By Mimi Chiadikobi
The Traditional Ruler of Awka Kingdom, and a retired Nigerian Air Force officer, Gibson Nwosu has charged the public to embrace peaceful co-existence to enjoy democratic dividends in Anambra State.
The traditional ruler urged the public to see the need to live and work peacefully as one people and allow bloodless activities especially as the State goes to polls on November 8.
He made the call during a courtesy visit by Ms Amaka Uzodinma, Zonal Head, South-East Peace Building office, Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution, (IPCR),Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in Awka on Monday.
Nwosu said that with peaceful co-existence that the public would enjoy more uninterrupted progress, infrastructural growth, all sector development and insecurity will be checked.
“As we are joining the global world to celebrate 2025 International Day of Peace,that peace will lead in all homes, all businesses and communities of Anambra.
“I release this pigeon as a symbol of peace and I pray that undying peace will be established in all warring countries of the world.
“I enthrone peace and oneness in all the communities of the states and families that are in chaotic state,” he prayed.
Earlier, Uzodinma, the zonal head, south-east ,IPCR, said that the day is celebrated annually on September 21, which their Abuja office has done but was mandated to ensure that same awareness be created in south-east.
She said that the peace day celebration of 2025 activities concluded courtesy visit to Awka traditional ruler, peace walk, and radio top shows to broadcast to the zone about the day and what it represents.
She said that world peace day was established in 1981 by United Nation General Assembly, for the world to reflect on Peace and its meaning to be able to apply same principles in all their daily living.
Uzodinma said that the world peace day is set to achieve promotion of worldwide harmony ,unity and non –violence, serving as a reminder that peace is key for progress and well being of the world .
“Our theme for the world peace day celebration 2025 is,“Act Now For A Peaceful World”.
“World peace is a concept of an ideal state within and among all people and nations in earth to be united in a common goal.
“We at the IPCR also marks 25 years of service today and believe that we have created reasonable awareness within the people across the country.
“The benefits of peaceful living and resolving arising conflicts in mind for a safer and healthy environment is priceless,” she said.
She said that IPCR partners traditional rulers, religious leaders, community leaders and Non-Governmental Agencies knowing the power of conviction they hold on their subjects.
She said that the grassroots leaders which they are will enable them to preach better on how peaceful co-existence and effective methods in resolving any conflict.
Chief Damian Okeke-Ogene, the National Vice-President, Worldwide Ohanaeze-Ndigbo, the Igbo Apex Socio-Cultural group described the day as worth celebrating annually.
Okeke-Ogene said that peaceful co-existence is priceless as its benefits are numerous and noted that reminding the world of the importance of peace building, conflict resolution would reduce the numbers of countries at war.
He said that such celebration will induce discipline, respect for oneself and others and create room for tolerance amongst nations and continents as cultural values of nations would be regarded and honored .
He charged the south-east people to learn how to honour and respect their traditional stool as such act would reduce conflicts of various degrees that are majorly avoidable.
He commended Nwosu for his peaceful nature in handling crisis brewing in the community and his gallant ability to manage provoked conflicts and challenges towards his stool.
Mr Bruno Ibekilo, a Professor of Economics at Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University,Igbariam commend the UN body for creating various channels to unite the world and making it a better place to live in.
Ibekilo disclosed that overtime that the academia have seen the huge benefits of talking about need to have a peaceful co-existence and conflict resolution in human development.
He said that the structured manner of promoting peaceful living and conflict resolution have made way for creating peaceful co-existence and conflict resolution as a field of study in most institution of higher learning.
Mr Oguejiofor Okwierighiza, a participant of the 2025 world peace day walk awareness commended IPCR for annually creating huge awareness on importance of peaceful living.
Okwierighiza urged parents and guardians to inculcate into the lives of their children and wards the need to be peaceful in life ,to tolerate one another in course of their daily interactions with the public.
