The Co-chair Interfaith Dialogue Forum for Peace, Bishop Dr. Sunday Ndukwo Onuoha, has called actions to beef up National Security by arresting conflicts and roits at their early stages before they escalate to violence.
Bishop Onuoha, pointed that insecurity would be reduced if an effective security management system with adequate precautionary measure against spontaneous attacks of terrorists was put in place in the country.
The clergyman spoke in Umuahia the capital of Abia State on Wednesday while delivering a keynote speech during a one day sensitization programme organised by the National Orientation Agency, (NOA), Abia State in collaboration with the Ministry of Information on National Security Campaign on the theme, “Building a People of Peace: Towards Enhancing National Security”.
Bishop Onuoha, who had regretted that Nigeria has become one of the hotbeds of conflict in Africa, stated that the prevalence of conflicts, manifests in religious intolerance, Political Thuggery, Kidnapping, Drug Addiction, Radicalization and Violent Extremism, pointing out that these vices are the greatest threats to peace, unity, security and development of our dear nation.
He stated that a multifaceted approach which include: giving the youth jobs, a supportive environment for Micro, Small and medium enterprises (SME’s), were key in solving the perennial problem of peace and rising insecurity in Africa, particularly Nigeria.
The Bishop also decried the reoccurring cases of kidnapping between Okigwe and Enugu, and the Okigwe-Ihube-Uturu-Isuikwuato to the extent that students in universities and their lecturers have become constant victims to miscreants on those roads.
He said, "The concept of peace and security mainly rests on the principle of sanctity or sacredness of life as well as the absolute necessity to protect and safeguard lives and property.
"Socialization to values of peace and provision of services will assist Nigeria in closing up the worsening horizontal inequalities as it is capable of dousing all tensions. Humans amid all problems adopt methods of getting themselves out of socio-political marginalization, abysmal state of infrastructural facilities, environmental degradation, and high level of religious intolerance among others".
The Bishop also maintained that sensitization campaigns is key to
fighting insecurity and fostering in peace in Nigeria.
He commended the National Orientation Agency (NOA) and the Ministry of Information, for building synergy among them together with relevant stakeholders and actors in the heated polity, adding that the sensitization programme is apt in view of the current challenges confronting the country.
Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Chris Ezem, described the event as apt and informed that security is a collective responsibility and should not be left to the security alone.
While assuring that Abia State will continue to be safe and peaceful, he maintained that the state will continue to partner NOA to continue to keep the environment safe, even as he urged the people to be security conscious always.
In their speeches the Abia state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Chief Eze Chikamnayo, the representative of Abia State Commissioner of Police, the Sector Commander,Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, Abia StateCommand, Mr Paul Ugwu and Chairman of the occasion from Abia State Law Reform and Review Commission, Justice K O Nwosu called for a sustained campaign against social ills, even as they advised that the security campaign should be extended to the grassroots.
The programme which attracted Security Agencie; Ministries; Department and Agencies (MDAs); Political Leaders; Traditional Rulers; Religious Leaders; Heads of Federal Establishments; Corporate Bodies; Professional Organisations; NGOs/CSOs; Youth Organisations; Women Groups, and General Public, saw the Investiture of Rt. Hon. (Engr.) Chinedum Enyinnaya Orji (Speaker, Abia State House of Assembly), as Grand Patron of WAI Brigade, Abia State; investiture of Patrons of WAI Brigade, Abia State on: Barr. Chris Ezem; Engr. Enyinnaya Nwafor; High Chief Mel-Daimeon Osuji; Ide (Sir) Ifeanyi Okechukwu; Prince Chris Odinaka Igwe; Senator Bright Nwanne and Prof. Onyekachi Iheme.
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