Written By: Prof Peter Katchy

Each year, International Day of Peace is observed on 21st September. The General Assembly declared this as a day devoted to strengthening the ideals of peace, both within and among all nations and peoples.

The United Nations Member States adopted the 17 Sustainable Development Goals in 2015 to build a peaceful world. The Sustainable Goals cover a broad range of issues, including poverty, hunger, health, education, climate change, gender equality, water, sanitation, energy, environment and social justice.

Sustainable Development Goal 13 “Climate Action” is a call for immediate action by all to lower greenhouse emissions, build resilience and improve education on climate change. Thus, the Theme for 2019 is “Climate Action for Peace”. The theme draws attention to the importance of combating climate change as a way to protect and promote peace throughout the world.

Climate change causes clear threats to international peace and security. Natural disasters displace three times as many people as conflicts, forcing millions to leave their homes and seek safety elsewhere. Pollution of water and crops is endangering food security, and the impact on public health is escalating. The growing tensions over resources and mass movements of people are affecting every country on every continent.

Peace can only be achieved if concrete action is taken to combat climate change.

Violence, no doubt, negates peace. It is a strong negative emotional problem, always sudden and explosive with great energy exertions and strong movement. Violence is a global phenomenon caused mainly by hatred and fear. Almost every day, news report reveal what happens when racial, ethnic, communal conflicts, political interests, economic hardship and largely religious animosity join hands with lawlessness against national, communities, and families torn apart by this militating issue. Countries are embroiled in wholesale genocide. There is a monster on the loose, called violence. And it is running rampantly all over the world. This monster must be caged.

The most common causes of violence are hatred, jealousy, greediness, selfishness rooted and fueled by ignorance. Prejudiced people tend to have opinions that are “held without regard to the available evidence”. Such people twist, distort, misinterpret or even ignore facts that conflict with their predetermined opinions, resulting in acts such as the militating and rampaging Global Xenophobia attack.

Then, there are those who simply believe that people who have different culture, ethnicity, geographical location and religious affiliations are not good. Hatred, animosity, social, political competitions, and economic deprivation can lead to violent clashes.

Sequel to internal conflicts and restiveness that have bedeviled Nigeria recently including political bitterness and rancor, Boko Haram insurgency, herdsmen and farmers conflicts, youth restiveness, religious intolerance, wanton exhibition of hatred, hateful songs, speeches, acerbic insinuations and glaring marginalizing, it becomes very pertinent to call on the Federal and State Governments of Nigeria to embark on the Reconciliation of the entire Nigeria. This is the first step to keep Nigeria one and secure the future of the nation.

The Federal Government, as a matter of urgent national importance, should establish Federal Ministry of Reconciliation and State Ministries of Reconciliation in all States with sufficient budgetary provisions. This is expected to bring peace and national cohesion.

Again, consolidated steps should be taken to encourage Youth Groups to volunteer in humanitarian activities, relief projects to help victims of disaster and violent conflicts.

Furthermore, Federal Government should expand the Federal Ministry of Labour to include Vocational Training and Skill Acquisition as Panacea to massive unemployment of the Youth which has created restiveness.

Also to Encourage Public and Private Persons to Build Ranches with Livestock materials therein in order to stem the tide of Herdsmen and Farmers constant conflicts and set Ranches and Livestock Commission exclusively from the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources,

It is possible to achieve our goals, but we need decisions, political will and transformational policies to allow us to still live in peace with our own climate.

SAY BIG YES TO PEACE AND BUILD THE BLOCKS OF CLIMATE ACTION FOR PEACE!

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