By: Emmanuel Fateman
The Deputy National Commandant, Peace Corps Of Nigerian, Ugochi Ikue, who represented her boss Dr. Dickson Akoh, the National Peace Corps Commandant of Nigeria who was unavoidably absent said, “for someone who has spent over three decades of his life in pursuit of global peace, he would have loved to be here in person, if not for the timing and the urgency of the programme he is engaged in outside the shores of Nigeria. He asked me to convey his message of peace to you and to equally wish our resilient women whose contributions to peaceful coexistence is invaluable, a happy International Women’s Day in advance”.
She added that, looking at the theme: A New Paradigm of Peace: Leadership in A Time of Global Crisis, the theme is timely in regards to happenings across the globe. Leadership plays a vital role in ending conflicts and entrenching peace in any human society, because leaders contributes greatly to the creation of a peaceful environment by applying diplomacy in resolving conflicts early enough before it becomes war.
She said peace is not attained only by the use of weapons or force, but by mediation and dialogue. Which is why I totally agreed with one of the speakers who said peace in itself is not the absence of conflicts, but the presence of justice. Because peace does not thrive in an unjust society. Peace is an indispensable variable for sustainable economic growth, without which, it is practically impossible to achieve meaningful development. A peaceful society is a thriving society.
She added that, if we as humans can jettison things that triggers conflicts and embrace humanity, like one of the speakers said, we are neither male nor female, but human beings. When we begin to see ourselves as humans and treat our neighbours as we would love to be treated, the world will be a better place for us to live in.
Understanding the essence of peace as a panacea for development, we at Peace Corps of Nigeria are not relenting on our quest to foster peace in our dear nation. We do this by taking Nigerian youths off the street and getting them gainfully employed and preoccupying them in educational institutions to combat cultism, examination malpractices and other antisocial behaviour inimical to human’s peaceful coexistence.
Still in our quest to foster peace, our activities are geared towards national creativity, peace and youth development. We also through our stream of activities; facilitate peace, volunteerism, community services, neighbourhood watch and nation building. This has been championed for over twenty five year and still counting by our National Commandant, Dr Dickson Akoh who has put in his all in the pursuit of this goals.
According to her, the National Commandant urge every participant to imbibe positive action in the pursuit of global peace and security in our communities, nations and the society at large to make the world a much better place for all of us. As an indivisible entity bound by common destiny, Nigeria needs peace to realise her potentials, she concluded.
