The Participation Initiative for behavioural change in development (PIBCID) has distributed empowerment materials to over 70700 women, Children, youth, herders and people with disabilities across 22 communities in kogi State since 2017.
This was disclosed on Monday during the 2022 international Day of Peace celebration held in Lokoja, Kogi State Capital.
The theme of this year’s celebration; End Racism, Build Peace attracted paper presentation by scholars who highlighted the need for peace and security for the survival of humanity.
In a press statement signed by Akande Rasheed Remilekun , Ag. Executive Director, PIBCID and made available to Journalists in Lokoja, said, although the international Day of peace began in 1981, her organisation joined the other countries to celebrate the day in 2017.
She said series of activities ranging from cultural peace fiesta, musical entertainment, comedy, with known/upcoming artist made to play in live performances are lined up for this year’s celebration.
According to the Statement PIBCID has recorded laudable achievements and peaceful coexistence in poor, excluded and marginalized communities of Kogi State.
“Our organisation has been able to reach and change the lives of over 50,000 women, 10,000 children, 500 persons with disabilities, 10,000 youths as well as 200 herdsmen across 22 communities in Kogi State where we have worked.
“We are equally targeting more beneficiaries especially orphans and persons with disabilities in no distant future.
“International peace day is dedicated to strengthening the ideals of peace through non-violent extremist approach, address hate speeches and violence directed at racial minorities” He said.
She disclosed that the aim as envisioned by PIBCID is to speak out against hate speeches and promote a message of anti-racism through media publications.
“This year’s theme: End Racism and build Peace remains key and relevant today considering the discriminatory or abusive behaviour towards one another in our society.
“We need to be conscious of the fact that we are created by God to share experiences equally, to live in peace and harmony with one another irrespective of our religious groups or believes, ethnically, culturally and traditionally, tribe, colour or height.
“Peace means freedom from disturbance; a time of tranquillity when you are not disturbed by anyone or anything. Peace involves understanding each other and working together to find solutions to problems. Any other approach to dealing with difficult issues that causes pain and suffering. So International Day of Peace exist to remind us of the benefits of peaceful co-existence.
“On global and individual level, peace requires respect and compassion. The importance of respect and acting kindly towards one another is a key factor and relevant to International Day of Peace.
She averred that there cannot be sustainable development and prosperity without first and foremost having peaceful communities and a peaceful world.
She charged the People on the need to bring to the fore those things that unite us rather than those that separate and divide us .
” With peace we are bound to witness sustainable development. Our world has pressing issues that need solutions. Therefore, we need to have Innovative Leadership, competencies to harness our creative ingenuity to bring about transformative changes in all sectors to propel society towards a prosperous future.
“We want to use 2022 global peace day to crave the indulgence of Kogites, Nigerians and the whole world at large to seek peace, build peace, preach peace, act peace, walk in peace, sleep with peace, eat and drink peace. Shun racism, violence, cultist activities, criminal act that can dent our collective image” The statement preached.
