As Nigerians like the rest of the world celebrates Christmas today, Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR) has call on citizens to strive and be Christ-like for peace and unity in the country. The Institute also enjoined citizens to note that Christmas being the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ is seen as the highest celebration in the Christendom should emulate the teachings anchored on peaceful co-existence.
Director-General of IPCR, Dr. Joseph Ochogwu, made the call today as Christmas and New Year message to Nigerians, calling on all to be ambassadors of peace anywhere they find themselves, adding that there is no alternative to peaceful coexistence as it very existence enhances development.
Ochogwu charges Nigerians to strive and keep the flag of unity flying high, as peace and unity are the hallmarks of every progressive nation across the globe, calling on travellers to be wary of the precarious time Nigerian finds itself currently and be cautious and spread the message of peace to wherever they are going.
According to him, peace, unity and security are the tripartite potential that is required to break the vicious circle of underdevelopment at all time, therefore, appealed to Nigerians to collectively use this yuletide period to pray for the peace, unity and progress of the nation.
The DG reminded citizenry to see a nation-building as the responsibility of all and sundry calling on every Nigerian to rise to the occasion to build a Nigeria of our dreams and that of our founding fathers.
“As an Institute, we are aware of the enormous challenges bedevilling our country, nevertheless, we should keep hope alive and continue to have faith that a new Nigeria will rise from the ashes of these challenges.
“Let our thoughts and actions be peaceful, tolerant, and receptive towards one another as this is the only organic means to change the dangerous narrative that has eaten deep into our social fabrics and national cohesion.”
Ochogwu observed that for a nation of over 200 million people, Nigerians stands for peace, explaining that the implication being a circle of peace would encircle the nation and fill up not only the violent spaces but also, reposition the country on the path of progress.