeria as a country needed peace for development and growth.
“Preaching peaceful co-existence is the responsibility of all and sundry and all must play their roles for peace to reign in Nigeria,” he said.
Meanwhile, the event’s Guest Speaker, Mr Biodun Bamgboye, Coordinator for Campaign for Democratic and Workers Rights, commended Nigeria’s security agencies for working tirelessly at managing insecurity in the country.
Bamgboye said Nigeria needed various strategies that would transform the country into a peaceful society.
”Some things need to be done urgently to translate the country into the desired nation for all.
“So, government at all levels need to provide the conducive environment for security agencies in the country to function effectively and tackle any emerging conflict that can lead to civil unrest in the country,” he said.
In attendance at the event were the Oyo State Head of Ndigbo, Dr Alex Anozie, and representatives of the Olubadan of Ibadan and Seriki Sasa.
There were also religious leaders and non-governmentsl organisations who are peace managers and ambassadors. (NAN)
