The Institute of Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR) has called for the adoption of non-violent approach to resolution of conflicts.
Director General of IPCR, Dr. Bakut Tswah Bakut made the call as Nigerians joined the rest of the world to mark 2021 International Day of Peace.
TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the United Nations (UN) had set aside September 21st of every year for countries all over the world to mark the International Day of Peace or World Peace Day.
As parts of activities to mark the 2021 International Day of Peace, All Stars International FC, Abuja locked horns with with members of the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution in a friendly football match encounter at the FIFA Goal project, MKO National Stadium on Monday.
While the novelty football match ended in a one-one draw, Dr. Bakut had explained that the peace day is dedicated to promoting the culture of peace amongst people across the world, particularly those in conflict settings or those threatened by violence.
He further explained that the UN also uses the opportunity to call for the observation of a ceasefire by combatants or parties in violent conflict and generally requests that people across the world, spread the ideals of peace, love, compassion, kindness and hope.
“The United Nations has prioritized assistance for recovery from COVID-19 in the celebration of Peace Day this year.
“However, Nigeria’s disquieting conflict dynamics and manifestations have necessitated the prioritization of conflict, while also attending to recovering from COVID-19, due to the nexus between both incidences.
“In its quest to galvanize cooperation on conflict de-escalation and strengthen national cohesion on the promotion of peace in the country, the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR), which annually celebrates the Peace Day in collaboration with diverse stakeholders is once again working with partners to advocate and sensitize parties in violent conflict across the country on the need to observe a ceasefire on the 21st of September and adopt a non-violent approach to the resolution of conflict.
“Many of the stakeholders drawn from the security sector, civil society groups, Ministries, Department and Agencies (MDAs) and development partners are leveraging on various on-going peacebuilding programmes in communities to achieve a ‘ceasefire’ or ‘Silent the Guns’.
“Some have initiated new programmes towards promoting peace orientation among children and youths. The Defence Headquarters, the Nigeria Army and the Air Force are intensifying peacebuilding and sensitization activities around civil-military relations theme in Nigeria’s conflict theatres,” Dr. Bakut revealed.
He, however, urged Nigerians to work, make peace happen by doing the little they can to ensure that Nigeria returns fully to peace.
He also stated that five of the Institute’s Peacebuilding Zonal Offices across the country will be fully engaged with partners in their different locations to mark the 2021 International Day of Peace.
He said entries of activities so far received are for those to be conducted in the following 14 states and the FCT; Plateau, Enugu, Ekiti, Lagos, Osun, Bauchi, Borno, Adamawa, Kano, Kaduna, Delta, Bayelsa and Cross River.
“All 2021 Peace events, which include the novelty match by veterans, the Annual Peace Lecture and Open Air events which will feature art exhibitions, music, poems and peace messages, will be posted on the Institute’s Facebook page,” Bakut said.
TNG reports the 2021 International Day of Peace held with the theme; “Recovering Better for an Equitable and Sustainable World”.