Group urges world leaders to prioritise peace, end injustices, crisis

The Peace and Positive Living Awareness Centre (PEPOLAC), a nongovernmental organisation promoting the United Nations (UN) sustainable development goals, has enjoined the world leaders to prioritise peace in their respective countries.

The Convener, PEPOLAC, Bishop Dr Ozioma Ozoemena, who made the call at 2024 peace advocates annual convention cum ground breaking ceremony of "Peace and Leadership Centre Multipurpose Building Project," held at Awka, the Anambra State capital, argued that there was need for global peace amidst the economic downturn, crisis and other challenges confronting humanity so as to records progress.

According to Ozoemena, peaceful resolution of conflicts at homes, communities, national and subnational or regional levels would help to achieving sustainable development across all sectors by both individuals and government.

He explained that the group leverages on the UN SDG agenda to promote peaceful coexistence and attitudinal change among the populace, while mobilising volunteers and peace advocates in order to entrench inclusive justice, development and sustainable living all over the globe.

To him, in order to actualise peace, promote human rights, cooperation and respect among people from different cultural background, ethnicity and nationalities, PEPOLAC equally trains and empower the populace with relevant skills, as well as educate people on social ailments, gender equality, promotion of tourism, protection of environment and the planet for inclusive peace and justice.

The Vice Chancellor, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COO), Professor Kate Omenugha, who delivered a lecture at the occasion, urged the public to inculcate habits of forgiving offences, eschew pride, neglect and ethnocentric behaviours towards other people for whatever reasons.

Omenugha, who posited that peace was needed to address the problems of insecurity, injustice, insurgence, kidnapping, among other crisis bedeveiling Nigeria and rest of the world, advocated for peace inclusive education.

Also speaking, the Speaker, Anambra State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Somtochukwu Udeze, represented by Deputy Majority Leader of the House, Dr Jude Akpua, disclosed that the legislative chamber valued the place of peace in human relations and societal growth which was why they had passed relevant laws in that regards and admonished families to be peacemakers by living peacefully with their neighbours and striving to resolve their differences amicably.

Contributing, the Traditional Ruler of Umueri in Anambra East Local Government Area (LGA), Igwe Bennett Emeka and his counterpart from Ifitedunu, Dunukofia LGA, Igwe Chukwuemeka Ilouno, argued that no amount of development could be achieved at homes, States or country where there is absence of peace.

Other speakers, including recipients of the United Nations ambassador award for peace (UN-PEPOLAC) at the programme, Comrade Innocent Mba, from Enugu State, Dr Okey Obi from Nnewi, and a Liberian, Bill Malema Wonta, vowed to continue being advocates of peace for a better society.

On the Peace and Leadership Centre Multipurpose Building Project, Bishop Ozoemena explained that the project would among other things, provide enabling environment for peaceful coexistence among people, be a pacesetter in peace advocacy, institutionalize ideals and rudiments for global peace.

The building, it was learnt, would feature Multipurpose conference hall, ADR room, Executive meetings/Seminars hall, International College of Peace Advocates offices, peace education/tourism offices, executive offices, among others.