NOA urges Akwa Ibom politicians, others to embrace peace

The National Orientation Agency (NOA) in Akwa Ibom has advised all aggrieved politicians in the state to embrace peace in order to foster cohesion and development in the area.

The Director of the agency, Mr Enoh Uyoh, made the call on Thursday in Uyo during a one-day sensitisation campaign aimed at curbing post-election violence as well as promoting peace, unity and patriotism.

He said that the just concluded general elections had adversely affected the peaceful coexistence, thereby creating an atmosphere of suspicion, hatred, acrimony, and tension among political actors in the state.

The theme of the sensitisation is, ‘Building A People of Peace’.

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He said that peacebuilding required cooperation, responsibility, accountability, and participation by political actors and their platforms.

The director said that the time was apt to reawaken the consciousness of Akwa Ibom people on the need for peaceful coexistence as well as mobilise the people to support and participate in government programmes and activities.

“Peaceful coexistence, as it implies, includes the avoidance of war or conflict and adoption of negotiations as a means of resolving disputes among contending parties.

“The elections have come and gone. Therefore, the peaceful atmosphere we enjoyed before, during and after elections should be allowed to prevail.

“No one person or group is capable of designing and delivering peace on his or its own.

“Peacebuilding process should involve the state actors and non-state actors.

“Peace and security, therefore, are everybody’s business,” Uyoh said.

He also called on the youth not to allow themselves to be used as political tools to cause chaos in the state.

According to him, a peaceful state stands the chance to attract more development for the benefit of the people.

In his message of goodwill, the state’s Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Charles Udoh, said it was the collective responsibility of Akwa Ibom people to ensure peace in the area.

Udoh, who was represented by the Director of Information in the ministry, Mrs Comfort Umanah, praised the state governor, Mr Udom Emmanuel, for ensuring peace in the state.

“The people of Akwa Ibom are peaceful and that was displayed during the just concluded general elections.

“The state governor is a man of peace and that is why he continues to preach peace everywhere he goes.

“We are also experiencing peace because women are carried along in the affairs of the state.

“We all need to ensure peace in our environment,” he said.