Security

NSCDC Marks Peace Day, Calls for Synergy

By Web News 571

By Rasheedah Makinde

Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps, NSCDC says sustainable peace can only be achieved through effective synergy among individuals, communities, institutions and governments.

 NSCDC commandant in Oyo state, Dr Michael Adaralewa stated this while celebrating this year’s International Day of Peace at the Command’s headquarters, Agodi Ibadan.

 Dr Adaralewa noted that civil society organizations, community leaders, local and traditional authorities all had roles to play at ensuring that peace reigned in the society.

 The NSCDC boss in Oyo state said from time to time the Command involved individuals, especially youths in decision making processes and peace committees to actively contribute to the attainment of a peaceful society.

 “Therefore, there is need in ensuring that peace is maintained in a nation that is made up of many ethics groups and multi religion like Nigeria, a nation that has over 250 ethnic tribes with different beliefs” 

 “We do not want our country to be engulfed with all kinds of violence, we have had the Ife and Modakeke crisis in the South in the past, we had the Aguleri and the Umuleri crises in the East, as well as pastoralist conflicts like herders/farmers conflicts at Oke Ogun here in Oyo state.” 

 Dr Adaralewa stated further that the destruction which religious based violence had caused the country could not be quantified, hence the need for religious tolerance. 

 In his speech, the guest lecturer at the event, Mr Abiodun Bamgboye emphasized that traditional, religious and community leaders must come together and support security agencies in ensuring that peace reigned in the society. 

 Earlier, in his address of welcome, Head of Peace and Conflict Resolution Unit, NSCDC, Mr Toriola Olanrewaju said as part of activities to celebrate this year’s Peace Day, the Corps had organized sensitization programs, public lectures as well as peace walk to harp on the importance of peace building in Nation’s development. 

 Mr Olanrewaju added that Nigeria as a nation needed peace for development and growth and people should see preaching and maintaining peace in the society as everyone’s business.

Lifestyle

Peace Day: Stakeholders Call Opinion Leaders to Action

By Web News 542

In commemoration of World International Peace Day, Oyo State Government has challenged opinion leaders to re-orientate youths on the need to embrace peace at all times, even as the nation marches towards the 2023 general election.

The Executive Assistant to the Governor on Administration, Reverend Idowu Ogedengbe stated this at the International Peaceful Day interaction organized by the Oyo State Government, tagged “Peacebuilding against terrorism, banditry and electoral violence with religion-mask in Nigeria” held at the House of Chiefs, Secretariat, Ibadan.

Reverend Ogedengbe, while stressing the need for stakeholders to co-habit peacefully, urged the people to respect one another’s beliefs as an ingredient for progress, prosperity and development of the society.

Also speaking, the Executive Assistant to the Governor on Security, CP Sunday Odukoya, (retired) who noted that many were perpetrating evil under the disguise of religion emphasized the need for intelligence policing in preventing crimes.

He also advised youths not to allow themselves to be used by politicians as the nation is preparing for the next general poll.

The convener of the interactive session, Special Assistant to the Governor on Inter-faith affairs, Olufemi Ibikunle, urged religious leaders to let peace reflect in their sermons, behaviours and dealings with their congregation and society.

Stakeholders at the forum sued for peace, tolerance, equality and harmony among the religious body in order to maintain peaceful co-existence.

The Chairman, traditional worshippers in Oyo State, Árábà Ifalere Odegbami, however, emphasized the need for government to grant the traditional worshippers every 20th of August as Isese day.

Iyabo Adebisi