UN to Nigerians: Guard against Whatever Can Endanger Peace

Michael Olugbode in Abuja

The United Nations (UN), has called on all Nigerians to guard against anything that could put the current peace in the country at risk, noting that war should never be considered as an option to resolving crisis.

Speaking during the commemoration of the International Day of Peace ceremony organised by the UN Information Centre (UNIC), yesterday, in Abuja, the Peace and Development Advisor of the UN in Nigeria, Kimaris Toogood made the call.

International Day of Peace is observed globally on September 21, of every year, with this year’s themed: “Actions for Peace.”

Toogood said there were three major actions needed to drive forward peace in the country and such required collective efforts.

“Firstly, we need to build the social contract, we need to make sure that institutions are accountable to people and people are accountable to one another. This is one way that we strengthen the social cohesion, which drives very strongly here in Nigeria. The second point is, we really need to celebrate our peacebuilders.

“People are building peace everyday in this country and it often goes unnoticed. We see you as the UN and so, peace begins with people. We recognise every person here in Nigeria as a member of the UN and as such, you have the responsibility to act peacefully, be a peacebuilder in your community, be a peacebuilder for all.

“Lastly, we really want to remind people to exercise tolerance and acceptance of others, we can build a more peaceful society here in Nigeria, if we remember the core principles of being kind,” she said, expressing appreciation to Nigerians for working closely with the UN to build a stronger and more peaceful country through tolerance and mutual understanding.

Director Co-Curricular of the FCT Secondary Education Board, Mrs Fatima Babba, also commended the UN for putting the programme together in the country.

She reiterated the need for peace, saying without peace nothing could be meaningfully achieved and that there was the need for all to embrace peace as a way of life.