Worried by the growing ethnic suspicion in Nigeria, leaders of various ethnic groups and Community Based Organisations, (CBOs) will meet in Lagos towards creating an effective mechanism for conflict prevention and peace building.
The meeting is being organized by the foremost media group Journalists for Democratic Rights, (JODER-Since 1996) and the United States, (US) based International Institute for Education, (IIE) is aimed at conflict prevention and peace-building in Lagos.
A statement by the group’s Executive Director, Mr Adewale Adeoye said the forum will explore potentials for peace in “a festering atmosphere of fear and trembling.”
He said the summit marks the beginning of series of activities lined up to deepen peaceful coexistence, liberty and democracy. The summit, he said is coming at a critical moment in Nigeria history when the country is battling with the crisis of identity and a floundering panacea to potential conflict whirl.
The Guest Speakers at the event are retired University history teacher and former Senator in the Second Republic, Prof Adebanji Akintoye, Mr Malachy Ukwumadu, human rights lawyer, Mr Femi Falana and a chieftain of Arewa Youth Consultative Council, (AYCF) Mr Kudu Abubakar among many others.
“Peace is possible. Conflict can be avoided by taking preventive measures. The people on their own must never lose the focus on democracy and sustainable development which are possible only in an atmosphere of peace. The people must organize themselves and assert their determination to choose peace and justice even in the face of grave possibilities of conflict”, JODER said.
The group said that remarkable signposts have been recorded in Nigeria since independence in 1960 in the areas of economy, communications, human rights coupled with windows of opportunities offered through on-going reform of the administration of justice and new legislations that empower the people” but that inspite of the advancement, the country remains a flashpoint of conflict and potential crisis.
It said that democracy has also led to a flourishing print and electronic media backed by a new tradition of citizen journalism which continues to strengthen public confidence in democracy as the finest alternative for the people but that the bourgeoning media have also increased the prospect of a major conflict arising from subjective narratives and disregard for ethics and professionalism.
It regretted that Nigeria has a checkered history punctuated by ethnic suspicion, religious intolerance complicated by poor leadership, corruption and weak institutions which combine to fuel prospects of political and economic failures. These conditions are partly responsible for the pockets of violence and extremism which are spreading across many states in Nigeria.
“These conflicts can be prevented through pro-active programmes of intervention aimed at developing the framework for sustainable peaceful co-existence. Unity and understanding are not given, they should be nurtured and sustained through practical efforts of the government and the civil society” JODER stated adding that the project will work with communities to sustain the atmosphere of peace, unity and understanding.” The summit, JODER said is one in a series of activities which include advocacy for peace, training on conflict prevention, peace building mechanism and media outreach.
No fewer than 100 directed beneficiaries will participate in the programme across the three Lagos Senatorial districts while the number of indirect beneficiaries run into millions of people in Lagos and across the country.
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