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The Commissioner of Police in Rivers State, CP Olugbenga Adepoju ,Relief International Africa,security agencies,members of Civil Society Organizations, have committed to a peaceful society.
They made the commitment during the celebration of 2025 International Peace Day in PortHarcourt on Saturday September 20, with the theme “Act Now For A Peaceful World” .
CP Adepoju represented by Chief Superintendent of Police, CSP Henry King Ogbuefi who is also the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Nkpolu Police Division reiterated the commitment of the Police command to ensure sustenance of peace in the state.
“When there is peace, we have a lot of time to rest and to do other things.We want to assure you,that we will do our best to continue to give you a peaceful environment. When the crime is less,there will be peaceful and calm environment” CP Adepoju said.
In his opening remarks,Ambassador Green Isaac, Executive Director, Relief International Africa said
“Across our communities, violence festers from domestic abuse to communal clashes,from screams of gender based violence victims to loud explosions of armed conflicts.
“Peace will never be handed over to us on a silver platter.Peace is built brick by brick, action by action, choice by choice.It begins when we recognize that fight for human rights is the fight for peace.We cannot celebrate peace while our neighbours suffer in silence.
“As we reflect on today’s theme,Peace is a choice we must make everyday.Peace is a collective responsibility.There is no peace without justice.Only a peace built on truth, justice and equality will last”.
One of the Speakers,Professor Etim Frank,a lecturer in the department of Political Science and Public Administration in University of Uyo, stated that on this day,anywhere there is war in the world,there must be ceasefire.
“speaking up against violence,hate,discrimination and inequality wherever you find yourself, respect for diversity and promoting inclusivity, volunteering support for peace building initiatives,community engagement to foster peace related activities are things we must do for a peaceful society” Professor Frank said.
Another speaker,Professor Mbalisi Onyeka Festus, a lecturer in the department of adult and non formal education, University of PortHarcourt who spoke on the topic “Words Over Weapons: Literacy As A Tool For Conflict Resolution” disclosed that disagreement occurs because the interacting individuals, organizations, communities and societies uphold different needs, ideas,beliefs, values and goals.
Professor Festus maintained that literacy empowers individuals to effectively communicate, negotiate and understand different perspectives, thereby fostering dialogue and cooperation that can help resolve conflicts peacefully.
Another speaker,Sophia Sonime Daniels(PhD) who spoke on the topic “Empowering Minds,Ending Conflicts” stated that education plays a vital role in global peace building by fostering critical thinking, tolerance and respect for diversity, promoting economic and social development that reduces the drivers of conflict like poverty and equipping individual with the skills and values to become active citizens in creating peaceful society.
Highpoint of the event was a panel discussion on human rights weekly insights with four panelists.
Our correspondent reports that Relief International Africa launched weekly human rights discussion,tech startups and storytelling platform and also gave award to some individuals for their contribution in peace building in the society.
