16th May Annually is set aside by the United Nations as an international day of living together in peace. The aim of celebrating the day is to advocate for living in peace with one another, irrespective of religious of ethnic differences.
It is against this backdrop that correspondent Khadijah Aliyu conducted a research on the importance of living in peace with one another
It all started with the idea to mobilize every year, the international day of living together in peace celebrated by people, by all religions, cultures around the world to promote peace, tolerance, inclusion, understanding and solidarity.
It is also an opportunity to live and act together united in difference and diversity to build a sustainable world of peace solidarity and harmony.
On 8th December 2017, all 193 nations of the UN general assembly unanimously adopted a resolution and proclaimed may 16th as the international day of living together in peace.
Since 2018, all round the world, more people have been celebrating the day in more than 60 cities.The day aims to uphold the desire to live and act together united in differences and diversity, in order to build a sustainable world of peace, solidarity and harmony.
At, present the world is divided into many small fragments which have led to rampant increase in the cases of violence.
The day invites countries to further promote reconciliation to help in ensuring peace and sustainable development by working with communities, faith leaders and other relevant actors to encourage forgiveness and compassion.
The former president of the united nations 74th ordinary session,Tijjani Muhammad Bande of Nigeria, in his message on the international day of living together in peace 2020, called on all member states to support the united nations call for an immediate global ceasefire.
” Covid-19 poses a serious threat to the maintenance of international peace and security. The UN has called for a global ceasefire to work together on the actual fight in defeating the pandemic.It is time to silence the guns and bring hope to those who are most vulnerable”
Nigeria in confronted by multiple security challenges, notably insurgency, militancy in the Niger Delta, farmer and herders conflict, Biafra agitation, kidnapping among others.
Government has done it’s best in mitigating the problems bedevilling the nation. As President Muhammadu Buhari directed all security agencies to immediately rescue all the people kidnapped by armed persons across Nigeria.
Meanwhile, religious and traditional leaders, non governmental organizations and all relevant stakeholders have contributed their quota in advocating for peaceful coexistance.
Reverend Adeyemo A. Samuel is the chairman christian association of Nigeria (CAN), kano chapter who spoke to Radio Nigeria explained that living together in harmony is what Jesus mandated christians to do.
He Maintained that, Nigerians should embrace one another and work asidiously in uniting the nation.
“In Kano we don’t have issues of ethnic divide.The state government had set up an ethnic community where everyone come together under one umbrella”
Also speaking a renowned Islamic scholar in Kano, Sheikh Muhammad Bin Othman described Islam as a religion of peace.
He pointed out that, peace can be achieved through respecting each other’s religion.
“Government should make a law to sanction those guilty of breaching peace.Parents should also teach their children to behave well as Nigeria belongs to every body”
The day holds a lot of significance, as every year united nations invites it’s member countries, to come forward and promote reconciliation and unity. It is believed that the goal can be attained, if countries decide to work with communities and leaders to foster feelings of forgiveness and compassion.
KHADIJAH ALIYU/KANO