In realization of the importance of Peace and Security in the developmental process of a Nation, a one-day town hall meeting on developing a culture of peace and security consciousness and awareness, was held at the Conference Hall of Ikeja Local Government Area of Lagos West Senatorial District on Wednesday 29th November, 2017. The awareness forum was organized by National Orientation Agency (NOA), Lagos State to sensitize various stakeholders on the need for peace and security within their communities.

In his keynote address on “DEVELOPING A CULTURE OF PEACE AND SECURITY CONSCIOUSNESS AND AWARENESS”, the director, National Orientation Agency (NOA), Lagos State, Mr. Waheed Ishola, observed, that in times past, Nigerians lived together peacefully as brothers and sisters with good neighbourliness, love and trust as well as less bitterness or hatred. Presently, hardly would a day go by without reports of threats to Peace and Security or breakdown of law and order in most parts of the country. He noted that no country all over the world develops meaningfully in an atmosphere of confusion, breakdown of law and order. Hence, the need to develop a culture of peace and security consciousness as a people.

The Director spoke on seven key areas on how to develop a Culture of Peace and Security. These were:

         Having the Right Attitudes and Values – love, trust, tolerance, self control, discipline etc.

         Patriotic Spirit – putting Nigeria first in whatever we do, play a patriotic role to expose evil acts around us by giving vital information to men of security.

         Peaceful Sermons by Religious Leaders.

         Embrace Dialogue.

         Proper Parenting – Parents to ensure that their children/wards imbibe positive attitudes and behaviour.

         Educational Institutions – School curriculum should regularly engage  pupils/students with civic education as it relates to nation building.

         Familiarization with Security Information – know your neighbours and be your neighbours keeper. Be in tune with security tips.

By observing the above, he noted that a lot of benefits would be reaped as all would be lending a helping hand to the government through essential civic responsibility.

In his goodwill message, the Executive Chairman of Ikeja Local Government, Honourable (Engr.) Mojeed Alabi Balogun remarked, that the sole purpose of the event was essentially to encourage the peaceful co-existence amongst the various ethnic nationalities within the confines of the Council Area with a deep sense of National pride that promotes common identity. He called on religious and community leaders to use their revered positions in preaching love and tolerance to their subjects, even as he urged political leaders and leaders of thought to join the campaign embarked upon by NOA nationwide to building a people of peace and promoting the evolution of security consciousness among the people.

Other speakers who lent their support to the peace and security campaign by NOA were: Representative of Area ‘F’ Commander, Ikeja, Lagos State, Superintendent of Police (SP) Charity Enebeli; Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Community Development Affairs (SSA) Alhaji Quadri Tajudeen Adeniyi; Coordinator Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Ikeja Local Government Area, Rev. Israel Oyetunji; Representative of Imam, Ikeja Central Mosque, Imam Rahmas Azeez Kewulefe; Baale Ojodu, Alhaji Nojim Aro; Community Development Committee (CDC), amongst others.

The forum was well attended by stakeholders across the local government Area namely: Various Religious leaders; Traditional leaders; Market men and women; Community Development Committees (CDC); Police, Neigbhourhood Corps; Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS); Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC);  National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW); Youth Council;  Community leaders amongst others.

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