Peace Corp wants Nigerians to ensure peace, harmony
NAN-H-22
Peace
By Olasunkanmi Onifade
Abuja, Sept. 22, 2016 (NAN) Mr Dickson Akoh, the National Commandant, Nigerian Peace Corp, on Thursday advised Nigerians to continually intensify efforts to end conflict of all kinds and promote peace and harmony.
Akoh told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in a telephone interview that peace was absolute for youth’s development, undeniable for survival and a prerequisite for humanity.
“Only in a peaceful environment will young people realise their full potential and young people have the potential to start building that peaceful world today.
“Peace, as a concept, is not simply the absence of war, neither is it a term that applies only to the relationship between nations, peace is possible in all relationships.
“A relationship of peace is one where there is harmony, order, purpose and fulfillment.
“In effect, peace is a term that has wide universal applications to all relationships and may be defined as a state of harmony, happiness and cooperation among all people,’’ he said.
Akoh advised Nigerians to contribute in no small measures for the attainment of peace and urged individuals, communities and nations to ensure peace.
He said the end of the cold war was celebrated in many circles to have effectively removed ideological barriers.
“It is unfortunate that youths are those directly affected in violent conflicts.
“Oftentimes the youths were sponsored and manipulated by the so-called big boys, politicians and ethnic warlords in the society.
“These are people who are supposed to present themselves as role models to the youths of this country, but have over the years neglected their responsibilities, leaving the youths to bear the brunt in the aftermath,’’ Akoh said.
Akoh said prolonged years of military rule and the proliferation of arms in the society had made our youths susceptible to the culture of violence and banditry.
He lauded the efforts of President Buhari in ensuring peace at all the tiers of governments, saying that he deserved to be emulated by leaders.
NAN reports that the Nigerian Peace Corps, an NGO, said it was committed to national creativity, peace and youths development. (NAN)
OEO/TA
Edited/controlled by Tajudeen Atitebi