As the world celebrates the 2023 International Peace Day on Thursday, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, (NSCDC) Kwara State Command has urged Nigerians to embrace peace, avoid divisive comments, work to end tribalism and promote equality in the interest of the development of the country.
The State Commandant, Umar Muhammed, made the call in Ilorin at a one-day sensitization and awareness Seminar organized by the Peace and Conflict Resolution Unit of the Command.
The NSCDC State helmsman charged officers to always carry out their duty with the fear of God, stressing that there is hunger, and anger in the country which can easily result to conflict.
He equally called on all Nigerians to shun violence and conflict for peaceful co-existence.
Speaking on the importance of the International Peace Day Celebration, DCC Idowu Lawrence highlighted the importance of combating tribalism and building societies in which all people are treated equally.
The Head of Peace and Conflict resolution unit, DCC Adeyemi Flawrence, who spoke on the role of NSCDC in understanding peace and conflict, said to maintain peace is not an individual responsibility but the duty of everyone dwelling in the society. She noted that the role of the corps in ensuring peace as civil defender is to ensure peace at all time.
She added that human aspiration or goals will always cause conflict. “As far as there are numerous people on the surface of the earth there are bound to be clashes of interests and of course the end result is conflict.”
She therefore encouraged citizens not to take law into their hands, as the corps is always at their services.
Also speaking, Mrs Christy Abayomi from Rotary club, stated that Peace is the absence of war. She pinpointed that internal peace is a priority in peace building, as war starts from the mind of individual.
She urged people to always encourage peace, tolerate each other and live harmoniously.
