The Oyo State Command of Peace Corps of Nigeria (PCN) on Monday called on Nigerians to embrace peaceful co-existence for the country to survive and overcome the challenges bedeviling it.
The Oyo State Commandant, Peace Corps of Nigeria, Patriot Lukman Yekini Adelowo made this call in Ibadan during this year’s United Nations (UN) International Day of Peace, with the theme: “Shaping Peace Together, Panacea For Living in Harmony”.
The Commandment led other officers of the command, including members of the State Executive Council and officers who were drawn from the 33 local government areas of the state to commemorate the day. The officers marched round the city. The ceremony climaxed at the Oluyole Community High School, Oluyole Estate, Ibadan. The students of the school were given lectures on peace and the need to be peace advocates.
Speaking at the event, Patriot Adelowo said where there is no peace, there will be conflict and disharmony.
According to him, for peace to reign in the country, everyone is a stakeholder. All have to contribute his/her own quota towards the development of the nation by embracing peace. There will be absence of happiness and rest of minds without peace.
Adelowo noted that all the political and religious leaders in the country could not do it alone, stating that peace-making is a collective effort.
He pointed out that with harmonious understanding, peace is the only thing that could engender development.
The Peace Corps boss said:”There is conflict in the North-East. It affects the development of the nation. We are reaching out to the whole nation and to the people in the North-East to cease fire and embrace dialogue. It is on the dialogue table that resolution can be sort out.
“We are appealing to the Boko Haram, the bandits that are making life unbearable for Nigerians to embrace peace and come to dialogue with the Federal Government. The federal government is open for dialogue to resolve all the conflicts.
“The Corps is, as an afflition of the United Nations and organization that stands for peace, is appealing to all Nigerians to allow peace reign by embracing peaceful way of life so that Nigeria can be country peaceful.
“Releasing these doves signifies freedom, so the Book Haram should release those that are still in their captivities because it is when there is peace, that development can come”.
Also speaking, the Principal of the school , Mrs. Adun Oluwatoyin, who led other teachers and students to the event, stressed the need for all to embrace peace.
Mrs. Oluwatoyin said he had become a peace ambassador.
Other highlights of the event include the presentation of Peace Ambassador Award to the Patriot Adelowo by the Brandfil Foundation led by Ambassador Ajayi Akintunde.
Note books and other writing materials were distributed to the students of the school.
The International Day of Peace is observed on 21st September of every year by the United Nations for 24 hours of non-violence and ceasefire by those nations ravaging in war. it is a day assigned to preach and advocate peaceful co-existence among the human race.
