The International President of the Institute for Universal Harmony (TIFUH), Dr. King Charles Bassey has charged citizens of the country on peace advocacy, saying they should be at the forefront of promoting peace and unity.
Dr. Charles gave the charge at the Transcorp Hotels, Calabar during the Induction Ceremony & Launching of Scholarship Scheme for Peace Practitioners in Nigeria organized by the Institute in Collaboration with the University of Calabar.
According to him, no enduring development and achievement in human society can thrive successfully in a conflict environment hence the need for citizens, especially youths, to promote peace initiatives across communities in the country.
He said rather than being perpetrators of violence, citizens should redirect their energy towards peace- building and leadership training.
Dr. Charles said, ” I challenge citizens to channel their energy and skills into creating policies that would help build peace and influence leaders to make conflict-sensitive policies”.
The TIFUH President said the Institute which has a penchant for peace advocacy is poised to build peace and develop the skills and capacity of citizens and other professionals to develop attitudinal change towards Conflict Resolution and Crisis Management.
Dr. Charles said TIFUH offers Professional Certificate in Conflict Resolution Management and Peace Advocacy, which according to him, will create a sense of responsibility in citizens towards effective peacemaking and ability in changing the society.
This came as he appealed for support from Government, Private sector, entrepreneurs and philanthropist to provide TIFUH with utility vehicles for effective monitoring of the programme across the nation.
Also speaking, the Prelate of the Presbyterian Church of Nigeria, His Eminence, Ekpenyong Akpanika said over the years, conflict has threatened our peaceful coexistence as a nation, maintaining that, everyone must rise to the challenge and become peace practitioners.
The Clergy said, ” Peace practitioners are needed in our communities because conflict has seriously threatened our existence.
” We must all join forces to advocate for peace because it is only peace that can guarantee our success as a nation”.
He congratulated the TIFUH inductees and charged them to be ambassadors of peace.
The event featured the induction of TIFUH Graduands as Probational members of the institute, as well as, the conferement of Honorary Awards to some distinguished personalities, including the Cross River State Commissioner for Education, Sen. Stephen Odey.