The Universal Peace Federation, a United Nations’ organization, has warned that Nigeria’s break up as being agitated for by some groups in the South East and South South will be counter-productive and that it is not the solution the country needs.
The Secretary General of the UPF in Nigeria, Dr. Raphael Ogar Ojo, said at the presentation of the 2016 Award of Ambassador for Peace to Reverend Father Christian Levi Achinivu by the UPF and the Muslim Inter-religious Peace Foundation, warned also that Nigerians should do away with religious and tribal differences.
Dr. Ojo, who spoke in Minna, the Niger State capital, said that no part of Nigeria could stand alone and remain relevant among the comity of civilized and developed nations.
Citing the United states of America, which derives its strength from its size and population as well as its human resources, Dr. Ojo insisted that everything should be done to keep Nigeria one.
He asked the governments at all levels to do everything possible to address the grievances of aggrieved segments of the country even as he asked the Federal Government to set up Development Commissions in all the geopolitical zones of the country as is being done for the North East region, which had been ravaged by by the activities of insurgents.
“These Commissions should be well empowered financially to the level that they would address the shortcomings in all the zones of the country saying that with such a policy Nigeria would witness the much desired peace and development.”
Dr. Ojo also called for a review of the nation’s education curricula to the extent that graduates would be creators of employment instead of white collar job seekers.
On the awards, he said Father Achinivu “was found worthy in deeds and character and he is ready to live his life for the sake of others.”
The Catholic Bishop of Minna Diocese, Most Reverend Dr. Martin Uzoukwu, commended the resilience and hard work as well as devotion to the service to humanity of the recipient and urged him not to relent.
The recipient expressed gratitude to God for counting him worthy for such award and pledged to continue to devote his life to the service of mankind. [myad]
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