LagosWomen2030 holds peace walk, condemns recurring conflicts in the nation

As Nigeria prepares for her 58th Independence anniversary on October 1 and the 2019 general elections, LagosWomen2030 is engaging Lagos State and Nigeria to promote peace and condemn all forms of violent conflicts that has besieged the country in order to ensure peaceful elections.

This was the thrust at a peace walk held last weekend from Allen roundabout to the governor’s office Alausa in Ikeja, to mark the World Peace Day with the theme “Right to Peace- Every Woman has a right to peace” in collaboration with WANEP NIGERIA and Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation.

The endless spates of violence in Nigeria with violent extremism and terrorism, herdsmen killings, ethnic clashes, communal conflicts, kidnapping, political violence, rape and robbery, ritual killings, forceful displacements, violent deaths and general insecurity ravaging the country, leaving many dead, maimed, traumatized, displaced, homeless and very poor. This has breached the peace once enjoyed in the country. Many are living in fear in their homes, on the road, at places of business and in places of worship (churches and mosques).

It has affected development, impacted negatively on women and made them poorer. The world adopted the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at the UN from September 25th 2015 to promote peaceful society (Goal16).

According to the Coordinator of LagosWomen2030, Catherine Duru, who presented their demands to the governor of Lagos State, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode and was represented by Permanent Secretary, Office of Civic Engagements, Mrs. Badele Fadipe, the group demands an urgent release of all Nigerians in captivity, women and girls, remaining Chibok girls and Leah Sharibu from the captivity of Boko Haram; Nigerian political parties and politicians stop the conflict they portray and generate with hate speeches, fake news capable of inciting people to violence.

“Religious leaders should preach messages of peace and encourage religious tolerance amongst their adherents. Traditional leaders should maintain the ideals of peace in their communities to sustain development. The Nigerian media is highly commended on timely report on issues of conflicts but are encouraged to reduce the tension in the reportage and be gender-specific in reporting incidents of conflict. Law enforcements and military should adhere to rules of engagement, maintain peace and enhance security in the nation and stop the impunity.

“Small arms proliferation and trade has contributed to the continuation of violence and there must be comprehensive disarmament strategies by the government to take guns and weapons off the streets. Nigerian men, women and youths all have a collective duty to promote and maintain peace. It is a time for everyone to partner wherever we are in whatever way we can, to make every day a day of peace in Lagos State and Nigeria,” she said.

LagosWomen2030 is a sub-group of a Regional Women’s CSOs Networking established to realise the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGS) titled ‘Women2030 Project’. It is a partnership project between a coalition of five global and regional women’s network that have come together to work towards contributing to the realisation of the SDGs.