NOA flags-off campaigns on peace building in North-East
SADIQ ABUBAKAR, Maiduguri
Director General, National Orientation Agency (NOA), Dr Garba Abari, says sensitization campaigns on “building a people of peace” bring peaceful coexistence for national development.
The sensitization campaigns are targeted against ethno/communal conflicts, herdsmen/farmers’ clashes, regional agitations, political and economic exclusion and Boko Haram insurgency in Northeast.
For over a decade, Boko Haram insurgency has claimed many lives and property in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states.
Abari made the declarations Wednesday, while flagging off “Building a People of Peace Campaign’ in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.
He said that peaceful coexistence among Nigerians in the Northeast would ensure sustenance of unity, progress and economic development across the nation.
Abari, who was represented by NOA’s Yobe State Director, Ali Audu said, “We’re making effort towards achieving an enduring peace in various communities, affected by conflicts, including Boko Haram insurgency in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states.”
While speaking on peace building, he said, “We must endeavor to explore all the ingredients that build, sustain and consolidate on peaceful co-existence of various ethnic and religious groups,” noting that these must go beyond ordinary verbal expression to restore peace in Northeast.
He noted that without peace, there will be no progress, warning that, “when there is lack of progress, development is retarded with the subjugation of society to untold suffering and hardship.
He therefore, urged the stakeholders, traditional and religious leaders in Borno state to shun acts that breed violence, chaos and terrorism in northeast.
According to him, traditional and religious leaders, including stakeholders of various affected communities should resolve to coexist in peace and harmony.
Continuing, he said, “There is the need for peace in the family, village, community, state and national level, “warning that the absence of peace at any level of social integration will significantly affect national cohesion, stability and socioeconomic development.
He therefore urged the people to work collectively towards curbing the plagues of insurgency, militancy, kidnapping, violent agitations, cultism and hate speech among others.
He said that terrorism, criminal activities and other vices threaten the peace and corporate existence of Nigeria.
The agency also urged parents, religious and policical leaders, traditional institutions, media, labour unions, women and youth groups and civil society organisation (CSOs) to restore the lost values.
He said the restoration of values be achieved by imputing the right attitudes and values on children, adherents and subjects.
Chairman of the event, Matawali Mala Gana disclosed that efforts were made in building peace in Borno state.
Boko Haram activities, according to him, had been reduced remarkably to sustain peace among various communities affected by insurgency.
He said that the state government has also procured and distributed patrol vehicles to military and other security agencies.
He therefore, urged corporation organisations to contribute their quotas by fulling their corporate social responsibilities (CSR) to build and restore peace in the state.