Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has said only sustainable peace can guarantee sustainable development in the country.
He said this on Monday during the occasion marking 2015 International Day of Peace, organised by the Centre for Human Security, Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, in Abeokuta.
The former President noted that one of the most effective ways to ensure sustainable peace was to instil a culture of non-violence and peaceful co-existence in the youth and children.
In this vein, Obasanjo launched a children’s story book on peace, where students from different secondary school were present.
The story book is entitled, “Peace Story for Children.”
The Director, OOPL, CHS, Prof. Peter Okebukola, who represented Obasanjo at the event, said, “Baba Obasanjo believes that the youth are going to be the leaders of tomorrow. And so, we should start planting the seeds of peace in their hearts.
“We are conveying the peace story in a story. Children love stories. This book is to tell the children how they can be part of peace-making in their homes; peace-making with their friends, peace-making in their schools, peace-making nationally.
“It is only when there is sustainable peace that the country can have sustainable development.”
He said ‘The CHS Peace Project for Children’ was a deliberate action that would ensure the entrenchment of sustainable peace in the country.
He applauded the efforts of President Muhammadu Buhari in fostering peace in Nigeria, calling on all Nigerians to support the positive change unfolding under the current dispensation.
Okebukola, who said the former President was currently outside the country on a peace mission, stated that it was time the world recognised his efforts at fostering peace in the African sub-region and globally and give him a Nobel Peace prize.
He said, “Baba Obasanjo is abroad now preaching peace. I’ll say that Baba deserves the Nobel Peace prize, because over the last several decades, Baba has been in the vanguard or has been part of groups that have been solving challenges. He has been part of efforts at building bridges, building national unity and promoting peace, not only in Africa but on global level.”
Okebukola expressed the belief that ‘The CHS Peace Project for Children’ would enhance children’s understanding of conflict, conflict resolution and also to empower students as citizens to contribute and sustain a more peaceful global community.
He added, “Today, we are bringing together Nigerian youths to deepen their understanding of the benefits of peace and how they can individually and collectively promote and pursue the ideals of peace.
“As the world celebrates the International Peace Day, the Centre for Human Security commends the efforts of the government and various organisations in responding to the various security challenges and threats in the country and implores everyone to devise measures to prevent conflicts. The centre remains committed to ensuring sustainable peace.”
Other highlights of the event included a keynote address by Ambassador Adebola Labiran and inter-school debate on the topic, “Whose responsibility is it to ensure peace? Is it the people or the government?”
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