ABUJA (IPCR) – The Director General, Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution, Prof. Bakut T. Bakut, has said that peace is the most valuable desire of every society and it is a language spoken by all.
He said this while briefing the press as part of the activities to mark the 2019 International Day of Peace, in Abuja recently.
The DG explained that the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), declared 21st September, as a day, set aside to celebrate the International Day of Peace, all over the world, yearly, and it is meant to re-echo the significance of peace, as a priceless infrastructure.
He said, “The Peace Day programme is to encourage the participation of all nations and their people to strengthen the ideas of peace and the necessity of campaign against violent conflict.”
He further opined that the absence of peace communicates the destruction of lives and properties and leaving behind a trail of sorrows, pain, suffering and total disorder.
The theme of this year’s event is Climate Action For Peace and it is one of the 17 issues of Sustainable Development Goals(SDGs).
Other areas of focus according to the Director General, include poverty, hunger, health, education, gender equality, water and sanitation, energy, environment and social justice.
Prof. Bakut further explained that Climate Action for Peace is expected to enhance various actions that would help to address the activities that have negatively impacted the ecosystem.
He said, “Activities such as deforestation, inappropriate disposal of waste, tree-felling, air pollution among others leading to environmental degradation have reduced natural and agricultural resources which we all depend on for survival.”
He continued that struggling over these dwindling resources occasioned by climate change has been responsible for the killing of persons and destruction of properties.
Bakut called on State Governors to commemorate International Peace Day through statewide broadcast to emphasize the importance of environmental management for conflict prevention.
Musa Mato
Head of Media
