International Peace Day : Peace Corps Sues For Peace, Unity Of Nigeria

Cross River State Peace Corps Commandant, Patriot Okweche Dominic addressing journalists during a rally in Calabar. 

The Cross River State Command of the Nigeria Peace Corps has called on Nigerians to shun violence and any act capable of undermining the peace and unity of the country.

State Commandant of the Corps, Patriot Okweche Dominic who stated this in Calabar in his message marking the 2017 International Peace Day, said that no meaningful development can occur in a hostile and violent environment hence the need for all aggrieved people to eschew bitterness and work together to promote peace and unity of Nigeria.

Okweche who said that Nigeria's strength and status as the giant of Africa is because of her size and diversity, called on communal understanding with focus on love and Charity.

He described Peace as a vocabulary that has long grown strong upon the lips of many as lawless and chaos brought about by greed and disagreement has strongly gained prominence in our Communities.

According to him, "Nigeria must remain a peaceful and united entity. Our size and diversity is our strength therefore all stakeholders and well meaning Nigerians should begin to teach and promote peace.

"We encourage Communal understanding with strong focus on love and Charity as it concerns two persons. This is why family relationships can benefit tremendously by implementing components of Restorative Practice. Much of what I have learned about Peace came from my family".

He added that "Restorative Practices are about building and sustaining positive relationships in Communities. At Peace Corps of Nigeria, it is our primary motive to ensure and sustain Peace. we started the journey for National Creativity, Peace and youth Development. It was the rebirth of hope to Nigerians, a hold for mankind. I pray that it will be embraced and not left for when it will be too late. Peace makes life on earth worth living because it is for all; only peace breach the gap between the poor and reach in our society.

Speaking about this year's theme, "Together for Peace : Respect, Safety and Dignity for All", the Commandant said that it was carefully selected as Peace cannot be achieved in isolation.

"We must begin to preach peace as a people more than religion and ethnicity. From the families, schools, social gathering, worship centers, we need to change the narrative and prioritize the message for peace because it's only in a peaceful atmosphere that respect, safety and dignity for all which was carefully selected as this year's theme can be achieved".

The Corps in partnership with Society for Peace, Studies and Practice (SPSP), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Fire Service Commission, Federal Road Safety Commission, and Nigeria Police Force in a rally took the message of peace to the popular Etim Edem park and other major areas in Calabar.

They advised traders to reconcile with each other, work in Peace, sell in Peace, preach Peace, attend to their customers in Peace for as it was the only way they can stabilize the market and flourish in their business and careers.