Today is International Day of Peace.
A day set aside by the United Nations General Assembly in nineteen eignty one to strengthening the ideals of peace through observing twenty four hours of non violence and ceasefire.
This year’s theme ;Actions for peace: Our ambition for the global goals is apt for the current situation in some parts of the country today.
In kogi State a one day Stakeholders Dialogue to mark this year’s International peace day was organised by Mercy Corps in partnership with the National Orientation Agency and kogi Peace and Security Network in Lokoja.
Speaking the Director General
National Orientation Agency,Doctor Garba Abari in a message said this year’s peace day has become imperative Considering the experience and challenges the Nation faced in insecurity, Kidnapping, banditry amongs others.
Represented by Mr Oriasotie Idemudia Sunday, described this year’s peace day as timely and a wake up call for all Stakeholders l to tackle the Menace of insecurity with all seriousness in the country.
He Commend the activities of Mercy Corps and Kogi peace and Security Network for their efforts in sensitizing the citizens and support to National Orientation Agency in kogi State.
Speaking the Special Adviser to the State Governor on Sustainable Development Goal Alhaji Nasir Ohiani in a message said kogi state Governor Alhaji Yahaya Bello has demonstrate good governance by promoting peaceful co-existance as he provide all necessary working tools to security agencies in the State.
The State Coordinator Kogi State Peace and Security Network, Mr Ben Joshua says the core mandate of the Organisation was to ensure that their is peace across all Communities in kogi State and called for support and collaboration of communities prone to violence to support the network to help eradicate violence in the State.
He explained that KOPSEN move across Communities in kogi State to sensitize Women and Youth on the need to ensure that no one is used as agents of distruction in the forth coming General election.
The representative of Council of Ulama’u, Alhaji Zakariyya Aliyu described peace as a very important components of life, and called on government to create an enabling environment for it’s citizens to maintain peace.
Also speaking the representative of Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps noted that Traditional rulers and Religious leaders has a role to play in maintaining peace and other in their various Communities and called on parents to monitor their children before, during and after the forth coming Governorship Election in the State.
Women Groups CSO’s, Security Agents were present at the Stakeholders Dialogue with a view to maintain peaceful Co-existance.
High point of the event was a Drama presentation on the need to shurn violence and maintain peace.
