OLORUNDARE ENIMOLA, Lagos
Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulere, Senior Special Assistant to the President on SDG's and former Deputy Governor of Lagos State, has said, every strata of the society should be involved in the promotion of peace, involving individuals, families, communities, organisations, local governments, Nationally and the International bodies.
Adefulere made the statement as a discussant at the Rotary International District 9110, World Peace and Understanding Day held on Friday at Nigeria Institute of International Affairs, Victoria Island, saying, "Nigeria in 2015 joined World leaders to sign the sustainable Development Goals aimed at promoting Peace amongst Tribes, Nations, Creeds and others by 2030, having the realisation that without peace there cannot be any meaningful development.
"Lagos State for instance, with the creation of the Neighborhood Watch set a pace that could evolve into a State Police, with the ranks and file having the knowledge of the people and terrain of their operational areas." She stressed.
She noted that the current economic situation in Nigeria is not synonymous to it alone, but a global phenomenom and President Tinubu led government is grappling with it, making efforts to ensure foodstuffs are made available to flood the markets with the aim to crash prices, special packages are given to Farmers to boost food production and funds released to State Governments to provide relief packages to residents.
Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, the Chairman/CEO Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, who was represented by Mr Odebowale said, the entire World and not just Nigeria is going through socio-economic and even political crisis at the moment, but there is no doubt, the efforts of the government to ease tensions will soon pay off, noting however that some of the causes are mainly self afflicted by corrupt indigenes and some powerful individuals in high places, yet the government can do more to enforce sanity and take necessary precautions to stem escalations.
He said, "The truth is that, there is no place like home, even people abroad still yearn for home, so we need to interrogate those issues that are making them to emigrate while trying to improve on our fundamental human rights. Our Commission is doing everything possible to engage Diasporans making them see themselves as a powerful and important segment of our nation, whose contributions are critical for national developments which have being proven over time with the annual remittance of over $20B, accounting for 5% of gross national income.
President Olusegun Obasanjo, who is the Chairman of the event, in a virtual address to the participants, appreciated the lofty ideals of Rotary International which are predicated on promoting peace generally, encapsulating not only for individuals, but the peace of communities, organisations, Nations and the World at large, he said, "Rotary International allows individuals from different countries and cultures to live and work together, fostering mutual respect and appreciation for diversity, promoting cultural understanding and serving as a platform for building lasting friendships and networks that transcend national boundaries.
"Rotary plays a crucial role in promoting peace and stability by providing scholarships, vocational training, and education services to underserved communities around the world. Rotary empowers individuals to break the cycle of poverty and conflict, paving the way for him more equitable, useful society. In addition to its humanitarian efforts, Rotary is also committed to addressing the root causes of violence through initiatives focused on conflict resolution, peacemaking and peacebuilding and the promotion of human rights rotary seeks to address systemic issues that flood instability and lay the groundwork for sustainable peace and development.
"Its Centers in different parts of the world have helped to build human capacity engaged in peace building and conflict prevention initiatives in global communities. By working together, we can overcome the challenges that divide us and build a future where peace, Prosperity, stability and predictability will prevail." Obasanjo added.
Rotarian Ifeayinwa Ejezie, District Governor, District 9110, said, "we are here today to celebrate two things; first is the birthday of Rotary International that was created on February 23, 1905, making it 119 years today and secondly the Month of February is known as the Peace and Conflict Resolution Month in Rotary International and has being in the Vanguard of promoting Peace Globally, we currently have seven Peace Centers scattered all over the World where we gather Peace scholars to further train them for the promotion of peace all over the World.
"This programme is therefore put together to sensitise the public on the need to promote peace, hoping every participant after this meeting will become Ambassadors of Peace in their areas of influence." She stressed.
According to Dr. Abiola Adimula Associate Professor and fellow center for peace and security studies, University of Ilorin, another member of the panel of discussants, "Nigeria is ranked 144th safest place out of the 163 countries according to a recent global ranking of safe countries to live in."
Speaking further, Dr. Abiola said Nigeria is central to global peace and to have ever lasting peace in the country, the government ought to invest in effective conflicts resolutions and create initiatives that will address the root causes of conflicts, especially the incessant Herders farmer clashes.
The Planning Committee Chairman of the World Peace Day, Rotarian Dare Adeyemi revealed that in the course of the Planning Meetings, he came to terms to what peace really is and its importance, due to differences even amongst the event planners, throwing up the need to concede grounds for certain decisions to fly, admitting that other people's positions opposed to his has to be accommodated for overall good of the programme planned for
.
He said, "I needed to see issues from other people's perception for us to arrive at peaceful resolutions, which are necessary ingredients for fostering the much needed peace in the Society.
Dr. Wole Kukoyi, District Governor elect for District D9111, added that February 23 is Celebrated Globally as World Peace Day in Rotary International, which is also the day Rotary International was founded 119 years ago in Chicago, saying "this event is important to everyone, not just to the country alone to everyone, because Peace is needed, without it, there would not be any meaningful development anywhere, both here in Nigeria and globally. There is something called Global Peace Index, it is low in some countries and high elsewhere, it is very high here in Nigeria, so it is very important that we work together to promote peace in the country."
Rotarian Femi Adenekan, District Governor elect D9112 said as an incoming Governor, his passion is to multiply membership to a significant level and create new clubs that will increase those in the new District.
Past President of Rotary Club, Ota, Funke Salau also said, Rotary encourages conversations to foster understanding within and across cultures, saying, "we train adults and young leaders to prevent and mediate over conflicts, helping refugees who fled dangerous areas."
Adding that Rotary creates environments of peace by executing service projects, supporting peace fellowships and scholarships that enables Rotary members take actions to address underlying causes of conflict, including; poverty, discrimination, ethnic tension lack of access to education,and unequal distribution of resources.
No comments:
Post a Comment