Concerned by the prevalence of insecurity and the urgent need to take practical measures to create and ensure lasting peace in the country, especially through conscious promotion of a culture of peace at all levels of relationship and interactions, the Nigerian chapter of the Canada-based Global Alliance for Ministries and Infrastructures for Peace (GAMIP) has scheduled a three-day international conference in Abuja.
 
The conference, which is being organised by the group in collaboration with National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), will commence on Monday, September 9.
The President of the Nigerian chapter of GAMIP, Dr. Oseremen Irene, in a statement on Friday, noted that what the country and the entire world needed most today is sustainable peace without which human and environmental potential cannot be fully accessed and developed for the benefit of all.
 
Irene added that in realisation of the uniqueness of peace for development, many countries, including the U.S., Canada, Britain and even Ethiopia have established a separate Ministry for Peace.
   
According to him, the prevailing situation in Nigeria calls for proactive measures to conflict and violence prevention rather than the reactive approach that is given prominence.
 
He stressed that the best way to prevent conflict and violence is by priotising peace building at both the formal and informal levels in the country. He further disclosed that prominent experts and authorities in Peace Studies within and outside Nigeria have been invited for the conference.
 
Among them are Mr. Binalf Andualem, Ethiopia Minister of Peace; Dr. Joseph Ochogwu, Director General, Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR) Abuja; Dr. Chetar Kumar, United States; Prof. Diana de la Rua Eugenio, Argentina; Mr. Alberto Portugheis, Argentina; Prof. Roberto Emmanuele Mercadillo Caballero, Argentina; Evelyn Voigt and Gordon Breedyk, Canada; Prof. Alicia Cabezudo, Argentina; Prof. Saul Arbess, Canada; Prof. Mike Abkin and other notable speakers are drawn from NOUN, Civilian Peace Service Canada, Peace Academy United States, Centre for Peace and Rehabilitation of Displaced Persons.
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