International Day of Peace; Experts Calls For Justice, Peace Towards 2023 General Election.
Every September 21 is used to commemorate the International day for peace worldwide and this year, the Oyo State Chapter of the Society for Peace Studies and Practice (SPSP) in conjunction with Environmental Conflict Mediation And Women Development Initiative joined the rest of the world to celebrate 2022 International Day of Peace with the global theme: End Racism, Build Peace.
Experts in the field of Conflict Resolution, Reconciliation and Mediation has called on Nigerians to shun discrimination of any form, as a means of maintaining internal peace.
In her Introductory speech, Mrs Ijeoma Ladele, Executive Director Environmental Conflict Mediation and Women Development stated the need to build a strong institutions for Peace Practioners professional mediators and civil society organisations
In the same light, Dr Lanre Yusuf, Chairman Oyo State Society for Peace Studies and Practice said that the Inaugural Collaboration is a dream come through, and their own efforts towards sensitizing the public on the need to maintain peace. He however expressed his appreciation to all those who made it possible, stating that the advocacy work continues.
Giving the Opening remarks, the National President of SPSP, Dr. Nathaniel Danjibo appreciated the organizers, and spoke briefly on the theme adopted by the United Nations “End Racism; Build Peace”. Dr. Danjibo emphasized the need for all and sundry to be an advocate of peace, which must reflect in our dealings with others.
Speaking on the theme “
Build Peace: End Racism and all Forms of Discrimination” Professor Albert, who gave the keynote address emphasized the need to continuous advocacy on building and maintaining peace, as that is the only way to have a sustainable society, where people live together irrespective of where they come from, color of their skin, or finance.
While delivering the Lecture, The Guest Speaker, Dr. Omowunmi Akin- Onigbide recommended that Practitioners and Conflict Resolution Professionals should come up with policy and recommendation to Government on how to effectively manage Discrimination, Racism for healthy society.
“l therefore request the Egg Heads to recommend effective strategies for States and Communities to promote rights education, protection and enforcement, so as to improve human relations in our societies, and so engender peace.
With enduring peace and mutual cooperation,
socioeconomic development will ensue, and humanity will flourish”
At the event was the former Deputy Governor of Oyo State, His Excellency, Chief Moses Adeyemo, speaking to news men after the program, Chief Moses stated, that to sustain peace in Nigeria, the people must embrace a positive mindset and begin to speak positive of the country. He also stated that Peace is not only the absence of war, but the presence of Justice, he however called on relevant authorities saddled with the administration of Justice to be just in administering of Justice.
During the panel session, panelists advised Nigerians, basically the Youths to do away with violence, and embrace equal participation from both gender before, during and after General Election coming up in next year.
Furthermore, the Officer in Charge of Gender, Nigeria Police force appreciated the organizers for putting up this programme, while stating that Peace and Security is needed in our Society and that everyone should be consious of his or her environment.
It was however suggested and agreed that a policy paper should be sent to the United Nations, while the program will take the form of a Festival from next year.