UN WOMEN-BENUE WOMEN PEACE AND SECURITY COMMEMORATES WORLD PEACE DAY
Erdoo Due
The International Day of Peace celebrated globally, is a day in which the World acknowledges and reiterates emphasis on the need for peace and mutual co-existence.
This year was no different in Benue State, as the UN Women in partnership with CLEEN Foundation and the Benue State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Welfare 8th October, 2024 took to the streets of Makurdi, the State capital to foster the message of Peace, titled “Cultivating a Culture of Peace.”
The peace walk which started at the Savannah Roundabout, ended at the Pauline Makar Centre included the 3 Structures of Women Peace and Security in the State-Women Mediators: HeforShe, the Media Network as well as traditional leaders and staff of the Ministry.
In her opening remarks, Mrs. Magdalene Andol, Director Women Affairs, who represented the Commissioner welcomed all present for turning up in enormous numbers, which is a sign of commitment for the course of peace. She thanked UN women and CLEEN Foundation for their support and sponsorship.
She said, “This year’s title ‘Cultivating a Culture of Peace’ has a direct effect and impact on us all. It denotes our collective responsibility in enhancing peace in the world. Peace is the presence of Justice, Equity and Harmony, which fosters development, and can only thrive when we are obliged to upholding a healthy lifestyle-violence free mindset.
“For the Ministry,Women and Children welfare remain a major call to service for us. These groups have however remained the major receivers of the adverse effect of violence but their value and role in contributing to issues of peace is undermined.
“Today, I seek and encourage the inclusion of women on issues of peace, as they play a significant role in projecting and preferring solutions in peace and conflict resolution” she concluded.
Dr.Gabriel Akinremi, representative of CLEEN Foundation appreciated the Ministry for its efforts in putting the activities together.
He said, “Today is a day we globally seek to promote peace and security, because peace is very essential. As such, we propose humanity being at peace at all fronts beginning from family, to foster unity and societal progress.”
In her goodwill message, Dr. Victoria Daaor -Vice Cordinator, Women Mediators Network said “without peace, there is no progress, without a mindset of peace, violence is inevitable.” She further thanked the organisers of the event for their efforts, while pledging the commitment of Women Mediators in fostering peace within the State.
On his Part, Mr.Thomas Yange-Cordinator Media Network said, “as the fourth arm of the realm, our role is sensitization, awareness creation and advocacy. On our part, we will continue to support the Ministry in propagating the message of peace.”
Mr Nathaniel Awuapila- who doubles as Coordinator, HeforShe Benue State and President, Society for Peace Studies and Practice said, “today is a good day, as it denotes a global event to spread the message of peace. However, there are serious fears and tears as we are gradually drawing closer to World War 3 considering crisis persisting in the world. This is of utmost concern.
“The culture of peace which was abandoned and has brought us so much pain is being emphasized globally today. This gives some form of relief.
For us,we will continue to uphold the support and inclusion of women in such issues as related to peace and conflict resolution at all levels.”
He further said, they have lost 2 diligent and promising members with the most recent being Barr.Mike Assoh.
For Zaki Hwakar, the traditional leaders are working hard to ensure peace is sustained in the state and women get inclusion in the traditional council.
Hallmark of the event was the establishment of peace clubs in Makurdi International Schools and Government Model Secondary Schools, respectively.
