Global Peace Development has blamed the spate of insecurity, banditry, kidnapping, farmers-herders clashes ravaging Nigeria on lack of synergy, trust deficit and disunity, while tasking leaders and youths to promote unity, peaceful and harmonious coexistence.
The Director General, Global Peace Development (GPD), Mr. Ebruke Eskie stated this while addressing the Cultural Peace Fiesta in Kaduna in commemoration of the 2022 Global Peace Day, with the theme: “Embrace Diversity, Build Peace”. The Fiesta, which was organised by GPD and ActionAid Nigeria in collaboration with Kaduna state Ministry of Culture and Tourism with funding from Global Community Engagement and Resilient Fund (GCERF), featured cultural display with cultural dance competition among 12 different cultural troupes from within and outside Kaduna state.
Mr Eskie said the event brought young men and women from diverse cultures together to promote peace and tolerance, thereby ensuring unity, harmony and brotherhood among the over 50 indigenous ethnic nationalities across the 23 local government areas in Kaduna state. “kidnapping, banditry and herders/farmers conflict are critical issues hampering citizens safety, peace and development of the country, particularly Kaduna state. Our inability to curb these menace can be linked to trust deficit, lack of synergy and disunity among the diverse cultures in the state.”
Governor Nasir el-Rufai of Kaduna state however blamed the spate of insecurity and economic challenges facing the country on Nigerians’ loss of cultures and values and ignorance of identity. He noted that once Nigerians go back to being contented with what they have, being truthfully and honest in all situations, loving and respecting one another irrespective of their social or financial status, culture, tribe and religion; corruption and poverty would desert the people and peace would have a stronger foundation among the people.
The Governor, who was represented by Hajiya Khadija Hawaja Gambo said, “one of the reasons why Nigerians are in such a situation in which we are is as a result of our deliberate ignorance, and refusal to acknowledge who we are as a people and as individuals. Our cultures as Africans, as Nigerians is a culture of love, respect, truthfulness, order. A culture that acknowledges human dignity, frowns at cheats, stealing and anything evil. This was our culture. In the past we loved one another irrespective of what language, culture.
“We give out love, we welcome strangers not minding who they are, we don’t take drugs to be high, we are always happy. We are people who are satisfied with the little we have. We respect people on the basis of humanity not material sense. We don’t look down on each another, our people dance when they are happy. We are embracing modernity, but the kind of modernity we embrace is the negative one because we decided to abandon our culture which is full of values and embrace a a culture of materialism which is foreign to us.”
For ActionAid Nigeria, the 2022 Cultural Peace Fiesta is expected to “promote a peaceful Kaduna state that is just, equitable for everyone through creativity, art and culture while promoting talents. Showcase the beauty in diversity and peaceful coexistence between people and nations and create awareness on the dangers of violent extremism”.