IPCR, stakeholders, others brainstorm in Ekiti on peaceful co-existence
By Mike Adebayo, Ado-Ekiti
The Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR), Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Abuja assembled relevant stakeholders in Ekiti to deliberate on the importance and how peace could be maintained in the society for development to thrive.
The programme which came up in Ikere Ekiti was organized by the IPCR zonal office South West B to commemorate this year International Peace Day.
The day, globally recognized is celebrated every 21st September. Theme for the year 2021 is “Recovering Better For an Equitable and Sustainable World.”
Stakeholders at the event were security personnels, students. Youth corpers, religious leaders, traditional rulers, market men and women among others.
They agreed that maintaining and keeping peaceful society is a collective responsibility.
The IPCR Director General, Dr. Bakut Tswah Bakut in his welcome address noted that the IPCR was esthablished in the year 2000 with a statutory mandate as the Federal Government of Nigeria’s think tank and agency for the promotion of peace.
Bakut represented by the Southwest Coordinator of the IPCR, Barrister Sam Ajiye said, “the Peace Day is devoted to strengthening the ideals of peace, provides a globally shared date for all humanity to commit to peace above all differences and to contribute to a culture of peace despite prevailing challenges.”
Ajiye added that the theme for this year celebration was inspired by the global challenge occasioned by the Covid-19 pandemic which negatively affects all strata of the population, including those caught in conflict setting because of their vulnerability to the vagaries of the environment and lack of access to healthcare .
The Commissioner for Police in Ekiti State, CP Tunde Mobayo stressed the crucial roles of security agencies in protecting lives and properties, he however lamented lack of trust in police by the public, stated this was evident at what transpired during the ‘End Sars Protest.’
The CP represented by Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Ikere Ekiti, Adekunle Obabusayo delivered lecture titled “Civil/Military Relation,the need for peaceful coexistence/Sustainable Development” he urged parents on proper upbringing of their children/ wards added that good upbringing of children would help society to achieve desired peace for progress.
The Director of NYSC in the state Mrs Mary Nnena whose lecture at the event titled “women and Youth as panacea for peace building and Community development” was represented by Mrs Omoboade Adeshina.
The NYSC Director stated that the NYSC as a youth organization is structured for the development of the nation, she emphasized enormity in the roles of women in peacebuilding.
“The role of women in the family is crucial, over the years the role has been neglected, but modernity has changed it and make it relevant in peace building. Any society that neglect the role of women as nation builders is not far from collapse,” she stated.
