By Rita Iliya
The Global Peace Foundation (GPF) Nigeria has called on Nigerians to embrace unity, tolerance and dialogue to address insecurity and deepen social cohesion across the country.
Rev. John Joseph-Hayab, Country Director of GPF, said this during the commemoration of the International Day of Peaceful Coexistence, organised by GPF in Minna on Wednesday.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event had the theme: “Promoting Tolerance, Inclusion, Understanding and Solidarity.”
The gathering brought together faith leaders, traditional rulers, government officials, security agencies, women and youth leaders, civil society organisations and members of the media in a shared commitment to peace.
Joseph-Hayab said the presence of participants was a powerful statement that, in spite of insecurity, mistrust and division, Nigerians still believed in dialogue, unity and shared humanity.
According to him, the vision of GPF affirms that, regardless of religious, ethnic or cultural differences, all people belong to one shared human family with a common origin.
He said that peaceful coexistence was not a foreign concept, but one deeply rooted in Nigeria’s cultural values, faith, traditions and collective history.
He noted that across diverse identities, people shared common aspirations to live in safety, raise children with dignity and build communities where diversity was respected.
The country director said the theme of the event spoke directly to the need to counter narratives of fear, suspicion and exclusion that had weakened trust and social cohesion.
He explained that peaceful coexistence required courage to listen, understand and work together for the common good.
Joseph-Hayab added that peace was not passive, but demanded deliberate efforts from faith leaders, traditional rulers, women, youths and government institutions.
He said the programme would provide a platform for dialogue, syndicate discussions and collective reflections on the root causes of insecurity and distrust in Niger.
He emphasised that peaceful coexistence did not mean the absence of differences, but the ability to manage them constructively without violence, discrimination or hate.
He urged participants to commit to being agents of peace in their homes, places of worship, schools, markets and daily interactions.
Also speaking, Gov. Umaru Bago of Niger, reiterated his administration’s commitment to promoting peaceful coexistence through both kinetic and non-kinetic approaches to security and conflict resolution.
Bago, represented by Mr Maurice Magaji, Commissioner, Homeland Security, said that government would continue to complement security operations with dialogue, advocacy and community engagement to strengthen peaceful coexistence.
According to him, participation in peace-building initiatives provides an opportunity to highlight the importance of unity and mutual understanding among people of different faiths and backgrounds.
Bago stressed the need for continuous engagement with religious and opinion leaders as well as community heads to foster mutual understanding and respect.
He noted that Nigerians did not choose their religion, skin colour, language or place of birth, describing diversity as the beauty of God and a call to coexist peacefully.
The governor said the realisation that humanity shared one God should guide people towards tolerance and harmonious living.
Bago commended the organisers of the programme and pledged the state government’s continued support for initiatives that promote peace and harmonious living across the state.
In her keynote address, Hajiya Hadiza Kuta, Commissioner for Women Affairs, described peace as an integral part of human life, calling on Nigerians to embrace peaceful coexistence as a pathway to happiness and social stability.
Kuta, represented by Mrs Rakiya Musa, said that given current realities, peace remained the most critical need of society, stressing that people must learn to live together irrespective of religious or cultural differences.
In their separate goodwill messages, the Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Niger, Rev. Bulus Yohanna, represented by the Vice Chairman, Rev. Joshua Markus, said peace was the foundation of meaningful development.
Also speaking, the Chairman of Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) in the state, Alhaji Yakubu Bosso, urged Nigerians to preach peace wherever they found themselves.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
edited by Ismail Abdulaziz
