The Director General, Plateau Peace Building Agency, Mr. Joseph Lengmang led Non-governmental Organizations and Civil Society Organizations in Plateau State on Tuesday, 20th September on a peace walk in Jos, Plateau state to commemorate the International Day of Peace.
The Director General, while addressing the various organizations at the peace Walk, said that the walk was staged to create awareness and sensitize people on the need and philosophy of living in peace with one another.
He said that the walk was also an opportunity for peace Practitioners to assert and affirm their commitment to their activities in Plateau State, in furtherance of consolidating the gains recorded in the last few years.
“The peace walk is a demonstration of our commitment to live in Peace as without peace it is impossible for us to attain the goal of development or pursue our individual or collective goal.
“This day is relevant as we all know what Plateau used to be 10 years ago, but for the ideas and philosophy of the rescue administration of Governor Simon Lalong as far as peace and security are concerned, and his approach to conflict has helped significantly in bringing about a decline of high-intensity violence in Plateau State,” He Said.
“We are also here to celebrate what non-state actors are doing in the promotion of peace and security in Plateau State and how they have keyed into the policy of Government in other to entrench the ideals of Peace in the state and today we are here to celebrate such efforts”
“We are here to thank the various non-state actors, international NGOs, Local NGOs, Community Based NGOs, Peace associations and Development associations for designing the kind of interventions, and implementing various activities that are contributing to deepening the peace in Plateau State”. Lengmang stated.
The Director General further called on members of the public to make the best of the International Day of Peace by making impactful peace campaigns as it was a noble thing to do.
In his remarks, the country co-ordinator of the Joint Initiative for strategic religious action, (JISRA) project, Mr Istifanus Gimba, stated that the project is a product of the power of voices that was formed by Mensen met even Missie (Lead), Tearfund and Search for common ground in Nigeria.
He said the JISRA project is implemented in Nigeria by seven local partners namely JPRM, SUWA, RURCON, DREP, DIWA, WIC AND FOMWAN. The project aims to address and transform intra, inter and extra-religious dynamics in Nigeria to promote freedom of religion or belief FOrB.
The peace walk was held colorfully with a walk from Old Airport Junction to the famous Jos Secretariat Junction as most of the members of the various organization’s leaders and representatives carried various placards with peace inscriptions.
The International Day of Peace will continue with activities on Wednesday 21st September, with a town hall meeting in Jos, Plateau State.