Nigeria government and Christians have been enjoined to strategic action and also commit to ensuring justice and as well, fostering a culture of peace and reconciliation in the multi-ethnic country.
The Zambian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Sọlọmọn Samuel Jere, who in collaboration with the Asokoro, Abuja branch of the Seventh-Day Adventist (SDA) Church, made this call at a press conference in Abuja as part of activities to kickstart their collaborated “International Peace Concert,” further noted that ‘dialogue, justice, forgiveness, and reconciliation’ are pillars of peace, therefore should be prioritized in the quest for progressive nation-building.
Furthermore, the Zambian High Commissioner stated that Nigeria was among the first countries in Africa that helped to liberate Southern Africa from apartheid rule, therefore deserve all the help it can get to win the war on insurgency, banditry and kidnapping that are currently ravaging the fabrics of peaceful coexistence in the country.
“If you remember at the time of fighting for the liberation of South Africa, Nigeria joined the southern African countries and they became one of the five frontline states in enhancing a peaceful coexistence in South Africa.
“It is for this reason that the Seventh-Day Adventist church has come up with a brilliant method of enhancing peace and to this effect, Zambia would want to identify ourselves with the Adventist church. Because our brothers and sisters in Nigeria are grappling with insecurity
“Zambia cannot stand idle and watch our brothers and sisters in Nigeria being faced with acts of terrorism. You must be aware that the Zambian government has a new leader. This government has come up with a new approach. As small as Zambian is, we have a beautiful training programme.
“Zambia cannot stand idle and watch our brothers and sisters in Nigeria being faced with acts of terrorism. You must be aware that the Zambian government has a new leader. This government has come up with a new approach. As small as Zambian is, we have a beautiful training programme.
“On the basis of that, Zambia stands ready to partner with Nigeria and fight crimes. There are areas of comparative advantage,” The High Commissioner added.
Earlier, Pastor Munaji Musa, the church pastor of Asokoro Seventh-day Adventist church, said that the peace concert was to give hope to the hopeless.
According to him, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, the Senate Minority Leader, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, Governors amongst other dignitaries were expected at the event.
“Without peace, we understand that there won’t be any meaningful development in any good nation and its people that bring about these policies. So, if the people are not at peace, if they do not have peace, they cannot give the world peace. Where we lack inward peace ourselves, we cannot give the world peace and as we said music is one instrument that can bring inward peace to persons.
“In pursuing this culture of peace, the Asokoro Seventh-day Adventist church Abuja began a program to promote peace in our nation and the world at large through music called, “The Peace Concert”. We recognize that music contains a huge potential to the contribution of peacebuilding, such as removal of direct and indirect violence, igniting hope and will of life.
“There are a number of significant challenges we face today as individuals and as a global community, ranging from unemployment, poverty, natural disaster, banditry, kidnapping, health issues such as cancer, heart diseases, famine, and many more affecting millions today. More and more people are finding themselves alone and depressed. They feel the sting of despondency and despair.
“How can one live a purposeful, joyous life in the light of everything going on in our world? These can lead to despair and hopelessness with the future appearing gloomy and uncertain. But Hope makes a difference. Hope leads us from what is to what can be, it leads our spirits from the mud below to the heavens above. Our hope is anchored in a God who will never leave us or forsake us, and this we hope to share through music at the concert.
“For the concert, we are expecting the vice president of the federal republic of Nigeria and some senators. We have the Senate minority leader, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe and other lawmakers. We hope they will be here for this event and we are also expecting some permanent secretaries and some Governors from around the states because we recognize their critical roles in peacebuilding,” he said.
Musa added that the Seventh-day Adventist church was a worldwide church, committed to fostering a culture of peace and reconciliation in today’s increasingly violent world.
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