Only peace can bring rapid development -Amosun

Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, over the weekend reiterated the importance of peace and security as a major tool to bring about rapid development.

Amosun who spoke through his Consultant on Security Matters and former Edo State commissioner of Police, Mr. Olayinka Balogun, at a day seminar for officers of the Ogun State Command of Peace Corps of Nigeria with the theme: “The challenges of peace practices in an emerging democracy: Nigeria Experience” said that any nation that is devoid of peace would not witness development, describing security as a fallout of a peaceful society.

The Governor appealed to officers of Peace Corps to always maintain high standard of discipline in their dealings adding that as peace ambassador they should exhibit high level of diligence while discharging their responsibilities and not to be intoxicated with the uniform they wear

He promised to welcome and support any move that will bring about peace, development, focus and upliftment of youths in the state.

In his keynote address, the State Commandant of the Corps, Patriot Olalekan Yussuf, identified parts of the problems confronting the growth of the Nigeria’s Democracy to include insecurity, corruption, poverty, illiteracy among others.

He warned that these problems will continue to pose as threats to the growth of a nation if not properly addressed.

He therefore urged President Muhammadu Buhari to fast track the accent of the bill establishing the Nigeria Peace Corps.

The commandant said the signing of the bill would also help in moulding another set of quality future leaders who will be patriotic, responsible and committed to national growth and not selfish agenda or ethnic sentiment which could affect the relative peace and unity in the land.

His words, “And for anybody to manage or practice peace effectively, the value systems of the people must change from get rich quick syndrome or winner takes all mentality; there must be a proper national re-orientation of the youth right from the schools”.

“This will help in moulding another set of quality future leaders who will be patriotic, responsible and committed to national growth and not selfish agenda or ethnic sentiment which could affect the relative peace and unity in the land”.

“This is what Peace Corps Of Nigeria stands for, that is the role we have been playing at our personal level but we seek the support of the federal government to empower us through the assent to the NPC bill by the President and Commander in Chief of the Nigeria Armed Forces, President Muhammadu Buhari”.

“As a body, we know the importance of human security because this will assist in maintaining internal security and boosting peace coexistence in the land. This is because it involves seven key areas which are Economic security, Food security, Health security, Environmental security, Personal security, Community security, and Political security”.

“With all these intact, the society will achieve a certain degree of Peace but unfortunately, a lot of people finds it difficult to understand that peace practices go beyond settling of disputes and mediation; it is a big job with processes and dedicated agency saddled with that responsibility”.