Since 1981 when the International Day of Peace came into being through the instrumentality of the United Nations, it has been used as a platform to educate the public on issues of concerns, particularly as it affects the mobilization of will and resources to address global problems while celebrating and re-enforcing the achievements of humanity in these areas.
It is a known fact that for years running, world leaders and other organizations as well as the civil society have dedicated time, resources and energy for the fight towards the entrenchment of peace and its sustainability; even as it is a widely accepted that without durable peace, it is impossible for the human race to survive. That being the case, if the nations and peoples of the world desire to live as one and pursue development and other causes, we cannot but accept to cultivate the virtues of loving one another.
Sometime in 2001, it became pertinent for the United Nations General Assembly to unanimously vote and designate the day as a period of non violence and cease-fire. The world in the last two decades or more has been embroiled in one crisis after another; and tried as it has to patch them up; more countries are in one form of violence, such that blood has been spilled.
The presence of peace in any country is a door way for development. Those who cherish living together accept the singular fact that unity, positive thinking and collaboration for the common good of all humanity is desirable. There is the need for citizens to decide on set of united values that they will live by and nurture the next generation. There are workable examples, as can be seen in Rwanda, which agreed after the 1994 genocide to leave in peace without discrimination on the basis of tribe. They are the better for it.
In the absence of peace, however, there are consequences of living without it. More than we know, insecurity has brought in its wake destruction of infrastructure, human rights as can be seen in many countries of the world today. Added are poverty, unemployment and weak leadership being the major causes of conflict in Nigeria, while demanding that job creation and actionable policies by the government remains the only panacea for peace.
Nigeria’s political leadership has not helped matters, as their actions and policies have not set the tone for the sustainability of peace; while assuring that it is possible for poverty and unemployment to be eradicated and given a space to the youth who have been often used as cannon fodder in the escalation of violence in our communities. It has become important to build, social capital around peace as well as creating a network of self identity, being agents of peace and leveraging that network through felicitation, small grants and capacity building of its citizens.
Peace is possible and can be maintained in every society. Ours cannot be an exception, if we lay emphasis on economic development and equality of every citizen so that everyone can benefit from the resources of the nation. In a situation where the treatment of people is carried out equitably through the distribution of the nation’s resources, sustainable peace is possible; as justice is its doorway.
