As Lagos State Government joins the rest of the world to commemorate this year’s United Nations’ Internetional Day of Peace, the State Government has made a renewed call for peaceful co-existence among its citizens.

According to government, development thrives better in an atmosphere of peace and tranquility.

Solicitor-General and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice, Titilayo Shitta-Bey made the call during a programme organised by Lagos Stete Citizens’ Mediation Centre, CMC for the commemoration of the United Nations’ International Day of Peace themed; “End Racism. Build Peace.”
She affirmed that Lagos State has maintained a leading position in promoting peace at all levels and sphere of life, saying that this year’s theme corroborates Government’s efforts in the promotion of peaceful co-existence and inclusiveness over the years.
“This year’s theme is centered on racism and it is a well-known fact that racism is a bane to the development of any society. It acts as a virus that eats through the very fabric of a society and hinders the people in such a society from flourishing. This, however, underscores the utmost need for everyone to shun discrimination in all its ramification.
The Solicitor-General/Permanent Secretary said Racism is not limited to a colour bias, it cuts across every form of discrimination of thedignity of a person which is enshrined in Sections 34 and 42 of the 1999 Constitution.
She advised Lagosians not to engage in discrimination of persons based on their particular community, ethnic group, place of origin, sex, religion or political opinion.
According to her, in a time like this when divisions, violence and attacks are increasingly making national and international headlines, individuals must strive towards building peace by ensuring social and economic equality at homes, work places and within the society at large.
She said the Walk for Peace event being part of activities for the commemoration of the day will further create public awareness about the importance of peace and the need to end hostilities while also embracing harmony and peaceful co-existence.
Her words: “Peace must be built in the minds of men and women, young and old especialy the youths who are our future. We need to know that dialogue and amicable settlement of disputes or issues are some of the strongest foundations/tools for peace guided by equity, respect and mutual understanding.
In her welcome address, the Director of CMC, Biola Oseni, described peace as an antidote for violence, saying that for any society to progress and achieve economic excellence, the government and people must put machineries in place to maintain peace and orderliness among its people.
She said the theme of this year’s celebration “End Racism, Build Peace “is very apt considering the fact that all relevant stakeholders at ensuring and maintaining peace must be united in the fight against violence.
According to her, government is leaving no stone unturned in ensuring that the constitutional rights of all its citizens and residents are protected and upheld by creating institutions under the justice sector to see to peaceful co-existence of the citizens.
The Director said judicial institutions such as the Citizens’ Mediation Centre, among others, have been at the fore front of ensuring that the interests of citizens especially the indigent and the voiceless in society is protected.
Also speaking during the event, the representative of United Nations, Bolanle Olumeko informed that the International Day of Peace provides us an opportunity to reflect on the main reason the United Nations was established, which is to promote international peace and security.
The UN representative emphasised the need to retlect on the importance of actively addressing discrimination and exclusion which can lead to a breach of peace especially among local communities.
” lt is a day for all Nigerians to come together and promote the values of tolerance, respect, reconciliation, and human dignity, and remember that being peaceful is the responsibility of every person.
She averred that With close to 374 ethnic nationalities and about 552 Iiving languages spoken by over 206 million people, there is no limit to what Nigeria can achieve if it put its mind to engaging all citizens, leveraging on education, culture, and government support.