Nigerian Red Cross seeks ministry of reconciliation as world peace day holds tomorrow

The Nigerian Red Cross Society has advocated the creation of a Ministry of Reconciliation at the federal and state levels with a mandate to foster greater peace and unity in Nigeria.

Vice-Chairman of the Anambra chapter, Prof. Peter Katchy, made the call in an interview with newsmen ahead of the International Day of Peace holding tomorrow in Enugu.

Katchy said it had become imperative for the federal and state governments to embark on the reconciliation of the various sections of Nigeria. “This is the first step to keep Nigeria one and secure the future of the nation. It is expected to cause peace and national cohesion, which is better than tough talks and deployment of military to quell ethnic agitations,” he said.

People around the world will honour the International Day of Peace tomorrow, September 21. For 24 hours, participating countries will put down their weapons in recognition of nonviolence.

The United Nations General Assembly designated the day as an international observance in 2001. It has gained steady support since then; many public schools and institutions recognize International Peace Day as a valuable time to learn about societies and how they function together. The UN asks countries to replace violence with awareness and education for peace.

With the theme “Climate Action for Peace.” António Guterres, UN secretary -general, says the global climate emergency is “a threat to security and stability. With extreme weather and disaster becoming more frequent and severe, disputes over dwindling resources risk fueling climate-related conflict.”

To prevent these circumstances and mobilize world leaders to action, Guterres will hold a Climate Action Summit on Sept. 23 at UN Headquarters in New York City. Guterres asks world leaders to arrive with solid and realistic plans to rapidly implement the Paris Agreement. He and millions of people around the world hope to shift toward a “cleaner, safer, and greener future.”

“This is the battle of our lives and a race against time,” says Guterres in his “100-Day Countdown to the International Day of Peace” message.