…Preach Peace, Harmony, and Tolerance
By Emeka Oluka
The need to preach peace, harmony, and tolerance to foster a peaceful society has been re-emphasised by experts.
The call which summarises unity in diversity was an offshoot of the One-Day Peace Education Symposium, organised by the Cardinal John Onaiyekan Peace Foundation in collaboration with Nurse Shakirat Oladejo-Alghazal, the convener.
Addressing the audience, Nurse Oladejo-Alghazal, a Fellow of the Foundation emphasised the crucial need to educate individuals on peace-building in the face of rising political divides leveraging diversity.
Nurse Oladejo-Alghazal, who is also a Principal Nursing Officer in the University Health Services of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB) noted that education on peace-building was paramount in today’s society.
Participants at the symposium in a photograph with the representative of the Vice-Chancellor and other guests
She stressed that diversity should unite and not divide us. Asserting that as a nation, we must strive for peaceful coexistence while practicing our various religions.
Stressing the pivotal role of youths in nation-building, the symposium’s keynote speaker, Dr. Abdussobur Salaam, Deputy Registrar I, Senate and Admissions, FUNAAB, tasked leaders to get the youths right, in order to get the nation right.
According to him, “Peace education, understanding the essence of peace, and establishing peace clubs in schools are vital steps towards fostering harmony”.
Representative of the Vice-Chancellor and the Dean, COLAMRUD, Prof. Emmanuel Fakoya addressing participants at the symposium
Dr. Salaam underscored the significance of resolving conflicts through non-violent means.
Focusing on the theme of diversity as a cornerstone for peace, other speakers expounded upon it as a focal point in the symposium.
Other speakers such as Pastor (Mrs.) Oluwakemi Ogunyemi of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Divine Champion Area Headquarters; Mrs. Amatullateef Ishaq, Project Officer at the Human Rights Advancement, Development, and Advocacy Center for West Africa, and Pharmacist Sulaiman Dosunmu, Principal Pharmacist II at the Directorate of Health Services, FUNAAB all delved into the topic of peace and unity in a diverse society, need for tolerance and impact of substance abuse on societal peace and harmony.
Pharmacist Dosunmu further addressed the dangers of excessive use of psychoactive drugs and cautioned against the gradual health deterioration resulting from substance abuse.
Keynote Speaker at the event, Dr Abdussobur Salaam
Earlier, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Babatunde Kehinde who was represented by the Dean, College of Agricultural Management and Rural Development (COLAMRUD), Prof. Emmanuel Fakoya welcomed participants to the symposium as he stressed the need for peace and tolerance as a driving tool for a united people.
The Peace Education Symposium is a Community Peace Project by the Convener, Nurse Oladejo-Alghazal and it was aimed to serve as a significant platform to promote understanding, harmony, and tolerance in diverse societies, echoing the sentiment that peace was the antidote to the poison of violence.
The Programme Convener, Nurse Shakirat Oladejo-Alghazal
Present at the event were the Representative of the Chairman, Odeda Local Government, Comrade Zacchaeus Makinde; the University Imam, Prof. Idris Ayinde and the Acting Director, Health Services, Dr. Oluseyi Anjorin among others.
