By Asuelimen Osasuyi
International President /Chairman of Board of Directors of the NGO of the United Nations, Ambassador Johaness Makouvia has hinted of the global body’s readiness to join hands with the federal government of Nigeria in enforcing rules and regulations that will help promote peace because, peace in Nigeria means a lot to s other African countries.
Ambassador Makouvia, from Togo, who also double as the representative for ECOWAS Youth to United Nations said that they desire peace during the forthcoming presidential election in 2023 as all hand must be on deck to ensure peace in Nigeria.
He said during the International Peace Summit held in Abuja at the weekend that no meaningful development will take place without peace.
To this end, Makouvia said under the United Nations peacekeeping and promotion packages, about 500 youth will be trained as from September 26 as peace chaplains, Justice of peace and human right defenders in various communities and states in the country.
According to him, ‘’ Nigerian youths must be trained to be promoter of peace anywhere they found themselves. Nigeria youth are the most enterprising and they are all over the world. Peace means inconveniencing yourself to make to your neighbor happy. Nigeria youth must forget their difference and put side politics as well as religion. A Christian youth must not allow himself to be used against a Muslim youth the must come together for peace to reign in Nigeria.’’
Speaking during the summit, Also Captain Hounakey Kafu-Ata of the International Organisation of Peace Promoters of the UN who was among the organisers said they are mobilising youths to be positive change agents in parts of the country.
“Nigeria is the heart of the entire Africa, and neglecting peace in Nigeria is a very global risk for our continent. Our presence is to empower men and women in order to save people from any form of atrocity that could destroy the society.
“Every African country is concerned about Nigeria. After the Abuja programme which happened on September 3, we are going to Abeokuta on the 10th of this month to train and empower youths on peace mediation.
“Also, on the 14th of September, we will be in Port Harcourt, Rivers state to do same with the youth there. From September 26, our United Nations chaplain officers carry out the training that will last for two week. After this, those that have been trained will officially become international chaplain officers in Nigeria. They will help us handle minor problems that may arise in Nigeria.
“Aside this, we also train Justice of Peace, International Police officers that will help to carry out the six main areas as listed in our mandate.
In his presentation, President, Foundation for the Support of Nigerian Veterans, Brig. Gen. Lonsdale Oladeji Adeoye (rtd), said, “Living together in peace is all about accepting differences and having the ability to listen to, recognise, respect and appreciate others, as well as living in a peaceful and united way.
“Additionally, we need to be desirous of living and acting together. We should also note and be guided by the fact that, we are united in our differences and diversity. Having this knowledge or coming to this understanding, will help us to build a more sustainable world of peace, solidarity and harmony.
“Ultimately, promoting peace and co-operation in society, would therefore require that, we engage and invest more in reconciliatory measures and acts of service, while at the same time encouraging forgiveness and compassion among individuals.
“Importantly also, we need to evolve measures and mechanisms, that would, promote positive, dynamic participatory processes in our society, in which dialogue is encouraged and conflicts are resolved in a spirit of mutual understanding and cooperation.”
Other speakers including General Overseer, Faith Hill Prophetic Assembly/Director General (DG), Pan African Institute For Development, West Africa, Abuja (PAID-WA) Arch. Bishop Dr. Emmanuel Musa Jato, National Secretary, Jamiyyatu Asarideen Attijaniya, JA’AMA’A, Sayyadi Alqasim Yahaya Inyass, and Secretary General, Universal Peace Federation Dr. George Ekpot reasoned that Nigeria is endowed with necessary human and capital resources, but peace was needed to engender meaningful infrastructural and other developments.
